Olympus C765 4MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom
By: Olympus Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 46
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 On: 2005-10-22
This Olympus C765 replaces a Nikon Coolpix 2100 (reviewed here two + years ago. Of course, the resolution is better, but it is almost as small and it is just as simple (or simpler) to use. I have been very pleased in the past month of so that I have owned this.
Among other features, the "C" series has exceptional optical zoom capabilities (the C765 is 10X). In my opinion, this is one of the most important features of a camera, as you can do the zooming up front without burning through pixels during a touchup. The lens quality is fine.
Both of my children have "C" series Olympus cameras, one as much as 4 years old (the camera, that is), and love them. Im expecting a long life for this puppy.
Two small nits: The default setting is to use the LCD screen when going into photo mode - I prefer to use the viewfinder. You can toggle to this, but its a minor hassle. If you prefer the LCD, youll be fine. Secondly, the software that comes with the camera seems to demand that you store your work in their proprietary "albums" buried deep in the program. I will need to work with this more to make my photos more accessible.
As usual, you will want to buy a larger memory card. I also sprang for a case.
All in all, very satisfied.
 On: 2005-10-21
I bought the 765 primarily for the 10x zoom and the sports mode.
It was priced right and the 3rd digital camera I own.
The automatic settings are great and in my spare time I try to work with the manual adjustments which are plentiful.
For sporting events the continuous mode works well for action, but must be reset if the camera is turned off. You should also have a monopod or tripod when using the zoom.
Its not an SLR, but the lag time and features are the next best thing. The C series is being replaced and on line is about the only place you can find this model. Got it in 3-4 days.
On: 2005-10-03
The camera has been superb in taking detail photos of my architecture models. No details are forgotten when using the zoom. Everything u need to take quality photos are at your finger tips. Only set back was that the camera came with a 16MB storage card. Also the price was too high, even when buying at CompUSA. Other than that, the product is working just fine.
On: 2005-09-26
Has everything you will ever need. Small size is compact and excellent for small hands of a 12 year old. Not loaded down with options that you will never need or use once in its life time. If it doesnt have it, you probably dont need it.
On: 2005-09-22
I recently purchased this camera and therefore havent used it a lot. So far, I like it a very much. I read a review of it from DCRP Review: Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom. The review was very good. I like the 10x zoom capability; my pictures are very clear. The camera has more bells and whistles than Ill be able to use now but I am glad to have them. I recently signed up for an online course on digital photography and I am very glad I purchased this camera. I think my creativity will be pleasantly challenged. In addition it is very light and easy to hold (or carry). I am looking forward to many pleasant photography experiences on my own and in connection with my course. One experience - I was watching a DVD calculus course. The instructor was tracing a graph with a cursor. My daughters cat was fascinated, stood on his hind legs and batted at the TV. I was able to quickly set up the camera and take a terrific shot of CC the cat learning calculus. I would recommend this camera for novices and professionals alike.
On: 2005-09-19
I love this camera! It has everything i need on it! It is easy to use and the pictures come out beautifully. The zoom is great and the sports setting takes great action shots!!!!!!!! I highly reccomend this camera!!!!!!!!
 On: 2005-09-11
I recently purchased this camera as an "upgrade" from the basic Pentax Optio50 camera I had lost earlier this summer. I am already noticing several flaws compared to the other, cheaper camera:
* It is far more difficult to use -- you have to change the settings manually each time you wish to use the additional digital zoom. A number of other settings, including the macro modes, require time-consuming manual changes. This is in stark contrast to the automatic style of the Pentax, with several modes to choose from on the wheel atop the camera. The zoom is also set up awkwardly, so that you cant do it with your finger still on the take button.
* I notice already that the picture quality is much worse, despite the mere 1MP difference. All of my photos come out with red-eye, no matter how I set the flash and camera.
* Shutter speed is extremely slow, as is on/off.
* Focus is terrible. The first couple of days I got this camera, I was excited to go out and experiment with different modes -- night mode, macro mode, portrait mode, action mode. Even while steadying my hand and taking care not to move at all, the photos always turned out blurry. The ONLY usable mode left on the camera is "auto," and even then the photos are often blurry.
I admit that I am no expert with cameras. However, in comparing this (more expensive) camera to my little Pentax, I find that the additional zoom is hardly useful. I dont even want the camera anymore, but I purchased it through a non-Amazon retailer (still at amazon.com) and the return process is proving more complicated than it would be had I paid the extra $20 to get it straight from Amazon.
I hope that reading the above issues with this camera will help you make your decision. I would strongly suggest buying directly from amazon.com in any case -- from what I understand, their return and service policy is worth it, no matter which camera you choose.
On: 2005-09-01
I have had this camera for over 1 year now and just bought 2 more for my office. It is a terrific super zoom, easy too use and has enough advanced features for the serious amateur photographer. It is not completely idiot proof but it is not meant to be. It is also very economical given what some of the other super zoom models cost these days. I highly recommend it.
