One of the most distinctively designed digital cameras around, the minimalist Olympus AZ-2 packs a lot of photographic power into its small, lightweight frame (just 4 inches wide and 4.3 ounces). It offers a 4-megapixel resolution, a unique 2.8x optical zoom that never juts out of the camera, a large 2.5-inch LCD that provides a brilliant display even in bright sunlight, and a movie mode with sound that can capture as much video as your memory card can handle.
Optics and Resolution
The 1/2.7" CCD captures 4-megapixel images for printed enlargements up to 11 x 17 inches. Image resolutions include: 2272 x 1704 (4MP), 2048 x 1704 (3MP), 1600 x 1200 (2MP), 1280 x 960 (1MP), 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. The lens, which is seated in the top-right corner of the camera's front, has a 6.33-17.3mm focal range (40-112mm equivalent in 35mm photography) with an f2.9 to f4.8 aperture range.
The AZ-2 is one of the first Olympus digital cameras to feature a 2.8x optical zoom lens with a folded light path (f2.9- f4.8, 40-112mm equivalent in 35mm camera format). Nothing protrudes from the AZ-2--its distinctive, slim form is made possible by an optical "folded" light path. Unlike most cameras where the lens juts out to regulate the optical zoom, the AZ-2 delivers 2.8x magnification wholly from lens adjustments undertaken within the camera itself. Combined with 5.5x digital zoom (in SQ2 mode up to 11x), the AZ-2 brings the world closer with 15x total zoom power.
Movie Mode
The camera's QuickTime Movie Mode (up to 30 frames per second, or fps) with sound can be used to make mini movies limited only by the amount of available memory of your XD Picture Card. It features the following movie resolutions: 320 x 420 (15 fps, or 30 fps with an 8-second maximum length) and 160 x 120 (15 and 30 fps modes).
More Features
The AZ-2 comes with its own stand, allowing you take full advantage of the large, high-quality LCD by setting the camera upright and using it as an animated mini photo frame. It features transitions from one image to the next, and includes Scroll, Fade, Zoom, Swivel, Checkerboard, Blinds, and Random viewing options.
The 2.5 inch LCD boasts 210,000 pixels, is impressively clear, and makes light work of sunny weather. Innovative sunshine LCD technology uses semi-transparent layers that allow light to penetrate a few layers into the panel before it is reflected back. This, along with a backlight, preserves contrast to ensure the LCD presents dazzling images in all conditions.
Olympus' exclusive TruePic Turbo image processor suppresses noise and boosts image definition to ensure sharper, clearer images. The AZ-2 ZOOM couldnÕt be easier to use, thanks to a new joystick button that allows quick and easy access to menus and settings.
Other features include:
- Super macro mode of 3.15 inches
- Flash modes: auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, and off
- Flash charging time of 5 seconds
- Self timer of up to 12 seconds
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on XD memory cards. The card's small size, about the same as a postage stamp, helps to keep the camera size down. The included 16 MB card will store approximately 16 images at 2272 x 1704 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting) without sound. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity.
Direct Printing
The AZ-2 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer (such as the Olympus P-10), without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong).
Power and Size
The AZ-2 is powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery (LI-20B). It measures 4 x 2.5 x .08 inches (WxHxD) and weighs just 4.3 ounces.
What's in the Box
This package contains the Olympus AZ-2 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, lithium-ion rechargeable battery (LI-20B), battery charger, wrist strap, camera stand, USB cable, A/V cable, printed QuickStart guide and basic instruction manual, and CD-ROM with Camedia Master 1.0 software and PDF reference manual.