Olympus iS-50 QD Date 35mm Camera

Olympus iS-50 QD Date 35mm Camera
by Olympus

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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: Olympus
Model: 137578
Product features:

35mm autofocus camera
Wide angle 4.3x zoom lens
Variable power twin autoflash system
Multiple exposure modes
Date and time imprinting

Accessories:

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Olympus iS-50 QD Date 35mm Camera

Customer Review: Great for point & shoot, but still lacking
Summary: 3 Stars

The Olympus IS series cameras have always had an identity crisis. At first they were called "ZLRs" or "Zoom Lens Reflex." They have the internal making of an SLR (a mirror mechanism that shows you exactly what the lens is seeing), but lack the versatility of being able to change the lens.

I've owned or given as gifts a number of Olympus cameras - the OM10, the IS-2, the IS-10 and now the IS-50. To this day the IS-2 remains one of my favorite cameras, especially with its unbelievable macro ability that rivals cameras/lenses costing hundreds more.

The IS-50 is a good camera. It takes great photos, its exposure system is excellent, it's light weight, has a powerful flash, and its automated features will be a boon to novice users. However, there are still better choices available.

I bought the IS-50 for a young nephew who wanted something easy to use and to shoot sports. The IS-50 delivers on the first, fails completely on the second. This camera does not have a continuous advance and focus sports mode. You press the shutter release, take a shot, and then have to repeat.

As a semi-pro user I found the flash warning system on the IS-50 to be especially annoying. The average person can easily take a photo in low light situations with a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second. People with super steady hands can even go as low as 1/15th. Experienced photographers know that you want to use natural light as much as possible because the flash creates shadows and harsh skin tones. The IS-50, however, starts warning users to use a flash at around 1/100th of a second! This makes no sense.

Normally this wouldn't be such a big deal for a point and shoot. However, camera prices, especially on 35mm models, are falling and users are expecting some bang for their buck. For the same price of an IS-50 you can buy a used Nikon N50 or N65 - both of which offer versatility, ease of use and exapandability. Earlier IS models such as the IS-1, 2 and 3 all offered much of these features. Why not the IS-50? At the very least, the price should be lower given the value and low cost of novice SLR models such as the Nikon models or the Canon Rebel.

Even with all these criticisms, the IS-50 is still an OK choice for novice users. If you want simplicity and good 35mm photos this is one camera to look at. Just be aware that for the same price or a little bit more you can get a camera that's a lot better.

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Description of Olympus iS-50 QD Date 35mm Camera

Take the creative helm when you're feeling inspired, or coast in confidence with the advanced automatic Olympus IS-50 QD. A sleek, compact body makes it easy to capture great shots. You'll find yourself bringing home "keepers" with greater and greater frequency. Spot metering & exposure compensation Quartz Date back with 4 Date/Time imprinting formats Uses two 3V CR123 lithium batteries (not included) 3.4H x 4.9W x 4.9D

Sleek and expertly designed, the Olympus IS-50 35mm camera provides all the manual controls you need to give photos that personal touch; or, you can sit back and let the automatic functions take over effortlessly. The powerful wide-angle 4.3x zoom lens provides you the range of perspectives you need without having to lug around various lenses.

The advanced flash system has variable power to provide the right amount of light for different conditions, and you can also set the flash to red-eye reduction, fill, and manual off. The predictive autofocus system keeps the subject sharp and clear. Shoot in different exposure modes like landscape, night scene, portrait, and stop action for the ideal look. You can easily keep track of these settings with the large LCD panel.

Film operation is a cinch with fully automatic film load, advance, and rewind. The 12-second self-timer is useful for shooting self-portraits and group photos. You can also imprint the date and time onto photos for record-keeping purposes. Given its ergonomic design, the IS-50 is easy to hold and carry around for any purpose.