The durable Olympus Stylus Epic offers full-featured, high-quality 35mm operation in an affordable package. With this ultra-portable point-and-shoot--one of the smallest 35mm cameras available--you'll never leave your camera at home.
While it's extraordinarily light and small, the Olympus Stylus Epic is heavy on styling and great features. It sports a miniature version of Olympus's signature clamshell sliding case, making it easy to turn the camera on and off. Its good-looking, high impact case is durable and splashproof.
The Olympus Stylus Epic offers the advanced features of Olympus's larger camera lines, including quartz date and time imprinting and a self timer. The Olympus Stylus Epic also has a whopping six flash modes, including automatic, red-eye reduction, and night scene.
The Olympus Stylus Epic was a pleasure to use--it was as small or smaller than many of the new Advanced Photo System (APS) cameras, but uses standard 35mm film. Its tapered design made it easy to slip in a pocket, and since it was little larger than a deck of cards, we found ourselves carrying it everywhere. If you hate lugging even a normal-size point-and-shoot around, the Olympus Stylus Epic has the portability you need.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and compact
- Durable construction
- Wide range of flash options
- Affordable
Cons:
- Battery compartment is hard to open
The Infinity Stylus Epic combines the best in portability and performance. Its sleek, contoured design makes it fit comfortably in your hand. Lightweight construction, a full range of features, and easy operation make this an impressive addition to the award-winning Stylus series.
1 Forget the BIG ZOOM. Go with this little guy
Let me start off by saying that I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to photography. All things considered, I would much rather shoot film than digital. I primarily shoot in B+W, with an SLR, process my own film, and if I need a digital copy, I'll have the film scanned. I own a terrific little digi-cam (Canon S330), but I never fell in love with the format.
That being said, I wanted to compliment my SLR system with a small 35mm camera to carry with me all the time. I considered a Lomo, but decided against it taking into consideration the reliability issues. Since I love my EOS Elan 7e and the S330 performs commendably, I choose a Canon Sure Shot 115u. I wasn't very impressed with the first few rolls, but I wasn't expecting much from a point and shoot. After about 10 or so rolls, I did some research (perhaps later than I should have). I learned that the key to a good point and shoot was the speed of the lens. Very few point and shoots have fast lenses, and a big whopping zoom only slows down the lens more. The lens on the 115u is an f5.6 at its fastest, with zoom fully retracted. The overall choice from the research was the old Yashica T4, which is no longer available. The second choice was the Stylus Epic. The lens is an f 2.8. I bought one and boy was I surprised.
This camera is terrific! Quick is the best way to describe it. Out of the box, the instructions are simple. I was up and taking pictures immediately. The auto-focus and auto-exposure lock on accurately in the blink of an eye. The auto-flash performs an admirable job of providing enough light without washing out the subject. The flash also fires to overcome exposure issues from fluorescent and tungsten lighting. Pictures come out sharp and detailed.
But here is the secret...pop in a roll of ISO 400 (or ISO 3200 if you are adventurous) black and white or ISO 800 color film, engage the spot mode, turn off the flash (as simply described in the manual) and shoot away. The indoor photos are spectacular. The camera favors wide aperture over a slow shutter speed. Camera shake is almost never an issue. One doesn't have to feel so invasive with the flash popping off when trying to get some candid shots. The pictures develop with a true, natural lighting that so many photographers crave.
The drawbacks of this little guy are the same ones as others have said. When you close the lens cover, the next time you open it up, you have to re-set your settings; because it is small, if you are not careful, your finger can get in the way of the lens; and the buttons are difficult to operate even for people with Lilliputian digits. However, these are minor concerns.
This review may be a little hyperbolic, but I am very impressed with this camera. Just remember it is a point and shoot and not an SLR. If you want true versatility, you will be disappointed. However, I have had my Epic for a little less than a month, it has not left my side, and I have shot 15 rolls of film (even in the snow; don't forget the weather-proofing). It was exactly what I wanted. If you think you need a zoom lens, you don't.; move closer to your subject. If that doesn't help, the photograph probably wouldn't have been that good with the zoom lens anyway.
PS The 115u resides in the glove compartment of my car, just in case I ever have an accident I need to document.
2 Impressive, but not perfect
Several reviews enhance on how good camera is this so I'll go to the point with some examples.
1. I've taken photos with the object very close to the camera (15 inch) with the spot metering mode with candle light, tripod, without flash, ASA 400, with impressive results.
2. I've taken photos with the object very close to the camera (14 inch) with to spot mering mode with flash, without over exposure and impressive results.
So, I would support that the short (14 inch) focus capability is great and useful. If you want close photos of objects with a idiot proof little camera, I mean without zoom, tele, macro as it should be this is the choice.
3. I had met several focus problems with objects at 2m from the camera, hope that practice would help me to improove. However some photos have excellent focus and sharpness.
4. Excellent dark sunset photos with the night scene mode with ASA 100 and tripod.
5. Red eye reduction pre strobes are unconfortable, but very effective.
6. I prefer this than cheap zoom cameras.
Definitevely I support the several comments of experts telling this is incredible considering the price.
3 Great little camera, but...
Excellent P&S... it took clear & crisp photographs for the 3 or 4 years that it worked. It however did bite the dust after a bit of abuse (a rafting trip where it got a little wet). That was pretty disappointing.
The only problem with it is that it seemed to always want to shoot wide open regardless of the amount of light it had, so it wasn't too reliable in getting the depth of field I wanted for most people in landscape shots.
4 perfect for snapshots of the little ones
I own a nice camera with zoom and auto focus. With a granchild on the way last year, I bought my wife this fixed focus Olympus point and shoot camera. She just has to click. Her pictures are so much better than mine because my camera has auto focus. Babies and small chilren change expressions far to quickly for auto focus to focus. Fixed focus with a really good lens, which this camera has, is this reviewers choice for family pictures. I am ordering another one for me today.
5 Excellent small Camera
This is the perfect point-and-shoot camera. Very easy to use, small enought to fit anywhere, and weatherproof for those rainy days. A single focal length lens (i.e. no zoom) is the only way to go in a point&shoot. This makes it a much more durable camera than those with a zoom and it has a much faster lens. Meaning you will get a good exposure more often and have less dark & grainy pictures. Easier to operate, faster, and higher quality pictures than most digital cameras out there, and under $100! This camera is a steal!
