Olympus Stylus FE 230 7.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Customer Reviews

Decent 1st Camera

2008-07-01
I got this camera as a present for junior prom, and it went belly-up just in time for senior prom. It was a good camera to start on, easy to use and took good photos. I loved the macro shots & video, but was very dissappointed when it broke for no reason. The zoom is now out of whack, and I don't plan on buying another one.

My daughter loves it!

2008-06-15
I bought this camera for my daughter. She wanted a small camera that could be easily carried with her and this is just the thing. It takes good pictures and is the envy of the family (I use a much fancier digital SLR, but it is far too large for taking to every event where a picture opportunity arises -- with a large camera, you become a photographer documenting the event and don't enjoy the event as much --- a tail wagging the dog situaion.).

Six month Life

2008-06-15
I purchased this camera in October and by May it no longer takes colored pictures. There is little to no help from the Olympus customer service team. My only option is to mail it to them for a fee to evaluate. Very disappointed with quality of Olympus product. I have always owned Olympus but will definitely not buy another one.

Defective camera

2008-05-02
I have to admit, I like the feel of this camera. Light weight and compact. The camera is defective though. Every so often the pictures get lines across them and light leaves trails. It will stay this way for 4-5 days then it is fine again. Basically every time I really need it for business. I did not drop the camera nor is there a scratch on it. I should have returned it immediately, but did not. Every time I thought about returning it, the camera would start working again. When I finally decided to call olympus they informed me I have to pay to ship it to them. I think this is wrong since it is a quality control issue. Also, if I do not come up with a receipt they will charge me. Fortunately it was bought as a business expense. Unfortunately it could take the accountant a couple of hours to find the receipt. That would cost as much as a new camera. I have found other comments from people having the same problems. Their repair department claimed they had not heard of this issue. I think this camera hits the garbage and we try again.

don't buy

2008-03-14
Pros: compact, lightweight, fast shutter speed, easy to use
Cons: takes terrible pictures
I used this camera for about six months and after trying to figure out why the pictures are so often of poor quality I finally gave up and went back to using my old Canon Powershot A520 with 4 megapixels that takes much better photos.

Camera-phone level image quality

2007-12-29
Pocket-sized perfection. How much technology can you possibly pour into a sleek, slim-bodied digital camera that's smaller than a deck of cards? How about Built-in Help Guides, One-Touch Operations, Preset Scene Modes, 3x optical zoom, and a 2.5" LCD? The super-slim FE-230 is absolutely packed with features that make it fun and easy to use.

Small but not worth the shots

2007-12-18
I purchased this camera for around $300 at Best Buy after all was said and done. I wanted it for landscape shots while hiking. I found that the images remained grainy or blurry no matter what I did. The size of the battery had me out of juice halfway into the Grand Canyon in a helicopter. What a disappointment. Regardless of whether you are in SHQ (super?) or HQ mode, the images were never clean or natural. The video capabilities on it work great! Unfortunately I purchased this camera for the photo quality, and now I am stuck with it. I will do more research next camera I buy, and purchase something a bit more hefty.

GREAT CAMERA

2007-12-10
Great camera for everday use of a digital...large screen...very easy to use! Great gift idea for someone who wants and easy to use camera that is not bluky to travel with....love the recharable battery!

Camera does not hold up well!!!

2007-12-05
I purchased this camera for a trip in May, 2007. I immediately noticed after the trip that my wife's 5mp Kodak took a better picture. I then went on another trip in Oct 2007 and the LCD screen cracked the first day. I never dropped it or was rough. Olympus warranty repair is a joke as they did not cover it and wanted almost the cost to buy a new one for them to repair it! Plus, an XD card is more expensive. I like my wife's Kodak and my other camera, a Nikon. I will never buy Olympus again!!!!!

Great

2007-11-22

I've had this camera 6 months. It's a great camera for the typical "point-and-shoot" user. It seems comparable to other family cameras I've seen. I recommend it, if the cost is reasonable. In fact, Grandma liked my camera so much I bought her one. She loves it too!

The optical zoom is good. Digital zoom is not too great, but my understanding is that applies to all cameras.

Battery life is good. After several months I purchased 2 spare batteries for $20 - and they have more power storage than the original. Not a bad deal.

Plan to purchase an xD picture card. The internal memory is insufficient. I believe this is true for cameras in this price range. My 1 GB xD card holds 25 minutes of video or 190 super high resolution pictures. It holds hundred more pictures if you use regular resolution settings instead of high res. I just bought a 2 GB xD card for less than the 1 GB card cost 6 months ago. I think it holds 3000 pictures? More than an ordinary person would ever take, for sure.

The video quality is nice but not outstanding. Use a camcorder if you want great quality video. But the video funtion is really great for those times when you don't have time to go set up a video camera.

Overall, I like it, the price is reasonable, and I am taking better pictures than I ever imagined.

Cameras & Photography Products and Books

	Click!. The No Nonsense Guide to Digital Cameras Review: ... "Click! The No Nonsense Guide to Digital Cameras" is misnamed. It covers a lot more than just cameras. In a couple of hundred pages, it includes using a scanner and Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 to rescue faded, damaged family photos, the basic guidelines to good picture taking, how to use Elements 2 to improve your digital photos, and how to print and preserve your pictures for the ages. White, the author of the bestseller "How Computers Work," knows how to pack a lot of helpful, understandable information in a brief no nonsense book.
	Sony Cybershot DSCS90 4.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Review: "This Camera is one of the best in its price range. It takes beautiful clear pictures and can be used right out of the box, but its worth learning all its features. The included memory holds about 20-25 pictures so I upgraded to 128mb. I reccomend getting a 128mb card and the Sony camera case. Not only is this one of the best cameras in its class it includes decent software and rechargeable batteries that are at least a 20$ value. HIGHLY reccomend over canon,kodak, and fuji. One more thing this camera has CARL Zeiss lens (if you dont know, great lens) all the competetors have generic lens."
	Sony Cybershot DSCF88 5MP Digital Camera with 3x optical Zoom Editorial Review: Kick back with your favorite DVDs anywhere! Sleek, portable player features IR wireless remote. Plays DVDs, CDs, MP3s and Kodak Picture CDs. Includes 12V power source adapter and Li-Ion Battery Pack. Model D1710. 90-day limited warranty.

PC Magazine Guide to Digital Photography

Editorial Reviews from Book News, Inc.
A couple of digital photography experts weigh the advantages and disadvantages of film vs. digital photography, and explain the basics underlying both types of photography. The Grottas provide reality checks on such issues as whether the number of megapixels really matter, and tips on camera selection, use, and e-mailing and organizing photos. The handbook includes color and b&w images, a glossary, and sidebars and Web links for further technical details.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland.

From the Back Cover The megapixel hype
The fact is a camera’s megapixel rating is only a measure of how many pixels (photosensitive sites) an image sensor has…. An image sensor is simply one component of an entire system that produces a digital photograph… So resist buying into the megapixel hype when you’re choosing a digital camera. From Chapter 1

Digital Cameras	Binoculars	Canon	Sony
Photo Printers	Telescopes	Kodak	Nikon