Kodak DC50 versus Olympus D-300???

Brian's right.

You can't tell 800x600 vs 1024x768 on a typical 72 dpi monitor. If you
are going to print (and by all means - use an HP 693 if you can afford
the big boys - it's $299) you should go for the Olympus.

I have the Kodak DC-50 which I bought before the Olympus was released.
If I had my "druthers", I'd rather have both the DC-50 and the
Olympus. The 50 gives me the Optical Zoom (3x), PCMCIA (aka
unlimited) storage, economical battery life (200 shots or 4 Lithiums)
and I can use my PCMCIA slot on my thinkpad to transfer images as
though they were on a hard drive.

The Olympus offers sharp hi-res quality photos. I don't know the
balance of the features since only Kodak, Logitech, Chinon and Casio
have provided equipment for testing.

Visit my homepage at # to view images
from most of these cameras.

Long live Netscape (this is for you, Brian).
(c) 1997 - All rights reserved.
Cool contents when not in use.
Use fresh batteries.
Void where well, you get the idea.

I also own a D300L, and agree with the previous message as to the good
points of the camera. When I purchased the camera, my main concern was
resolution - and the Olympus wins that round. As for storage - 30 High
quality shots. This is adequate for my needs, as I use a PowerBook to
upload from the camera in the field. (Not an economic solution, but I
already owned the PB). I use nicad batteries, so they're not a problem.

My main "bitch" with the camera is Olympus's choice of lens - which
equates to 35mm on a 35mm camera. I would liked to have seen a 50 or
55mm equilvent standard. In reality, what this means, is you must get
closer to the subject to fill the frame.

My second "bitch" is the lack of composite (tv - vcr) video output (ala
Ricoh RDC-2). Perhaps they could build a separate little "box" with this
capability.

My last "bitch" is the flash. It seems that the flash actually fires
twice, when taking a normal flash picture, with the exposure taking place
on the second flash. What this means is that you can't use a standard
slave flash with the camera. (Read that the Cannon PowerShot may do this
as well). I'm investigating a special slave flash I saw mentioned in this
newsgroup that triggers on the second flash - which should take care of
the problem.

If you get the D300L, download the Camedia software from
# (available for Mac or Windows/95). It's
much better than using a twain driver or plug in for getting images out of
the camera. It also has other camera controls as well (set the auto shut
off time, set the LCD screen brightness, set time & date, etc.)

All this said - I'd still purchase the D300L over the DS-50, as 1024x768
is better than 640x480 (for my purposes.) If you're not going to be
printing these images at medium (70-80 line screen, up to 160dpi) or high
res (110-150 line screen, up to 300 dpi), the 640x480 format will work
just fine (for the Web also).

Based on what I've seen, if your using a dye-sub printer (like Foto FUN or
similar - about 200dpi), you might bet by with 640x480 also, as the
technology used in dye-sub printers just about eliminates pixelation.

Hope this helps,

Keith Wagner

Since I own a D300L I'll tell you what I like about it. Compact, carry it in
your pocket. Holds 120 decent low-res images, more than adequate for web
shots. Lens cover. Flash. Timer. LCD screen. Lens comparable to a 35mm
semi-wide angle. I getting used to it.

It does eat batteries... get re-chargables. Bought an AC adapter at radio
shack that works fine.

I've got shots in both high and low resolution on my web page, as do many
people in this group. Check out all the pictures from all the cameras before
you buy.

Jerry Kwit
#