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Olympus Stylus FE-280 8MP Digital Camera with Dual Image Stabilized 3x Optical Zoom (Silver) | List Price: $249.99
Discount Price: $119.99
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Brand: Olympus
Binding: Electronics
Release Date: 2007-09-19
Features: - 8.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
- 3x optical zoom; Face Detection technology
- 2.5-inch LCD; Perfect Shot Preview mode
- Bright Capture technology for low-light photos
- Captures images to xD memory card (not included)
Excellent little Olympus [Posted on 2008-03-23]
I own two other Olympuses, an E-volt 500 and a C-3000. Both are simple to use and take excellent photos. I wanted a super compact camera, and since I know Olympus cameras, they seemed the obvious choice. At first I was put off by some of the reviews, but decided to take a chance. Especially since I found this model at Radio Shack for a mere $139.95!! After just a month I have found none of the problems reported by other users. I suspect others simply weren't familiar with the controls, or purchased faulty cameras. For what the camera is for, I give it top marks. It's extremely small, in fact so tiny I'm afraid I'm going to drop it. The complaint that it doesn't take good pictures indoors just doesn't fly. It is possible to change the ISO as well as the exposure, and I have gotten fine pictures both outdoors at night and in a dark, fire lit room. The complaint that it shoots slowly is also user error. By holding the shutter button down halfway, you set the focus and exposure. Then when you push it the rest of the way it takes the image almost instantly. So people need to learn how to use their cameras. I found the user manual simple to read and understand. The USB cable is a bit tricky to insert into the camera, but certainly not worth mentioning, or knocking the camera for. I found it to transfer images to the computer at least as fast as my other two cameras. So I really like this unit. It has all the features you could want in a camera so portable, in fact I was surprised. I like the large size of the display, and the ability to brighten it. A feature I haven't even used yet. I also like the Panorama setting that allows images to be stitched into a 360 degree Quicktime VR movie. Very cool for places where you want to capture the atmosphere of a large area, or even your backyard. The video quality is good. My only complaint with the entire camera is the 10 second limit of video in 640x480 mode. And it even has a speaker to play back video and sound clips. So again, my bottom line is that this is an excellent camera, especially when you can buy it for $140. Absolutely simple to use and fun! Even my 5 year old can take good pictures with it. I also wouldn't worry about the quality or durability as one reviewer suggested. I believe it actually feels sturdy, especially compared to other brands. I dropped my C-3000 on to cement from 5 feet, and besides the scrapes on the corner it didn't affect it's operation at all. So don't be put off by the reviewers that couldn't take a good picture or who were annoyed by the image info displayed on the LCD. All of those things can be adjusted for, if you read the owners manual and learn how to use the camera's settings. Olympus makes outstanding cameras that continue to be HIGHLY underrated.
Great Camera [Posted on 2008-04-15]
This Camera is great for everyday use. It has great stability so that pictures do not blur easily and takes sharp crisp pictures. I would def. recommend this camera for any first time user. Its a great product.
Great Gift [Posted on 2008-05-02]
I purchased two of these for Christmas Gifts. They loved them and the camara is so compact they carry it every where. Great Photos and a great price.
Liked it when it worked [Posted on 2008-06-15]
I got this camera right before Christmas and it worked for about a week or two and then it broke. The shutter/zoom button broke and then you either couldn't take a picture or couldn't zoom in or out. I tried returning or exchanging it and was unable to. Now I'm trying (unsuccessfully) to deal with the Olympus warranty.
Good Camera, here's why [Posted on 2008-06-28]
For reasons that would be useless and boring to this post, I've had five digital cameras in the last five years (Panasonic, Pentax, Panasonic, Olympus, Panasonic). I've also tinkered with family versions of Sony, Kodak, and Fuji cameras.
Panasonic cameras are the best. Period. There is no point in me posting about them, because everyone else has. And I have one with a large Leica lense, and I use it regularly for low-light situations.
But if you want a really great, tiny camera, think Olympus.
For a small, super-portable camera, the FE-280 has met all my expectations. Yes, it has a tiny, very tiny, lense. That means indoor shots will not be that great. But otherwise, the pics outdoors are fantastic. Even indoor shots have some depth. If you want crazy-good photos, get a Panasonic with a large Leica lense.
Best Advice if you have an FE-280:
* Use the Sports Mode for everything.
* Use the Indoor Mode for everything else in low light.
* Video is very good in the second setting. The low setting is horrible.
Forget the other fancy settings, except maybe the "behind the glass." That one was pretty cool for our daughters, especially with the monkeys at the zoo.
For those thinking the camera hasn't worked for you, here may be a few reasons that possible buyers might consider:
* Are you using the camera wrong?
* Have you tested it with the different settings?
* Did you expected to get a tiny pocket camera with big-lense capabilities?
For the meager price, you get much more than anyone can ask. My pics are almost always flawless, and you can't beat the portability.
It is darned tiny.
Try it.
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