Sharp lens. For better sharpness, we should rather use 6x7 because of the limitation of 35mm film size, not only the limitation of the lens. Lens aperture fast enough for such zoom range Zoom range suitable for me Fast enough AF for general use (Far better than IS-30!) beautiful look Points comfortably down when hang on the neck. can use G40 flash All P A S M mode available IVP flash, give exact flash no matter how the back ground is. It is one of the best flash other than Minolta ADI FP flash with G40 Power focus available, I use it as focus lock. Macro available

Can't attach more than one flash unit for TTL metering. I like the lens cap of IS-30. Internal flash can cause redeye. I hope that can create a longer flash beam to hold the internal in a higher position. Power focus move too fast. Can't use AA NiMH battery. LCD doesn't have light. No DOF preview. 1 point AF only.

Excellent all around camera. The lens alone worth the price. I don't like their introduction of IS-5000. It is no better than IS-3000 and can't attach G40. I upgraded this camera from IS-30 because IS-30 can't attach G40 and has slower AF, and IS-30 doesn't has so much manual override. I will use this as my main equipment.

Customer Service

Repaired IS-30 in the past. Service in Hong KOng is ok.

Similar Products Used:

IS-300 (IS-30 in USA) Minolta Dynax 5, Pentax SFXn, Minolta XG-1, some P+S

Too many to name them all here. However, high-quality lens, professional-quality program modes and probably the highest-quality built-in flash of any camera are some big strengths

Not enough lens attachments, expensive accessories, bad choice of plastice construction (in some places).

I have used or owned a variety of professional-quality SLRs in the past six years (Nikon N90, Pentax PZ-1p and a bunch of lower-level pentax cameras). I can honestly say that 9 times out of 10 I could use my IS3-dlx for everything I use my N90 and PZ-1p for. Yes, the IS3 can''t accept a wide variety of lenses. But the built-in lens is a HIGH-quality 35-180mm which can even be used in macro mode, and you can buy attachments to make it a 28mm wide or 300mm tele. And the Olympus ED lenses are as good as any lens I''ve ever owned. I can count on one hand the number of times I''ve needed a lens wider than 28mm or longer than 300mm. The various program modes are also as good or better than any of the pro models I''ve used. Although the shutter and motordrive aren''t fast enough to be compared with other pro cameras, the camera is more than fast enough for most applications. And keep in mind, this baby was designed as a cross between a point-and-shoot and a SLR! While most serious photographers who use this camera should buy the G40 flash accessory, the built-in flash is more than powerful enough for most uses. In fact, the built-in flash is one of the best on the market. The only real complaint I have is that the accessories are expensive and that the camera could use a bit more metal in some places (namely, the tripod mount ... it has plastic threads!) Don''t get me wrong. I still use my Pentax PZ-1p for "serious" shooting, but I could probably use my IS3-dlx for almost everything I use the Pentax for.

Customer Service

Never needed (as long as you treat the camera like it''s made of plastic and not concrete and steel.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N90 Pentax PZ1-p

lens quality, versatility, ease of use, portability, easy on the batteries, sheer fun to use

the body material could be a bit more scratch resistant, but overall nothing that really matters

The IS3 (in Holland the IS3000) is a real gem and is underestimated by many. The lens is really very-very good! A lot of really large blow-ups in my home and at work can be called proof of that. I''ve used the likes of canon-L and nikon ED lenses but the IS3000 is (almost) as good as the forementionent prime lenses in sheer quality. As for versatility: you really cant beat the IS3000, not even after almost 10 !!! years from introduction. Canon- and nikon- bodies have come and gone from 1980 onwards, but over the years (from 1994)the IS3000 has served me so well I am certain it will be with me for many years.

Customer Service

still no experience after 7 years of use (about 25 rolls a year for the IS3000)

Similar Products Used:

canon EOS 620/600/5, nikon 801/90/90X, IS1000

The 35-180 lens is very sharp. Just as sharp as many of the old Zeiss lenses, at all focal lengths. The camera is very easy to load and has a plate that keeps the film flat to ensure better photo sharpness. The camera is easy to grip, allowing you to take pictures with one hand, if you are walking the dog, or in some such situation--although it is not light. The camera is very sturdy, although it seems to be of plastic construction. I''ve banged it around a lot and it is working fine. There is just about every mode imaginable, outside of actually being able to focus the camera manually.

You can''t focus it manually, making it not so ideal if you are doing close up work. The macro mode is limited, unless you get a screw on converter, which I don''t have. It ain''t light--although you can successfully take one handed shots, because it is easy to hold. Built in flash can result in red eye, if you do not use the red eye reduction mode, because of its location right above the lens. It would be great if this had the 28mm wide focal lenghth. You can get a converter--but I have other wide angles on other cameras, including the IS-20, so no need.

My wife has the IS-20 that we both like very much, so I decided to upgrade to the ED glass. This camera may be one of the best values on the market for a really great lens at a reasonable price. Check what people are paying for Canon and Nikon ED lenses. The autofocus on this camera works better in low light than the auto focus on the IS20. For someone who is an avid amateur photographer you can''t get much better quality in a low priced package.

