Olympus µ[mju:] 400 Digital Review

The 4-megapixel Olympus µ[mju:] 400 Digital is the top-of-the-range camera in what Olympus call their “Stylish” category. It’s also the first ever product that I’ve reviewed on PhotographyBLOG that I haven’t actually purchased for myself. Read this review to find out if I was impressed by the Olympus µ[mju:] 400 Digital camera.

Website: Olympus µ[mju:] 400 Digital Review

Published: Monday, October 06, 2003

Reader Comments

1. Enjoyed reading your review Mark. Well written and you have picked up on the main points of the camera, good and bad.
   
   Looking forward to the next one.
   
   cheers
   Sean
   

   Sean at 01:10am on Tuesday, October 07, 2003

2. Thanks Sean!
   
   I've just received an Epson Stylus 950 Photo Printer, so expect a review of that in a couple of weeks time.
   
   Before then there will be reviews of the Olympus IS-500 and Olympus µ[mju:]-III Wide 100 film cameras, and hopefully the Vosonic X'S Drive (portable storage device).

   Mark Goldstein at 02:08pm on Tuesday, October 07, 2003

3. Congrats Mark! Thouroughly enjoyed it.
   
   Hope to read many more reviews....
   
   Kind regards,
   Yin

   Yin Wong at 09:46am on Friday, October 10, 2003

4. Thanks Yin! I'm glad I'm on the right tracks
   
   Mark

   Mark Goldstein at 11:51am on Friday, October 10, 2003

5. Oh, and thanks very much to the Photoxels team for that prominent link to my review!

   Mark Goldstein at 01:29pm on Friday, October 10, 2003

6. Very usefull, thank you.

   Richard at 09:20am on Sunday, November 30, 2003

7. Cheers Richard. Have you bought one or are you intending to buy one?

   Mark Goldstein at 05:25pm on Sunday, November 30, 2003

8. I have a C1 zoom and am toying with an upgrade. I am swaying towards the MJU 400 as it has a good spec for the cash and I am very pleased with my old Olympus.
   
   
   
   Best Regards
   
   
   
   Richard M.
   

   Richard at 06:55pm on Sunday, November 30, 2003

9. The Mju 400 would be a good buy, but if you could stretch to it the C-5050 Zoom would offer a lot more photographic control. The Mju 400 is basically a point and shoot, whereas the 5050 allows you to have a lot more input into what the camera is doing.
   
   Here's a link to my review:
   
   http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_olympus_c5050.php

   Mark Goldstein at 07:03pm on Sunday, November 30, 2003

10. I am sure you a correct in what you say. I am a bit of a point and shoot guy these days. The 5050 is quite a bit more dosh, and bigger. I like something that fits in my pocket. I also take my cam with me when flying hang gliders. There is very little room to carry bulky stuff, in a hang glider harness
    
    Richard
    

    Richard at 07:14pm on Sunday, November 30, 2003

11. Sounds like you know what you want The C-5050 isn't really a pocketable camera, especially when hang-gliding!!

    Mark Goldstein at 11:11pm on Sunday, November 30, 2003

12. What would be very useful to know would be the battery life? I have a box full of rechargeable AA cells that I use with my cam. This one uses a dedicated battery pack. I am wondering if it is worthwhile having a spare?

    Richard at 05:48pm on Monday, December 01, 2003

13. The battery didn't run out during the 2 week duration of my review, but then again I didn't use the camera every single day. I'd always advise getting a spare battery for any camera.

    Mark Goldstein at 09:36am on Tuesday, December 02, 2003

14. Brill review....however no people sample shots, head and shoulder, faces which are so hard to capture imaginatively with great focus...
    
    F

    goldhawkf@aol.com at 04:38pm on Tuesday, December 09, 2003

15. I've tried to select subjects for the sample photos that will always be available, hence the shots of buildings and places. I take your point about the lack of portraits, though, and will try to include some in future reviews.