On: 2005-08-31
I got this camera recently as a replacement for my 4 years old C-700 that broke when I dropped it to the ground by mistake. Although some reviewers said that this camera is bulky in comparison to other popular digital cameras, I find it more compact than my old camera and does not look silly even if you bring it to a party & etc. However, due to its protuded lens part, it wont fit into a small camera case so choose a medium camera case if you are looking for one. The camera is pretty fast (except for the night mode) and gives a clear photo. Tripod is a must for a dark room since a hand vibration could cause blurred photo like most digital cameras. It doesnt bring out big red spots like my old camera in the dark room, but taking photo with a night mode is slow. Taking video with this camera is pretty good in a lit area. The instruction booklet is hard to use (reduction of details in favor of having millions of translations) and playing with a camera might be a better learning technique. You can set the camera in Japanese, English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Russian (prob) so the camera itself is user friendly for international people.
On: 2005-08-19
I guess it is my own fault but with such a powerful zoom the lens must be large. Other than a but bulky the camera takes great pictures, also you must remember to put the flash up, it is not automatic.
On: 2005-08-18
This camera takes great pictures. This is my first digital camera and I know how to do the basics. The manual didnt do a good job explaining how to use the more detailed features. The camera is very light and I like the fact, that it shuts off, after it is not being used for 3 minutes. I am very happy with this purchase.
On: 2005-08-14
This camera takes great pictures. The detail it captures is amazing. It is easy to use and much smaller and lighter than I thought it would be.
The camedia software it comes with made my computer blue screen and I lost my pictures, so I dont recommend installing the software. Luckily, I hadnt erased the pictures from my camera, so nothing was lost.
The bottom line is that the camera is great and the software is terrible.
On: 2005-08-14
I bought this camera one year ago,after doing extensive research for 2 months reading other reviews online. I have never had a camera capture the true pure colors of what I was photographing like this little gem does!!! I love the 10 optical zoom and even took a few not too bad 40x digital zoom( alittle grainy though)of birds outside my dining room window. However, like life it does have its little quirks. It is not the greatest camera for low light indoor pictures ie.in a restaurant. The camera needs a tripod for low light focusing. Also, Olympus really should include a better paperback manual instead of having it on a CD. I actually went to my office & downloaded the CD to paper and understand now why Olympus put the info onto a CD! I now have a 124 page BINDER! It took me a little while to get use to the tiny XD card & the lithium ion battery. Use to it now, no big deal! I had no problems when I went to Italy,using an adaptor convertor,some people on our trip did though with other camera models. I bought my adaptor at Radio Shack. To download pictures easily to my lap top I use a DAZZLE digital media adaptor. Works like a charm!! When traveling at least a 256 memory card is needed and an extra battery. Still LOVE the camera and get tons of compliments on my photos.
 On: 2005-08-02
This product failed on me due to poor hardward within 6 months and Olympus would not stand behind the warranty. Olympus products are poorly made and the company has the worst customer service in the industry. Save your money and a lot of trouble by shopping around - I wish I had.
On: 2005-07-21
I bought this camera a couple of months ago. I chose it for its high optical zoom. The pictures that I took came out fine. After using it for 2-3 times I noticed there was a play lens assembly. When the camera is in ON mode and the lens mounts in extended position, the lens mount shakes laterally -up, down and sideways (parallel to the body of the camera). I sent it back to Olympus to be repaired. The camera was returned today and the only comment that the Olympus guys have, is that "the play in the lens is normal". And to my great agitation, now the lens mount shakes even in the closed position, ie. when it is mostly embedded in the body. So now I am stuck with a camera that I am almost afraid to use, because its lens feels like it could disassemble from the body any moment. And I am a good 300 bucks short!
Also, I bought it from Adorama Camera, a vendor on Amazon, so I cannot return it. I wish I had bought it from Amazon because they let you return products if you want to.
On: 2005-07-16
My 4-years-old Fuji digital camera was dead because I left it outside and get rained for two days. I spend quiet a lot time searching for a upgrade. Cannon A95 almost got my attention because its good review on Amazon. However, I am tired of small zoom. Then this Olympus C765 with 10X zoom got my attention. It has all the advanced functions I would like to have: movie, sequential shoot, and several preset shoot modes. This one has everything. Then I bought it finally. I just finished the first round of testing. The pictures are great, the color is beautiful, and the zoom is amazing. The software and manual is very easy to use. I am glad that I have the perfect upgrade.
On: 2005-06-28
I just treated myself to this camera as an early birthday present and, I must admit, I am quite impressed. This is my first "quality" digital camera and I am very happy with it so far. After ordering it, I received the camera within four days and have been snapping at least 10-30 pictures a day for the past week to familiarize myself with the many different settings that it provides.
Before committing to this camera, I did quite a bit of research online; reading reviews and deciding on what type of camera would best fit my current and future needs. I am a novice photo snapper, and after buying this camera I must say that I can see myself getting into photography as a hobby. This camera offers a wide range of manual settings. It has a full manual mode that allows you to control the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO setting (64-400) along with manual focusing, for when the camera just cant seem to get a good lock on what you want it to. The 10x optical zoom was one of the selling points for me, as using digital zoom degrades your final photo quite a bit. It does have a digital zoom option, however I will never use it for that reason (which is one of the "lies" of digital camera marketing). As far as picture resolution goes, the C765 has 5 different quality modes (TIFF, SHQ, HQ, SQ1, SQ2), each of which has its own resolution modes along with it. So, for the casual picture of friends and family that you might take, 1280x960 (SQ1, High) would be more than enough to print a quality 4x6 picture for the photo album. However, personally, I like having the option of using extremely high resolution (TIFF, 2288x1712) for those pictures where you would want more detail and may like to print a larger copy.