6 Almost the perfect point and shoot
I've been shooting pictures since I was about 8, almost 30 years. I've owned several cameras, my first real one being a Canon AE-1 that I bought in high school. I upgraded to the EOS line in the early '90s and still shoot that line in film, but added medium format (Hasselblad) for portrait and wedding work (part time). Earlier this year, I got a digital and decided that I would invest a lot of time into that medium. But I wanted a film camera that, like my digital, had a good lens, was small and lightweight, and shot quality prints.
I researched for several weeks all potential reviews on P&S cameras. My wife has an older Pentax that was alright, but I had decided that the zoom lenses are often slow and not sharp enough. I debated between getting a Yashica P&S off ebay, getting the newer zoom camera by the same maker, or getting this Olympus. I decided on the Olympus and am glad I did, though I'm sure the Yashicas are fine cameras.
Working the camera is a snap. Open the lens cover, and shoot. I think the default setting is for fill flash, but the settings button cycles around -- so just use it for several rolls of film and get used to it. It does, however, reset to the default setting after you turn it off by closing the door on the lens, which is a minor problem. There's no need to wait for the lens to pop back in, since it is fixed focal length (though auto-focus -- keep in mind the difference).
You may not believe me when I say this, but this camera will take better pictures in low light situations than all cameras except SLRs with the most expensive lenses. Having to use the rest of a roll of film and not particularly caring about picture quality, I took this camera to a recent night-time high school football game. Now football in Texas is big, and stadium lighting is pretty good, but it is never good for anything other than expensive, fast lenses, and fast film, right?
Wrong. Well, partially wrong. This camera, armed with 200 (yes, that's 200 -- something I almost never shoot) film shot nighttime moderately lighted pictures that came out GREAT! The angle is wide, so the content leaves something to be desired, but this wide open apeture lens will definitely do the job when you need a fast, quality lens.
There is a red eye reduction feature in the flash cycle, but I haven't tried it. My applications for this have been mainly outdoor, and the pics I've gotten are very sharp and as good as my SLR's. The guy I sold my AE-1 to won a national award with a pic he made with that camera. I recently asked him if he could do the same with this Olympus. He simply asked me when I wanted to bring it over!
7 Always ready & easy to use
Happy with this unit, supplements my 35mm SLR. Mini size is best of many features. Only annoyance is that lens autofocus travel occurs when shutter button is fully pressed to finally shoot, not at half way. This makes for a slightly shaky shot from the Camera's internal movements an instant before the shutter operation.
8 confusing
I bought this camera after reading lots praising reviews. I was expecting to get excellent pictures from it. However, it did not work as I expected. Let me explain.
I don't know really much about photography and my primary use for this camera is to take pictures of my children. First of all, almost all pictures I took were not sharp. Outdoors pictures, especially close-ups, turned out to be very good, but there are problems with most of the pictures I take indoors. Many of them have washed-out faces and a very dark background. Red-eye mode is practically useless when you take pictures of children: the camera sends a series of flashes before taking the picture. It scares children and make them close their eyes when the camera actually takes the picture. Also, on some outdoor pictures the camera selected very strange spots to focus on, making the main subject out of focus. This camera has no zoom, so one has to move a lot in order to compose a picture. Again, I find it very inconvenient when I take pictures of kids. Sometimes I just don't have time for this and I miss moments that I could capture with zoom.
This camera is very small which has one serious drawback: it's very hard to hold steady, so many pictures are blury.
As simple as this camera seems, it requires some skills and learning in order to get great pictures from it. I've noticed that people that like this camera are usually advanced photographers and use it in addition to their SLR cameras. After reading materials ..., I found out that you have to learn how to use autofocus and spot mode correctly, you have to be very careful and precise with focusing and learn some other tricks in order to get good pictures.
Yes, this camera has great lens, but you have to be sure that it suits your needs before you buy it. You may be better of with a different camera.
Finally, if you are looking for a new camera you should seriously consider switching to digital. I recently bought Canon G2 and what a difference! I really enjoy taking pictures now. Buy a nice midsize digital camera like Canon G3, for example. You will be suprised how much better your pictures turn out. Yes, it's expensive, but it's worth it.
9 Buy it for the lens
The Olympus Stylus Epic is ideal for lightweight travel photography, having numerous features serious photographers will appreciate: spot metering, shutter speeds to 1/1000, f/2.8 lens that focuses to 12 inches, and weather-resistant seals. The lens is amazing, better in fact than some SLR optics I have used. A few suggestions for getting the most out of your Stylus:
1) This little camera weighs only about 5 ounces, so it is very important to hold it as steady as possible. I like to use a monopod when shooting scenics for maximum sharpness.
2) Use the spot meter. I have noticed a tendency toward over-exposure in some situations, and with some very slow-speed (ASA 50) print films.
3) The film advance is fairly noisy, so it is not recommended for candid photography.
While the Stylus, like many compact cameras, does not offer manual focusing or exposure control, within its limitations it is a superb picture-taker. I carry mine with me all the time.
10 simple, fast and perfect
This is a camera I have used and abused for over 2 years and it keeps serving me flawlessly.
Here's why I give it 4 stars:
- It does what it should: takes photos.
- Operation is idiot proof: (slide cover open to start shooting), aim, look, press button, repeat (slide cover close when done).
- Very robust. Its sliding cover protects the lens. I have carried the camera in my pockets along with keys and change; it has spent years in my car's glove compartment...
- The lens is very sharp and bright (f2.8)
- It is ready to shoot...now! I have taken many "stolen moment" photos with this one.
- Loading a new roll of film is very simple...
Why I gave it 4 and not 5 stars:
- As the lens is very bright I tend to take photos with no flash. So I have to turn the flash off every time I turn the camera on -- it does not remember the last setting (and I wish it would).
- The battery indicator did not diminish gradually. One day the battery died unexpectedly (after at least 50 rolls of film in my case, mostly shot without flash).
I still have the camera and take it on trips.
I have a Sony F717 which I use for digital but the Olympus is the one which gets to come with me everywhere.
If a friend asked me what to buy, I would recommend this camera as the best choice...
11 Great Little Camera
This little camera takes great pictures! I took a chance and *only* carried the Olympus with me on vacation and left my bulky zoom camera at home. Initially, I was worried that I would miss the zoom feature. After reviewing my photos, I realized that for my purposes, the zoom wasn't necessary. My pics came out clear, bright, and red eye free. The camera fits easily in your pocket, is quiet, and unobtrusive. No more "I left my bulky camera at home" excuses! The only downside is that the camera did not come with a carrying case...
