Olympus FE-300
Digital Camera Review
Nov 05, 2007
- By Karen M. Cheung
1.7
The Olympus FE-300 represents an emerging class of digital cameras targeted at the beginner wooed by double-digit megapixels. At 12 megapixels, the FE-300 is one of several cameras that reach an all-time high resolution for point-and-shoots. When Olympus launched its 12-megapixel entry-level camera in August 2007, Olympus called it the slimmest in its class. At $299.99, the new FE-camera is also one of the least expensive 12-megapixel options. The FE-300 is equipped with a basic 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5-inch LCD screen, but adds a few features such as Perfect Shot Preview and Smile Shutter.
| Top Point & Shoot Cameras |
|---|
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Specs Table
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Olympus FE-300 Specs
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|
Type
|
Pocket
|
|
Price
|
299.99
|
|
Length
|
3.70
|
|
Width
|
0.87
|
|
Height
|
2.20
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|
Weight
|
4.10
|
|
Pixels
|
12.00 Megapixels
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|
Effective Pixels
|
12.00
|
|
Sensor Type
|
1/1.72 inch CCD
|
|
Image Size
|
4000 x 3000
|
|
IR Cut Low Pass Filter
|
Yes
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|
Image Format
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JPEG (stills), AVI JPEG (video)
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Compression
|
JPEG (stills), AVI JPEG (video)
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|
Lens Mount
|
no
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|
Compatible Lenses
|
n/a
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|
Viewfinder
|
no
|
|
Diopter Adjustment
|
n/a
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|
LCD
|
2.5 inch
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|
Auto Focus Type
|
CCD Contrast Detection
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Focusing Modes
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iESP Auto, Spot AF, Face Detection AF
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|
Shutter Speed
|
4.0
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|
Self Timer
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12 sec
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Modes
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Auto, Program Auto,Scene Preset , Movie
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Speed
|
No
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Burst
|
No
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Automatic Modes
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Portrait, Landscape, Night and portrait, Sport, Indoor, Candle, Self portrait, Sunset, Fireworks, Behind glass, Cuisine, Documents, Auction, Smile shot
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|
Exposure Compensation
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±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
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|
Resolution
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4000 x 3000
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|
ISO Sensitivity
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Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
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|
White Balance
|
Auto,Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, and 3 Fluorescents
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|
Direct Printing
|
Yes
|
|
Video Output
|
Yes
|
|
Software
|
CD ROM
|
|
Battery Power Source
|
Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery (LI-42B)
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|
Zoom Wide
|
35
|
|
Zoom Tele
|
105
|
|
fstop Max
|
2.80
|
|
fstop Min
|
4.70
|
|
Zoom Digi
|
4.00
|
|
Movie Mode
|
640x480 at 30fps, 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 at 30fps
|
|
LCD Pixels
|
230000
|
|
Resolution Maximum
|
4000 x 3000
|
|
Resolution Minimum
|
640 x 480
|
| Ratings |
Raw |
Weight |
|
Color
|
3.64
|
2.75
|
|
Resolution
|
7.16
|
2.5
|
|
Noise Auto ISO
|
2.17
|
2
|
|
Noise Manual ISO
|
5.15
|
3
|
|
Model Design Appearance
|
6.75
|
1.25
|
|
Low Light
|
5.23
|
2.25
|
|
Size Portability
|
7.00
|
1.1
|
|
Handling
|
5.00
|
1.5
|
|
Control Button Positioning Size
|
7.00
|
0.85
|
|
Front
|
7.25
|
0.6
|
|
Back
|
7.75
|
0.6
|
|
Left
|
7.00
|
0.5
|
|
Right
|
6.00
|
0.5
|
|
Top
|
7.00
|
0.6
|
|
Menu
|
7.00
|
0.95
|
|
Bottom
|
3.00
|
0.5
|
|
Auto Mode
|
7.00
|
1.5
|
|
Auto Focus
|
5.75
|
1.5
|
|
Focus
|
0.00
|
1.25
|
|
ISO
|
8.00
|
1.25
|
|
White Balance
|
5.50
|
1.25
|
|
Exposure
|
7.00
|
0.5
|
|
Metering
|
5.75
|
1.1
|
|
Shutter Speed
|
0.00
|
0.9
|
|
Aperture
|
0.00
|
0.9
|
|
Custom Image Presets
|
7.50
|
0.75
|
|
Drive Mode
|
5.00
|
1
|
|
Picture Qualit Options
|
6.50
|
0.5
|
|
Picture Effects Mode
|
0.00
|
0.5
|
|
Playback Mode
|
6.50
|
0.9
|
|
Movie Mode
|
7.25
|
1
|
|
Viewfinder
|
0.00
|
0.8
|
|
LCD Screen
|
7.50
|
1.25
|
|
Flash
|
6.25
|
1.25
|
|
Zoom Lens
|
6.50
|
1.5
|
|
Memory
|
4.00
|
0.5
|
|
Startup 1st Shot
|
7.60
|
1.75
|
|
Shot Shot
|
0.00
|
1.75
|
|
Shutter Shot
|
9.00
|
1.75
|
|
Software
|
8.50
|
0.5
|
|
Jacks / Ports / Plugs
|
4.00
|
0.4
|
|
Direct Print
|
6.00
|
0.65
|
|
Ease of Use
|
7.00
|
0.95
|
|
Battery
|
6.50
|
0.75
|
|
Other Features
|
6.50
|
0.55
|
|
Value
|
5.00
|
1.85
|
|
Dynamic Range
|
5.73
|
2.5
|
|
Video Performance
|
3.42
|
1.75
|
|
Processing Speed
|
1.60
|
1.75
|
|
White Balance Performance
|
5.36
|
1.8
|
| Total (weighted) |
|
314.55 |