There are few things that I must recommend when buying this camera. You absolutely must buy a bigger memory card, as the included 16MB card is just not enough. This camera has a movie mode as well, and 16MB only gives you a 14 second movie before the card is full. I bought a 256MB card along with it and, at 1600x1200, you can fit 182 pictures on it (with approx. 13 minutes of video if you want to use it). Another accessory that I highly recommend is another battery (Li12B). I have found with my tinkering that the included battery (Li10B) will only last for 1 - 1 1/2 hours of continuous use (with the LCD on). It sounds like a long enough time but you definately should have at least one extra battery just in case. Lastly, I highly recommend a tripod. I have found it quite hard to keep my hands steady enough to take a sharp picture at full zoom... plus using the manual settings you can have the shutter open for up to 15 seconds (for night photos, extremely low light, and creative photos), and its close to impossible to get a non-blurry picture at that setting.
So, to end my rather lengthy review of this camera, I highly recommend this camera to any user who wants complete control over his/her photos. It is definately a learning experience deciding when to use specific settings, but taking the time to go through the manual (full manual on the software cd) will give you a better understanding of the finer points of digital photography. I look forward to experimenting with all of the options that are available to me and hope that my review of this camera helps someone else decide upon this excellent camera for the relatively low price.
On: 2005-06-20
Olympus is known for great lenses and the C765 is no exception. Outdoor shots are terrific, indoors the camera tends to hunt to focus (Olympus did not equip the camera with focus assist beam for indoor shots, hence the 4 stars). Menus are intuitive and customizable so you have your most used functions 1 button away. Overall, a great cam for the money. After cam purchase, be sure to go to olycap.com and buy the nifty little aftermarket product that protects the C765s lens. It looks cool too.
On: 2005-06-05
Ive had an SLR most of my life and several point and shoot models, plus an inexpensive digital. This is the best camera Ive ever owned! Itll take me 6 months to figure out all the things it does do!
One GREAT thing about this camera...it is NOT HP! I had an HP digital and then bought and HP 3 in 1 printer thinking theyd compliment each other. WRONG! HP makes nice hardware but they have the BUGGIEST software going! The cameras software actually conflicted with the Printers software and both were HP!
Now, no worries and no ugly "dock" to stick it in (that only works about half the time too). This camera just plugs directly into the computer and download away with NO conflicts! The Camedia software is nice, if rudimentry. I would advise a Print Shop Pro type program to REALLY work with your pictures, particularly if you do any web hosting/posting.
I took a picture of our black german shepherd at dusk, sitting in a shadow covered corner of the house and did NOT use the flash, just to see what would come out (the HP camera would have rendered a black screen). With no flash I got a GREAT picture of our dog without that possessed look that you get when your dog looks directly into the flash. Just amazing pictures. I took another one of the flowering bush outside out house THROUGH the window and there is no way you could tell! My daughter commented that the picture was nice enough to put on a calendar. And shes right.
For less than $300 this camera takes fantastic pictures. Of course you have to have an eye for your photo taking too. I have a friend who bought a $1200 camera and his pictures stink because he thought a more expensive camera would make him a better photographer....WRONG!!! hahahahaha!!
You can macro set this camera (ultra close ups) or shoot sports or shoot in just about no light at all. If you want one camera thatll last you for years to come, this is it!
On: 2005-06-01
My husband just bought us this camera, and we love it. Were both long-time photographers, and have run the gamut from high-end SLRs to PHDs (Push Here Dummy.) This camera is excellent for everything we do with it, from adding images to our website (see www.pathfindersfarm.com to compare some photos which were scanned in to those which came straight from the camera) to selling things on Ebay, to making prints to send to grandparents.
It is simple to use, easy to get started (no need to read the entire manual unless thats your thing), and painless to transfer files to computer or printer. I do agree that a larger memory card is a must-have from the get-go, and we also purchased the USB reader, although you can connect the camera directly to your computer with the provided cable if you wish.
The only downside Ive found is that it can be hard to see the screen in bright daylight, but its easy enough to switch to the viewfinder in those situations. The color is clear, the depth of field excellent, and the detail glorious. If youre thinking of buying this camera for home or light office work, dont hesitate, go for it!
