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Editors' rating
Chic and ultra-compact, the Camedia AZ-1 looks like many other tiny, fashionable pieces of digital imaging technology, but on closer examination it reveals a multitude of options and some funky new features. The face has a smooth, clean, silver chrome finish, with the buttons lined up neatly along the edge and a rotating control dial next to the shutter for easy navigation and maximum functionality.
Measuring only 94x67x22mm and tipping the scales at a lightweight 160g, the AZ-1 has a slim figure that is just slightly larger than Minolta's Dimage Xg. The built-in lens has its own lens-cap which adds almost nothing to its size.
The most striking feature is the 2.5 inch wide viewing angle LCD screen which takes up most of the back of the camera. Using Mobile Advanced Super View Display, The AZ-1 is the first digital camera to use this display technology, with high contrast which boasts up to 3 times that of conventional displays.
Add the option of creating Photo Albums and Slideshows for on-camera viewing, the AZ-1 removes the need to transfer images to the computer for arranging. You're able to make up to 12 albums, each with 100 items, and choose selected images to appear in a presentation using Normal, Wipe, Fade, and Zoom slide transitions.
The Camedia AZ-1 also integrates a microphone and speaker, in order to capture video with audio. Using the 16MB xD-Picture Card included (expandable up to 512MB), you can shoot up to 41 seconds of footage. The results are satisfactory - not what you'd get from a digital video camera - but what you'd expect as a secondary function of a digital still unit.
With 3.2-megapixel resolution and a 3x optical zoom, the AZ-1 is a mid-range camera and offers all the essential camera features expected of today's models.
It is extremely easy to use, whether you want to point-and-shoot on Auto Program, or experiment with the 23 Scene Program modes on offer, including panorama, portrait, and fireworks.
Top ZDNET Reviews
The images we shot were pretty impressive, clear and bright in a dim-lit room even without the flash. The camera has a good light sensor which isn't usually expected from such a compact lens.
Charging the camera and transferring images to your computer is quick and easy using the multi-function cradle with USB connection. Plug it in and you can download or print images (using a Pict-bridge printer) at the touch of a button. The cradle is also convenient for storing the camera safely when it's not in use.
Battery life is limited -- due to the large size of the LCD screen -- and lasted only a few hours. However, you'll probably fill the small memory card with photos before you'll need to recharge the batteries.
Olympus Camedia AZ-1
Company: Olympus
Price: AU$599
Distributor: Selected resellers
Phone: 1300 659 678
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Depth | 0.9 in |
| Sensor Resolution | 3.2 Megapixel |
| Enclosure Material | metal |
| Optical Sensor Type | CCD |
| Total Pixels | 3340000 pixels |
| Effective Sensor Resolution | 3200000 pixels |
| Optical Sensor Size | 1/2.7" |
| Digital Zoom | 2.7 x |
| System | TTL contrast detection |
| Digital Video Format | QuickTime |
| Image Recording Format | JPEG |
| Interfaces Provided | composite video |
| Exposure & White Balance | |
| Light Sensitivity | ISO auto (64-250) |
| Exposure Metering | multi-segment, spot |
| Exposure Modes | automatic, program |
| Shooting Programs | 2 in 1, beach/snow, night scene, night scene with portrait, panorama assist, party/indoor, show window, sleeping face, solo travel, sports mode, sunset, beautiful skin tone, candle, cuisine, document, fireworks, landscape, landscape-portrait, manor shot |
| Special Effects | Black & White, Sepia |
| White Balance | automatic, presets |
| White Balance Presets | daylight, fluorescent, overcast, tungsten light |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/725 sec |
| Min Shutter Speed | 4 sec |
| Exposure Compensation | ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps |
| Carrying Case | |
| Type | case |
| Display | |
| Display Format | 215,000 pixels |
| Display Form Factor | built-in |
| Camera Flash | |
| Type | built-in flash |
