A great beginners digital camera with a few simple features (Olympus FE-210)

Member Name: gememily

Product:	Olympus FE-210
Date:	05/10/08 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use, some simple features to get you started.

Disadvantages: Very poor battery life. No sound recording when shooting video.

We bought this camera a couple of years ago when we were about to go on our honeymoon. The camera was reasonably cheap back then and looked stylish and compact.

One of the main reasons we bought this camera was because of the size of it and the fact that it was relatively easy to use. The camera will easily fit into your pocket or handbag and doesn't take a genius to work out how to use it.

The camera has a 3x optical zoom which is handy when taking close ups of things. Although it is not a huge zoom we have found it large enough for most of the things that we have wanted to photograph.It is a 7.1 megapixel camera.

The camera uses 2 aa batteries, but as we have found out, battery life is extremely poor. At first we thought this was a fault with the camera itself but apparently it is just how the model is. We have found that the best thing to do is use rechargeable batteries.

So what features does the camera have?
On the top of the camera is a small power button and also the zoom wheel. Atound the back of the camera there is the screenwhich is 2.5 inches and the menu wheen as well as other buttons to review the pictures you have taken and to navigate the menus.
The menu wheel has 8 different settings.

*Auto - a setting that allows you to just take normal pictures and let the camera adjust everything for you. The most basic setting and the one we use most of the time.
*The video camera setting - this is a very simple setting and just allows you to start and stop videoing whenever you want. Unfortunately the camera does not seem to record sound.
*The guide setting - this gives you some usefull tips and suggestions for taking the best pictures in different cicumstances. For instance - shooting into bright light.
*Scene setting - this setting allows you to adjust the settings depending on where or what you are shooting. For instance - sport, indoor, or behind glass.
*Night and portrait setting - This settintg resets the camera so that you can take the best possible pictures of your subject at night time.
*Landscape setting - for taking the best possible pictures of landscapes.
*Portrait setting
*DIS mode - This mode is extrememly helpful if you are taking photos of something that is moving as it reduces the amount of blur you will see on the photo and gives you a blur free finish.

The camera is a great camera for someone who is not totally confident with photography but would like to have a few simple features in a camera. It comes with a usb lead and makes it extremely easy to download your photographs onto the computer. Unfortunately the camera is not sold with a case or any protective cover and this must be bought seperately.

The camera retails for around £100 on amazon.

Summary: A great digital camera if you want something simple and easy to use. Uses loads of battery power!

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