Olympus Stylus Epic QD CG Date 35mm Camera
by Olympus
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: OlympusModel: Stylus Epic QD CG
Product features:
- Active type multi-beam autofocus system
- Fully automatic operation
- Intelligent variable-power flash
- Spot Mode provides pinpoint exposure accuracy
- Bright, 0.45X real-image viewfinder
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Olympus Stylus Epic QD CG Date 35mm Camera
Customer Review: Forget the BIG ZOOM. Go with this little guy
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Description of Olympus Stylus Epic QD CG Date 35mm Camera
35mm lens / AutoFocus and AutoExposure system / Integrated Self-timer / Electronic Flash / Quartz Date / Uses 35mm Film 0.45x real-image viewfinder Multimode flash with automatic color balance Selectable Quartz Date features marks time or date picture was taken Built-in self-timer mode (a wireless optional remote control may be added for shutter control up to 16 feet away from the camera) Durable all-weather construction resists heat, rain and snow Requires CR123A battery (not included) Uses 35mm film (requires additional purchase) Champagne gold finishThe 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
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