12 Great Camera
I love this camera. I took 20 rolls of film with this in Egypt, 15 rolls in Italy and 10 rolls in Paris & Belgium, they all turned out spectacular. The pictures are clear (you have to try to take close up of people) and the night and indoor shots are great (with night-flash mode). It's also small and light, easy to carry around. I recommend using this with Kodak Royal Gold 400 or Kodak Portra 160VC. The color is especially rich and vivid when taken during sunrise and sunset *wink* Who needs the zoom lens, just walk closer to the object, :D
13 Parents of 3 children under the age of 5
Great camera to take snapshots. We have a Canon Rebel XS and love it but were looking for something smaller that would fit into the diaper bag and would still give us the clarity we were looking for. Great value for the price!!!!
14 Super Point and Shoot
I bought this camera upon reading numerous reviews that gave it top points for its compactness and wonderful picture taking ability. It has one of the best lenses available on the market. The only gripe is the red eye reduction setting that basically strobes the flash, making everyone you are taking a picture of, look like they have been shot with a gun. I disable this and bought a pen to use on finished prints that marks out the problem. I would recommend this camera to anyone wanting great pictures without having to do anything else but point and shoot.
15 no better than a disposable
I am very disappointed in this camera. I see absolutely no difference in it from the disposables you pick up at the grocery store, except maybe the color of the unit. Everybody who sees it thinks it's a new gadget with all kinds of features and I always have to say, "Nope... just a plain old plain old camera..." I hope I get a digital camera for Christmas.
16 First Olympus
After buying my first olympus I'm an owner forever. This Small sleek camera is the BEST BUY for the money. All i needed was a camera for travel and holidays. This camera takes great pictures and is simple to use. I was going to teach my dog to take pictures of me but why should I, for an extra [money] i got the case, battery, mini tripod, and best of all the remote. This camera fits into my pocket and the important parts will never scratch because the cover protects it. I highly Recommend this camera to anyone just looking to take pictures and not worring about carrying the camera around.
17 I love this camera!
Small enough to fit in your pocket, comfortable to wear around your neck. And, it takes great pictures! I am thrilled with it.
18 Compact and easy to use!
This is a wonderful camera! I took it on a recent trip to San Francsisco and haven't been able to tear myself away from my photo album.
There are many advantages to the Epic QD. It's extremely compact and lightweight, so it easily fit into my purse or jacket pocket (no bulges!). Loading film is a snap, and the display will indicate if you've done it wrong. Also, you'll love the crisp quality of the photographs.
I only wish that the battery compartment were a bit easier to open, and that I could zoom in once in a while. But neither of these issues should stop you from purchasing this camera. I know I love mine!!
19 Great camera for no-fuss photos!!!
I am purchasing this camera for a third time (I have worn out two of them). I use this camera a lot, using between 5 to 15 rolls of film per week, every week, this camera has lasted for about two years. I take this camera everywhere (on roofs of buildings, on construction sites, crawling in crawl spaces and tunnels, climbing on building walls, and even on vacation). This camera just keeps clicking. The film loading mechanism on my first camera failed after about 2 years and wasn't worth replacing (since these are relatively cheap). The back closure/locking mechanism on my current camera is beginning to not lock, so I'm getting another as a backup. This camera takes great photos and is the most hassle-free camera I have ever used (BAR NONE, and I hate it when you have to wait for folks to mess around with their camera). It takes tremendous abuse too (scrapes, a few drops and bangs), but still works without a hitch (although the person at the camera store may tell you it needs to be cleaned). The small size fits anywhere (even in my jeans pocket). I love this camera and I hope they don't ever discontinue manufacture of it.
20 Really, no need for anything else
This is the camera that i point all my friends and family to (actually, this one or the yashica T4). The stylus has a sharp, fast lens, weatherproof, small, and super easy controls. I have had mine for years and it has been my standard camera to pack when traveling or special events.
21 Good things come in small packages!
Although I am a professional photographer, I bought the Olympus Stylus Epic because I didn't want to have to lug all my big equipment to get togethers with family and friends. I have been very pleased with the camera. I recently compared photos taken with a Nikon F100 professional 35mm camera and compared them to the photos I took with the Olympus Stylus. The quality of the Olympus Stylus photos is almost better than the Nikon F100 photos! All images are very sharp and the flash had great coverage. The fact that it has no zoom cabability hasn't been a problem at all! Photos of small and large groups come out great as do landscapes. And it's so convenient to use...it fits easily in a pocket or in my purse. I'm thrilled with my Olympus Stylus! (And I'm not being paid to say this!)
22 Quick and easy back up camera
Bought used: quick and easy to grab and go. Takes good pics for an on-the-go small camera back up camera when size matters- but I wouldn't make it my main camera.
23 SEEMED LIKE A PROBLEM BUT WASN'T
I hope I'm not the only person who's had this problem.
I received three of these cameras from Amazon in two months. It was a great testimonial to Amazon's customer service and also a sad commentary on Olympus's dull customer service.
My first camera took 20 shots and then, after a remote shot, got stuck in 'red eye flash mode'. Olympus said it sounded like a malfunction so Amazon replaced it posthaste.
My second camera took 1 shot and then refused to cycle through any of the flash modes. Amazon again replaced it.
My third camera refused to cycle through any of the flash modes from the get-go. In desperation I begged Olympus to review the symptoms and let me know if I was doing something wrong. They obviously didn't read much of my letter, but sent back a polite e-mail saying they would be glad to look at the camera and give me a repair estimate.
Suspecting some kind of personal incompetence, I then took the current camera to a repair shop. The shop agreed that the camera was not working properly. But, they didn't give it back to me. They kept poking at it and working the various buttons. Suddenly, the 'flash mode button' began working. It appears that when you use the other mode buttons, the camera can get left in the wrong state. At this point, it refuses to process the 'flash mode button'. This problem is not corrected when you turn the camera on and off, remove the battery, or even whack it a time or two (just kidding).
Since I haven't read about this problem in any other reviews, I have to conclude that almost everyone else has better instincts than I do or that few people use the other buttons. Still, I'm writing on the off chance that there is another electronic imbecile out there, about ready to give up on the camera. Try again. Hit buttons randomly but not too hard.
Given that the camera takes good pictures once it's in the right mode, I think I like it. I've been working hard on capturing the elusive pre-grimace facial expression. The Epic gives me hope as it certainly readies itself and opens its shutter a lot more quickly than other cameras I've had. My five year old is already used to the long red-eye-flash-flutter.
