Latest – Review and Sample Photos by ePhotozine (added 02 March ’08)
The Olympus FE-280 features:
- 8 megapixels
- 3x optical zoom lens
- ISO up to 1600
- Face detection
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Reviewers Conclusions & Verdicts – (updated 02 March ’08)
ePhotozine – 02 March’08 – reviews the Olympus FE-280 and felt the camera produced crummy photos. Here’s a summary of their review -
“On paper the FE-280 looks pretty cool but sadly in the real world the camera lets you down in most respects. Shutter lag was unbearable and what’s up Olympus for not having continuing shooting mode. After all it’s a budget camera but it still lacks some basic features. Images, ah the images, well in a nutshell they were blurry.”
Rating: 
Cameras.co.uk – 24 January’08 – reviews the Olympus FE-280 and acknowledges the photos could be sharper. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Here’s a midrange digital camera with run of the mill image quality. If actual weight and ease of use are your criteria then this one should rte pretty high. Being one of the cheapest cameras on the market the FE-280 does what is was intended to do. Nice easy to use camera that does not insult the pocketbook.”
Rating:
PCWorld – 20 November’07 – reviews the Olympus FE-280 and notes this camera does not break any new ground and delivers average looking images. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“The FE-280 is cheap and cute, and it fits easily in my pocket. Anyone with serious photographic ambitions, however, will outgrow it quickly.”
Rating:
Steves-Digicams – 29 October’07 – reviews the Olympus FE-280 and was impressed with the small size and feature set. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“As one of three new additions to the Olympus “FE” lineup, the 280 is definitely the smallest. Sporting an 8- megapixel image sensor, 3x optical zoom, and 21 preprogrammed scene modes, it isn’t necessarily small in features. This is an excellent camera for the beginning photographer, or someone that wants to have one around that isn’t bulky or in the way. The built-in Guide allows for the user to learn about photography as well as take the best possible pictures in any situation.”
Rating: 
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at ePhotozine]
[Sample Photos at Cameras.co.uk]
[Sample Photos at Steves-Digicams]
Specifications
[Official Olympus Specifications]
Owners Manual
Press Excerpt
London, 23 August 2007 – With an ultra-slim, stainless metal exterior available in four brilliant colours, the Olympus FE-280 represents a new generation of fun and easy digital photography. Express yourself with a choice of silver, blue, black or red, while enjoying the performance of 8.0 Megapixels and the power of the new TruePic III image processor. Including a large 6.4cm LCD for added viewing ease, the feature-packed Olympus FE-280 goes above and beyond to offer you a brilliant combination of simplicity and functionality.
The Olympus FE-280 will be available from September 2007 at around £140. For further information call 0800 0720070 or visit www.olympus.co.uk.
Boasting 8.0 Megapixels of detail-capturing power, the Olympus FE-280 takes you further with the greatest of ease. BrightCapture Technology coupled with Face Detection Technology – for the most accurate depiction of human subjects – guarantees images of the highest quality with no extra effort on your part. A 3x optical zoom works with the large 6.4cm LCD to make framing and reviewing shots a breeze. The integrated TruePic III image processor ensures that every pixel is immortalised in true Olympus quality, while the high ISO settings help to prevent blur caused by camera shake.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
The Olympus fe-280 is a good strating camera for younger photographers. There are plenty of settings and easy controlls that can enhance your pictures.
A few features that I appreciate: 1) you can crop your picture right on the camera 2) you can get rid of redeye right on the camera 3) 8.0 megapixels. (this creates clear, sharp pictures 4) There is a 4x digital zoom, and a 3x optical zoom. (optical zoom creates a more blurred look, while digital is crisp) 5) The software that comes with it is suitable
cons: 1) you cannot change the aperature or shutter speed manually 2)does not take good pictures in gyms
I was able to use my FE-280 for only 2 months. It just didn’t work anymore and the lens will not come out when you power it on. When I sent it to Olympus, they wanted me to pay 81.00 for the repair saying that the lens was tilted due to impact voiding the warranty. The product was not misused, it just did not work anymore. Olympus is definitely trying to keep away from its obligation of replacing the unit or at least repairing it for free. This was definitely a case of a lemon product which Olympus chooses not to address. I thought Olympus was professional enough to address this but I was wrong!!! I hope others who have had this problem will comment on this too.
J Carlo, I have the same problem as well ! I’ve had mines since October 2007 and on a trip to the mall (last month) it was working fine because i had taken it out several times to take pictures but on the way back home i wanted to take pictures once more and the lens did not want to come out either
I loved this camera until one day out of the blue it stopped working. I tried to turn it on and it made a wierd sound while it was trying to focus. It made this sound for like three or four seconds then it finally stopped and the screen was black. If i switched the settings to something other than what i turned it on with the screen showed up blurry. I can only take blurry pictures and i want my camera to work again! I can still look at hte pictures that were already on my taken on my camera but thats it. I didnt mishandle it at all… it was working fine one moment then it wasnt the next. I also found out that ALOT of other people are experiencing the same problem I am so i have concluded that this is a manufacturers mistake and not mine… why should i have to pay for it to get fixed then?
Also even though i cant tell exactly how long i had my camera before this started because i just started using my moms ( which i dont like) i noticed that most people started having this problem about a year after they bought the camera… which is funny since that is when the warrenty ends????
I’ve used this camera for two years with no problems. I suspect J Carlo, Darlene, and Lauren simply represent the handful of dumbasses in our society who have ‘technical problems’ with ANYTHING they get their non-opposable thumbs near. Here’s a clue – read the manual.
Same problem as Lauren. If you search the web it is a very common problem with this camera. Before it broke it took very nice photos.