The Olympus Stylus Zoom 140 gave us fully automatic operation--when we opened the sliding lens cover, the zoom extended and the flash popped up automatically. The powerful 38 to 140mm zoom lens extended and retracted smoothly, giving us great close-up shots. We liked the multiple flash modes, which let us choose red-eye reduction, night-scene flash, and more. We also found the spot metering feature, for hard-to-gauge lighting situations, to be useful. Our only difficulty with this camera was in opening the battery compartment.

The Olympus Stylus Zoom 140 offers a handy panorama switch that lets you take panoramic photos on a roll of regular film. (You can take an entire panorama roll as well.) If you do take panoramic shots on a regular roll, you'll have to get them specially reprinted in the panorama format.

The Olympus Stylus Zoom 140's sturdy construction and sleek form make it easy to carry and hold. The camera is weatherproof, meaning you can use it in rain, in snow, and by water, but you can't submerge it.

Pros:

• Sleek, stylish form
• Extremely powerful 38 to 140mm zoom
• Wide range of flash options
• Panorama switch

Cons:

• Battery compartment is hard to open

I wanted to buy an APS camera, because of the simplicity of loading film. If this is a concern of yours, buy this camera. It's ridiculously easy. APS film shots tend to look grainy, because the negative is smaller than 35mm, so there's another plus.

To me, the coolest feature was spot metering. You can get some really incredible color and life in your photos, and you can also simulate "focusing" on one object, while having other objects in the scene out of focus.

I suggest reading the entire manual, then blow a test roll (find a willing sibling, like I did) on the camera with different camera settings and lighting conditions so you can see what it will do when you really need it. And make SURE to try spot metering on things in the foreground and background so you get the concept. You'll be really impressed with this camera!

- Adam


Make sure you order batteries   December 25, 1999
carol brick (Atlanta,Georgia)
25 out of 29 found this review helpful

This is a great camera, however be aware that when you order, the camera does not come with batteries.


AMAZING FOR THE SIZE   December 4, 1999
88 out of 93 found this review helpful

Very easy to use and very user friendly. I do alot of outdoor photos and the and the weather proof feature alone is worth the price of the camera. Great photo's , all the features I use on my larger SLR, but it fits in my shirt pocket.


good camera   August 29, 1999
14 out of 145 found this review helpful

if the international delivery also available will be appreciated