24 Best Point and shot camera
I bought this camera before leaving for my vacation to Switzerland. I made the decision to buy this one after reading the reviews on Amazon. And I like to thank all the people who help me to decide by writing there reviews. All my pictures came out excellent. Its hard to tell the diffrence between a picture taken from an SLR & by this point and shot camera. I will highly recommend this camera to anyone who is looking for a point and shoot camera for excellent results.
25 great little camera
I have bought four of these little cameras. (for different family members) It is reliable. It takes great pictures. It has the necessary features but not so many that one is overwhelmed. It fits easily in a shirt pocket. It doesn't have a zoom but that is just one less thing to break or use up your batteries. If you want to fill the frame just get closer to your subject. It doesn't have all the whistles and bells of larger more expensive cameras but a camera you have takes better pictures than one you left behind because it was too big or so expensive that you didn't want to risk losing it.
I have the usual assortment of larger fully featured cameras as well as the required digital camera but I wouldn't be without one of these little beasts.
26 who really needs zoom, anyway?
It's TINY, and it has an amazingly clear and crisp lens. Take this camera on vacation with you, and some relatively slow film - 100 speed will more than suffice for good daylight shots. Snap away, catching all the shots you would've missed with a bulkier camera. Take it to a quality film processing shop - y'know, a place you'd normally stay away from 'cuz they charge more than $(...) a roll for processing - and ask them nicely to zoom in when printing shots that have a subject relatively far from the camera. I worked at such a shop for a year; believe me, they'll do it, just be nice. The low film speed will translate to a tighter grain, and the blown-up shots will look GOBS better in balance and texture than they would've had they come from a more expensive, bulker camera running 400 speed film, 'cuz any less won't properly expose on a long-zoom camera. For me, it was either this or a Nikon N80 SLR outfit; I chose this 'cuz I ended up spending about a seventh of what a comparably equipped Nikon setup would've run. Granted, I have nowhere near the control over my shot, but I want clarity, not artsy stuff, and the Stylus Epic is impossible to beat for a pocket-sized, super sharp camera.
27 Workhorse
I have the original, black Olympus Infinity Stylus. If this updated model is anything like it, then it is fantastic. I dropped my Stylus--it was in my lap in a minivan, I got out, it went flying, hit the ground and skittered under the minivan--and it was fine! That was over seven years ago and I've taken hundreds of pictures since then. If you want a good, solid workhorse of a point-and-shoot (it'll never do those arty time exposures), this is the perfect choice.
28 the best camera is the one in your hands
and often, the Stylus Epic is in your hands. But more than its pocketability, what makes the Epic click (sorry, bad pun) is the lens. It's one of the rarest in the current generation of P&S cameras because of its large aperture (2.8). then there are the clever touches. ability to detect fluorescent lighting, six flash modes including slow sync (an SLR feature), a spotmeter, weatherproofing. If I have a complaint, it's that the camera resets to all auto when you switch it off. But then, it is a point and shoot, isn't it?
It is not without a few caveats: hold it steady, TO AVOID BLURRY SHOTS, especially when shooting in the Night Scene mode, where the initial flash freezes the action, but then the camera leaves the shutter open for the ambient exposure, often too long, resulting in streaks and double images. Not even its speed will compensate for sloppy handling. Also, those suggestions about shooting in spot mode whenever possible are correct. The camera is just much more accurate and faster focusing when concentrating only on the central sensor.
Outdoors, the camera performs better with forced (FILL) flash, as it prevents ugly shadows from forming under eyes and chin of subject. In fact, I believe FILL flash mode should be the default mode for cameras of this type.
29 GREAT little camera!
Popular Photography recently called this camera "...possibly the best camera in the universe and I agree.
It is small, light, it has an *excellent* quality lens. The lens quality is way above the average point and shoot. The lack of zoom is one of the reasons the lens can be *so* good. Maximum lens opening of f2.8 and maximum shutter speed of 1/1000 sec (but no 'manual' setting)
It has an 'intellegent' flash that reduces flash intensity for close-up shots (prevents overexposure!) Many different available 'modes' give you great versatlity, including 'red eye' flash mode and a 'spot' metering option.
I own 4 of these cameras!
30 best one i used
Best one I used.
Excellent. If you need a simple, easy to operate camera
And you want great results
Buy this one.
31 I wore out this camera!!
As a midwife, sometimes working alone, I take a set of birth pictures for the couple. Any other camera would not shoot at the length of my arm so my local photo shop found me the first one. Now after 16 years of use it is shot and am so glad they still make the same model. It was also the one I took to Hawaii (because it was so nice and small) and got wonderful pic's even without the zoom feature. Thank you Olympus for your great product!!
32 I wore out this camera!!
As a midwife, sometimes working alone, I take a set of birth pictures for the couple. Any other camera would not shoot at the length of my arm so my local photo shop found me the first one. Now after 16 years of use it is shot and am so glad they still make the same model. It was also the one I took to Hawaii (because it was so nice and small) and got wonderful pic's even without the zoom feature. Thank you Olympus for your great product!!
33 One of the two best cameras
The truth is that this is one of the two cameras that is used by professional photographers. Another one is a Yashica T4. It makes wonderful pictures and has one of the best and fastest lenses. If you are concerned about the lack of zoom, well ... Go and read some reviews on photo.net.
34 A Great Pocket Camera
In a nutshell: if you want an automatic camera that takes 35mm film; that you can easily carry in almost any pocket; and you don't need a zoom; then this camera is for you. I find that I take many more pictures now, simply because the Olympus is so convenient.
35 Great Camera, Great Price
The only thing that I don't like about this camera:
It is too easy to lose because it is so small!
36 Impressive little camera
I just returned from a trip to the North Carolina mountains. I took the Olympus and my big bulky SLR (Canon Rebel). I can not tell the difference in the pictures. The Olympus did just as well and I can carry it in my pocket. My only regret is that I didn't fork up some more money and get the next step up with a zoom. Some shots should have been closer. This is a great camera for close ups. I have more options with the SLR but it is hard to carry around on a trip. If you put all my pictures together you can not tell which camera took the pictures, they all are excellent. I even let the kids have the camera while I used my video camera and they took pictures with no problem. In fact some of them are the best shots. If you want a camera that you can carry around, and takes great pictures get this one. Please get the one with the zoom though.
