Consumer Reports speaks on cameras

[Andy Hastings]

I know that CR is not a recognized legit source of camera reviews but I still read it every month and while I don't always blindly follow what they recommend, I do factor it in my decisions (TV's and cameras are two things I would definitely go to other sources for).

But their camera issue just came out and had some interesting Olympus info. Not all of it good.

I have an Olympus point and shoot, though an "advanced" model - a C-770, I probably wouldn't be the fan of Olympus I am without this superzoom model. So while SLR's or mFT may be where the money is...point and shoots still draw in customers to the brand. I even got my office to buy a couple of the "tough" model cameras for staff that handle field work.

Anyway here are the Olympus highlights:

1) Knowing that camera models change year by year, CR attempted to rate point and shoot manufacturers by brand as opposed to specific camera model. In this pursuit, they identified Canon, Casio, Panasonic, and Samsung as point and shoot manufacturers which regularly produce stand-out performers. Unfortunately they specifically call out Olympus as the one brand name listed which is the "brand least likely to yield a top performer". Ouch. Olympus P&S cameras never do very well in the CR ratings, but I think that is a new...low blow to the brand.

2) The CR folks tested Olympus' claim that the "tough" cameras can withstand drops of 5-feet and continue functioning perfectly. Olympus passed. Hopefully those of you out there with one of these won't now need to drop them on your own. =-)

3) On the SLR front, Olympus did a lot better. In terms of "basic" SLR's, the E-30 (appears that the E-620 was not reviewed in time) ranked #2 behind the Nikon D90 and ahead of the #3 Pentax K200D and #4 Canon XSi. In the "advanced" category, the E-3 ranked #3 (and got "recommended") behind the #1 Nikon D300, #2 Canon 40D...while ahead of the #4 Canon 50D (50D is probably here based on high price) and #5 Sony A700.

Obviously the 8-page article has more info but for that you'll have search it out yourself. =-)

Food for thought, always nice to have a conversation, even if the source isn't well respected in these circles.

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-Andy Hastings

 

[Andy Hastings]

Based on their subscriber surveys they also indicated that Olympus is one of the more reliable SLR brands (based on frequency of repairs needed) and in the middle of the pack of P&S camera reliability.

Interestingly Nikons are at or near the top of the list for needing repairs the most in both SLRs and P&S cameras.

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-Andy Hastings

 

[Henry Falkner]

Pctures shown here unfortunately bear out that Olympus pocket cameras are not the best.

I was going for the Stylus 9000 due to ergonomics, but I am hanging on to the Stylus 800 as a pocket camera. It has been said here that the focussing of the Stylus 9000 is soft, both in the dpreview comparison and in a user report.

The Stylus 9000 now costs more in New Zealand than I paid for my SP-570UZ - which shows more detail than the C-750 and is sharper than the SP-550 through the whole range.

Henry

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Henry Falkner - Stylus 800, SP-550UZ, SP-570UZ
http://www.pbase.com/hfalkner

 

[Jerseypine]

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I have never agreed with the way CR rates cameras. I trust dpreview and popular photography as well as any reviews and tests. I think the Olympus C series were among the best P&S cameras but somehow they have slipped recently. I still have my C5050Z and it captures images equal or better than some of the newer cameras with higher megapixels. Jersey

 

[Ben Herrmann]

but only for their depiction of Oly digicams. Look at what Oly is producing now-a-days. Lots of fancy (pretty) looking digicams, but very low on the IQ side of the house - it appears as if they've all but given up on the digicam end of things.

Luckily, they are making strides on the DSLR side of the house and let's pray that their micro 4/3 releases, which are right around the corner, will stir up some interest also.
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