Customer Reviews

Olympus Stylus Epic DLX 35mm Camera

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We went to Paris lugging around a heavy Canon EOS Elan -- how I wish I had purchased the Stylus Epic before our trip! This tiny camera is great to take everywhere, and its protective case is water-resistant, meaning you can pop it into your pants pocket and not worry about it. The lens quality is excellent. Photos are tack-sharp and some are very difficult to distinguish between those taken with my Elan. I would recommend this camera to my friends.

If you're discriminating about image quality, or enjoy taking photos in natural light, or want a camera to carry with you all the time, then this camera is a fine choice. The lens is uncommonly sharp for a point-n-shoot, certainly much better than your typical point-n-shoot zoom lens. It also has a relatively wide aperature allowing use in lower light and/or with less reliance on flash. The clamshell design is wonderful for just throwing the thing in your pocket and not worrying. One downside: because it's so compact, the flash is very close to the lens, which results in worse red-eye than you might get on a camera whose flash is further from the lens.

I have the camera without the deluxe features (black finish, no panorama mode, dateless). I got tired of the nasty flare my earlier Olympus Stylus zoom gave me, so I went with this camera. The optics are sharp, with nice color and contrast. Flare isn't a problem and the lens has decent speed for low light. The spot meter and focus lock let you compose better photos. All-in-all, an excellent compact camera without the tiny image size on an APS camera. My only complaint is it's so small that it's easy to lose. Mine went missing for a couple of days... later found in my coat pocket.

This little camera takes excellent print photos. I have a full Minolta Maxxum system with several very good lenses, and when I make the standard 4x6 color prints that I most often shoot, the two cameras are virtually indistinguishable. Except for one thing. On a couple of rolls, I noticed some light leakage which ruined the edges of a couple of prints from the little Olympus. Had the camera checked out, and was told it was fine, but the problem still recurs from time to time.

If you are an individual such as myself who loves to take pictures but hates to walk around looking like a tourist, then the Olympus Stlus Epic 35mm is the best choice. It's so small that it can be comfortablely toted in a front pocket. Don't let its size fool you, its loaded with more than enought features for a point and shoot camera. The six different flash modes are impressive. An all around excellent camera.

I can't add too much more to the positive comments other users have already posted on this little gem. It's the best point and shoot camera for the money. The fast f2.8 lens and shutter speed range from 4 seconds to 1/1000 sec. is something that you'd be hard pressed to find in any other point and shoot camera, especially in this price range.

Now for the tips:

-Turn off the flash while indoors. Your people pictures will look very colorful and nice.

-Force the flash on when outdoors. This will provide some nice fill flash and your people pictures will have their faces exposed nicely.

-Use the spot metering and focusing mode. Point the center crosshairs at what you want to focus and meter upon and then recompose your shot while holding the shutter button down halfway.

-When shooting at an event, keep the clam shell case open. The camera resets to full auto mode every time you close it. So, set it once and then just leave it open, sliding it into a shirt pocket or something. This way, it remains set and ready all night.

This is by far the best point-n-shoot camera available today at any price. It's small, stylish, and most importantly, it's got a phenomenally fast and tack-sharp lens. Most people don't take lens speed into account when purchasing a small camera, which I think is an tremendous oversight. The Stylus Epic, with its fast aperture of 2.8, will make you look like a pro--even if you only take pictures at family reunions. Plus, you'll be able to take pictures in low-light situations without resorting to the mood killing flash. Believe me, you WILL see the difference.

I don't recommend any of the Stylus Epic models with the zoom feature. They all have inferior lenses and the lens is too slow, except for casual picture taking in bright light. If you want closer, take a few steps up.

Yes, there are smaller and arguably "cuter" cameras out there (the Elph comes to mind), but keep in mind that they are all APS format cameras! APS, as we know, is a giant leap down from 35mm.

Now, you can nitpick or you can just accept the fact that for $89.99 you can't expect much from a point-and-shoot camera. Well, the Olympic Stylus Epic just may surprise you here. This little gem delivers the goods, and with surprising results. Crisp, clear photos that fall only slightly short of a good SLR makes this camera a real contender. It's a lightweight breaking out of its class to rival more expensive cameras. The flash options are top drawer, with amazing results. I shot a perfect 25 out of 25 on my first roll. Not one photo was out of focus, under/overexposed, or failed to flash. It's a smart flash that makes you look good. Its fast lens reduces the need for higher speed films, and increases the effectiveness of the flash. I found that the fill flash mode works extremely well in shaded areas without washing out your subject.

I highly recommend this little powerhouse. Don't be fooled by those cheap zooms. This camera works so well because it lacks a zoom. Zoom lenses are a compromise which sacrifice crip, clear photos for convenience. Just step a little closer to your subject...the excercise will do you good.

This is a great little camera at at a very small price. with very little compromise. I've taken this camera on many trips and people are astonished that this little camera takes such great photos. It does a pretty good job reducing red eye. I laugh at other people who look like news crews with their big fat cameras. I end up taking more pictures because this camera is much less intrusive and easy to carry in my pockets. I rarely took photos on trips but because of this little guy, now I'm always snapping away.

The Olympus Stylus Epic is small, lightweight, compact, water-resistant, inexpensive, convenient, and loaded with features. This is the camera to take with you everywhere, on the beach, on the trail, on the bike, whatever. Uses easily available 35mm film, and (oh, yeah) it takes great pictures.