As in automatic mode, an image evaluation is only conditionally possible because the camera sometimes makes unpredictable settings, I will make here a judgment only with certain manual settings. For this I use the P mode, ISO 100, use the full 16.5 megapixels and set the picture quality to 'fine'. The digital zoom is turned off (only the Optical is used) and the flash is rarely as an artificial light source to do so. To set the camera can reach their full potential. The recordings are really good when sufficient light is available. Is no longer sufficient, the light receiving values are shown in red. Now the flash or a tripod to needs. Looking at the pictures in an image editing program such as Photoshop, make yourself at 100% image size, even small fraying of contours and also noticeable color noise is always something represented. These negative characteristics you do not recognize but on a 10x15 expression on photo paper. For A3 printing are then seen already. I want to mention, however, that the picture quality is really better at such a pixel-packed sensor in any other competition model here. Since I have quite a bit in recent months tested in the price segment. The sharpness is very good and the sensor for the focus works quickly and confidently. But if it is too dark and he did not get enough contrast commanded, he runs fast and then terminated without successful focusing. This should be an exception but act as when photographing the light should always be the highest bid. After all, we do not have night-vision goggles here. So if you tried the camera in the evening in the living room rustic oak-let me tell you, my 40D Canon makes no better pictures without a tripod and without flash in this sparse lighting.
The further evaluation points at a glance.
What has struck with a positive:
- Housing and optics make a stable impression and even with the extended zoom, the camera remains positioned horizontally on a table and not fall forward over.
- Also, the wide-angle range is good and a whole family can be photographed to walk even at three meters away from the head.
- Hand strap it fits comfortably in your hand and all buttons and the scroll wheel can be operated well.
- In the camera there as '?' a small reference book for laymen. As you can read how the Panorama function works or how to bring dogs and cats properly on the photo.
- Even without SDHC / SDXC memory card, the camera can store internally up to 12 recordings in the highest Qualitätseinstufe.
- In SCN mode, the camera takes good shots, one chooses here the right motive-program. The iAuto mode is suitable for people who really want to turn on only the camera and losknipsen. The quality is then not always optimal.
- The built-in filters are surprisingly good. In particular, the pinhole camera and the miniature effect of special quality as they are known by the pen-type series of Olympus and have become already a kind of trademark, as you can save many hours of work with Photoshop itself. Here, a filter can not be reversed and remains an integral part of the JPEG recording.
- The camera is also the charger. About a USB device, regardless of whether the attached or with the connection to a computer or a car charger, the battery can be recharged. I do not feel as a disadvantage, since I have a fully charged spare battery in addition doing anyway. Also, an external battery charger would not help, since one the camera also can not use while the battery is charging.
- The battery lasts a surprisingly long time, unfortunately, there is only one fairly Spartan battery indicator with three bars.
- The monitor is of good quality with 460,000 pixels. There are worse, but even better monitors with more pixels, but in the price range it is already standard.
- Take the S-close-up shoot can be approached up to 3cm to the object to be photographed. This allows already amazing macro images.
- You can manually set exposure compensation, white balance and iso-value. Isovalues 100-1600 are possible and the white balance also like the automatic.
- Per the supplied cinch the camera can be connected to the slide show on the TV. An HDMI cable is also, however, is not included.
- The flash must be manually opened with a slide. It does not pop up automatically when the camera is turned on. For me this here as positive as the automatic unfolding of lightning has been criticized in other camera manufacturers, since you had to close it again and again, if you're not using him. Some even stuck him tightly with tape.
Not 9 mode and almost wanted to give up: - At first I found the 16. In the User Guide on the CD is in the detailed PDF version where he may be found. When the image size you need to continue scrolling down and then comes the 16: 9 mode. Phew, so yet no black bars left and right on the 16: 9 TV.
- Each image can be added to an audio commentary. Later in the slideshow of this commentary is played with.
- The date can be integrated on one screen.
- Films are recorded at 720p. So this is not about Full HD. For the snapshot in between pretty good, but not comparable to a video camera.
- Pressing one when switched off the top of the wheel for 2 seconds (where info stands) the date and time displayed on the monitor.
- Home and vacation time zones can be set.
What I noticed is negative:
- Is covering the lid, the battery and memory card a little shaky and does not lock automatically when you close a. The flap for the connecting cable is not exactly high quality.
- A speed and aperture settings do not exist unfortunately.
Conclusion: Even if the enormous zoom range requires a lot of expertise, the camera is a really successful device in the wide-angle range. Too bad the installed you still so small image sensors with such a large pixel density. I think 10 megapixels would have been enough for the same image quality. I liked the camera so far but fun nevertheless. The price-performance ratio.
