Jump to a part
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Introduction
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01.Testing / Performance
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02.Physical Tour
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03.Components
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04.Design / Layout
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05.Modes
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06.Control Options
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07.Image Parameters
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08.Connectivity / Extras
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09.Overall Impressions
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10.Conclusion
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11.Comments
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Olympus FE-200
First Impressions Review
Previous: Page 8
Connectivity / ExtrasNext: Page 10
ConclusionValue
With a 1/2.5 inch, 6 MP CCD, 2.5 inch LCD screen, 5x lens, a handful of shooting modes, simple external interface and basic menu structure the Olympus FE-200 would have definitely been an impressive option for the point-and-shoot consumer a few years back. Currently though it seems likely the bells and whistles included with cameras by manufacturers like Canon with their My Colors mode or Casio with their umpteen hundred scene modes are going to put out a better first-impression than this stripped-down $250 digital camera. It has great construction quality and an all-metal body that will take a beating and still produce images successfully. But when in the face of so many similarly priced digital cameras that have a plethora of preset and manual control options, the allure of the FE-200 seems to fade.
Cameras by manufacturers like Kodak give users the same ease of use found here but additionally give beginners the opportunity to begin accessing controls like ISO or longer shutter speeds for low light shooting – and at lower prices. The Olympus FE-200 has thirteen preset scene modes that may have been impressive a few years back but with manufacturers pushing near forty on some point-and-shoot models, the FE-200 now falls short. The camera lacks features like manual focus, burst mode, control over backlit scenes, in-camera digital effects like those found with Canon, a good movie mode or a functional flash. If it had been released in 2004 this review would be drastically different but with so many manufacturers providing easy to navigate interfaces in addition to a wealth of scene modes and control options at a low price this camera seems destined to be forgotten by consumers in favor of other options. So many other cameras have many more options and come at far lower prices.
Comparisons
Fujifilm FinePix A600 – This digital camera is definitely intended for the point-and-shoot market. It comes with a 1/1.7-inch Super CCD HR with 6.25 MP effective pixels that can capture both still and motion images. The Fuji A600, while lacking manual focus, comes with adjustable AF modes, a more truncated shutter speed range that is fully automatic, exposure compensation, manual control over ISO, auto metering mode, preset white balance modes allows for some alteration by user (although no custom setting), flash control, and a surprisingly more pathetic movie mode when compared to the FE-200 with a top resolution of 320 x 240 at 10 fps. The external interface is illogical and the control design is more problematic than the FE-200. With only four preset scene modes to customize the camera, the A600 doesn’t seem like the right fit for the beginners market looking for easy shooting both internally and externally. This camera was released in February of 2006 and can easily be found for less than $200 online.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W70 – With an identical retail price and a 1/2.5-inch 7 MP CCD, the full metal body of the W70 has a similar frame size and design to the FE-200 that should be durable enough to last most users for quite a few years. This camera has a 3x optical zoom lens, multiple auto focus options, a smaller shutter speed range, a better maximum aperture of f/2.8, comparable exposure compensation control, a burst mode (which the FE-200 lacks wholly), white balance preset modes, digital color effects in-camera, manual ISO settings up to ISO 1000, and a handful of scene modes. The movie mode provided with the Sony W70 is a far better option with a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 at 30 fps with audio recording (without the Sony-branded Memory Stick Pro Duo card, however, the frame rate is limited to 16.6 fps). In addition to these image control features and shooting modes, this Cyber-shot has an identically sized, but higher resolution LCD screen. This camera comes in both silver and black for the more style conscious consumer looking for something a bit more unique, and can be found for less than $250 online.
HP Photosmart R727 – The R727 can be currently purchased with rebates through HP for around $200, and other sites are selling this 6.2 MP digital camera for even less. This digital camera is a slender and more streamlined point-and-shoot offering that has a non-extending inset lens located in a terrible position that can be easily covered by fingers of the left hand. This camera has a 3x optical zoom lens, manual ISO with a range that extends to ISO 400, three metering modes, a wider exposure compensation range of +/-3 EV, white balance in both preset and manual modes, and a shutter speed range that spans 16 seconds to 1/2000th of a second. Aperture is automatic and possesses an identical maximum aperture in comparison to the FE-200. Further improvements over the Olympus FE-200 can be found with the 2.5 inch LCD that boasts an impressive 203,400 pixel display for a clearer and crisper image monitoring device. The menu structure isn’t nearly as straightforward as the FE-200 and potential buyers will also find the construction of this camera to be less impressive when compared to either the Sony W70 or the Olympus FE-200, which are going to be able to withstand a beating and keep shooting.
Canon PowerShot A540 – The Canon PowerShot A540 will provide users with an expansive palette of manual controls, a 6 MP CCD and a 2.5-inch LCD for under $200 online currently. This camera is a great option for the reader who finds the lack of control options of the FE-200 to be a limiting structure, but still wants the simple interface. Manual controls found with this camera include focus, exposure, metering, white balance, flash exposure compensation, shutter speed, flash and ISO. For users not wanting to delve into manual controls, the camera comes with a full auto mode and a number of preset shooting modes that are comparable in functionality to those found with the FE-200. Additionally this camera comes with Canon’s My Colors fun digital effects. Considering all of these features, a simple menu system, a similarly sized CCD and LCD, and a better external design for one-handed shooting, readers will find that the A540 is a definite step-up in many ways when compared to the FE-200.Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – The point-and-shoot crowd is definitely going to be interested in the Olympus FE-200 with simple auto shooting modes and few-to-no manual controls. If consumers want to shoot photos without hassle, the FE-200 could be a tempting option.
Budget Consumers – The budget consumer may find this camera is a bit outside the price range at $250 MSRP considering the lack of manual controls and the flash that is best left unused in the hands of novice users. Considering the plethora of other less expensive options on the market with more options and features this model is a hard sell for the budget buyer.
Gadget Freaks – The Olympus FE-200 doesn’t have the innovation found with the features of the Kodak EasyShare-one or the aesthetics of the Olympus Stylus series that would make it desirable for the budding or established gadget freak. The gadget freak is likely to be irked by the poor interface design and the utter lack of controls that could potentially make it a standout in a market already clogged with similar camera designs and features.
Manual Control Freaks – With control over exposure compensation and flash and nothing else, the Olympus FE-200 isn’t going to register on the radar of the manual control photographer.
Pros/Serious Hobbyists – There is no reason that pros or serious hobbyists would look to this $250 MSRP priced digital camera for any of their photography needs.
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