Our review:Item Description:OLYMPUS D-580 -- This compact, 4.0 million effective pixel Digital Camera is ready to go where you go and bring back a visual record in splendid detail and vibrant color. Choose between 7 different shooting modes, or capture a mini-movie with audio using QuickTime. You can even connect directly to a PictBridge enabled printer and have your photos in no time -- no computer required. Shutter speeds - 1/1000 second - 1/2 second (up to 2 sec. in Night Scene mode) Manual and preset White Balance modes Up to 12 second self timer Burst Mode - 1.3 frames per second Built-in multi-mode flash USB 1.1 interface Unit Weight - 5.8 ounces w/out battery Package includes - 16MB xD-Picture Card, 2 AA Alkaline Batteries, USB & AV cables, wrist strap, software on CD-ROM, manual 1 year limited warranty
Amazon.com Item Description:If you're new to the world of digital photography, the Olympus D-580 offers just the right blend of easy-to-use features and high-quality optics that delivers vivid pictures. The D-580 Zoom has a durable polycarbonate body with an attractive metallic accent on its sliding protective clamshell lens barrier. It also features a 4-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom, movie mode with sound, 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 4-megapixel D-580 captures 2288 x 1712 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 4x digital zoom, delivers a total seamless 12x 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 (35-105mm equivalent in 35mm photography) and an aperture range of f3.1-f5.2.
Movie Mode and Audio In addition to capturing still images, you can also shoot short videos with sound (its companion D-540 has no sound capabilities) at 15 frames per second (fps). The D-580 has two resolution modes: 320 x 240 and 160 x 120. The built-in microphone can also capture short memos that can be appended to each message
More Features The D-580 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-580 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
Direct Printing The D-580 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 16 images at 2288 x 1712 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 4.3 x 2.3 x 1.4 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.8 ounces (excluding batteries and storage media).
What's in the Box This package contains the Olympus D-580 digital camera, 16 MB XD Picture Card, USB cable, 2 AA alkaline batteries, wrist strap, quick-start guide, and instruction manual. The CD-ROM features Camedia Master software, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Camera Reference Manual.
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Buyer Testimonials
Average Buyer's Review:
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Tepremental Technology
First, some caveats for this review; this is my first digital camera; and I bought mine via eBay, so some of my issues could be due to my camera being "experienced." I do have 40 years' experience as an amateur photographer, but I've resisted the plunge to digital until now.
I too noticed that if you use AA batteries, you will use them up quickly. I also found you need to use name-brand alkaline batteries if you want to take more than one or two pictures at a time; see my review for AA Alkaline Battery Value Pack. Also, the battery charge indicator is basically useless regardless of the type of battery; it tells you if you have enough battery for few shots. No semblance to a gas gauge; more like an out-of-gas indicator light. I do get a lot of pictures out of the CR-V3 lithium batteries. And I can play around with the zoom a lot with the lithium ones; with alkaline, zoom a few times, and you may need to wait for them to rebound to take a picture!
Sometimes I get great pictures, and other times it seems the auto-focus sensor seems to be confused and locks in on the wrong part of the image. The latency from pushing the shutter button to the camera capturing the image is frustrating long; especially using the flash. Pushing the shutter button down part-way helps somewhat.
Buyer's review: 
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Great Camera For The Price
PROS: Ive had my Olympus D-580 for about four years, and I have finally decided to upgrade. I have to admit that for what I paid (around $250) it has been a great little camera with a lot of features. My most-enjoyed feature had to be the video, which has zoom feature. I took my first video at Niagara Falls and was astonished at the quality of the picture and sound, even when at max zoom. Since then I have taken countless videos of my children, and aside from needing a lot of lighting (outdoors is best) I have no complaints.
I like the fact that it uses AA rechargeables, and it isnt a big battery burner. I could take about 250-400 photos, depending on size, before needing to change the batteries. Carrying a spare set solves any worry about running out. And, if you forget your spares, you can always buy a pack of AAs in an emergency. I say this is a bonus because the lithium ion batteries dont offer such convenience. The night scene also performs remarkably well, if a bit grainy.
My main reasons for the upgrade, and the reasons this camera gets 4 stars instead of 5, are the following CONS:
* Very slow picture-taking. It can take up to three seconds from click to capture, which is just completely unacceptable to me. In fact, I would rate that part of the camera a 1 star because it has caused me to lose SO many great shots. By the time the thing gets around to capturing the photo, my scene was gone.
*Auto-focus can be sticky. Sometimes the three-second delay becomes a permanent one when the auto-focus seemed to get stuck mid-thought and the camera just didnt take the photo at all. Adjustments to scene would probably help a bit, but honestly, it didnt help me much.
*You have to hold PERFECTLY still to get a nice, clean shot. Thankfully it's digital so I could toss the many blurred pictures I had throughout the past few years. This problem seems to have worsened has the camera has gotten more use.
*Unexplained grainy pictures. Sometimes, without any apparent reason, the camera will take a few really grainy photos.
*Lens is prone to spots, and boy will those ruin some great photos. This is easily remedied, just keep a good lens cleaner on hand and always check your lens before taking photos.
Overall, I would recommend the Olympus D-580 to anyone looking to go digital. The 4MP offer surprising clarity and beautiful, bright photos. It's a great family camera (aside from being slow to capture, which people trying to photograph small children may find very frustrating) and performs well in a variety of lighting situations. It's nice and small, lightweight, but not so small and lightweight that you're half afraid of losing the thing.
The reason I am upgrading at this point is that I am more into photography as art in addition to wanting the great photos this camera can offer. I'm a feature creature! I will definitely be keeping my Olympus D-580 for a backup though, it's been a great little camera.
Buyer's review: 
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Olympus D-580
By Kathy "kainesis2" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews
It's about 3 years old now and I have never had one whit of trouble with it. My 6 year old granddaughter has been taking pictures with it also, since she was 3 and she has become quite the photographer (though she's dropped the camera from time to time and it survives!). The pictures are always crisp and clear, with great color. Sometimes there's red-eye with flash photos which is normal, and I can easily take care of with Picasa. Family members have other more expensive digital cameras, but mine (around $250 at the time) takes the best photos, in my opinion. I have been extremely happy with this camera.
Buyer's review: -
Don't forget extra batteries!
The camera takes nice pictures but even with rechargeable batteries, they have to be replaced after about 20-25 pictures, maybe more depending on how often you open and close the camera. I always have to have extra batteries charged and with me because we never make it through an event without having to replace the batteries at least once, ofter more. Also, there is a long delay between pressing the shutter button and the actual taking of the picture. I have missed so may shots because of this!
Buyer's review: -
Excellant Camera
This was my first digital camera & I am so happy I bought it. I have had it for two years & have taken several hundred photo's if not over a thousand with much satisfaction (I also get alot of compliments on my pictures). I am a scrapbooker & I take this camera with me wherever I go....it stays in my fanny pack unless I'm using it. I do not use the software that came with it as I already had Google's Picassa2 & was happy with that. I see many complaints have been made that this camera eats batteries. I buy Walgreen brand photo batteries & they last a long time. I will probably upgrade to a new camera this year but I will most likely buy another Olympus camera I think.