    Mark Goldstein at 04:43pm on Tuesday, December 09, 2003

16. Thanks for the grate information Mark. I have one last question. With my c1 Zoom if I just push the button it takes a couple of seconds to focus before tacking the shot. I know that I can half push the button. Then when it has focused the camera will take the shot straight away when I push the button all the way. Although this works well it can still be a pain, sometimes. My old 35mm camera never had this problem. Does the MJU 400 suffer this problem? Do you know why Digi cams have this when 35mm does not?
    
    
    Regards
    
    Richard

    Richard at 09:45pm on Thursday, December 11, 2003

17. Quite a lot of digital cameras suffer from a similar problem, noticeable shutter lag, which makes it difficult to precisely take action shots. Some of the more recently announced models are tackling this problem. As for the Olympus µ[mju:] 400 Digital, I seem to recall that it was a little slow to lock on to the subject, much like your C1 zoom by the sounds of it.

    Mark Goldstein at 09:50pm on Thursday, December 11, 2003

18. I liked your review about this camera. Unfortunately you didn't include some sample pictures which were shot inside and showing us how this camera performs using the flasher.
    Digital Cameras always perform better outside (on sunny days).
    
    Thanks anyways
    
    P. Brouwer (The Netherlands)

    Brouwer at 03:40pm on Wednesday, December 17, 2003

19. Found your review very good. I bought a mju 400 in September 2003. I'd agree with most of your review comments. To emphasise you're point about the need for manual over ride / control. For example the camera can take seriously out of focus shots, very easily. I sometimes sit and repeat a shot, making sure plenty of time is available to ensure good focus and it still gets it wrong. Focussing is easily confused by anything remotely in the field of view, also I guess the shutter speed is sometimes wrong in low light. Overall, I don't regret buying it, rating it like you, 4/5. In particular I find the underwater enclosure fantastic as the camera feels almost identical underwater as it does on land. It is surprisingly good for underwater shots, for a point and shoot.

    Geoff Vernon at 06:28pm on Monday, December 29, 2003

20. Good report.
    
    Would liked to have seen a portrait or two and another macro or so among the thumbnails. Perhaps a landscape/seascape would also give purchasers a good idea of holiday worth. While it doesn'y apply to me very much (I also take a lot of buildings etc in my work), most people use cameras mostly for weddings, parties, friends, pets and holidays.

    Edward Connal at 11:50am on Friday, February 27, 2004

21. Thanks for a great review and also taking the time to take the photos, i was thinking of getting this camera but i had a few questions that needed answering but now i have seen your review i will be now.
    
    Thanks,
    Karl

    Karl at 05:56pm on Friday, July 02, 2004

22. Appreciated reading your review of the Olympus 400 Digital Camera; you were fair, objective, and offered a lot of information with which to gain some perspective of the pros and cons - mostly pros, of this camera.
    Thank you.

    J A DUNCANNON at 07:14pm on Tuesday, September 28, 2004

23. Very useful. I have spent the last month trying to decide which of a seemingly endless number of digital cameras to buy, and this is the easiest review of any camera that I have read so far. You may have made up my mind for me.

    Tony at 09:02pm on Sunday, November 07, 2004

24. Thanks everyone - I'm glad you found my review so useful

    Mark Goldstein at 06:58am on Tuesday, November 09, 2004

25. IPX4 is splash proof from all sides, you will find these codes in the I E E Wireing Regulations, electrical fittings with a IPX4 rating can be installed in wet locations such as bath-rooms xtc

    Tim at 10:12pm on Wednesday, November 24, 2004

26. thanks very helpful for a complet novice

    lizzie at 10:53am on Sunday, December 05, 2004

27. thanks very helpful for a complet novice

    lizzie at 10:53am on Sunday, December 05, 2004

28. Hi guys,
    I have a u400 like the one on top, merely out of warranty and problem comes.
    When left-slide cover, the camera doesn't start. I ring service center they need a pre-evaluation of at least 55$ and claimed that cost may exceed that of a new one.
    Have any ideas on that?
    Thanks.
    
    

    Jack at 01:26am on Saturday, March 19, 2005