On: 2005-05-19
I shoot thousands of close up pictures per year of American Indian jewelry for my website (most at a distance of 8" to 24"). See Chacodog.com for real examples of close up photos from this camera. Id been using an Olympus C3020 for the last three years and liked it very much, both for ease of use and the true color it produced. All such shots are taken outdoors and everything is taken on auto settings in macro mode. It was time to step up and I was favorably disposed to Olympus cameras (I have a Canon SD10 ELPH and, while its okay, its not as easy to use the menus as on an Olympus and it seems to yield colors that are a little more vivid than what you shoot). I chose this camera because there was no point going beyond 4 megapixels for web photos (most people reduce their photos in size to send them via e-mail, etc. and throw out half or more of the pixels, so anything beyond 4 megapixels is for the thin air crowd, i.e., pros). Cutting to the chase: I was stunned by shots I got effortlessly with this camera. Particularly, it was easier to shoot in several different light conditions with it and the C765 would adjust automatically for conditions and create a great shot whereas my old C3020 could produce a great shot on auto but the light had to be within much narrower perameters for success. This camera also has super macro, which I needed because I sometimes shoot objects that are too small for the C3020 to focus on properly at 8" and beyond (which is the closest it will work). The C765 will get you to within 1 1/2" on super macro. Okay, granted, this is very specialized as a need, but someone out there needs this for the same reason--shooting close ups for eBay, for example, if youre running in eBays hamster wheel, on their treadmill, working in their salt mine. I found that this camera produced much less noise than the C3020 and I still prefer Olympus colors to those produced by my Canon ELPH. I may shoot thousands of photos per year, but its wash and wear photography. It has to be true for color, but I dont have time to do much more than crop, re-size and re-name photos. I cant take hours touching up photos (which wouldnt necessarily yield a true photo, just a pretty one). I need a camera that does most of the work automatically and permits me to shoot up to 200 photos in a session with a high rate of success and produces honest shots which dont need tweaking. This has a vastly improved speed on focusing and just knocks out the photo right. I make a living with this camera and it carries its weight and more. My only regret? That I spent too long shooting with the C3020 before upgrading. I just figured that any problems with my pictures were my fault and eventually I got to where I had a 90+% rate of success with the C3020. Who cares if it was my fault--moron or not, I can shoot great pictures faster, more consistently and effortlessly with this machine.
I was also intrigued by the zoom power on this camera and hoped that getting all these features wouldnt bugger the most important one for me--close ups. Anyway, Ive used the zoom at outdoor track meets and gotten great, clear shots from 50 or 60 feet. And Ive used the high-speed sports setting coupled with sequential shooting at track meets to get crystal clear shots of track events with runners at full speed (100 meters finish, coverage of all eight lanes in the curve on the 4 x 100).
Had I paid a little more attention when buying this, I would have bought the C770 to get the MPEG video and the remote control (though I might never use either one). I find the battery life on a charge is wholly acceptable and I always have a spare battery charged. Likewise, I prefer having two xD cards of 256--its plenty of pictures to shoot without uploading to the computer and a larger card just isnt necessary for me. Great deal on the 256s, so no sense in buying 128s. In short, buy an extra battery and two cards (the one they give you has zero capacity, its just so they can say they gave you a card with the camera). I bought the bullet proof case for ten bucks or so and it will fit the camera and extra cards and batteries and is good enough while keeping the size small.
I dont see how you could go wrong with this camera.
On: 2005-04-24
I was looking for a digicam with ultra zoom that I could basically use for point and shoot purposes along with video. I went to the Steves-digicams.com website and found this in the category of "best of" under the super zoom cameras. Turned out this was the smallest size brand of zoom cams and was actually under $300 at another reputable online store. I decided to give it a try and figured that Olympus specializes in cameras so it shouldnt be too bad.
At first, I couldnt believe the camera was so small. When I started playing around with it, I was pleasantly surprised that the video function lasted more than the usual 3 minute limit that most other cameras have. I tested it up to 5 min then turned it off. I also was happpy with the zoom and the pop-up flash. Often, I take it to b-ball games and other events and dont want the flash accidentally going off. Picture quality outside is great but inside, its a bit suspect. But Im not really anal about all my shots. The shot-taking speed is a bit slower than the Canon A75 I used and that is a bit annoying but its ok.
Overall, if you want a great zoom camera thats smaller than any other, is a good value, and is versatile then get this camera.
On: 2005-04-02
I really like this camera. The biggest bonus to the camera is how adaptable it is. If you are a novice, it can be used as a simple point-and-shoot camera, and it has several scene selections (portrait, landscape, sport, night, etc.). If you are a more advanced user, this camera is great too. It has several levels of customizability: choose one function and allow the camera to determine the rest, or you can select ALL the settings yourself.
The camera has threads on the lens, so it is essentially upgradeable, with more advanced telephoto (not that you need it with a 10X optical zoom built in), macro and other lens attachments available through Olympus. Or you could attach filters. It is as close as you can get to an SLR without paying an arm and a leg.
The C-765UZ has an electronic viewfinder. Many people dont like EVFs, but I love it. I have some visual difficulties, and sometimes cant really see through an optical viewfinder. The EVF is very bright and clear. It is even manageable in low light settings. It was the brightest EVF of any camera in its class that I tested.
Many people may say that the C-765UZ is a little pricey compared to other 10X zoom cameras. However, those other brands are usually 3MP instead of the 4MP of the C-765UZ. In addition, the optics on the Olympus C-Series is generally superior to those other camera. Remember you get what you pay for!! Plus the C-765 is the SMALLEST 10X optical zoom camera on the market today (Spring 2005).
The only complaints I have are with the packaged accessories. Olympus only provides a 16MB xD card, so you need to add a 256MB card to your initial purchase. Also, Olympus provides the Li-10B rechargeable battery, but the "replacement" 12B battery has a higher capacity. It would have been nice to get the better battery in the initial bundle. Oh, and speaking of batteries, the C-765UZ ONLY takes the rechargeable Li-10B/12B batteries, so if your battery is running low you cant just throw in a few AAs to get by until another charge. It keeps the size and weight down, but trades convenience.
