What a sharp lens!

Author's Rating:

Pros: SHARP lens, excellent telephoto, every mode you could hope for.

Cons: Trouble focusing in low light without accessory flash, needs wider wide angle.

The Bottom Line: 
Buy it, but be aware that it needs the accessory flash, a good set of NiMH batteries, and possibly the wide angle adapter to be perfect.

Author's Review
I have been a photography buff for many years now, probably 15. (which is a lot, because I'm only 30)

I've had pro level SLRs, and crap-tastic point-and-shoots, and everything in between.

Every now and then, I think about selling this one to help raise money for a nice Canon EOS digital SLR. But then I'm reminded that these kinds of cameras don't really have any resale value. Also, and it'd cost me *big time* to get equivalent lenses for the EOS.

After all that, the Canon optics probably aren't any better for my purposes. (prints up to 8x12 and macro photography for illustrative pix on the internet)

If you are trying to decide whether to get a more compact camera or the latest iteration of this camera, get this one. Although it is not as convenient to carry around, the lens is just so good it reminds you why you bought it every time you see the pix. Later on down the road, get something REALLY compact, like a Canon Digital Elph and have the best of both worlds. But for once, don't compromise in optical quality.

I guess for the sake of completeness, I should mention that this camera has several full automatic exposure modes, two semi-automatic modes, and full manual capabilities as well. (the manual focusing sucks though; that is one area where a proper SLR always wins)

One reason I bought this camera instead of the next model down was that it has a hot shoe for a proper flash. You almost start to feel like all flashes are weak, then you mount up a simple accessory flash and are reminded that at least the 1970s were good for flashes. I have an old Vivitar 2800 Auto Thyristor flash that just works beautifully with this camera. However, I wish I had spent the money on Olympus' accessory flash, so that I could have the infrared focus-assist beam that is built into it. Then, this camera would have the low light performance to match its juggernaut lens.

Lastly, I think I will need to pick up the wide angle lens adapter before they discontinue it, because 38 mm is not really a proper wide angle. Most super-duper telephoto zooms leave off the true wide angle capabilities in search for more telephoto. It is disappointed when you're at that one special venue at the other side of the world and you just can't scoot back far enough to squeeze the whole building in the frame. For me, it was the Church of Corpus Christi in Krakow, Poland.

So, to wrap this up, I'd give this camera a 8.5 out of 10. If you can spare a few extra bucks to buy the dedicated Olympus flash with the built-in IR focus assist and the wide angle adapter, this camera would be a 10.