Awesome Camera
Written: Aug 10 '00 (Updated Aug 10 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tiny, Curved, Spot Metering, Long Shutter Speed
Cons: No Bulb Feature
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| Havnfun's Full Review: Olympus Stylus Zoom 140 QD 35mm Film Camera |
This camera is the longest zoom version of the best, little camera ever made (remember, your reading MY epinion). If you don’t need a zoom lens you can buy the Stylus and save about $150 (read my review on the Olympus Stylus, many of the features are the same).
Features that Stand Out Above the Rest
This little Olympus packs a mountain of features into an unbelievably tiny package and then some. The 4 second shutter speed is the longest shutter speed in auto mode of any of the point and shoot cameras. This means more creativity in taking night time exposures without having to think. The variable power flash means the subject does not get washed out. The camera knows how far away the subject is and flashes the appropriate amount of light for a perfect exposure. The focus distance is closer (2 feet or 3 feet depending on zoom) than most point and shoots. These features mean that with this camera you will get better pictures, more often, under a variety of circumstances than you will with any other point and shoot camera. It is these features that place the Olympus ahead of the pack, but there is more!
My Favorite Feature
The feature I like most is the size and clamshell shape. This is the tiniest sized camera with this powerful of a zoom (38-140mm) that I have seen. By clamshell design, Olympus means a slight curve to the shape of the camera. This design allows the camera to fit into your pocket more comfortably than other “square-shaped” cameras. This camera would curve nicely around my bulging chest muscles if I had bulging chest muscles. This design really makes it comfortable to carry the camera in the front pocket of my jeans.
Spot Metering
Spot metering is not as common on point and shoots as it should be. Let me tell you about this great feature. If you want to take this camera on the ski slopes with you, set the camera to spot metering, and point the cross hairs at that handsome skier in the field of moguls (that wouldn’t be me). The meter sets the exposure to the skier rather than taking an average of the entire scene (what most metering systems do). The problem with taking an average reading is that the snow is so white, that the skier will end up looking blackish. Not a very nice result. This is also important for taking good shots on a white sand beach on a sunny day (ie. bikini beach babes). Spot metering is also a must for getting good shots at rock concerts (this camera is easy to get into a concert). If the stage is lit brightly but the audience is in the dark, the spot metering will automatically set the exposure for the stage lights and ignore the audience. This is handy for getting the best shots at school plays, too. So that is spot metering. If you may want to take any pictures like those I have described, then you WILL want spot metering.
The Flash
Like the non-zoom version, this camera has got the necessary flexibility in flash modes (auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, off, and night time) to get great pictures. The night mode is fantastic. The camera's meter reads the light in the scene and then flashes to balance the subject with the background light. Many cameras do this, but with this feature, combined with the 4 second exposure (rare on point and shoots) you can get stunning night images that are only this point and shoot can deliver. Olympus added a red-eye reduction in night mode to this camera (the Stylus doesn’t have that) which is a nice enhancement.
And Finally
Some other noteworthy features are panoramic mode, a diopter adjustment, and self timer. The panoramic mode is really not necessary (see my review of the Olympus Stylus for details), but it sells cameras, so Olympus built it in. The diopter adjustment is really handy for people who need glasses but aren’t wearing them (brings things into focus without the need for your eyeglasses). In theory, a person could strap this camera to their head and never need their glasses again. Not a bad idea for people who take a lot of pictures. The self timer is great if you want to be in your own pictures. You have 12 seconds after you push the button to run over and smile. You can buy an optional remote if you prefer.
The quality of the images made with this Olympus are very good. Olympus’ main business is optics, and their experience in that field shines through with this camera. This camera uses a lithium battery that lasts about 7 rolls (about 250 pictures) depending on how much you zoom and use the flash.
That about covers it! For the price, there is no better zoom point and shoot camera on the market.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Havnfun
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Location: Austin, Texas
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 4 members
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