On: 2005-03-21
We bought it before Christmas and while it took us some time to get used to it (as this is our first digital camera), we can now say that it is indeed a great camera. Its totally worth its price. Its not great for candid shots due to some lag time, but otherwise it captures beautiful pictures. I didnt think that we really needed the 10X zoom until we went to a graduation ceremony and was able to take great shots despite the distance from the podium. We found that the pictures are less blurry when you rely on the viewfinder rather than the monitor. (I would also recommend saving all of your pictures until you load them on the computer, as the actual detail/quality is not entirely evident when viewed on the camera monitor.) The video quality isnt great, but proved to be a bonus benefit when traveling and catching unique performances.
In terms of cons: as mentioned earlier, some lag time compared to a traditional point-and-click; incorrect settings (as the dial is easily turned when taken out of the camera bag - but thats probably just our problem); and short battery life (especially when you use the LCD monitor). I bought an extra battery via Amazon (one of the cheapo kinds) which worked out really well. Also, when you get a larger memory card, make sure to get SanDisk/Olympus instead of Fuji, as the latter does not support the panaromic setting.
Finally, as mentioned in a previous review, it is best to print out the manual (double paged) from the CD.
Good luck!
On: 2005-01-23
I reviewed tons of digital cameras before buying the C765. Im glad I did. This camera is lightweight and small which is what I was looking for. The 10X zoom is great! Ive gotten clear shots at full zoom w/o a tripod almost every time. The macro and super macros are awesome. The pic quality is absolutely incredible. The battery life is good, using the flash its going to putter out sooner so I recommend getting a spare. Recharge on the battery is quick too. You will need a 256 card right away. I was worried about the electronic viewfinder, but its not posed a problem at all. Most of the 10X zooms, at least all that I reviewed, have EVFs. Ive only had a few problems focusing indoors. Like all digital cameras theres a minor lag and if your toddler moves as youre taking the pic, youll get a blurry shot. This is such a minor problem considering how many great shots I have gotten in and outdoors. Ive had this camera for 6 months now and just love it. I was able to use it right out of the box. I still have more to learn about it, but have been having great success w/ the auto settings, Ive not needed to play w/ the manual ones yet. I will!
On: 2005-01-21
This is the first digi cam ive owned and its great. The picture have good color and clarity. It works good for nature or scenery pictures. I am very satisfied with it, seems worth the money. This is probably going to be your best bet if you are looking at a superzoom camera. It is the smallest superzoom out there. And really Id only consider gettin a Olympus or Canon. Despite what I say below Id highly recomend this camera. These are the only quirks that i see that may deter someone from gettin this camera
For low light pictures like dusk or dawn the pictures have some noise or graininess. I also recomend buying a back up battery, the battery that comes with the camera can last up to around 250 pictures, depending on whether you use the lcd. I have a 512 xd card which works great you can take around 230 pictures if you set the camera to 4 mega pixels. The size is considerably less than the c-750 and its lighter weight too. This is probably not the camera for some one who doesnt need high resolution pictures or 10x zoom. There is no image stabalizer so it can be hard to take pictures at 10x. Action shots can be tricky too and blurry. I usally use the custom settings for taking pictures of moving objects. I love this camera Ive alerady taken tons of pictures with it. A very good option for if you are looking for 10x optical lens
On: 2005-01-14
I cannot express how great this camera is. Not once has it let me down in ease of use, advanced features (when I need them), true color reproduction, contrast, or anything else that makes a picture a "good" picture. You just cant beat the 10x OPTICAL zoom -- not lousy digital zoom -- either. Get yourself an extra rechargeable battery, a couple of high-capacity memory cards, and have fun with one of Olympus best consumer level cameras ever released.
On: 2005-01-13
this is a high quality camera with the zoom you need to get those great shots that may not be close enough with a regular digi cam. i dont know that much about cameras nor am i good w/electronics, but this camera is pretty easy to learn - just put in the time to go thru the brief manual and youll be taking amazing pics immediately thereafter.
i havent been able to learn what aperture is yet or do many of the other features like the camcorder part, but my pictures are absolutely amazing - ive impressed my friends when we went on vacation to jamaica and all my co-workers when i returned home with my "artistic" pictures which are just scenic pictures, plain and simple. i needed an easy to use camera (a no brainer) that would take great pictures for me, but that also had incredible zoom for my scenic picture taking compulsion.
ive read that the 4 mp is just right for taking pics for the size 8"x10" or less which is fine cuz i rarely print pictures - i just send them over the internet to friends and family to share my memories - and of course the file size (2 MBs per pic for quality shots) is perfect for that. the clarity and color richness is stunning to say the least.
of course there are much better cameras out there, but theres no need to spend too much $ on something i wont use too much. i felt that if i was going to spend $200-$300 anyhow on a digi cam, might as well get one with the zoom that i want for a lil bit more ($350). this digicam also takes the night pics that i want for a new york nightlife too which gets rid of the red eye, background disappearing, problem i get with a normal 35 mm camera.
for the problems that others listed on this review website, theyre all workable/recoverable kind of problems. i think theres another review that offers solutions to some of those problems.
hope this is of help. good luck w/finding the right one
On: 2005-01-05
I have had this camera for a couple of weeks. It is extremely easy to use in any mode, has a great optical zoom, acheives auto focus almost always, has good flesh tones and color saturation, and it has a truely superior Macro and Super Macro funtion that works extremely well. Even when zoomed in close I havent had any problems with blur from camera shake. Even though there is no Image Stabilization feature on this camera. In general this is an excellent camera.
