Olympus FE-230

Likes

- Small and portable - Easy-to-use external interface and simple menus - Shooting Guide mode provides useful shooting tips - Good resolution performance

Dislikes

- No room for advancement as users become more comfortable with controls and settings - Construction quality is questionable, with many parts appearing too delicate to withstand the wear and tear that comes with daily use - Lack of white balance settings results in poor color performance - No control over ISO - No Burst mode - Poor low light performance - Bad lens vignetting and barrel distortion

Conclusion
While the FE-230 debuted with a $199 price tag, it can now be found online for about $150. Its reasonable price and slim, attractive body will entice some consumers. However, the fact that it's more portable and perhaps better looking than its competitors should be put into perspective.

The good: it's skinny jeans pocket-friendly, and has some impressive specs that include a 7.1-megapixel CCD, all-metal construction, a 2.5-inch LCD screen with Bright Capture technology, in-camera help guides, and 19 Shooting modes. But for almost every good there is a bad. While it is constructed of metal, the camera isn’t any sturdier or more ready for rugged use than its plastic counterparts. The body has poorly-designed seals and a pointless port cover that may allow water and dirt to enter the battery and memory card slots.

With the exception of exposure compensation, the FE-230 lacks manual controls. This is a disappointment as its competitors certainly step it up in this area. Overall, it will suffice for the novice snapping the occasional outdoor vacation photo, but it won't do it for aspiring shutterbugs.


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