I purchased this camera almost 4 years ago and love it. It sold me on the olympus name. My next camera, if i have to get one, will be another olympus.

Like the fact that it uses aa batteries b/c if i get in a predicament where i need batteries, i know i can go to the neighborhood store to get them instead of being limited to propriatary (sp?) battery units like the sony. I have 2 sets of rechargeable batteries that i use and also have the separate card reader to download at faster speeds.

This camera has taken thousands of excellent pictures for me. I'll probably buy a newer model in the next couple of years but, for now, this 2 megapixel beauty is everything i need.

Good luck.

I have owned my camera for 2 years and had nothing but trouble with it. Once the warranty expired (of course), I had strange problems with the batteries! They would only operate if they were warm! Very odd. And, just as others have posted, the camera suddenly "died" on me about a month ago. Not worth the money to fix it, I just purchased a new camera. NOT an Olympus!

The Olympus D490 is an awesome camera. I've used it for year, but someone recently dropped and broke it.
The Olympus takes great pictures. They have good color, except in flourescent lighting, which showed up as yellow. For fast moving objects, the flash is required to avoid blurring. For objects with bright light in the background and the foreground in shadow, the flash needs to be forced. In the dark, pictures will turn out with good color as long as nothing is moving while taking the picture. The camera takes longer to take the picture in poor lighting. Scenery pictures come out wonderful. I've even caught the glistening ice, mist rising from streams, and sunlight filtering through the forest.
The Olympus is easy to use with point and click, and autofocus. It also has panoramic and other options.

My D490 is still going strong after about 3 yrs. I do note the plastic door is wearing. The lens seems to be slowing as it moves in & out. The flash is no problem to use manually. I have used more basic 35mm camera and there are some things you need to do yourself- no big deal. There have been no problems as I too have gotten a card reader to facilitate faster downloads. The real problem is the shutter button is wearing out. This happened on a VHS C camcorder I owned too.I guess I am too hard on this part of a camera. I used to sell cameras for a big box store and Olympus is a good brand. It is a Ford or Chevy and dependable up to a point. As these cameras have evolved, they have sacrificed some good options and quality to go in new directions. In a way they now resemble the GM and Fords of the late 1970's. I don't doubt that Evolution in real life has had the same process and end results (Why is "Friends" in it's 20'th yr.) At any rate, I can't tell you the trips I've taken and gotten out my camera from my shorts to get a wonderful shot that when taped to my cubical makes my day: Sunsets, men shot out of cannons, Pandas at the Zoo, and waterfalls galore. Enjoy your camera and know they don't make em like they used to.

I have had a love affair with the Olympus D490 now for 2 years. And up until very recently, I would have sung nothing but praises for this camera. (In spite of the stupidity of having to manually open and close cover to turn camera on/off and/or view pictures) We got along great, we went everywhere together, I had decided that this camera was the love of my life...UNTIL...tragedy struck. This damn bastard camera just up and gave out one day. No warning, no "dear john letter" no nothing...just abandonment and betrayal. And things were going so well for us too! How was I to know that complete heartbreak was right around the corner?
I don't know if I can ever trust or love another camera again. And if I do, you can bet it's not going to be an Olympus. For the 400.00+ I spent on this baby 2 years ago (and yeah, i know the prices have come way down)..I would have expected this thing to last longer than it has. In closing...enjoy your D490 while you can...but know in your heart that your joy is fleeting, and that like all good things in life...the joy comes to an end and leaves you miserable and alone (cameraless). Merry Freaking Christmas.

This camera takes amazing pictures. The quality of light captured in each frame is unforgettable. I have taken casual photos in different countries, and upon examining them have discovered what an amazing camera I have! It is a heavy camera, which is the only downside for traveling. This is the perfect camera for high quality prints, gallery quality images. I love this camera, Ill never replace it with anything smaller or lighter.