The only complaint I have is that It didnt come with a wrist strap. Otherwise a superior performer.
Experience: Casio Z4U, Kodak DX7630, Fujifilm E550, Olympus D-580 and now the C-765
On: 2005-01-03
just like the rave reviews given, this is a very good camera to have. the best feature for me is the 10x zoom which just blows away the 3x zoom which other similar priced cameras have.
now for the sad part. if you happen to upgrade to a 512 mb xD card, your battery just wont be able to keep up. according to olympus the battery can only average 175 shots per charge for typical use. if youre a typical user then you have no problem. a 512 mb card can manage around 500 shots. the battery will be dead before you can fill up the memory card. youd better buy an extra battery or two especially if youre going on long trips where there are no electrical outlets available.
* if the C765 uses typical AA batteries all you have to do is stock up on those but unfortunately it uses special ones which are expensive.
On: 2005-01-02
just like the rave reviews given, this is a very good camera to have. the best feature for me is the 10x zoom which just blows away the 3x zoom which other similar priced cameras have.
now for the sad part. if you happen to upgrade to a 512 mb xD card, your battery just wont be able to keep up. according to olympus the battery can only average 175 shots per charge for typical use. if youre a typical user then you have no problem. a 512 mb card can manage around 500 shots. the battery will be dead before you can fill up the memory card. youd better buy an extra battery or two especially if youre going on long trips where there are no electrical outlets available.
* if the C765 uses typical AA batteries all you have to do is stock up on those but unfortunately it uses special ones which are expensive.
On: 2005-01-01
Ive had this camera for about a month now, and its easy to use and takes great pictures. For people who dont know much about photography, it has point-and-shoot convenience; for those who are more experienced, there are lots of features you can set manually. The pre-set macro mode is great fun--it allows you take some gorgeous extreme close-ups. You do need to keep your hands extremely steady or use a tripod to prevent the picture from being too blurry (using the action shot mode also helps, since the shutter speed is faster). I bought mine for $339, and its a really good value for the money. The only minor complaint I have is that the propietary XD card is pretty expensive and you need to get the Olympus brand if you want to take panoramic pictures, but I managed to find a 256MB chip for $40, so really I dont have too much to complain about. If youre looking for a decent mid-range digital camera, I highly recommend this one.
On: 2004-12-30
I bought Olympus C765 at Apr. 28, 2004. At first, it was the great experience. Everything worked and I only use the camera for about several times since. Recently I found out the navigation bar and OK button is not working at all. In a word, I can not upload picture, erase picture, and view the pictures from one to the other. This is very expensive camera and I paid $419 for it. I never expect the camera broke so quickly. It is on the way to Olympus repair center now and I have to pay the shipping for it.
On: 2004-12-08
I love the small size which provides great portability and its hard to believe all the great features packed into this little gem of a digital camera. The zoom lens is a much used feature as is the built in cropping and other editing tools. You really need to read the instruction manual to get the most out of the camera - after reading it I discovered just how much I was missing! Although you certainly dont need to read it to be able to use the camera as its very easy to operate. I was advised to get at least 3MP for good end results when printing the photos and the 10x optical zoom cannot be beat. This camera produces extremely clear photos that can be enlarged to 8x10 without loosing clarity. My belief is that its not worth spending $150-200 on a digital camera if you end up with grainy photos - just keep your regular camera until youre ready to make an investment for the higher grade camera and if you are ready, I highly recommend this camera. I know the dollar amount could make this purchase a question mark but its well worth it!
On: 2004-12-01
This is my second digital camera, first one was Olympus C-750 (which I used for abt 1.5 yrs) and after i lost it, I was determined to buy its next version C-765. This camera is simply awesome. It has all the things anyone would want in a camera: Optical Zoom, Small Compact Size, Great quality pictures & movies with sound, lots of modes & easily customizable, ease of menu and fast pictures.
Olympus has decreased the size (compared to C-750 which has same features) mainly by changing from standard 4 AA batteries to small Li battery. They have removed the hot-shoe , which usually slips & fall down. Turbo PicPro helps to take real fast pictures like in football game. (That was my first photo session with this new camera). I have compared my results with other comparable cameras and found this one better than others.
Sometimes there could be some problem of focussing at higher zoom, but it can be dealt easily by waiting for a few seconds once you increase the zoom before taking picture. It gives the time for enough light to enter. For better pictures, its aperture and shutter speed can be adjusted as well. Night mode picture quality is good and panoramic quality is really great. For self-timer photos, it gives you about 12 seconds before taking the picture.
Overall, I will recommend this to everyone, be it a beginner in digital photography or an enthusiastic like me.
