|
Digital Camera Review by: Katrina Putker
The Mju 1060 is a recommendable little unit from the Olympus range that truly offers the complete package: 10 mega pixels, 7 times optical zoom, dual image stabilisation, 21 scene modes, in-camera editing capability, face detection and shadow adjustment technologies, movie mode, 41MB internal memory capacity, a 3 inch night proof LCD…and unbelievably, the list goes on.
The Mju 1060 is a minimal and fuss-free unit both in terms of design aesthetic and ease-of-use. It is available in black only, which was undoubtedly a simple decision for the manufacturer to make: if a camera looks this sleek and professional in the first colour tested, why bother trialing any more?
The trademark Olympus curve design has been subtly applied helping make the 1060 delightfully slim and lightweight (at just 128 grams) and the camera’s buttons and controls are clearly labeled and placed in logical positions. Aside from the shutter and the power button (which could have afforded to be slightly larger and protruding from - rather than indented into - the body), all other operational buttons are on the back of the unit and rely only on single thumb control to function.
A simple but helpful additional feature is the illumination of the function identifiers on the Mju 1060. When the camera is turned on, a function is accessed, or a shooting mode is changed, a green light shines through the majority of buttons making locating the required utility a cinch even in low light conditions.
Well-balanced images in terms of the difference between ambient and fill-flash light are easily achieved when using the 1060, which seems to calculate well the appropriate power level of flash required in order to either fill a dark room or represent true skin tones when shooting close-up self-portraits with friends etc.
The single-fire flash makes for fast picture taking especially when the composition includes people: a second shot will never be required because someone has moved or blinked by the time multiple pre-flashes (commonly found on other units within this price range) have finished.
The generous 3 inch HyperCrystal LCD screen on the Mju 1060 fills more than two-thirds of the back of the body and offers a clear picture both under bright artificial light and when outdoors. While fingerprints and smears do easily mark the LCD, these are only visible when the camera is turned off and a black screen appears. When power is on, such marks are not visible and therefore do not affect picture taking in any way.
Start-up time is less than 2 seconds, which is impressive considering the 7 times optical zoom, 6.6 – 42.6mm triple tier lens extends within that time. A minor distraction when composing however is the automatic focusing system, which makes a slight flickering sound and adjusts itself constantly to ensure correct focus is achieved.
It certainly is effective in terms of the image sharpness it helps to create but it can be somewhat off-putting particularly in shooting conditions where discretion is preferred. Thankfully, the Mju 1060 clearly signifies to the user when the composition is not focused, helping to ensure blurry shots are rare or at least are more likely to be a result of user error than anything else.
As is common across the Olympus range, the Mju 1060 comes equipped with face detection technology (capable of recognising up to 16 individual faces), which is effectively supported by shadow adjustment technology. These features combine to help ensure correct and well-balanced exposure between background and foreground is achieved shot after shot.
iAuto mode is an additional feature available to help create point-and-shoot perfection. When selected, it automatically analyses each scene and applies one of five of the most commonly used scene modes to generate the best-possible results. So, instead of having to manually choose between portrait, landscape, night scene, macro or sports mode, opt instead for iAuto and let the 1060 choose for you. It allows for trusted point-and-shoot operation and ensures the optimal results are always achieved in the minimum amount of time.
The Mju 1060 kit comes with the camera, a strap, charger and dedicated battery, USB and AV cables, Olympus Master 2 software, manual, warranty card, and a microSD attachment.
 It also includes a drawstring soft case, which the camera body slips comfortably in to. While a more inflexible case may better suit those who regularly like to keep their camera in their backpack, briefcase or handbag, this soft case will more than suffice for those who naturally care for their camera in terms of transport and storage and therefore do not need to account for rugged treatment.
Despite seeming a minor detail, having a case included simply means one less thing you have to think about, pay for, and purchase separately as a consumer making it the perfect Christmas or birthday gift: simply buy the box kit and everything you need is included. And, with the Mju 1060, you’re getting (or giving) a quality, compact unit that is attractive and takes superior images. At just RRP $449 what more could you ask for?
| Appearance rating |
4.5 stars |
| Functionality rating |
4 stars |
Image quality
|
4 stars |
Lens quality
|
4 stars |
| View finder / LCD screen |
4 stars |
| Value for money |
4.5 stars |
| RRP (AUD) |
$449 |
 |
|
| Effective Pixels |
10.1 Million mega pixels |
| Image Sizes |
7 Sizes |
| Lens - zoom wide [mm] |
37mm (35mm equivalent ) |
| Lens -zoom tele [mm] |
260mm (35mm equivalent ) |
| Lens - Optical Zoom |
Yes, 7x |
| Resolution Settings |
From 640 x 480 to 3648 x 2736 |
| Shooting Modes |
21 Scene options |
| Face Detection |
Yes, up to 16 faces |
| Manual Focus |
No |
| Auto Focus |
Yes |
| Focus Range [cm] |
70cm - infinity |
| Aperture Range |
F3.5 - F5.0 |
| Aperture Priority |
No |
| Macro |
Yes |
| Macro Range [cm] |
10cm - infinity (wide), 60cm - infinity (tele) |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/4s - 1/2000s (up to 4 sec. in night mode) |
| Shutter Priority |
No |
| ISO |
64 - 6400 (3MP above ISO1600) |
| LCD Monitor |
Yes |
| LCD Size |
3" LCD Screen |
| Viewfinder |
No |
| Flash |
Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-in, OFF |
| Hot Shoe |
No |
| White balance |
Auto, Overcast, Sunlight, Tungsten, Fluorescent 1-3 |
| Self Timer |
Yes, 12 seconds |
| Movie Options |
Yes. Limited only by memory card size. |
| Video Out |
Yes |
| Storage Type |
512MB ~ 2GB xD, Micro SD via MASD-1 Micro SD adapter (included) |
| Storage Included [Mb] |
41.1MB Internal Memory |
| Image / Audio Formats |
JPEG, EXIF 2.2, PIM III, DPOF |
| Connectivity |
USB |
| Power Source |
D-7ACA AC Adapter with CB-MA1 Power coupler |
| Battery Options |
Li-42B LI-Ion |
| Dimensions |
93.7mm x 56.4mm x 25.2mm |
| Weight |
128g |
|
