|
What we liked best about this model is the clam-shell design and tidy functionality.
(Those twisting body part cameras sort of bother me with a little queasy feeling
when the camera is being handled by the kids, or unaware people. One feature I wasn't
in love with on the Nikon or the Agfa. And, that's actually where the camera failed
on the Cassio we reviewed three years ago ... now dead in the closet.) 
. . . Olympus has also made substantial strides in their
interface and software add-ons. You'll remember in our last report on the D-600,
the software was all but unacceptable. The
software shipping with the 400 came through with flying colors, and even the
Flash Path Floppy Disk Adapter wowed us with it's performance. Way't go, Olympus.
. . . But there are a lot of other nice features most
reviewers don't notice. We have agonized over putting batteries into every digital
camera that's come along... not the 400. There's no question about sequence since
the batteries are in-line -- you could do it in the dark. Nice little creature comfort
feature.
. . . Additionally, for some reason the 400z seemed
to be more efficient with battery use. We were able to get through a full card, download
to the computer, and manipulate the camera quite a bit on a single load of batteries.
Or, maybe our batteries were better. I wised up to these digital cameras back last
year and bought a Radio Shack NiCad battery charger and $20 worth of batteries. I
haven't bought a battery since. The Nikon wouldn't quite make it to the computer
on the first round of batteries.
. . . The position of the tripod receiver is also much
handier than the others. We were comfortable with the camera both vertical and horizontal.
It handled well in the studio too -- very clear operation: instant close-ups, time
release and exposure overrides. Although I'll note that the best photos -- in all
situations -- were with the default exposure setting. We could not seem to improve
on the already excellent exposure latitude no matter how much we twiddled with the
settings.
. . . While it's only a 3x zoom, it worked flawlessly
and smoothly. We didn't seem to yearn for greater focal length,although perhaps a
6x would be nicer. The best thing about the zoom is the focus. There's a generous
viewfinder and both the viewfinder and the LCD preview update the focus along with
the zoom. Nice. The zoom switch is a little rocker switch right next to the shutter
release, with a very positive feeling for zooming. In many of the others the zoom
is a little difficult to understand, or easily confused with other controls. Here,
you rock it back to pull out and rock it forward to zoom in. 
. . . Close-ups worked very well too, with clear lens
performance right down to nearly touching. (at right, see a lapel button we're shooting
for a client's website... that button is less than a half inch!
. . . The unit's got a built-in lens cover, and the
lens retracts back into the body allowing for coat or purse pocket carry along...
a huge benefit to the smaller clam-shell design. Picture quality is all there. The
optics are very clear and seem to match the quality of the more expensive 600 siblings,
as well as the Nikon 900 we reviewed. In fact in the type test there was virtually
no difference in image quality.
. . . In parting, I'll mention once again -- there
wasn't an AC adapter nor a carry case with this unit. Again we say c'mon Olympus...
a 99-cent case and a 3-dollar adapter won't break you. They want as much as $100
for the accessory kit with case, adapter, 8MB Smart Media card and Pictra software.
(Note: the 450z did fit perfectly into a padded sunglasses case from the "Sunglasses
Shack" you'll find at most bigger malls for under $12.00)
. . . The 400z is fast, it's easy to use and all our
reviewers agreed seems to be sturdy and durable enough to be a good "family"
camera as well as a respectable studio camera.
. . . I can recommend the 400z to anyone who is looking
for a super, all-round quality digital camera in the intermediate range.
Nice work, Olympus.
<- Back to "Which Camera"
__/__ Back to &FOTOGraphic
->
|
