Editorial Review:Product Description:Professional features abound in the five-megapixel C-5050ZOOM. The ergonomically designed camera incorporates an ultra-bright f1.8-f2.6, 3x optical zoom lens system. Its many manual options give you the freedom to create the images you want. The tilting LCD monitor helps frame scenes when shooting from difficult angles, such as from the floor or above the head. A range of automatic modes is also included, enabling the quick reaction to capture the moment. Furthermore the C-5050ZOOM is compatible with the new digital image storage standard xD-Picture card, as well as SmartMedia, Compact Flash and Microdrive.
Amazon.com Review:The Olympus Camedia C-5050 is a monster in terms of performance, compatibility, and unfortunately, price. This 5.0 megapixel camera captures images at some of the highest detail possible in a digital device. It also supports a variety of storage media including CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Microdrive, and XD (it ships with a 32 MB XD card).
The 3x optical zoom lens slides into the black body of the camera when it's turned off. Although this doesn't cut down much on the heft of the 13-ounce Magnesium device, its design still allows it to be easily held in one hand while shooting. Since its powered by four AA batteries, you'll want to pick up some rechargeable ones to save on battery swapping.
Its bright, large 1.8-inch LCD can be viewed easily even in high light environments. It also conveniently detaches from the camera body and swivels out into multiple positions to aid in atypically angled shots (although not through as wide a range as other cameras offering this feature).
All of the controls within this camera are adjustable, including aperture and shutter priority, Panorama, special effects, etc., as well as programmable into a My Mode, letting you customize your most oft-used settings. Captured images were incredibly detailed at the highest resolution of 2560 by 1960 (large enough for printing out at 13 by 17 inches). You can also capture video clips complete with sound with lengths limited only by your storage capacity.
The myriad buttons and dials on the top and back of the camera might prove a bit daunting to the novice digital photographer, although the power and price of this camera will most likely be attracting intermediate or advanced users.
This isn't a camera to get for your kid's sweet sixteen present, but if you're looking for a digital cam with the performance and range of features to compete with a high-end film camera, the C-5050 holds its own.
--J. Curtis Pros: - Lots of features
- High resolution captures
- Video with audio
Cons: - Pricey and hefty
- Menus have a learning curve
Amazon.com Product Description:With the Camedia C-5050, Olympus introduces a new professional standard within the compact digital camera class. With an exceptionally bright, high-quality 3x zoom optical system and 5-megapixel resolution, the C-5050 includes a full complement of high-end features. An ergonomic design and intuitively located controls further enhance this model. In addition to the optical real-image viewfinder, the tilting LCD monitor located on the rear of the camera is particularly helpful when shooting from difficult angles.
Optics and Resolution The 5-megapixel Olympus C-5050 digital camera can produce quality prints up to 11 by 14 inches and beyond. It boasts a 3x optical zoom lens and 3.3x digital zoom for a total zoom of 10x.
Storage This model is compatible with the new XD memory-card format (it includes 32 MB card), as well as SmartMedia, CompactFlash, and Microdrive cards.
More Features Serious photographers will appreciate the versatility of manually adjustable aperture settings and shutter speed, as well as the manual focus. Sharpness control can of course also be left to the camera's automatic TTL iESP (intelligent Electro Selective Pattern) contrast-detection focusing system.
White balance can be fine-tuned via nine preset options, including four fluorescent settings, and may also be regulated manually or automatically with the TTL iESP II system. Five preset scene program modes, such as sport, landscape, and portrait, provide users with settings that reflect the typically optimal photographic parameters for a range of common situations.
Two impressive continuous shooting speeds are attainable: either 11 images at 1.7 frames per second, or 4 shots at a fast 3.3 frames per second.