37 What more can I say?
There are so many kudos for this camera that have already been expressed and I don't know that I can add more. I've been using it for six months (and about 22 rolls of film) now and am very happy with it. I had been assessing this camera for 4 months by reading the reviews in most of the trade mags and on Photo.Net. It didn't take me long after I bought it to become a satisfied customer. It's plusses are: (1) sharp, contrasty, & fast lens, (2) splash-resistant, (3) as compact as most APS cameras but with a larger film area, (4) simple to operate, and (5) close-focusing range. The one problem that I encounter is that the auto-focusing can be fooled at close range or when the main subjects are well off-center. To rectify that, just use spot-focusing. This is an excellent travel camera that so easily slips into your pocket for all those unexpected moments. Use it with ASA400 film for sharp outdoor photos with great depth-of-field; or with ASA800 film for indoor shots where flash photography is not permitted (like some museums).
38 Great pics
I've gotta say I love this camera. It's been through a lot...mud, rain, creeks, storms, popcorn oil (yes, popcorn oil), almost everywhere. It still gives me SPECTACULAR pictures. Some of them are POSTCARD quality, pictures that are so good, so crisp, so clear, so nice that I'd want to put them on a postcard.
I've only had two little problems with the and it doesn't have anything to do with pic quality. One is the Champaigne finish of the camera. When it's with me, the camera usually is in my shorts pocket. I'm guessing because of that the back of the camera has some scuff marks and it's not as shiny as it was, but oh well, it still works. The other prob I have is that it sometimes takes a while to load the film.
I hope to have this camera for a long time, I've captured some great moments on it, no matter the film or speed. I do though reccomend Fuji 200 for all most outdoor/indoor or Kodak MAX 400 if you need the extra light capability for indoors. I also reccomend that people read and understand the manual...it'll tell you the camera's focusing secrets. It's a sweet camera, it'l work for anyone.
39 Great pictures from such a small camera!
When I get my pictures developed, people say, "Wow, great photos! What kind of camera do you have?" expecting me to pull out a big manual camera. When I show them my stylus epic, they say, "It's so small!" I have taken it on trips and picnics, to fancy balls and award ceremonies, and it hasn't weighed me down or bulged in my purse. The red-eye reduction is great. Caveat: You would have to buy the zoom version to get shots closer than about 6-8 in.; this camera doesn't let you take the picture unless it's far enough from the subject. But it's great for someone who just wants to take really good pictures, and doesn't want to arry around a huge camera.
40 A good camera
This camera is excellent.
It is tiny, lightweight and you can take it everywhere with you to take those candid photos you just can't take with a bigger camera that requires a brief setup. You can just throw out your arm and snap and you're practically guaranteed to get an interesting photo. This is my favorite camera while traveling.
If you need a zoom buy the version with a zoom lens and if the blinking flash for eye reduction is bothersome, you need to get a camera that has the lens further away from the flash (the closeness of flash to lens causes red eye)
41 Great lens, but....
This camera is great value. If you want sharp pictures, this lens beats zoom lenses anytime. HOWEVER, this camera is programmed to use large apertures. In other words, bcos this camera has a big lens, it prefers to get the maximum opening to allow the image to get into the film in as short time as possible. This means the opening time is very brief, great for shaky hands bcos the "hole" is opened and closed so quickly there is no time for you to cause blurring if you have shaky hands. Having a large "opening" has its drawbacks. In photographic terms, it has reduced Depth of Field. Meaning only the person or object you are focusing on is sharp. The background or perhaps people standing behind, or in front of the main focus of the picture will be blurred.
Many people like to see their pictures sharp throughout, ie main subject plus background all sharp etc. This can be tricky with the Stylus Epic.
You would have to "force" the camera to choose a small aperture or opening to take your shots to ensure every part of the photo is sharp.
My advice is shoot when there is bright sunlight and try to use ISO 200, 400 film instead of 100 films if not shooting in bright sunlight.
42 Some special features
Recently I looked at over two dozen point-and-shoot models doing some research for a friend who wanted to buy a new compact camera to replace his 20-year old Nikon. Although we are really looking for a point and shoot with a short zoom capability (about 35mm-80mm) and so didn't pick this one since it is fixed focal length, I was impressed enough with it to want to make a few comments.
First of all, none of the other two dozen models had a lens this fast, at F2.8. There were a couple that came close, but you'll find, especially with the point and shoot zoom models, that the fastest the lens will go is only F3.4 or 3.8. Many of them are F4.0 or more at the low end. So if you want at least F2.8 speed, this camera is about the only way to get it.
There is one exception to this. You can buy a Rollei QZ35W for ten times the price and get an F2.8 lens also. For the extra money you also get a camera that weighs in at 18 oz. However, it has an amazing 1/8000th of a second top shutter speed, which ought to be fast enough to freeze an airplane propeller, not just a gold swing.
Well, the Rollei is a great high-end point and shoot but it doesn't fit in your shirt pocket very easily at 18 oz., not to mention it will cost you a pile of green stuff.
Two other things the Olympus has that the other models don't or usually don't have is there is no shutter lag. You hit the shutter button and there's no perceptible delay. The Yashica T4, although it has great optics, has this, and so do many of the other point and shoots out there. The problem can be prounounced enough to affect action shots. For example, you might take a picture of your child running across the living room floor only to find out that he wasn't even in the frame when the film was developed.
The final thing that is nice about this camera is the "weatherproof" aspect. This doesn't mean waterproof, however, but a few drops of water won't hurt it.
All in all a great little camera to take with you anymore.
43 Excellent Camera! I know - I sell them.
I bought one of these cameras for my mother for Christmas and found that she prefers to use this one over her SLR!!! I have also found that the variable output flash system is incredibly accurate. There isn't enough praise I can give this camera. One thing I like as compared to other cameras is that, unlike other Olympus cameras, it doesn't have that pop-up flash. I work for a corporate camera retailer and have found that Those pop-up flashes break quite often with my clientelle. The fixed flash in this camera is great.
Olympus cameras have the greatest effective red eye reduction of any other camera. Their secret is the continous strobing flash which gives sufficient stimuli to cause the pupils to contract. This is turn is why you get red eye - think of animals at night when you are driving and you see the reflection in their eyes. Red eye is quite similar. The contraction of the pupils reduces this effect and Olympus is the only camera manufactrer that I know of that uses this technique of continious strobing flash. Other manufacturers have too much time inbetween the presentation of their flash bursts, therefore causing people not to react as quickly to contract the pupils.
My sister even likes it soo much she wants to give up her Nikon SLR and get one of these. I am tempted as well, but money doesn't grow on trees ;-) I know for a fact that I will have one one day.
