Product Description

OLYMPUS D-540 -- This compact, 3.2 million effective pixel Digital Camera is ready to go where you go and bring back a visual record in splendid detail and vibrant color. Choose between 7 different shooting modes, or capture a mini-movie with audio using QuickTime. You can even connect directly to a PictBridge-enabled printer and have your photos in no time -- no computer required. Shutter speeds - 1/1000 second - 1/2 second (up to 2 sec. in Night Scene mode) Manual and preset White Balance modes Up to 12 second self timer Burst Mode - 1.3 frames per second Built-in multi-mode flash USB 1.1 interface Unit Weight - 5.8 ounces w/out battery Package includes - 16MB xD-Picture Card, 2 AA Alkaline Batteries, USB & AV cables, wrist strap, software on CD-ROM, manual 1 year limited warranty

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33226 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Olympus
• Model: 540 Zoom
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 7.74 pounds
• Display size: 1.8

Features

• 3.2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 10-by-13-inch enlargements
• 3x optical zoom combines with 3.3 digital zoom for 10x total zoom
• 1.8-inch LCD display; PictBridge enabled; Quicktime movie mode
• Store images on xD memory cards
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable NiMH recommended)

Amazon.com Product Description
If you're new to the world of digital photography, the Olympus D-540 offers just the right blend of easy-to-use features and high-quality optics that delivers vivid pictures. The D-540 has a durable silver-toned polycarbonate body with a shutter style lens barrier. It also features a 3.2-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, movie mode, a bright LCD monitor to review images, and Olympus's new TruePic Turbo image processor, which speeds up the camera's start-up, shutter lag, recording and playback time.

Optics and Resolution
The 3-megapixel D-540 captures 2048 x 1536 pixel images for prints up to 11 x 14 inches. It also has 1600 x 1200 (2MP) and 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution modes. It features a 3x optical zoom that, when combined with a 3.3x digital zoom, delivers a total seamless 10x zoom. The aspherical all-glass zoom lens is constructed of 7 lenses in 6 groups and has a focal length of 5.8-17.4mm (38-114mm equivalent in 35mm photography) and an aperture range of f2.9-f5.0.

Movie Mode
In addition to capturing still images, you can also shoot short videos (without audio) at 15 frames per second (fps). The D-540 has two resolution modes: 320 x 240 and 160 x 120. (Its companion D-580, with a 4-megapixel still image resolution, offers a movie mode with sound.)

More Features
The D-540 is one of the first Olympus models to feature TruePic Turbo, a new image processor that sharpens image clarity, contrast, and color for life-like results. This feature also makes the camera 30% faster in processing images and is combined with a super-fast shutter release time.

The D-540 offers a menu architecture that's easy to navigate for fast access to the right settings with just the press of arrow buttons. Seven preset shooting modes can be accessed through the "Virtual Dial" (viewable through the LCD menu) to provide fully automatic exposure adjustments; these include Program Auto, Portrait, Portrait-Landscape, Landscape, Night Scene, Self Portrait, and Movie.

Other features include:

• 1.8-inch TFT color LCD monitor (approximately 85,000 pixels)
• Optical real-image viewfinder
• 1.5 frames per second burst up to 12 frames
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, and off modes
• ISO sensitivity 50 to 320

Direct Printing
The D-540 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer (such as the Olympus P-10), without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong).

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on XD Picture Card memory cards. The card's small size, about the same as a postage stamp, helps to keep the camera size down. The included 16 MB card will store approximately 20 images at 2048 x 1536 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98 Rev2Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines included, NiMH rechargeable recommended) or 1 CR-V3 battery. It measures 4 x 2.2 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.3 ounces (excluding batteries and storage media).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Olympus D-540 digital camera, 16 MB XD Picture Card, USB cable, 2 AA alkaline batteries, wrist strap, quick-start guide, and instruction manual. The CD-ROM features Camedia Master software, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Camera Reference Manual.

