I bought an Olympus model D-510 about 2-1/2 years ago. That was the same time I upgraded my computer, and also purchased a new printer designed specifically for processing digital photos. The printer, a Hewlett-Packard model 1315 photo smart, has a built in 2” x 3” viewing screen, and the smart media card from the camera is inserted directly into a slot in the printer, that downloads the pictures right to the computer hard drive for storage. There is a ton of built in software in that H-P printer, and it does a great job in producing glossy prints all the way up to 8-1/2” x 11” photos, all the way down to passport size I.D. photos. Although I’ve only messed around with it to see how it works, I can take video MPEG movies, but that really chews up the remaining memory of the smart card, leaving less available memory for still photos. I recall I can get about a five minute movie on the 128 Meg smart card I purchased, before it’s filled up.
I chose the Olympus 3.1 mega pixel camera after a long discussion with a salesman at National Camera.. He told me that my choice for pixel display was largely a matter of what my intended use was. Obviously, the more pixels, the more the price of the camera within a given manufacturers products. He said if I were a professional photographer who did a lot of printing of such things as wedding photos, etc, I’d want a 4, or a 5 mega pixel camera. If the majority of my pictures would be on the computer hard drive, for my own viewing, or for sending out via e-mail, the 3 Meg unit would be just fine. Frankly, I have found the 3.1 mega pixel unit I bought produces very high quality prints on glossy photo papers. The on screen viewing on my 19” computer monitor, is excellent. Could not be happier with anything about the whole set up.
I bought a larger capacity smart card than what came with the camera, and I find I generally can get about 160 photos before it’s filled up, and I have to empty the contents onto the Computer, and then clear the smart card for more photo taking. I also invested in two sets of four rechargeable ni-cad AA batteries. So, one set is in the camera, and the spare set is in the camera case on stand by. Takes about 24 hours to recharge them. I can take 160 photos on one set of batteries if I don’t have to use the flash function too much with the camera.
Prices are lower now, but back then, the Olympus camera was $399, the H-P printer was $399. the Dell model 8200 desk top was $2150 as configured, and the experience of digital photography……priceless.
And onto the 3rd.......
