Andrew,
The Stylus Epic is a great little camera. I've had mine for about
three years and always carry it as a backup particularly for grab shots. And
I've never missed the zoom. I've had some experience with P&S zooms (both
Oly and non-Oly) and have never been very impressed or happy with them.
I wouldn't be too worried about the battery. With a fresh CR123 you
should get about 25 rolls, give or take a few depending on how much you use
the flash. If you are really worried about it just pack an extra battery:
they weigh next to nothing and have a very long shelf life.
I mostly use print film in mine, typically 400-800 ISO for
flashless-photography. My son and I recently attended the funeral services
for the crew of the CSS Hunley, and I let him shoot the Epic with Ektachrome
100. I used the same with my OM-2n. The slides he shot were mostly
acceptable, but some done in open full sun were a bit over-exposed compared
to the OM-2n.
There are no manual controls but it does have something that
resembles a spot meter.
As far as other camera makers go I can't help you. I know people
speak highly of the Konica GR-1, Contax and Leica P&S but now you're talking
big bucks.
Good Luck,
Charlie
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Dacey [mailto:frugal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 11:23 AM
To: Olympus List
Subject: [OM] Which Stylus?
As I mentioned in an earlier email, I'm going to start looking for a
decent pocketable P&S to take with me to Laos.
I had been considering a P&S with a zoom for a bit more versatility
(especially where I don't plan on taking any Zooms with the OMs).
However, in the camera store I was pretty impressed with the Stylus
Epic in terms of size and weight, not to mention having a nice fast
35/2.8 lens. The big drawback I see with that camera in that it takes
3V CR123A batteries which will probably be hard for me to get in Laos.
Here's the criteria I'm looking for:
- Must be small and lightweight, I plan to carry this camera at almost
all times.
- Must have a meter that I can accurately use slide film with. I plan
to take Velvia, Provia 100F, and Provia 400F as my main films along
with some B&W (probably Tri-X but possibly some other options).
- Zoom would be nice but I'm a bit concerned with image quality as well
as the loss of speed.
- Using AA batteries would be preferred.
- Some ability to use some manual controls would be nice but is not
essential.
Any thoughts on what might fit the bill here? I know I risk being
struck down by the Zuiko gods but is there any non-Olympus camera that
might fit the bill better?
Andrew "Frugal" Dacey
frugal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.tildefrugal.net/
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