From the Manufacturer
Features:

• 3 Megapixels for up to 8 x 10" prints and larger
• New compact design
• New engine (TruePic Turbo) for faster processing speeds
• 10X Seamless Zoom (38-114 equiv., f2.9/5.0 – f7.0)
  • 3x Optical Zoom + 3.3x Digital
• 1.8" high resolution LCD
• PictBridge Enabled
• Durable plastic body
• Virtual Dial for easy access to 7 Shooting Modes
• Quicktime Movie Mode
• Auto-Connect USB for easy connectivity
• Easy Menu Navigation System
• Optical Viewfinder
• xD-Picture Card Compatible
• 2 AA batteries

Customer Reviews

Colorful, Razor-sharp Pictures - Highly Recommended!
I have the Canon A80 (4.0 Megapixels) and also bought this new camera (known over here as Olympus C-310) recently. While the Canon may have a 1.5 inch swivel LCD screen, this camera has a larger & more pleasant 1.8 inch LCD screen, definitely takes SHARPER pictures, and has less chromatic aberration (purple fringing). It does have slightly more picture noise (i.e. digital 'film grain') compared to the Canon, but you will notice this only if you have a keen eye for it. (the extra picture noise probably arose from the more aggresive sharpening algorithm employed by Olympus as compared to Canon)

The heavier & more solid Canon uses 4 AA batteries and last for hours upon hours even on alkaline batteries, but you can only take a few more shots once its low-battery warning flashes. In contrast, the Olympus uses 2 AA batteries only and is therefore much lighter, but one caveat - on both new & newly charged rechargeable 2100mAH NiMH batteries (2100 mAH and above are strongly recommended), the low-battery warning indicator does start flashing too soon, when the camera gets warm.

However, I have found to my surprise that with the low-battery indicator persistently flashing, this camera still allowed me to take approx. another 120 continuous shots, around 80 of which had used flash. This means that while rechargeable battery life is actually ok for the camera, the low-battery warning is way too premature to be relied upon.

While this camera also lacks other features found on the more expensive Canon and requires the newer, smaller (and more expensive) xD memory card, it is very much more pocketable, and has a new hidden Ace - the 'Super Macro Mode' hidden in the Menu option, which allows fantastic close-up photos from under 1 inch (2 cm) away, compared to the Canons and Nikons which can only go as close as 2 inches (4-5 cm) max only.

Overall, this camera takes very colorful, contrasty, razor-sharp pictures, and pictures taken with the flash were also well exposed. I have noticed that the latter are definitely brighter than those taken with competing Nikons, such as the Coolpix 2100/3100 & newer 2200/3200 range, which seem to suffer from slightly underpowered flash and remain unrectified by the manufacturer until this very day.

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - despite the premature low-battery indicator, the camera delivers one of the very best picture quality in its price category, with a new hidden bonus (Super Macro Mode!). This is my very first review ever at Amazon.com, and I hope this short review has helped.

An Outstanding Camera
I love this little camera. I had a chance to try out this camera and compare it to three other digital cameras. The Olympus 540 won hands down. This is the camera I take with me every day. I own a better camera, but like the size and ease of use of this camera.

I took identical photos with this camera and a 4 mg pixal camera and you couldn't tell the difference in a 8x10 print done on a color laser printer. I also enlarged and printed a 48"x36" image on a large format printer and was extremely please by the results.

The camera is easy to use. In seconds you can choose anyone of the eight shooting modes. Also, adjusting the flash to be auto, always on, off or a fill flash is a quick click on the back control button. By pushing the shutter button half way down you can set your exposure. This is very helpful in some lighting situations.

If you purchase the camera, I would recommend buying re- chargeable batteries and a larger storage card.

Awesome little camera
I searched high and low for a new digital camera, buying and returning 4 different cameras in a week before finding this awesome little Olympus. I tried cameras from Kodak, Fuji, and Canon and none of them compared to this camera. It is small, simple to use, and affordable. First off the LCD display is extremely crisp and clear and the menus are very user-friendly. The camera starts up fasts and takes pictures relatively quickly also. I will say, it is not the best with batteries.(a common problem in digital cameras though) Just invest in some good rechargables, it's worth it. Anyway, my pictures, snapshots and closeups, come out very sharp and look comparable to those taken with a 5mp camera I have. I think if you are looking for an affordable, portable, great new digital camera invest in the Camedia-540.