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Last August I was invited to the launch of the Olympus C-750 a 10x optical camera. I got a lot of time – on the hottest day of the year – to try it out as a freak accident injured my shoulder and put paid to the intended pursuits. Then around Christmas I finally got one to use in a range of scenarios.

In February 2003 yes I mean 2003 Fuji launched their F-401 successor the F-410 – no I was not there – and a few weeks ago I finally got one to try. This has only 3x optical but is truly small enough to fit into a pocket. The F-410 has an improved CCD that means you get better images even if you tend to shake – as some people do – when taking your image.

The Olympus is a 4mega pixel offering and weights around a pound (sorry 450grams) It is 11x9x6cm with the lens extended 2cm less when switched off. This is an ultra zoom unit being 10x optical and it is even possible to add a telephoto lens to this to get some really superb results over very large distances. I used a telephoto lens last August and got a clear image of a small plane that was only a spec with the naked eye.

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A novice can get perfectly respectable images just using the ‘Auto’ setting from the twelve position wheel. As with a lot of digital cameras you can also take short movie sequences. A more experienced user will be able to get superb images using the menus.

If there is a minus point to this camera it must be it’s size as it really needs to be hung round your neck or at least in a nearby bag as it is to large for all but the most cavernous pocket. Not really a minus point for any serious enthusiast.

The Fuji FinePix F410 is small, it will easily fit into a coat pocket without even a bulge. It is 8x7x5cm with lens out and when shut the 5 becomes 3cm. As for weight it is less than 200grams. This is a true 3.1mega pixel offering. While there is no way to attach a telephoto lens to this unit you can still get reasonable images from not that close. I have taken images at events where you cannot get that close and have been perfectly happy with the results. The 3x optical zoom seems the maximum for most cameras of this type. The top of the unit has only the shutter while the right side has the anchor point for a wrist strap and the left side has AC input and USB outlet to a suitable printer or for the provided docking station for image transfer. Everything else is on the back. As stated both the Olympus and this Fuji use XD cards and while the cards can be removed to transfer images only a very few multiple card readers (9 in 4 from Media Gear 11/12/03 is one) can yet read XD cards, there are a few adapters to allow the card to be read by other card types. This I suppose is a slight drawback to the XD card format.

The prices from www.dabs.com are remarkable similar the Fuji is £270 while the Olympus is £305. Neither will let you down, if you need large optical zoom then it must be the Olympus and if lack of size is vital then it has to be the Fuji. Of course both manufacturers produce other models at lesser and greater prices these are just two offerings that I have used for an extended period. Check the links below for bucketful’s of more information on both.

http://cf.olympus-europa.com/consumer/digimg/intro.cfm?id=C%2D750%20ULTRA%20ZOOM

http://www.fuji.co.uk/digital/cameras/f410/?lpage=/digital/cameras/range.php