Updated: June 14, 2005
I have been using it now for about 8 months and have used it in almost all the different geographic locations and at different times e.g. Blizzard in boston, desert and stony terrain, tennis courts at late evenings, football game, capture stage-shows, fireworks, babes at beaches, breakdancing events. I observed that this camera can be customized for almost any condition and it gives the best results. recently someoen asked me to suggest a camera cheaper than this and with approximately same quality in pictures. Frankly, I couldnt find one.
Update: July 5, 2006
This camera is doing really very impressive job. Apart from doing travel photography for landscapes and cityscapes, I have used for sports events like football games, horseraces and catching fireworks. Results are really impressive. These days, most cameras are in 5-6 MP range and create bulky files, more than 1 MB each. This camera is 4 MP and the file size is 600-800 kb with quality still very good.
On: 2004-11-30
This is my second digital camera, first one was Olympus C-750 (which I used for abt 1.5 yrs) and after i lost it, I was determined to buy its next version C-765. This camera is simply awesome. It has all the things anyone would want in a camera: Optical Zoom, Small Compact Size, Great quality pictures & movies with sound, lots of modes & easily customizable, ease of menu and fast pictures.
Olympus has decreased the size (compared to C-750 which has same features) mainly by changing from standard 4 AA batteries to small Li battery. They have removed the hot-shoe , which usually slips & fall down. Turbo PicPro helps to take real fast pictures like in football game. (That was my first photo session with this new camera). I have compared my results with other comparable cameras and found this one better than others.
Sometimes there could be some problem of focussing at higher zoom, but it can be dealt easily by waiting for a few seconds once you increase the zoom before taking picture. It gives the time for enough light to enter. For better pictures, its aperture and shutter speed can be adjusted as well. Night mode picture quality is good and panoramic quality is really great. For self-timer photos, it gives you about 12 seconds before taking the picture.
Overall, I will recommend this to everyone, be it a beginner in digital photography or an enthusiastic like me.
Updated: June 14, 2005
I have been using it now for about 8 months and have used it in almost all the different geographic locations and at different times e.g. Blizzard in boston, desert and stony terrain, tennis courts at late evenings, football game, capture stage-shows, fireworks, babes at beaches, breakdancing events. I observed that this camera can be customized for almost any condition and it gives the best results. recently someoen asked me to suggest a camera cheaper than this and with approximately same quality in pictures. Frankly, I couldnt find one.
Update: July 5, 2006
This camera is doing really very impressive job. Apart from doing travel photography for landscapes and cityscapes, I have used for sports events like football games, horseraces and catching fireworks. Results are really impressive. These days, most cameras are in 5-6 MP range and create bulky files, more than 1 MB each. This camera is 4 MP and the file size is 600-800 kb with quality still very good.
On: 2004-11-19
Ive had this camera for a couple of months and I love it. The pictures look great and it is very easy to use. Its big and boxy so it wont fit in a small purse or pocket, but its worth hanging a camera case around your shoulder if you like to take high quality outdoor pictures.
On: 2004-11-17
The C765 is my first digital camera after years of shooting pictures with 35mm SLRS. Ive owned the 765 for about 5 months now and have taken hundreds of pictures that range from hummingbirds in flight to floral still lifes. The camera has been an absolute joy to use and the results have been excellent. I take all my pictures at high resolution (2288x1712) and still get almost 300 shots on a 256MB card.
On: 2004-11-16
The C765 is my first digital camera after years of shooting pictures with 35mm SLRS. Ive owned the 765 for about 5 months now and have taken hundreds of pictures that range from hummingbirds in flight to floral still lifes. The camera has been an absolute joy to use and the results have been excellent. I take all my pictures at high resolution (2288x1712) and still get almost 300 shots on a 256MB card.
On: 2004-11-02
Very pleased with this camera!Great pictures and so easy to use.I actually first bought an Olympus d-560.I HATED it!I actually GAVE it away!I had problems loading the software to my computer.....Trigger from Augusta
On: 2004-11-02
I feel so happy taking pictures with this camera. The 10X optical zoom is critical for the stile of pictures that I like to take: portrait, detailed pictures, lots of deep. Pictures are so good that it reminds me my old SRL film camera that had an 80-380mm zoom. Colors are vivid, details are excellent, supports 512MB media.
Flash is OK but I was expecting more of it, the C-770 has better flash.
Dont install the software. If you are using Windows XP you wont need the software. It is good for nothing, shame on Olympus!!!. If you dont want to spend more money download one from Internet, ie: free Adobe photoshop album.
If you want to have the best pictures, you will need editing software that works well like Photoshop Elements 3 that is the one that I recently bough.
My final advice: what ever camera you buy, learn to use it well, study the manual, practice taking lots of pictures. The combo that I have is excellent: C-765 (see also the C-770) and Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.
On: 2004-09-04
The software will lock up your computer EVERY TIME, and the pictures are mediocre at best.
On: 2004-08-19
We recently purchased the C-755, which is essentially the same camera as the 765, it just came from a different store, thus a different model number. Costco.com had a great deal and we decided to go for it and replace our old digital cameras with this one. I havent had a chance to learn EVERYTHING as there are many many features available, but it has been wonderful so far. When using the auto feature, it takes beautiful pictures and the quality is top notch.
