Think your mighty compact focuses seamless ?
Well think again ! Even high end models focus in a series of zones called focusing steps, Not that most manufacturers let you know. But in 1991, Olympus were only too keen to tell us with the μ[mju:] (aka mju-1 or Stylus) a camera that changed the face of the AF compact market. Continue reading Step Class – The compact AF camera’s hidden secret (or How the mju won the compact war)
Want a step up from a zoom compact but don’t want to commit to a SLR ? Well the Olympus IS-1000 might be for you. Costing hundreds at launch this 1990 bridge camera now can be bought for a tenner or less. But how does it compare to other compacts and modern cameras ?
Given my recent trouble with mju’s you might have thought I’d stay clear of Olympus compacts for a bit but then this budget number landed in a job lot and you know it’s not that bad. Continue reading We’re not in Kansas – Olympus OZ-10 Review
Oh dear ! I had a lot of hope when I started out to test this camera but 3 dud ones later I’m not sure. The mju-I (aka mju, µ[mju] or ∞stylus) was the camera that launched the mju series and would lead to the much sought after mju II (aka Stylus Epic) -one of those prestige fixed focal length compacts that change hands for lots of Dosh. Some feel the much cheaper mju-I is just as good but as we’ll see things didn’t work out for me… Continue reading Prestige and the Duds – The Olympus mju-I nearly reviewed
The Ricoh FF series has a bit of a cache especially around the fixed focus models released in the late 80’s and early 90’s. But how does this (aka Shotmaster AF Super or One Take AF Super) 90’s restyling of the FF-9 work out against the rivals of its day ? Continue reading Rehash Flash – Ricoh FF-9S Review
Yet another mid 90’s compact from Japan (aka Kyocera Lynx 70) but oddly the first I’ve come across with a professional period review. Popular Photography thought this and its Zoom 90 sibling sizzled and favourably made comparisons to the still legendary and elite Yashica T4. But 2 decades on how does it measure up ? Continue reading Yashica Microtec Zoom 70 – Sizzling shooter ?
Like the name everything is big about this camera (aka Prima Zoom 105 or Autoboy zoom 105). But this bulky early 90s zoom compact has acquired a bit of reputation as a sharp shooter. But does it live up to the hype ? Continue reading Canon Sure Shot Megazoom 105 Review – Zoomba Class ?
Pentax arguably gave the world the first AF Zoom compact with their IQZoom series. But how do cameras like the Zoom 90 bear up in the 21st century and even against their own 90’s successors the Espio series ? Continue reading Zooming into the 90’s ?- Pentax Zoom 90 Review
Given my experience with the Goko UF, I had high hopes for this late 90’s AF compact. But sadly my second Goko end up as yet another run of the mill AF compact Continue reading Never mind the Goko (no really don’t) – Goko AZS 700 AF Review
I recently found a Samsung ECX1 in a pawnbrokers in town for £2.99. I do a little circuit of a few of these shops as well as the charity shops if I’m ever in town with a little while to spare. Once in a while something I’ve been watching out for on eBay appears and I’m forced to snap it up. The Samsung ECX1 is just one of those cameras. It’s also the type of camera I think of as a bit of hidden bargain. Continue reading Hidden bargains of the second hand camera market – Guest Post by Hamish Gill