44 Excellent fixed focal length point and shoot camera
This camera is one which has consistently received lavish praise from photo magazines such as Popular Photography for its ease of use and its superb Zuiko lens, which is comparable in quality to 35mm Single Lens Reflex (SLR) fixed focal length wide angle lenses. I've borrowed one belonging to relatives and am quite impressed with how it easy it is to use, as well as the fine pictures that it produces. Admittedly, it is a bit small, so those who are comfortable using larger point and shoot cameras or SLRs will have to try to hold it steady. Otherwise, you'll get blurry pictures. My favorite point and shoot camera is the Yashica T4 Super with its 35mm Carl Zeiss Tessar f3.5 T* lens, but the 38mm Zuiko lens on the Stylus Epic is just as contrasty and sharp. Furthermore, the Stylus Epic is at least $50 cheaper than the Yashica T4 Super. Those who want high quality pictures from an inexpensive point and shoot camera should strongly consider buying this petite gem.
45 Top Quality for the price
This is the second stylus I've purchased in 2 years. I have three teenage daughters that love taking pictures. My second daughter just turned 16. I bought my oldest daughter a stylus when she turned 16. They like the camera because of its small compact size and ease of use. It fits nicely in their purse. After comparing every camera I could find for under $100, the Stylus had much better quality. In order to find as good a camera, I had to double the price. The viewfinder alone, is larger than most, very clear and crisp. Never had a single problem with the first Stylus. The fact that the price has come down is a real plus also. I paid more for the Stylus two years ago, than the one bought recently. I give this little camera a 5 star. You will not be disappointed. It's a really nice little camera. It's easy to use, attractive and it is not cluttered up with whistles & bells you'll never use. Just point and shoot.
46 Just unpacked and read the manual....
My initial impression is excellent, except that no battery was included, so a small change should be made in the product specifications. I will update this into a real review when I process my first roll of 36 exposures, trying all the features.
47 IT'S THE LENS STUPID
THE LENS MAKES THE CAMERA. THE LENS IS SO GOOD THAT THEY CAN'T MAKE IT IN A ZOOM. YOU WANT A ZOOM? TAKE ONE STEP FORWARD AND CLICK. PICTURES COME OUT CLEAR AND CRISP. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE I'VE BOUGHT. MANUFACTURER IS NOT THE BEST WHEN THERE ARE PROBLEMS THOUGH. THEY HAVEN'T RESPONDED TO A QUERY I MADE THROUGH THEIR WEB SITE. ALSO, IF YOU DROP IT, YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO BUY A NEW ONE. ALSO, WOULDN'T BOTHER WITH PANARAMA. IT'S A GOOD LOOKING CAMERA. IT'S SMALL AND FUTURISTIC SO IT'S A CHICK MAGNET.
48 Shakey Images
No complaints about the quality of the lens nor reliability of the camera. The problem is with the final product, few crisp clear pictures.
I've had a Rollei compact for years. It produced great pictures but was bulkier than the Stylus Epic. After switching, I noticed that more of my pictures were blurry. I suspect it is due to the small size relative to the shutter release button. Seems like I need to use a tripod which makes the camera less portable. :O
49 It's there when you need it!
I recently purchased this little point-and-shoot to replace my original Stylus, the black Infinity that I carried with me for about 10 years or so. Some months ago my son "borrowed" it, and I finally realized that I was never going to see it again. Using my SLR was a real pain, due to size and weight and accessories, and I found I wasn't taking very many pictures. I was so happy to find that this model's still available! I did check out a couple of the the zoom-model Styluses, but decided that for my purposes I wanted something really dependable and simple and quick -- that also wouldn't eat up batteries. Also it's the smallest and lightest.
I worked in Egypt for several years doing archaeological drawing, and visited practically every temple, tomb, museum, marketplace, and anything else interesting in the major cities and elsewhere. My old Stylus produced hundreds of great photos, and I'm looking forward to another decade or so of having this little guy with me at all times.
When was the last time you said, "Damn, I wish I had my camera!"? No excuses with this one. Get one. You'll see. And DO READ THE LITTLE INSTRUCTION BOOK -- it has many good tips, especially for that red-eye problem.
50 A great pocket camera
This is one of the best compact single lens cameras around. The lens is fast (f2.8), very sharp, and the exposure system is accurate. It's main competition is the Yashica T4 super, which is a little bigger and has a slightly slower (but very nice) lens.
As someone mentioned in another review, there are problems with long range zooms in compact cameras. In addition to the problem with redeye, there is also the issue of flash range. Compact cameras generally have pretty weak flashes, and if you zoom a lens out to 120mm and f11 or so, the range becomes very small indeed. For example, if you're talking about a flash with a guide number of 40, with a fast f2.8 lens like the one in this camera, you get a range of 14 feet. With the lens zoomed out long, and an f-stop of ll, your range would be 3.6 feet, so if you're taking a picture of someone's nose you're in business. Also, the design comprimises necessary for cramming a long range zoom into a small camera pretty much require them to be of poor optical quality.
Some of the shorter range zooms in P&S cameras are OK, but on the other hand the ability to take pictures without flash in a reasonably well lit room may be more valuable than the abililty to change focal lengths over a small range. Then too, the smallness of this camera allows you to shove it in your pocket when you think there is some chance you might need it, and you may find you use it more than you would a larger camera.
51 Problem!!
This camera is excellent in many regards -- but it has a real flaw. I've had mine for 6 months, and now it will not work; the battery light is on, but new batteries don't solve the problem. The lens moves agonizingly slowly and will not return to its proper position. I thought I was just unlucky but in the last few weeks I've been told about the exact same problem by 2 other people who have this camera!! And I don't converse about cameras very much... Nor is Olympus very helpful. Their 800 number leaves me on hold for so long that I've never gotten through; searching their website is a multi-step process (what's wrong with a little box where you type in what you're looking for?) which leads one to, yes, the 800 number. I've now found out where to send the camera for repair, but I sure wish I'd bought something else.
52 Best SMALL camera I've ever owned
This is the most reliable, best small camera I've ever owned. I rate it an excellent value, and carry it most of the time. I've tried other cameras this size, including APS format. The others were all disappointing in one way or another. I also have cameras that take sharper pictures, and even the smallest of them is considerably more bulky, and weighs a lot more. This is the only camera this size that I have ever found to be completely satisfactory. If you want a true "pocket sized" camera, this is the one.