| Guide Number (m / ISO 100) | 6.4 |
| Effective Flash Range | 7.9 in - 12 ft |
| Red Eye Reduction | Yes |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Included Accessories | USB cable, audio / video cable, carrying strap, docking station, lens cap, power adapter |
| Lens System | |
| Optical Zoom | 3 x |
| Lens Aperture | f/2.9-4.9 |
| Min Focal Length | 5.8 mm |
| Max Focal Length | 17.4 mm |
| Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera | 38 m |
| Min Focus Distance | 19.7 in |
| Macro Focus Range | 3 in - 19.7 in |
| Focus Adjustment | automatic |
| Zoom Adjustment | motorized drive |
| Group Qty | 7 |
| Element Qty | 9 |
| Features | aspherical lens |
| Memory / Storage | |
| Supported Memory Cards | xD-Picture Card, xD-Picture Card Type H |
| Included Memory Card | 16 MB xD |
| Video Capture |
QuickTime - 320 x 240 - 15 fps - 41 sec - with 16MB card QuickTime - 160 x 120 - 15 fps - 149 sec - with 16MB card |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder Type | none |
| Additional Features | |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 1 frame per second |
| Features | AF lock, RGB primary color filter, audio recording, auto power save, date/time stamp, digital image rotation, resizing an image |
| Connections | |
| Memory Card Slot | xD-Picture Card |
| Shutter | |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/725 sec |
| Min Shutter Speed | 4 sec |
| Microphone | |
| Microphone Operation Mode | mono |
| Battery | |
| Technology | lithium ion |
| Battery Type | Olympus Li-20B lithium ion - manufacturer-specific |
| Details | 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 1035 mAh (included) |
| Software | |
| Type | Drivers & Utilities, Olympus Camedia Master |
| System Requirements for PC Connection | |
| Operating System Support | Apple Mac OS 9.0 - 9.2, Apple Mac OS X, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows 98, MS Windows 98 SE, MS Windows ME, MS Windows XP |
| Peripheral Devices | CD-ROM drive, USB port |
| Header | |
| Brand | Olympus |
| Product Line | Olympus CAMEDIA |
| Model | AZ-1 |
| Packaged Quantity | 1 |
| Video Input | |
| Type | digital camera |
| Digital Camera Type | compact |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 1 frame per second |
| Light Sensitivity | ISO auto (64-250) |
| ISO (Max) | 250 |
| Digital Zoom | 2.7 x |
| Digital Video Format | QuickTime |
| Image Recording Format | JPEG |
| Interfaces Provided | composite video |
| Special Effects | Black & White, Sepia |
| Features | AF lock, RGB primary color filter, audio recording, auto power save, date/time stamp, digital image rotation, resizing an image |
| Exposure Parameters | |
| Exposure Metering | multi-segment, spot |
| Exposure Compensation | ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps |
| Exposure Modes | automatic, program |
| Shooting Programs | 2 in 1, beach/snow, night scene, night scene with portrait, panorama assist, party/indoor, show window, sleeping face, solo travel, sports mode, sunset, beautiful skin tone, candle, cuisine, document, fireworks, landscape, landscape-portrait, manor shot |
| White Balance | |
| White Balance | automatic, presets |
| White Balance Presets | daylight, fluorescent, overcast, tungsten light |
| Auto Focus | |
| System | TTL contrast detection |
| Optical Sensor | |
| Sensor Resolution | 3.2 megapixels |
| Optical Sensor Type | CCD |
| Optical Sensor Size | 1/2.7" |
| Optical Sensor Size (metric) | 9.4 mm (1/2.7") |
| Total Pixels | 3340000 pixels |
| Effective Sensor Resolution | 3200000 pixels |
| Camera Display | |
| Type | LCD display |
| Display Form Factor | built-in |
| Diagonal Size | 2.5 in |
| Diagonal Size (metric) | 6.4 cm |
| Display Format | 215,000 pixels |
| Camera Memory | |
| Memory Card Form Factor | xD-Picture Card |
| Included Memory Card Capacity | 16 MB |
| Memory Card Slot | xD-Picture Card |
| Supported Memory Cards | xD-Picture Card, xD-Picture Card Type H |
| Camera Specifications | |
| Print Standard | DPOF support, PRINT Image Matching, PictBridge support, direct print |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Width | 3.7 in |
| Depth | 0.9 in |
| Height | 2.6 in |
| Weight | 0.44 lbs |
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