In addition to its powerful built-in flash with numerous modes, including first- and second-curtain synchronization, the C-5050 also incorporates a hot-shoe for connecting an optional external flash unit, and works with slave strobe lights.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Great Camera
I purchased this camera about four years ago and it's still going strong. Although it was my first digital camera, I had few problems with all the controls - most of them seemed rather intuitive. I used the camera for professional photography and had flawless results every time. Between the camera's capabilities and my ability to edit, pictures came out literally poster perfect nearly every time. The only "complaint" I have is that there is no way to turn off the LCD when using the viewfinder, which makes the camera an annoyance to others when using it in a dark theatre situation. I had to come up with a little black velvet-like "baggie" to put over the LCD when I was using it in dark places (such as when I went to a museum show). The camera is a complete joy and is so portable that I can even pack along my tripod and some extra lenses without feeling like I'm loaded down with camera equipment.
Rating: 
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Weak lens ruins a good camera for third time
This is the third time the lens mechanism has broken. The first one was with a similar C-3030 and it was repaired under warranty. The second time it broke it was not under warranty and too expensive to repair. I thought the lens looked sturdier on the C-5050, but it failed.
The mechanism that moves the lens in and out failed. It had taken two pictures and then the next picture the lens just got stuck.
I've pulled the camera apart - but can't get the lens out - maybe I'll try again.
Its too bad because the lens was good for the camera's compact size, for its age it was fun to use all the controls and it was very good in low light.
My other camera I had to sell on eBay for parts - I fear this will go the same way.
Rating: 
-
Loses its Settings Every Battery Change / False Battery Low Warning
Purchased C5050-Zoom in August 2003, refurbished. Worked great for about 2 years. Then when switching batteries, date/time is lost every time. I searched internet, no info on getting a 'base' battery replaced or details on type of battery. Sent e-mail to check on service, and told to send it in an it would cost a lot of money ($170 comes to mind).
My children know how to operate and take photos/movies. Ages 20 - 6. Has advanced features for more experienced users.
Around Aug. 2006, I noticed that after putting in fully charged batteries, after taking a few pictures (with or w/o flash) that the 'low battery' warning was blinking. If I power on/off, it goes away for a few pictures. I tried this just yesterday (31 Oct 2006) on 'low batteries', ended up taking 118 pictures with it. Most were without flash, and did not use LCD viewfinder.
Used a C-2100 Ultra Zoom for over a year in 2000-2001 which I why I picked Olympus. 2 other family members purchased Olympus on my recommendation. I hope those models turn out better than the C5050 and Olympus support is better and more reasonable.
For the expense of servicing, I'm just riding out this camera until it stops working. Will then put money towards a newer/better/cheaper model. Other family members have Kodak Easy-Share models, have not heard problems with them. Great photos, easier to charge on base and copy files to computer.
Rating: -
Camera Loses its Settings Every Battery Change
This camera takes excellent photos and in particular I like its ability to take photos in low light conditions. However, I can not recommend it based on my experience. After less than two years the capacitor that maintains the date, time, and user-mode settings failed. Now everytime I change the batteries, no matter how quickly I change them, the camera loses these settings. It's very annoying and in my opinion a serious product defect. Based on my Internet research I am not alone in having this problem and Olympus apparently has no interest in offering a reasonably priced repair. Very disappointing.
Rating: 
-
I will never buy another Olympus product.
My Olympus C-5050 is less than two years old. Two years of very light usage, and it's already broken. I sent it to the Olympus Service Center. They replied with an estimate for $197.96 but no mention of what was wrong with the camera. (The $197.96, incidentally, only buys me six more months of warrranty.) A call to their "service representative" yielded no further information. I was told that their was no one I could speak to who could tell me what was wrong with the camera. They did know, however, that it wasn't the bad CCD issue (a covered repair) because my serial number wasn't in the batch of cameras that had that problem.
I was given the option of paying $197.96 for a camera that would then be guaranteed to work only six more months or trading in for a cheaper camera for $240. The cheaper camera is an Olympus SP310 which Amazon sells for $243. Some trade-in, huh?
Not surprisingly the C-5050 has been discontinued but don't be another Olympus victim. I would urge anyone thinking of purchasing an Olympus product to read some of the other Olympus Horror Stories here and other places before sending these people any of your money.
Consider yourself warned.