53 A very nice little camera
The Olympus Stylus Epic QD 35mm camera is very, very small. It takes up less space than some APS cameras. I purchased my Stylus through Amazon because local photo stores did not keep the basic model on their shelves. This model does not have a zoom, panorama or other gadgets. It's a solid, easy to use and takes very sharp pictures. The only thing I recommend is purchasing the remote control/tripod/battery/pouch package through Amazon because I ended up paying about $40 for just the remote from a local store. (purchased one day before our vacation). The remote control is very easy to use and has a battery inside from the factory. Be carefull of focus if you compose your subject to the side. There is a way to capture focus on a subject then compose to the side to get a good shot. It takes a bit of practice. Landscape to buildings to close up photographs are very sharp. I have been using Kokak 100 and 200 ASA film. I've experienced a few red-eyes when I didn't use the red-eye reduction thingy. The most impressive thing about this camera is the viewfinder. It really is accurate. The crosshair is great for setting focus and centering a subject. I tested the viewfinder accuracy at about 10 feet from a chart. The camera captures just a little more than you see, evenly on all four sides. In effect, you can compose a shot just as you like it, without worry. There are viewfinder guides for close up photos also. I wanted a standard lens camera for better sharpness. But one of my relatives purchased the next model up that uses a zoom lens, it seems to produce very sharp pictures. (That model also is a little larger.) Overall, I like the camera and with a little more practice I will not make focus errors in the future. This Olympus did a good job on our two week vacation in Europe. We have some fantastic pictures and the camera was no problem to carry around.
54 A very nice little camera
The Olympus Stylus Epic QD 35mm camera is very, very small. It takes up less space than some APS cameras. I purchased my Stylus through Amazon because local photo stores did not keep the basic model on their shelves. This model does not have a zoom, panorama or other gadgets. It's a solid, easy to use and takes very sharp pictures. The only thing I recommend is purchasing the remote control/tripod/battery/pouch package through Amazon because I ended up paying about $40 for just the remote from a local store. (purchased one day before our vacation). The remote control is very easy to use and has a battery inside from the factory. Be carefull of focus if you compose your subject to the side. There is a way to capture focus on a subject then compose to the side to get a good shot. It takes a bit of practice. Landscape to buildings to close up photographs are very sharp. I have been using Kokak 100 and 200 ASA film. I've experienced a few red-eyes when I didn't use the red-eye reduction thingy. The most impressive thing about this camera is the viewfinder. It really is accurate. The crosshair is great for setting focus and centering a subject. I tested the viewfinder accuracy at about 10 feet from a chart. The camera captures just a little more than you see, evenly on all four sides. In effect, you can compose a shot just as you like it, without worry. There are viewfinder guides for close up photos also. I wanted a standard lens camera for better sharpness. But one of my relatives purchased the next model up that uses a zoom lens, it seems to produce very sharp pictures. (That model also is a little larger.) Overall, I like the camera and with a little more practice I will not make focus errors in the future. This Olympus did a good job on our two week vacation in Europe. We have some fantastic pictures and the camera was no problem to carry around.
55 When you want to leave the heavy gear at home.....
There are times when it is really nice to have thousands of dollars (and hundreds of pounds) worth of camera equipment. And I have all that. But there are times when you really just want to be able to take really nice photos of your trip without being weighted down physically and emotionally (when you don't want to spend 45 minutes setting up a shot!). For those times, this is a GREAT little camera. I wanted the full 35mm format, so wanted to stay away from the APS cameras, but I still wanted a camera that could fit in my shirt pocket. I put the carry strap around my neck and stick this little camera in my shirt pocket and it's there when I want it. And yet it's versatile enough that you can really get some nice shots with it. My wife and I went to Paris last year. I wanted to just enjoy a nice trip without lots of gear, but we definitely wanted photos from the trip. This camera was the answer! It's rain-resistant, and it's cheap enough that if it gets stolen it won't break your heart!
One accessory you will want - a little six-inch flexible tripod (mine is from Slik) - using that and the self-timer, you can get some really nice time exposures. In minutes I got some great night photographs of boats on the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, etc. I really can't say enough about this little camera.
56 Excellent lens renders quality photos...
...with a little help from the photographer. I always get glowing comments about my photos and everyone is floored when I show them the Epic(I have the base model - no quartz date stamp). You will take this camera everywhere and never regret it. How many times have you said,"I wish I had a camera"? Well, you have no excuses with this pocket-sized powerhouse. Versatile flash modes and the outstanding, fast(lets in a lot of light) lens will never let you down. Also, after dropping this camera twice, I needed a repair and was treated extremely well by the authorized repair facility with super turn-around time. I, now, always use the neck strap! Buy this camera! You will not miss the zoom lens. A little extra thought while composing your shots will be rewarded with spectacular photos!
57 Fantastic Pictures - Fantastic Size - FANTASTIC Camera
I purchased an original Olympus Stylus when it was first released in 1990. Enamored with it's small size, and rave reviews I plunked down my [money] and was off.
Fast forward to 1999 - Averaging 2 rolls of film a month for 9 years, my Stylus began to sound a bit tired and was going through batteries at a quick pace. I began to look for a different camera and was certain I would just replace it in kind. However, with more rave reviews, the new Olympus Stylus Epic was released and I made the decision to replace my trusty little camera with the new version.
The size of this camera is absolutely wonderful. In the point-and-shoot 35mm category it has been the smallest affordable camera to come down the pike in a long time. It is easy to take with you anywhere, and if having a small, easily tote-able camera will get ANYONE to take pictures, it is well worth it. You don't take the pictures if you don't have your camera with you - with this camera, there are no excuses for not having it with you.
The pictures I've taken have been nothing short of fantastic. Always a clear image, colors are rendered appropriately, even spectacularly. The lack of a zoom has never been an issue, here In fact, I purchased a Stylus Zoom thinking it would enable me to take better close-ups, but quickly found out the closer I get to the action myself, without relying on a zoom lens, the better my pictures are. I returned the zoom camera without a regret. (If you REALLY need to zoom in, odds are you would be better off with an SLR and a real zoom lens, or a telephoto lens - we have those too - the size of this camera is much more practical!)
We've given two or three of these as gifts to family members and have a number of extended family members who have purchased this camera based on it's size, and the fantastic pictures we've happily passed around. Everyone is thrilled!
I don't think you will be disappointed should you decide to chose this camera!
58 Zoom lenses are ripoff on p/s cameras!
===> "What? ," you say, "It doesn't zoom? No wonder it's so cheap... I'm gonna get a point-and-shoot with a zoom lens!"
