Opinions on Olympus Stylus Epic

[Markok765]

Just wondering what you guys think of this camera.

Using it for biking, friends, times when I don't want to bring my whole kit.

Will be using with T-Max 100, Tri-x, and Kodak UC400.

Thanks!

 

[Mike Kovacs]

Much has been written - there is a good amount if feedback on the p.net review. The fixed 35/2.8 lens is a stellar performer.

I think its a great camera with a few small shortcomings:

1. The buttons are tiny and its difficult to manipulate the two buttons together to turn on the spot meter

2. When you close then later open the camera, it switches off the spot meter

3. There is no exposure lock. Focus and exposure are made at the same point in the photo

4. The flash is only really useful for fill in.

 

[celerystalksme]

the dumb thing wants to shoot wide open all the time, in which case the results are mediocre. however, if you can get the lens to stop down a bit, the lens is quite spectacular for it's price.

all in all, it's still the best bang for buck p&s cams around...

 

[Robert Hall]

I sure like mine. I use it as a back up and from time to time, a main camera.

Learn how to use it, it works very well for what it is.

 

[frugal]

I wish mine still worked (nasty run in with some water ) but the lens is great (for a P&S) and the viewfinder is bright and clear. I've shot slides through it and had no problems with exposure.

All in all, a great little P&S and I'd highly recommend it if you don't need a zoom.

 

[PhotoJim]

I like mine a lot.

It only supports common ISOs (100, 200, 400, 800, etc. - it might support 50; I'd have to check to be sure), so if you want to use obscure ISOs you might get odd results. (It shouldn't matter much on negative film.)

I got mine as a refurbed camera off eBay directly from Olympus USA for a great price and reasonable shipping charges. The camera had a minor scratch but is otherwise perfect, and I got a box and manuals.

 

[DBP]

You might also want to consider some of its ancestors, the Olympus XA, XA2, etc. as they are even smaller and offer a little more control.

 

[sbelyaev]

The lens flares badly.

 

[Markok765]

Hey, also wondering if there are any other p&s like it at the price range?

Non-zoom also.

 

[fschifano]

I like mine. Quick, light, small, decent lens, good exposure control, inexpensive, and still in production; what's not to like?

 

[Neilson]

xa's are bigger and heavier than the stylus epic.

I'm pretty sure they recently stop producing the stylus epic.

I say the camera wanting to use the widest aperture possible for each picture is a good thing. It favors fast shutterspeeds, and shows confidence in it's AF system. Damn good bokeh for a p&s. Even when it fires the flash, it wants to shoot at a wide aperture.

 

[Vonder]

This camera is legendary. Keeping in mind that it is just a simple P&S beastie, you'd be amazed at the pictures it takes - IF - you've ever used a lesser P&S. The lens is quite nice and under certain conditions produces images you can't distinguish from a nice SLR-shot image. There are situations where an SLR is the better tool, no doubt, and the Epic won't fare well in those situations. Put ASA 400 film in it and forget it. The thing will take damn nice photos.

 

[Markok765]

Got it today! I'm surprised at how small it is! Put in a roll of XP2 Super.

I also got a Lowepro D-pods 30 case and battery, for free, since it was a advertising mistake!

The case has Slipknot, so i can attach it to my Lowepro backpack!

I'm really happy, and will try it out tomorrow!