sp350 vs C-series Oly camera

[sunkarm]

Now, it seems that both types of camera r discontinued and probably a big chance is that Oly is not going to introduce any new cameras with hotshoe ttl camera like the above. I don't know what the c-series looklike but i only know that they have an advantage of using cf card which carries much more memory than the XD cards. due to this reason i find that the c-series is better than the sp350. the advantage sp350 have over the c-series is that the LCD size is bigger and cheaper. Do u guys agree? Which one u prefer, sp350 or the c-series?

 

[DesertEagle]

My understanding is that the C-series cameras couldn't make use of faster CF speed. Today you can buy a 1GB type H xD card for about $35. RAW on the SP-350 take 5-6 seconds. That's much faster than the C-5050.

 

[kapula]

I have c-8080 and as deserteagle pointed out it's bridge is extremely slow. What that means is if I shoot raw it takes 12 seconds to save the pic! Upsides are excellent optics, huge ccd. They propably discontinued c-series as it's kinda competing with their "low" end dlsr's. If you can find 8080 somewhere I'd go for that. But then again it's just my 5 cents

 

[Mel.B]

The C-series can use the faster CF cards. I have an Oly 5050 and am currently using a 2gig Extreme III CF card and RAW write time is only 4 - 5 seconds.

Mel.b

 

[rjsimp]

I think the SP350 even though it uses the xD (which I HATE) memory it is still a superior camera in many ways..

 

[LiteHedded]

I have nothing to compare it too but...
as a new sp-350 user I'm VERY happy with it

 

[torrey]

I went from a C-5050 to the SP-350. Personally, I think the C-5050 underwater shots tend to come out better when using only internal flash. However, I love that I can take some pretty decent video with the SP-350. I also like that the SP-350 is significantly smaller than the C-5050. I can keep my SP-350 in my pocket just about anywhere. With the C-5050, I had to carry a small camera case everywhere I wanted to shoot, looking like a tourist and always worried I was going to leave it somewhere. A plus for the C-5050 was being able to have both CF and xD cards in the camera at the same time and switching with a button. Another downside is the size of memory the C-5050 can handle.

I don't regret the switch, and the SP-350 is cheaply replaced if I want another one

 

[f3nikon]

Even the "pros" go with the C-8080:

http://reviews.ebay.com/Olympus-C-8...a-vs-DSLR-Approach_W0QQugidZ10000000000004230

The lowest price for a SP-350 is $199.00 new...I have yet to find at USED C-8080 go below $500 even the C-5050 are going for $350 used. The C-8080 to me is like a hybrid camera part DSLR (large lens) and P/S. The CCD sensor on the C-8080 is larger than the SP-350 but they are both 8mp, the SP-350 is just packed closer with smaller pixels, maybe open to color bleeding? I do not have a SP-350 but from what I have seen so far, the SP-350 does not come close to even the C-5050 Olympus in color and sharpness. And the wider than normal wide angle lens of the C-8080 is made for underwater close-up shooting.

If I were starting off in U/W photography the SP-350 is still a very good value because of the hotshoe, same electronic features as the C-8080 and the preflash strobe override. And if you have never been in to any type of photography you may not even see the difference in image quality.

 

[rjsimp]

Even the "pros" go with the C-8080:

Well, I guess that depends on the "pros" you are referring to. Cathy Church was a big fan of the C series cameras, but she highly reccomends and sells the SP-350 as you can check out on her site (www.cathychurch.com). I know others that like the 350 also but Cathy is definitely one that toutes it heavily.

I'm not saying the 8080 is a bad camera in any way, but you of all people should know by now based on your other feelings that just because it costs more, doesn't make it better..

 

[Larry C]

I have little doubt that the C series cameras had better optics and better actual resolution. What the SP has is bang for the buck. It is just a great combination of price point and features, and you can take pictures that are quite nice with it. It's the closest thing to a DSLR in function, but not performance. I would love to see Olympus come out with a replacement that has all the same features, but with a better lens, a bigger CCD and a faster processor. Maybe that's the Canon G-7, but it doesn't shoot RAW like the G-6. The SP-510 looks real nice, but also, no RAW and less resolution and it's kind of big. Maybe they're going the right way with the new E-400 (euro only) DSLR. How about a hybrid?