Yeah, but check out the f-number on that zoom: f8, f9, even f11! What does that mean? That means you can't take pictures indoors without a flash. So? Well, when you're zoomed out to 115mm, chances are you're pretty far from the subject, so the angle between the flash/subject/lens will be very small, which means you WILL get red eye, I don't care what they say. And the smallness of the camera makes the flash really close to the lens, which virtually guarantees red-eye!
Furthermore there are some places you aren't allowed to use a flash, or places where a flash would ruin the cool lighting. You say, "But a zoom is good for protraits!" Yes, but portraits are best when only the subject is in focus and the background is blurry, and for that you need a low f-number. F9 won't give you that.
This little camera has an f2.8 lens. I use it with Fuji 800 speed film, and I can take pictures in almost any light without a flash. If I want a portrait, I stay back and plan to crop it (zoom it) later. It fits in my pocket -- I carry it like some people carry a beeper!
Great little camera -- a must have.
59 Great Camera for the Beginners!!
Purchasing this small, sleek and attractive camera is one of the best investment i have ever made. The results i got with this camera are great. The flash off mode for taking pictures in the night gives excellent pictures. And the redeye reduction mode also works very good. The pictures using default mode flash looks a little darker than my previous camera but i am not sure whether it is a problem with the camera or with my picture taking. Last but not least it is a cute little thing for this price and it sure makes you feel like a professional photographer.
60 Great Camera
I took this camera on a vacation to St. Maarten N.A., and all of the picture came out so wonderful. The red eye reduction realy worked so well. The only thing I would have liked to have is panoramic. But this is a great point and shoot camera, and small enough to fit in your pocket.
61 Excellent Outdoor Camera
Excellent camera which produces pictures much sharper than regular Zoom cameras in good to excellent lighting. Flash performance is average in low light situations.
I finished about 5 rolls of film in this camera. There is only one rule to take great pictures with this camera. " You need to focus on your object for one conscious second" This lets the multibeam autofocus to work properly.
Also, FujiFilm works the best since a good majority of processing labs use Fuji machines.
62 Good value...
A good P&S. Very nice design. Does tend to overexpose by1/2-1 stop. Lens is actually a little wider then 35mm (~32mm). Lens sharpness is good for a P&S but does not compare to good SLR optics like Nikon. Cameras operation has some idiosyncrasies like how you get to spot metering mode, the fact that the focus is driven solely by the indicators in the center, etc. The date stamping is a little too small and too close to the center of the image. Red-eye is a problem. The viewfinder is very tiny and has severe distortion. Overall, a good, but not great, little camera...If you can spend more get the Yashica T4 w/Zeiss lens.
63 closest focus range allows you to do self portraits
I see someone has already been mentioned how the fixed lens produces best quality results (rather than a zoom which cannot deliver the same quality). I wanted to add that the 600 auto focus stops, with a closest focus range of 9 inches is the main reason why I am onto my fifth one (although the design looks new - this camera has been selling for over ten years). I have put over 1800 shots through my current one no problem. I also like the autofocus feature to set the focus before composition (like my Nikon SLR).
64 closest focus range allows you to do self portraits
I see someone has already been mentioned how the fixed lens produces best quality results (rather than a zoom which cannot deliver the same quality). I wanted to add that the 600 auto focus stops, with a closest focus range of 9 inches is the main reason why I am onto my fifth one (although the design looks new - this camera has been selling for over ten years). I have put over 1800 shots through my current one no problem. I also like the autofocus feature to set the focus before composition (like my Nikon SLR).
65 Great camera
this camera is the best and i would recomend it to anyone looking for a camera. this would be my 1st pick. i'll love this camera till i'm dead.
66 Small Little Camera
My previous camera was a Canon Sureshot 80. I lost this at Six Flags on a rollercoaster ride. I picked Epic Stylus because it was very small and easy to carry around. This camera fit in my pockets even when I was wearing jeans. Becuase of its size it allowed me to have a camera available whenever Kodak moments arrive. The sleek design and the clam shell design keep the lens protected. The first roll I took turned out really great. This is a great no hassle camera. Well work the $.
67 Professional level point n shoot
By far the best point n shoot camera. Results are crisp, sharp, and have better color resolution than any zoom model. Handles slide film neatly. Only competitor in point n shoot range is the Yashica T4 Super.
68 The Best Camera in Amazon
After you do photography for a while you start to understand that all that matters in a camera is the lens. The Olympus Epic had the best lens out of all point-and-shoot cameras (and most of SLR zoom lenses) here as of June 2000.You may ask are there better lenses in P/S cameras? The answer is yes; for example Ricoh GR1 has slightly better lens. The price is $450, and it is unavailable in the US. The only P/S camera in Amazon with comparable optics is Lomo Automatic, but it is very strange camera - you have to read the reviews and decide for yourself if you like Lomo. It is much easier and cheaper to construct high quality fixed focal lens than zoom lens which is the reason for high lens quality in Olympus and Lomo. Unfortunately, this creates the only problem I experienced with Epic. Its fixed focal length is 35 mm (this means that camera has 1.5 larger field of view than human eye, so everything looks 1.5 times smaller than in real life) which requires moving really close to the object to fill the frame. So, it is not very good for portraits, but excellent for buildings and landscapes. The bottom line: as many advanced amateurs and pros believe the camera has the best quality/price ratio in the world
69 Handy Camera
This camera is very small and sometimes hard to keep track of.Lightweight and easy to use.The only problem I have had so far and mabey a big problem is the red eye.I haven't had the camera very long and may still need to learn where to use the flash and where not to.Fact is every picture i took indoors with this camera has turned out with horrible red eye.I will keep experimenting with the flash but as far as convenience is concerned the camera is very easy to pack around.As a matter of fact you can lose it if your not careful it is so small.
70 Clear pictures
The Epic QD CG is the Epic model that I bought, with the quartz date imprinting (which I've never used) and the attractive metallic "champagne gold" finish that aren't in the base model, but without the "panoramic" image-cropping in the more expensive DLX model.
The f/2.8 lens is sharp and bright, and the camera is small enough to carry in my pants pocket. But the feature I like best is the accurate exposure system. The default automatic mode uses fill flash effectively. You can also force the flash off or on, or combine foreground flash with long exposure for night scenes.
The flash is bright enough to reach 27' with ISO 400 film, and its brightness is automatically reduced to prevent overexposure of subjects as close as 1.1'. The flash is close to the lens, so you should use the red-eye-reduction mode when the ambient lighting is dim and your subject's pupils are dilated. Using this mode, I have never shot a subject with red eyes.
If you don't absolutely need a zoom lens, this is a handy camera that takes great pictures.
