The C-5050 Zoom is the latest high-end model in Olympus's Camedia range.

The most obvious improvement over the earlier C-4040 is a higher resolution of 5megapixels, but there's more to the C-5050's sensor than first meets the eye.

Like other 5megapixel cameras the C-5050 has a maximum resolution of 2,560 x 1,920 pixels, which, at 200 pixels per inch (ppi), has sufficient detail to make 13 x 10in colour inkjet prints.

The big difference between the C-5050 and the first batch of 5megapixel cameras, though, is a physically smaller sensor. While the Nikon 5000 and 5700, Sony F717 and Minolta 7HI all feature a 6/9in sensor, the C-5050's measures 5/9in.

This new sensor is in fact the same size as the 3 and 4megapixel chips in popular use, which means the pixels are steadily getting smaller as the resolution increases.

Physically smaller pixels can mean increased electronic noise levels and a tougher time for the lens, although Olympus believes it copes with both issues.

Olympus certainly hasn't skimped in recording modes. The C-5050 offers nine different resolutions including one with a 2,560 x 1,696 3:2 aspect ratio.

Jpegs support Exif 2.2 while uncompressed tiffs are available at all resolutions. A Raw mode also delivers unprocessed data directly from the sensor in more manageable file sizes; as usual you'll need the supplied software to process them.

At the highest resolution, the standard HQ mode delivers jpegs measuring around 1.2MB, although purists will prefer the 2.5MB files of the milder SHQ setting. Tiff and Raw modes at the top resolution produce 8MB and 15MB files respectively.

In terms of storage, the C-5050 again has more options than most. There's a dual-format Smartmedia/XD slot (common on current Olympus models) and a Type II Compact Flash (CF) slot. Olympus supplies a 32MB XD card and we also successfully used the 1GB IBM Microdrive.

One of the most impressive aspects of the C-5050 is its lens, a 3x optical zoom (equivalent range of 35-105mm) which boasts a bright aperture of f1.8~2.6. There are also two macro modes, the more useful one locking the zoom and focusing as close as 3cm.

Image composition is with an optical viewfinder or a 1.8in colour screen which can be tilted upwards by 90 degrees, but only downwards by a small amount.

It's more useful than being fixed, but a shame it's not a full twist and flip display. On the plus side, there's a live histogram option and the facility to crop images in-camera.

The built-in flash has a wealth of options including a rear-curtain mode, and there's a hotshoe for connecting an optional flashgun.

Exposure modes include the usual separate Program, Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority, along with a movie mode with sound (and a built-in speaker), five presets and four custom modes.

There are 14 aperture settings and 44 shutter speeds from 1/2,000 to 16 seconds; noise reduction can be activated for long exposures if required. Sensitivity runs between 64 and 400 ISO.

In use the C-5050 handled well and offered all the features you'd expect at this price. The lens also featured excellent geometry, minimal colour fringing and sharp details.

In our resolution tests, the C-5050 fell fractionally short of earlier 5megapixel models, but was certainly higher than average 4megapixel cameras.

Viewing images on-screen at 100 per cent also revealed higher noise levels than normal, but these were not visible on our 13 x 10in inkjet test prints.

In short, the impact of the C-5050's smaller sensor is visible, but only just, and if you know where to look.

With that in mind, the C-5050's a great overall camera, but £699 also gets you a Canon G3 or Nikon 5000, which are among the best we've tested.

SPECS

Price: £699 (£594.89 ex VAT)
Contact: Olympus 0800 072 0070
www.olympus.co.uk