There are two things, both related to the flash, that caused me to rate it a 4 rather than a 5 (and Id go 4.5, if I had the choice available to me). First, if you dont remember to put the flash up manually, there is no flash. Of course this is a good thing when you dont want the flash accidentally going off like in a museum! The second thing is that when you use the auto function you cannot force the flash ON manually. When it says AUTO, it means AUTO. There are so many features like the ability to program personal settings to be accessed later and the ability to use it for short video that are awesome and the zoom is amazing for a camera at this price.
I highly recommend this camera!
ADDENDUM: This camera requires the X-D memory chips which is newer technology, thus a little pricey. We were disappointed that the chips for our old Olympus digital would not work. We purchased a new chip at Costco for around $70 and it holds over 200 pictures. Sorry I forgot to mention this initially. Its still a great camera and the chips are likely to come down in cost as time passes.
In addition, I had no difficulties loading the software into my Sony Vaio Computer. It was quick and painless and all I have to do is plug the cord from the camera into my USB port and the software starts right up. It asks me what I want to do and I can quickly download my pictures.
On: 2004-08-19
Ive had this camera for about 3 months, and I love it. There are a bunch of professional review websites up(dcresource.com), so if you want to know all about this camera, then go there. As far as an amateur/for fun review, then I have to give it 4 stars. I would give it 5 but I must say that in low light situations, its sometimes hard to get the camera to focus. But, the overall ease of use and picture quality of this camera is great. The only other camera I even thought of getting was the Cannon S1, but didnt like the 3 megapixels and the fact that the camera would not focus correctly at max zoom....(verified this fact by playing with one at my local camera store...If cannon would only fix this little problem...then I will get the next generation of this superb camera). Great little introductory camera for those of us with little knowledge of picture taking.
On: 2004-07-22
Wow! This camera does everything I expect from it and more. Ive had it about a month, now, and Im very impressed with the results. The aperture and shutter priority shooting modes enable capture of any scene. Sharpness and color rendition is outstanding. Flash results are excellent. Movies are superb. I used it for movies at the Seattle aquarium in a darkened exhibit last week and the results were perfect.
On: 2004-07-21
Wow! This camera does everything I expect from it and more. Ive had it about a month, now, and Im very impressed with the results. The aperture and shutter priority shooting modes enable capture of any scene. Sharpness and color rendition is outstanding. Flash results are excellent. Movies are superb. I used it for movies at the Seattle aquarium in a darkened exhibit last week and the results were perfect.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-06-07
I replace my old Olympus 450 with this camera. I loved the old camera but it did not have all the features that I wanted. The new camera is great. It takes great pictures out of the box. If you spend the time to get to know all the features it takes even better pictures. I love being able to customize the settings. The zoom is the best feature of the camera. Allows you to get very close to your subject. Battery life is great but I would buy an extra battery because it does not give much warning when it is going.
On: 2004-06-01
Other than a cheap point and shoot camera, this is the first real camera that I have owned. I decided to go with a digital camera that way I would practice my photography skills without wasting a whole lot of money on film. Overall, I have been very impressed with this camera. I recently got back from a trip to London and everyone was very impressed with the pictures that I got. For the beginner, you can set the camera on Auto Mode on and get great shots. For the more advanced photographer, the camera offers enough creative control over things such as aperature and shutter speed. I experimented with the camera in the Sport Mode and was able to freeze an acrobat in the middle of a flip. This camera is not for a professional, but for the beginner to an intermediately advanced photographer, it makes a great camera. My only real complaint with the camera is shooting pictures at night or extremely low light situations is somewhat difficult. I recommend using a tripod or some other way to stabilize it for best results. It is possible that there is something that I havent figured out yet since I feel like I am still learning a lot about this camera. Other than this though, I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking for a solid, reliable camera that takes excellent photos.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-05-07
I just got this camera. I love it. It takes excellent pictures and is easy to use.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-05-01
I just purchased this camera and love it. Prior to getting this one, I had been using my Olympus Camedia 3030. This one has several things that really make it better than the old one:First and foremost, it has the 10x optical zoom. I often found with the C-3030 that I couldnt get close enough in on people and animals if they were more than about 20 feet away. This one solves that problem. Second, the lag time from pressing the button to the shutter releasing is significantly reduced in this camera. I can actually capture my son before he has left the picture frame. It still isnt as fast as an SLR, but it is light years ahead of where it used to be. Third, I have noticed significantly fewer red eye issues with this camera. This is a big deal for me since everyone in my family is fair skinned with blue eyes. Last, the battery is a Li rechargeable. It only takes about two hours to get a full charge. Picture quality is exceptional. I havent had any problems with the zoom lens (but I do try to steady the camera on a fence or something if the zoom is fully extended). All in all, I think this is a great camera. Admittedly, I dont use all the bell and whistles -- mostly the automatic settings. Oh, and one other thing I like -- it is easier to control the flash with this one since you have to open it to use it. A Few Cons: It may be overpriced compared to the competition. The battery and charger come with the camera, but a spare battery costs approx. $50.00 (and you cant use AAs in a pinch). Youll definitely need to buy a 256MB card right away. The one that comes with the camera only holds about 16 pictures. The digital display window can not be adjusted or turned -- so it is hard to preview your images in some bright light situations.
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