Olympus has hit the price/performance sweet spot with this camera. It’s no wonder it is setting a new standard for the Olympus filmless digital camera product line. This 4x professional f2.0-2.4, 9-36mm zoom lens is fully multi-coated to provide high-quality images. Further aiding in providing excellent image reproduction are the Extra Dispersion (ED) glass lens and two High Index Low Dispersion elements, helping to reduce chromatic aberrations for a clearer and sharper image. Features designed for the avid photographer and professional include raw data capture mode, manual focus, a dual auto-focus system, and newly designed camera controls.

What’s good about this camera: terrific image quality, great lens (f2.0-f2.6!), all the control you could want (white balance, focus, zoom, exposure, flash), support for compact flash and smart media, and ability to take up to 4 shots in rapid succession, easy upload of images to a PC, Adobe Photoshop LE included and good battery life on Olympus NiMH AA batteries.

The camera functions well in program mode, but immediate image review on the camera enables you to use more control if you don’t get the shot you need. I never managed to run the Olympus AA NiMH batteries (purchased separately) flat during a day’s shooting, so camera power consumption seems to be excellent — short battery life is a killer for many digital cameras.

It has a great zoom range, and as the camera was designed for digital from the ground up there are none of the multiplying effects of film cameras converted for digital use (e.g. Canon D30). Oh ya, and a good camera!