1. Introduction

While in direct competition with the likes of Konica Minolta A2, Sony F828, Canon PowerShot Pro 1, the Olympus C-8080 immediately differs from the rest of the pack with a shorter zoom lens. In spite of this significant difference, which rules out direct comparisons, the high-end Olympus prosumer camera soundly beats its rivals, particularly with its outstanding noise control (see below). Additionally, the lens is not in the 28-200mm category, although it is in the 28-140mm range, which is sufficient for most uses. In these days of "pixel inflation", a resolution of 8 million pixels is obviously a major asset, allowing for printouts in A3 format or larger.

Once again, we cannot avoid comparing prosumer and SLR digicams, even though we haven't changed our minds about it. Despite costing more than an entry-level SLR, a prosumer camera cannot seriously be considered "better", be it in image quality or ease of focusing or handling. Still, the prosumer digicam is a market on its own, designed for advanced users as much as amateurs (informed or not), or even professionals who want high resolution from a camera that is versatile and easy to control. Prosumer digicams certainly have a convenience that is lacking in the SLR. However, they are also matters of taste and photographic attitude.

In purely objective terms, it has to be said that the manufacturers have made great strides in the build, finish and overall quality of prosumer digicams, and now offer terrific, almost incredible products. In spite of some exasperating shortcomings, the Olympus C-8080 is one of them.