Introduction
It is in 2002 that the Olympus Camedia D-380 was hatched. Being an entry-level camera, it affords the barest camera functions at an attractive price. The camera utilizes a 2-megapixel image sensor with a 3x optical zoom lens and a 1.5-inch LCD screen. For powering, it uses AA batteries and comes with a SmartMedia storage card slot.
This review takes a closer look at the Olympus Camedia D-380 in terms of its internal construction, features, and advantages that it brings as a digital camera.
Digital Camera Components
Lens
The Olympus Camedia D-380 features a 3x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 6.5-19.5mm, which is equivalent to 38-114mm in 35mm format. Maximum aperture is f/2.8 at wide-angle and f/4.4 at telephoto. The lens built-in is non-removable; it is unable to interchange different lens attachments.
Image Sensor
The camera employs a 2-megapixel CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor. While this falls short of standards today, it was an average resolution for an entry-level camera in 2002. The sensor size is small at 1/2.7 inches when other recent advanced cameras are concerned.
Processor
The Olympus Camedia D-380 features Olympus’s TruePic processor. The processor is responsible for processing the image data captured by the sensor, converting it to digital.
Display
The 1.5-inch LCD displays the resolution of 134,000 pixels. The screen aids in arranging the shots, checking images, and accessing the camera menu.
Storage
Images are stored in SmartMedia storage cards by the Olympus Camedia D-380. In the early 2000s, SmartMedia was a favorite among storage media formats for digital cameras, but it has since been mostly replaced by SD cards.
Battery
It takes two AA batteries. While the advantage is that AA batteries are so easy to buy, the downside is that the camera might not last very long compared to models using a proprietary battery pack.
Digital Camera Features
Image Resolution
To recap, the Olympus Camedia D-380 houses a 2-megapixel image sensor; that is, it can produce images with an allowable maximum resolution of 1600×1200 pixels. This is still rather low for present-day standards; however, it was an acceptable resolution for an entry-level camera in 2002.
ISO Sensitivity
There are ISO sensitivity settings from ISO 100 up to ISO 400 on this camera. ISO sensitivity indicates the sensitivity of the image sensor to light. So, it may use a higher ISO in lower light conditions enhanced, but in doing so, it invites much more noise into the image.
Shutter Speed
That gives a whole 1/1000 second to 2 seconds shutter speed setting. Shutter speeds are how long the shutter of the camera is open to allow the light to hit the sensor to take a picture. If one wants to freeze an action, he would use a fast shutter speed; on the other hand, if he wants to create motion blur, he will use a slow shutter speed.
Aperture
Aperture can be set at f/2.8 or f/4.4 depending on the zoom. That’s what an aperture does; lets more or less light through the lens of the camera. A larger aperture can create a very shallow depth of field while a small aperture to give a very large depth of field.
The camera benefits
These advantages in Olympus Camedia D-380 are as follows:
Review immediately: You can see the pictures after you’ve taken them. Be ready to delete whatever you’ve taken that seems unwanted. This saves time and space on memory cards and at the same time allows you to modify your shooting technique right on the spot.
Realistic photographs: These machines give you the opportunity to take larger dimension photographs. These are high-quality, perfectly sharp images with accurate colors and a highly detailed range. There is a chance of taking great photographs with conditions and settings that will be perfect, thus rivaling the best of the photograph taken using traditional cameras.
Flexibility: Digital cameras also give you many shooting modes to choose from and setting functions to adapt photos in sunlight or shade to look entirely different. It adjusts the iso sensitivity, shutter speed, aperture, and white balance settings to yours.
Easy sharing and printing: Digital cameras will allow easy sharing of photographs via the internet or access to various printing services at home or in photo labs. You can also crop and edit photographs using a computer or smartphone then print or share them.
Cost-effective: Digital cameras do usually prove better economy than conventional film cameras. The reason is no need to pay for film or processing. And you can reuse memory cards and batteries for even more savings.
Conclusion
Olympus Camedia D-380 is a compact and easy-to-use digital camera applicable for daily picture-taking. Not exactly all the bells and whistles of the more advanced cameras, but obviously gets the job done, with the ease of use. If you want a very simple yet inexpensive camera, then you might consider the Olympus Camedia D-380.
Olympus Camedia D-380 2MP Digital Camera: Buy it now