Welcome to CreativeWebCam.com - Information on Flashes for olympus digital cameras

Many companies need a digital camera to generate images for Web pages, brochures and reports, but don't go cheap.

You can get by with a four megapixel point-and-shoot for under $1,000. However, spending a little more will gain sharper 8x10 and above images, the ability to shoot with off-camera flash for professional-looking lighting and more storage options.

The four cameras here have desirable features such as fast lenses with maximum apertures of at least f2.8, manual shutter speeds, multiple ISOs and white balance modes, some continuous shooting capability, a tripod mount and a hot shoe. However, they differ in size and weight.

Other convenient features include the ability to prevent images from accidentally being deleted, and the capability to show histograms, which help evaluate image quality.

Price listed are the lowest found on the Web last month. But watch for deals: The Olympus E-10, an older camera, recently dropped from a Toronto street price of $2,000 to $1,699.

OLYMPUS E-10

With its solid aluminum body, bright SLR-type viewfinder, fast f2-2.4 ED glass lens, 3.9 megabyte CCD sensor and two lithium batteries, this camera is built for demanding work. It comes with a 32 MB SmartMedia card, but also takes CompactFlash cards. Images can be saved in RAW, TIFF and JPEG formats. In TIFF mode you get 7.6 MB uncompressed or 11.3 MB compressed files.

A bit conservative -- ASAs only go up to 320, shutter speeds to 1/640 of a second -- the E-10 is showing its age, although it produces quality images and is easy to use. Conveniences include separate trash and lock buttons on the back to prevent images from being deleted. Images can only be reviewed on the flip-up LCD screen, but are called up merely by flicking a button on the back twice with the right thumb. Two control wheels for changing aperture, shutter speed and other options can be set to your preference: One is above the shutter, meaning you have to take your finger off the trigger to change inputs. The white balance can be changed reasonably quickly from a menu to compensate for fluorescent lights. Power options include a rechargeable lithium polymer battery in a base holder and a dedicated external flash.

Minolta DiMage 7i

The DiMage 7i comes in a silver plastic body with a mean-looking lens hood. But under the glitz is a serious package. The APO f2.8/3.5 manual zoom lens is tack sharp wide-open. It sports a four megapixel CCD and a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 of a second, uses four AA rechargeable batteries and has a flip-up eyepiece for easy low-angle use. However, it comes with a mere 16 MB CompactFlash card, so in its highest mode, which gives a 14 MB TIFF image, you can only get one pic. Fortunately, the DiMage also takes the IBM Microdrive. Operation is a mix of smooth and awkward. Flicking a quick view button on the back with your right thumb brings up the last image shot for review. Another flick of the thumb switches the image from the viewfinder to the colour LCD. Changing ISO (from 100 to 800), exposure modes or white balance, however, is a two-hand job involving holding one button with the left hand and spinning a dial with the right. You may find this easier than scrolling through menus, however. Also available are two optional Minolta external flashes (other flashes not recommended) and a macro ring flash.

Panasonic Lumix DCM-LC5

The 450-gram (slightly under a pound) LC5 invites being tossed into a briefcase, shoulder bag or jacket pocket. Its Leica-designed f2.0-2.5 aspheric zoom lens gives sharp images, and the generously-sized 2.5-inch LCD makes previews a pleasure. Your eyes will also appreciate the bright viewfinder indoors. Price includes a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a 32MB SD card. The LC5's 3.9 megapixel CCD records either JPEG or TIFF format, offers ASA speeds of 100/200/400, a maximum shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second and seven white balance modes.

However, there's no information in the viewfinder, only a cross-hair for the auto-focus. To check focus, shutter speed or aperture you'll have to turn on the LCD. The 3X auto zoom is operated by finger control ring around the shutter, which takes a little getting used to. The five exposure modes are set on a dial on the top deck. The shooting and playback modes are set by a thumb lever around this dial. A single push with the thumb to the review button on the lower camera back brings up the last shot on the LCD. But to see all images you'll have to shift to playback. Images can be protected via the software menu.

Nikon Coolpix 4500

This is another powerful digicam. Its compact body will beckon to those on the move. Hold the body in your right hand, pivot the left half 90 degrees forward with your left-hand and the lens will face forward for shooting. Playback is accomplished by hitting a button on the back. But to do almost everything else you have to go through menus there are few input buttons on the body. The 4500's pleasant images are captured with a four megapixel CCD and saved on the mere 16 MB CompactFlash card it comes with. Fortunately, it also takes IBM Microdrives. It also comes with a rechargable, but proprietary, battery. One of the downsides of this camera is what helps keep its size small: A lens aperture that varies from f2.6 to 5.1 depending on the focal length of the sharp 7.85-32-mm powered zoom. And like the Panasonic, the user can only see settings on the LCD and not in the viewfinder, making it less convenient for manual and semi-manual modes. The Coolpix's metering while accurate was odd: in aperture-preferred mo de it wasn't clear when the meter's limit was exceeded. Options include macro ring flash, wide angle and telephoto attachments.