If you're new to the world of digital photography, the Olympus
D-540 offers just the right blend of easy-to-use features and high-quality optics that
delivers vivid pictures. The D-540 has a durable silver-toned polycarbonate body with
a shutter style lens barrier. It also features a 3.2-megapixel resolution, 3x optical
zoom, movie mode, a bright LCD monitor to review images, and Olympus's new TruePic
Turbo image processor, which speeds up the camera's start-up, shutter lag, recording
and playback time.
Optics and Resolution
The 3-megapixel D-540 captures 2048 x 1536 pixel images for prints up to 11 x 14
inches. It also has 1600 x 1200 (2MP) and 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution modes. It
features a 3x optical zoom that, when combined with a 3.3x digital zoom, delivers a
total seamless 10x zoom. The aspherical all-glass zoom lens is constructed of 7 lenses
in 6 groups and has a focal length of 5.8-17.4mm (38-114mm equivalent in 35mm
photography) and an aperture range of f2.9-f5.0.
Movie Mode
In addition to capturing still images, you can also shoot short videos (without audio)
at 15 frames per second (fps). The D-540 has two resolution modes: 320 x 240 and 160 x
120. (Its companion D-580, with a 4-megapixel still image resolution, offers a movie
mode with sound.)
More Features
The D-540 is one of the first Olympus models to feature TruePic Turbo, a new image
processor that sharpens image clarity, contrast, and color for life-like results. This
feature also makes the camera 30% faster in processing images and is combined with a
super-fast shutter release time.
The D-540 offers a menu architecture that's easy to navigate for fast access to the
right settings with just the press of arrow buttons. Seven preset shooting modes can
be accessed through the "Virtual Dial" (viewable through the LCD menu) to
provide fully automatic exposure adjustments; these include Program Auto, Portrait,
Portrait-Landscape, Landscape, Night Scene, Self Portrait, and Movie.
Other features include:
- 1.8-inch TFT color LCD monitor (approximately 85,000 pixels)
- Optical real-image viewfinder
- 1.5 frames per second burst up to 12 frames
- Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, and off modes
- ISO sensitivity 50 to 320
Direct Printing
The D-540 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).
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on XD Picture Card 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 20 images at 2048 x 1536 pixels (at HQ, JPEG setting). Images
can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity, which means the
camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows 98 Rev2Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or
later computer without installing any software.
Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines included, NiMH rechargeable
recommended) or 1 CR-V3 battery. It measures 4 x 2.2 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D) and
weighs 5.3 ounces (excluding batteries and storage media).