Auto Mode (7.5)
The Auto mode is clearly labeled and easily accessible on the main mode dial, which is located on the back of the C-5500. In the full automatic modes, the camera will meter, focus, and expose the image without any necessary user control. This is designed to accommodate true point-and-shooters and allow for instantaneous capture, rendering all necessary adjustments to shooting settings automatic. The only changes that can be made in Auto mode are Image Size, Self Timer, Monitor (you can turn it on or off), and Setup. The Macro mode is also available. The flash will not automatically open when needed; users must manually open the flash for it to operate.
Movie Mode (7.0)
The Olympus C-5500 has a movie mode that has image stabilization, which is almost unheard of in this price range. It shoots at 320 x 240 resolution, which is not the greatest, but no digital still camera will parallel camcorder-quality movies. The clips can be recorded and will play back with or without sound. The microphone and speaker are not camcorder quality, but they work well nonetheless. Within the movie mode menu, users can turn the digital zoom on, switch ISO ratings, and access color modes. Optical zoom is not available, but the digital zoom does work — albeit not very well. When users digitally zoom in on a subject while in movie mode, not only does the image look grainy, but the actual zoom function shakes in a seizure-like burst. This is ironic because this camera features image stabilization technology. The Anti-Shake system works well when the digital zoom is turned off and users have normal hand shake patterns. However, whatever the digital zoom does that shakes the picture cannot be fixed with the image stabilization feature. Users must press the shutter release button once to begin recording, then again to stop. On the screen, users can see how much time is left available on the memory card.
Drive / Burst Mode (5.5)
The C-5500 advertises a rapid burst mode that supposedly captures images at 2.7 frames per second. However, that proved too good to be true (see the Speed/ Timing section). After putting new batteries in the camera and setting the Drive mode to Continuous and still getting a shot every 0.76 seconds, I was quite disappointed.
Playback Mode (7.5)
Images can be played back in single frames or thumbnails of 4, 9, or 16. Pictures can be recalled chronologically with the Calendar function, which can be accessed by pushing the zoom lever toward the “W” twice. Images can be enlarged up to 5x with the zoom also. Slide shows can be played with fades and other inserted transitions. Histograms and file information can be viewed and rotations made; what more could one want? Movie clips can be played back with audio at normal speed, fast-forwarded, or frame-by-frame.
Custom Image Presets (7.0)
There are 11 scene settings, found in the “Scene” section of the C-5500’s main Mode Dial. Users must push the Menu button and scroll upwards to the Scene Selection portion of the matrix. The following scenes are available: Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Night Scene, Picture for Keepsake, Beach & Snow, Fireworks, Sunset, Candle, Available Light Portrait, and Landscape Portrait settings. When scrolling through presets, users can see a sample photo with each setting.
