Light, big zoom (equivalent to 160 or 170 on a 35mm)

Some of the control menus are confusing. You feel at times it's necessary to read the manual to learn to use a function.

I've had this camera for years and love it. It's light and has created many great pictures through many backpacking trips.

Customer Service

I've never had a problem until now. It's dead I think (tried two batteries) and it's expensive ($40) to have the film taken out and to repair (~$100). APS is also dying out so I may go back to 35mm.

Similar Products Used:

35mm cameras.

Great camera! User friendly and produces great pics. Would do with a lttle less bulk, but nevertheless a cool APS camera!

Ergonomic hold, strap was comfortable to me, zoom was good, pictures were crisp. Finger placement allowed for natural zoom and shooting movements.

It is not made anymore.

The best APS on the market. The only reason I am not using it now, is that I LOST IT! The reviewer woh panned this product should have been more honest in his rating. If this was his only experience in APS, then he should not have reviewed the camera, since it isn't the camera he has a problem with but the APS format. I loved the beautiful photos I got from it. I have gorgeous panaramic pictures of the Seattle Skyline and even pictures I took at a friends wedding, that they paid me for afterward! I love experiencing all forms of camera technology, and there are advantages and disadvantages to all, so it mostly depends on the user. So if you like APS, This is the camera to get. Yashica (and Contax) make the finest cameras out there.

Customer Service

At one point the camera would not power it on. My camera repair place sent it in for me, and I had it back in brand new condition in less than 2 weeks.

Similar Products Used:

Kodak APS, 35mm Yashica, Nikon, Pentax cameras.

The physical design of the camera makes it quite easy to use, just like the earlier Samurai cameras. It will complete my collection of Samurai cameras. I can point to it and explain to my students how technology doesn''t necessarily make things better over time.

Specifically the APS format (inclusive of Kodak''s Advantix film, very poor focus and exposure control.

This camera is junk. Technically speaking, it works as advertised. The results are just terrible. I tested this camera side by side with the other 3 Samurai half-frame cameras that I own, as well as a Profile 4000 IX demo from the dealer, and the quality of the results from both of these cameras is so obviously inadequate. The half-frame negative is slightly smaller that the APS negative, but exposed in a good camera, the results are far superior to APS. Plus I get 72 exposures on a roll. For processing, I used Kodak for both 35mm and APS. Thank goodness Kodak still processes the half-frame format. All the Kodak hype about their Advantix film is just so much hot air. I''m completely at a loss to understand why they are pushing this crummy film on one hand, and no longer producing their outstanding Kodachrome 25 on the other hand. I used Kodak APS film (Advantix) in 100, 200 and 400 speeds and Kodak Gold 35mm film in 100 and 200 and Max in 400 for my test. Shooting the same subjects side by side, the results are incredibly different. My biggest complaints are with the grain and color saturation in all three Advantix films and the lousy focus with the Profile camera. I was really amazed that the Advantix film seemed to over-saturate the colors, particularly reds and blues. The Samurai X3.0, X4.0 and Z models were all right on in focus and exposure. If I didn''t know which film was exposed in each of these cameras, I would not have been able to distinguish which photo came from which camera. Too bad Yashica quit making the Samurai series. They quit making a winner to produce junk.

Customer Service

I am considering sending this camera to Yashica to see if there is some mechanical defect, but since my test involved using two of these cameras with the same poor results, I''m not sure.

Similar Products Used:

Yashica Samurai X3.0, X4.0, Z and ZL. I have not used any other APS camera -- and most definitely will not.

The most natural way to hold a camera. The vertical, palm-sized body not only fits comfortably in your hand, it allows for longer zoom. Very versatile and easy to shot with.

None!!!

Yashica figured out the best way to hold a camera and then put everything they had into it! Great optics, super zoom, everything is where I would put it if I were designing it for myself.

Similar Products Used:

This is the first APS camera I have owned. Many more features than most point and shoot cameras.

Ergonomic control. Good zoom. Picture quality is good for an APS camera.

Fails to rewind at times. Not a very rugged camera. APS film can be grainy.

This would be a great camera if it hadn't had mechanical problems with the rewind. Other than this, the picture quality and unusual shape of the device make it a good camera.

Similar Products Used:

Elph's. Some 35mm SLR's.

Design, photo quality, ease of use

None so far

I really love this camera. It's unique design makes it really easy to use and is an eye-catcher. Even though it has alot of sweet features it's still really easy to use and takes great photos. For an amateur like myself the Advanced Photo System is great, I love takin panoramic landscapes. Just a great product!

Similar Products Used:

Nikon Nuvis 125i, Canon Elph

Shape, size, design, brilliant ergonomics, ALWAYS gets attention EVERYWHERE.

Picky about film, no hand strap, have to tell people how to use it whenever you want someone to take a picture of you, ALWAYS gets attention EVERYWHERE.

NOTE: If you insist on being technical about it, my camera is a Yashica "Samurai 4000iX" not a "Profile Zoom 4000iX". They look the same and have the same feature set, so I think the name is just to distinguish American and European models.

I bought this camera for two reasons, its form-factor and its size. It has the same basic design as the much larger old 35mm Canon Photura, except for the trick lens cover/flash of that model. It's the most ergonomically brilliant camera I've yet seen, with indentations that fit a wide variety of hand-sizes very well, and the smartest zoom control that I've yet seen. It also feels well built. The US models I've seen have a strap for your hand that mine doesn't, even though it has the holes. I've been meaning to buy the strap for a while but never got around to it.

I use it for taking pictures when I travel, and for that purpose it works just fine while being very easy to carry. For some reason, mine only likes 40-exposure film, though, and it seems to have fairly short battery life. It doesn't seem to be as well made as a Leica, but the way I see, by the time it breaks digital cameras will be much better.

Similar Products Used:

Fuji, Canon Photura, Minota Maxxium 7, Canon ALPH

Style, 4x zoom, one hand operation

a little bigger than some of the other APS cameras on the market

I really liked the style of the camera. I just got it a few weeks ago and intend to take it on an upcoming trip. The one roll of 200 speed film I have shot came out very clear.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

None

Excellent Configuration, Controls well Placed, Small, Light, Easy to Use, Some of the best pictures with APS film yet. I use nothing but 400 Speed Film for the best performance.

None so Far.

I have a Fuji 4000ix that probably takes the best APS pictures so far. I wanted something a little smaller with a long zoom like it, so I tried the Yashica Profile 4000ix and the quality of the pictures are real close and the features on it are great. Carrying the Profile is easier because of it size and flat design. The Fuji 4000ix is like a 35mm in style. I am really impressed by this little camera. Yashica has a real winner here. Excellent for the Novice or the Expert.

Customer Service

Have not needed it yet.

Similar Products Used:

Fuji 4000ix, Samsung Impax 200s, Fuji 3500ix (Lousy Pictures)