The manual
of the C-700UZ goes a bit overboard when it lists the characteristics
of the lens, indicating it to be the equivalent of a 38 to 1000 mm,
by tacking on the "extension" created by the 2.7X digital
zoom. The fact that the C-700UZ is equipped with a 10X optical zoom
should be sufficient to attract attention without this bit of confusion.
Indeed, with the digital zoom turned on, the picture quality
degrades noticeably, making the digital zoom of the C-700UZ one of its
least attractive features.
Aperture: f 3.5, shutter speed 1/800 sec.
Aperture: f5, shutter speed 1/1000 sec.
That
digital zoom is but one of a large array of functions, so many in fact,
that the camera can be somewhat intimidating. The C-700 is one of those
cameras that requires a fair bit of exploration, and patience, to make
a start at feeling comfortable with its use. Nevertheless, even with all
these possibilities, it is likely that the C-700UZ's primary attraction
is going to be its powerful zoom which, while its power compares well
with other 10X zoom models from
Olympus (the C-2100UZ
and the E-100RS),
has one major difference: no image stabilizer.
If the shutter speed is too low, then the only option is to increase the
camera's sensitivity. However, although the noise increase that comes
with a higher ISO rating is quite well-handled, the image still looses
some of its quality when compared to one captured at 100 ISO.
Aperture: f 4.5, shutter speed 1/650 sec. +1EV.
Aperture: f5, shutter speed 1/1000 sec.
That
a fast shutter speed is important at the maximum zoom was highlighted
by a rather alarmist "flash required" indicator that would appear
suddenly — sometimes appropriately, sometimes not — to warn
us of impending doom should we not immediately pop-up the flash!
Finally, under some conditions, the C-700UZ can develop a noticeable chromatic
aberration — a purplish fringe in areas where very bright objects
border on darker ones.
It should be noted
however, that this phenomenon is not uncommon in other digital cameras
equipped with long zooms, and that it occurs only with images that contain
high contrasts.
Overall though, the C-700 represents a real achievement: a pocketable
10X zoom with a good image quality.
