Best little camera, no matter what the Minox nuts say
Written: Nov 05 '02 (Updated Nov 13 '02)
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Pros: Size, price, features, great pictures
Cons: No infinity lock
The Bottom Line: A true pocket camera with amazing capabilities, given size, weight, and price.
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| afka_bob's Full Review: Olympus Stylus Epic DLX 35mm Film Camera |
A quick run-down of why I love this camera:
· F/2.8 maximum aperture
· Shutter speeds: 1/1000 to 4 seconds
· 400 focusing steps mean sharp pictures from 14” to infinity
· focus and exposure lock for off-center subjects
· true spot meter function for tricky light
· active auto-focus works even in complete darkness
· weather-proof clamshell design protects lens, flash, and sensor windows
· all of this packed into a tiny package – a true pocket camera
I've carried lots of different cameras while vacationing, hiking, camping, or just walking around town: SLRs, rangefinders, point-and-shoots, focus-free, and disposables. Since I got the Stylus Epic, I seldom carry anything else (well, OK, I did take two SLR bodies with six lenses to Alaska, but that was ALASKA, and I also took and used the Epic).
The Stylus Epic is small, light, weather-proof, and nearly idiot-proof. Opening and closing the camera turns it on and off. There are just three buttons on the camera: shutter, flash mode, self-timer/optional remote. The lens, sensor windows, viewfinder, and built-in flash are covered when you slide the cover shut.
Weather-proof doesn't mean waterproof (it's NOT immersible), but splashes, rain, and snow are not a problem. This is a big deal when you are outside in all kinds of weather. I’ve banged this one around in pockets and packs for over three years, mostly w/o a case, and except for a few scratches to the plastic exterior, it’s none the worse for wear and functions perfectly.
No zoom lens, but the 35mm focal length (moderate wide-angle) is pretty versatile. The f/2.8 aperture is at least a stop or two faster than most other cameras in this class (better in low light), and the 400 focusing steps blow just about everything else out of the water – with so many steps, the focus is much sharper than with a camera with only 100 or 200 focusing steps.
This is a great snapshot camera, but if you take your time, you can get some wonderful pictures to enlarge as well. Put some 800 or 1600 ISO film in this, and you can turn the flash off. Of course, the flash is limited, but entirely adequate for party snaps -- just keep the subjects about 3 to 12 feet away for best flash results – closer than that, they will wash out, further away and they will be too dark.
The spot-meter mode (just press flash mode and self-timer/remote buttons simultaneously – a spot-meter icon appears on the LCD) lets you overcome many point-and-shoot focus and exposure limitations. This, with the already very-good auto exposure means you can get very nice transparencies, not just snapshots.
The Stylus Epic is smaller and lighter than many APS cameras, and 35mm film is cheaper to buy, cheaper to process, available in many more speeds and varieties than APS film.
The only thing this camera needs to make it perfect is an infinity lock for shooting through glass or screened windows.
The price, like the size and weight, is less than many cameras that aren't nearly as good, and keeps going down -- don't pay more than $80.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 95 (3yr ago)
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Epinions.com ID:
afka_bob
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Location: near Boston, MA, USA
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
After family, it's photography, road trips, and snow.
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