Recently bought the WG3. Does anyone else have the problem of a very loud optical zoom?
62067
No, I have not experienced this. I have had problem with batteries being just a little to small and not making contact thus the camera will not turn on, I solved it by putting a little take on the sides and top, just a little to make it make good contact. Rick
62068
I just picked up my WG-III GPS (green) and held it to my ear as I moved my zoom between extreme wide and telephoto -- frankly, I couldn't hear anything; totally silent.
62069
I've never noticed mine to make any noise at all. When I checked again just now, I put my ear right up to the camera and could barely hear a little hum.
62070
yes, the optical zoom sometimes stays locked. However, this camera has prblems with water proof by the design. It is not a good camera. the later version were better...
62071
No, but I put it up to my ear to see if it did, and all I could hear was a very slight hum. Hope this helps.
62072
Hi again. Just tried mine out while recording a video and zooming in and out just as you asked, and it's silent. Sorry -- it does seem that you've got a lemon.
73691
I have to return mine, 'cause there was this "shifting" of the image in the viewfinder when pressing the shutter half-way down. I've learned that it is the autofocus locking-in on the target or subject and maybe that is the "clicking" sound that your hearing. I have a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC and 70-200mm f/2.8 VC in Nikon mount and I dont have this issue. Anyway I decided to return it because the "shifting" of the image is too visible for me and feel like the QC is subpar on this lens.Hope this help.
229477
autofocus works fine except when you are really zoomed in all the way ... sometimes it struggles with fast moving objects.
886772
there is a digital zoom button you can push to zoom in, i think it's like 4x power or so. the quality goes down really far when you zoom in to the point where it's not worth using, very pixelated.
922248
Although I have not tried video, I was truly embarrassed at a seminar when every shot made a BING noise turning heads all around. I have not figured out how to stop this. Help? Otherwise, I have much to learn but am sorry they don't seem to make these pocket sized cameras anymore with a viewfinder. Mostly I am shooting outdoors and find it impossible in the sunshine.
2054263
I use it for Skype. The zoom is constantly changing. Big disappointment to have the zoom changing from near to far. UGH!
1158269
Nope- its a horrible camera. I had the same problem. The only way to zoom is move the camera itself.
1263956
I too have one of these that has the same problem. Seems like Olympus should do something about this problem as it seems to be more common than one would think. I have cleaned mine, blew it out etc and nothing works. Just keep getting the zoom error. I agree that their diagnotic check is way too high. Maybe a class action suit would take care of our problem??
1485838
Thank you for the response. But that is not it. I have walked through all the "Aspect' setting and the problem still exists in each area. It is very bad in the zoom setting.
883763
The motorized sounds you are getting are not normal in my experience. I have no sounds from the unit during video and no sounds out of the ordinary during normal everyday use. I would look into a return/swap out for another camera.
47038
Hi: Nope, I haven't had any blurred images using the zoom feature. I don't have a clue for a remedy.. But you can adjust the ASA (like film speed) like to 1600, 3200, etc. making it faster & less need to use a flash in dark places & for Fast Action Pics. Otherwise I can't answer your issue. Good Luck. Rosie in Portland.
1588721
Not that I know of. I have the same issue. I use my M3 with my close-up lens/attachment. Bright sun with the zoom works for some objects.
160796
The reason usually sited is that the zooming motor will cause too much noise in the audio. Cameras like the TZ1 and Fuji's S700 have an internal zoom mechanism (the lens doesn't go in and out of the camera) and therefore don't register noise at the microphone. I did find one (can't remember which) that still had an external zoom but a whisper quiet motor so it allowed for zooming during video. Some cameras won't allow mechanical zooming but digital zooming. Hope that helps.
1263959
I too love this camera and I too am having problems,,, Same zoom error message. The lens comes out when powered up and then makes clicking noise before showing error message and powering off. I can sometimes get it to come out and work properly but it takes 4 to 5 tries sometimes. I sent it to Oly service and got same $180 estimate! Sounds very high.This is really a shame because I purchased underwater housing for this camera and it works beautifully. Newer model SPs will not fit housing and I noticed housings are no longer available through olympus. (Hmmmm, maybe housing maker doesn't want to associate with them anymore?) I'm really disappointed in Olympus. I thought they would be a good company.... I too love this camera and I too am having problems,,, Same zoom error message. The lens comes out when powered up and then makes clicking noise before showing error message and powering off. I can sometimes get it to come out and work properly but it takes 4 to 5 tries sometimes. I sent it to Oly service and got same $180 estimate! Sounds very high.This is really a shame because I purchased underwater housing for this camera and it works beautifully. Newer model SPs will not fit housing and I noticed housings are no longer available through olympus. (Hmmmm, maybe housing maker... » Read More I too love this camera and I too am having problems,,, Same zoom error message. The lens comes out when powered up and then makes clicking noise before showing error message and powering off. I can sometimes get it to come out and work properly but it takes 4 to 5 tries sometimes. I sent it to Oly service and got same $180 estimate! Sounds very high.This is really a shame because I purchased underwater housing for this camera and it works beautifully. Newer model SPs will not fit housing and I noticed housings are no longer available through olympus. (Hmmmm, maybe housing maker doesn't want to associate with them anymore?) I'm really disappointed in Olympus. I thought they would be a good company.... « Show Less
295825
Hi MRK. Thanks for your update!As I said, I checked that it was not on mute and still nothing. I actually tried what you said yesterday, but just in case I tried it again today and still no playback sound, no shutter sound... Nothing. I can see the volume bars go up and down but I still hear (guess!): Nothing.This is not my first PowerShot. I truly love them and, even though the playback sound is not perfect, is still does give an idea of how things are going.Oh well, already contacted Amazon for an exchange.Nice to hear your luck was different! Enjoy!
1032090
Sounds like you have digital zoom enabled as that feature is not available in raw.
739836
Yes, I have the same problem and I feel like throwing the thing through a window. I think I may sell it and get a 1.4d