Customer Service

Not used.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus IS-20, many manual SLRs including the Minolta x700 and the Pentax ME Super as well as several old M42 mount cameras.

great ergonomics, tack sharp lens, very rare to spit out bad pictures.

quite bulky but i guess you have to consider the lens.

this camera amazes me with it's stunning picture quality. I like that you can be very creative with it's manual feature and when you need to fire off some quick shots, the auto with fuzzy logic is bang on. this is the cadillac of p&s. i can hand it over to my wife and say "go nuts!!".

if you can dig a little deeper into your pocket, the powerful g40 flash is great addition.

Similar Products Used:

om 2n body with various zuiko lenses and many p&s cameras.

Stunning picture quality at almost all conditions. The ability to either use manual or auto-settings is unparalleled. Overall high quality lens and flash.

Expensive accessories, not as rugged as the other SLR bodies, no interchangeable lens. Heavy and hence not a real pocket point and shoot camera. Plastic body shows wear and tear pretty quickly.

Very fine camera with the best P&S results and the flexibility to have manual setting (that I hardly use). Flexible x5 lens.
Get it if you do not mind it being bulky and heavier than similar P&S (with not manual settings) cameras

Customer Service

Pretty OK, sent manual quickly and did not charge me for it (like Sony does)

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS-650, Ricoh Mirai, Samsung EXC-1, Olympus Trip and various other P&S cameras

(Note: this covers the iS-2, identical in most respects to the iS-3.)
-Dead simple ease of use in default auto mode; can hardly be fooled.
-Ergonomics. Wonderfully grippable and balanced.
- The glass is outstanding, best mid-range zoom I've tried. Sharp, contrasty, free of distortion and vignetting. A solid B+ from 35mm to 135mm at all focus distances. Nice bokeh, too (that's the quality of the out-of-focus objects in the foreground and
background) - I'd describe it as "painterly" and not "technical."
-Flash. Auto and fill modes are nearly foolproof.
-Snappy, sure focusing from 35mm to approx. 100mm in dim light. Only small contrast is needed for autofocus to zero in and lock on.
-Relatively quiet and free of vibration for an auto-everything SLR.

-Modes other than default auto mode aren't intuitive.
-Olympus's patented disco-strobe-light redeye reduction system is distracting.
-Some buttons aren't easy to operate without fingernails, particularly the spot mode.
-Focus hunts in low light beyond 100mm, as do most autofocus systems with effective apertures of f/5.6 or smaller. Even assist light doesn't help much.
-Not the best quick-load design. Takes some dexterity to keep curly film leaders in place while closing door.

In a word, outstanding.

If Olympus knew anything about effective marketing the Canon Rebel series would be
in serious trouble.

If you want an SLR with P&S convenience and don't anticipate needing extra stuff -
lenses, etc. - this is the one. Or, rather, the iS-3 is the one, since the iS-2 is discontinued. A few are available factory refurbished with a one-year warranty from Oly.

Auto flash is nearly foolproof. Only a black kitten against a black purse baffled it.
OTOH, a close up of my redeye-prone pet ferret was perfectly exposed with no
vampire eye effect.

And it's got just enough override options to satisfy a perfectionist, altho' I wouldn't
bother with most of 'em. Also available are optical adaptors threaded to fit in front of
the lens to widen the wide, lenghten the telephoto and close the close up gap to near
true macro range. Haven't tried 'em but all are considered excellent quality by folks
whose opinions I respect.

Standard disclaimer: I don't work for Olympus. Hell, I barely work. I shoot Canon FD
gear. I've owned a couple of old Olympus P&S cameras and recently acquired an
OM-1. It's nice, but not enough to force me to blather insincerities. 'nuff said.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM-1, XA-2, XA-3; Canon T70, FTbn, TX; Miranda Sensorex; Pentax Spotmatic; many autofocus P&S and SLR.

Very well built. Good performance. I have the is-3000 and the high speed sync is VERY useful!

Maybe the slow aperture. I often have anothet camera with f:1,4 or 2,0 with me. Otherwise none

The best allround camera I have ever had. A perfect companion on a long trip. Very useful and absolutely worth looking at!

Customer Service

Haven´t used it yet...

Similar Products Used:

Many...Canon EOS 5, Nikon F801s, Minolta Dynax 9xi and more...

Flexible with as much auto and as much manual control as you want. Super lens quality and coverage. Just feels right in your hands. This camera is made in Japan.

None to date. What you buy is what you get.

Is a top line camera which I use as point and shoot and am always satisfied with the results.As senior citizen I had to adjust to a little more weight in a camera but this one is worth it. Have telephoto converter to make focal fixed lens to 300 and it works fine for my sports and bird pictures.I read and studied many camera reviews and am glad I decided on this camera.

Customer Service

Never used.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM body and lens,Olympus Styus Epic, Cannon Photura.

Great ergonomics,fits perfectly in the hands, very comfortable,Super lens (ED glass),35-180, plus 28 and 300mm avail.,makes this one and all around winner! Has about every advanced function you could want on a camera, program, shutter preferred, apeture preferred full manual red eye reduction, date, extended flash with G40. Wow!

None in over five= years

If you want an all around camera, get the IS3 Deluxe, or any of the IS cameras by Olympus, their optics are some of the highest rated in the industry!

Customer Service

Great service, friendly people.

Similar Products Used:

Leica, Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Hassleblad, Contax, Minolta,( I've tried em all (I own a camera store). I use this cam