Gage Fletcher Camera — BLOG

Here we go with another film camera review!

This time I’ve got the Olympus Infinity Stylus. My girlfriend managed to pick this point-and-shoot up at a garage sale for a whopping three dollars. An unheard of price for any point-and-shoot. Since one of those Kardashian gals boasted about her film camera on Jimmy Fallon, it seems like all point-and-shoot cameras have surged in price.

I’ve heard a lot of great things about the Olympus Stylus line of cameras, although, in person it seems a little less than impressive. It’s a camera I wouldn’t have given two looks if it weren’t for all the hype. It’s plastic, it’s simple and doesn’t feel all too durable. However, considering it’s compact size and small price tag I’m willing to give it a chance.

I’m no film camera connoisseur. I’m actually pretty easy when it comes to film. As long as it functions as you would expect it to and it gives you some decent images I’m a pretty happy customer. Using this camera was a pleasure. I loaded it up with an old roll of AGFA APX 25 put it in my camera bag and went on my way. Here were my results:

The lonely streets of Guelph Ontario. Surprisingly this was taken pre-pandemic. Doesn’t look like it though!

PROS:

First of all, I love the size of this camera. I could carry this with the rest of my camera kit and it would never be a burden. I would hardly notice it was there. It’s around the same size as your average disposable camera. You can comfortably carry it in your front pocket, and sometimes I did. The next thing I enjoyed about this camera was how simple it is to operate. Open the front door and you’re ready to shoot. Focus, frame, release the shutter and that’s it! It doesn’t get much easier than that. The next thing I noticed about using this camera was… well honestly, nothing else really. This Olympus is so simple and that’s the beauty of it. It’s a point-and-shoot... What more can really be said about the operation of this camera?

CONS:

One nit-picky comment I have about this camera is that every time you close the door at the front it resets all settings. This means you have to be mindful of your flash as it will reset to “auto”. I like these point and shoots because they are super stealthy for street photography. It can be a little embarrassing if your flash goes off when you are trying to be a photo-ninja. This is something that you might do once and then probably learn your lesson and never do again. Very minor gripe. Something I got over almost immediately.

All in all if you are in the market for an easy-to-use camera that is portable and truly fool proof, The Olympus Stylus checks off all of those boxes. The one thing I would be aware of is the potentially high price tag. While this camera is a great little point-and-shoot, it’s not worth shelling out a ton of cash for. If you come across one on the cheap, pick it up. If it’s anything over $40 don’t even bother. Even $40 feels like a lot. Love this camera but wait until the point-and-shoot stock goes down before you buy

SPECIFICATIONS:

Type: Fully automatic, Point-and-Shoot 35mm AF lens/shutter camera with built-in flash.
Lens: 32 mm f/3.5
Focus: Active Multi-Beam Autofocus
Exposure Control: Program AE
Film Speed Setting: ISO 25-3200(?) set automatically
Film Loading / Advance / Rewind: Autowind and rewind.
Shutter Speeds: Shutter speeds of 1/15-1/500s.
Self Timer: 10-second delay.
Power: One 3V CR123A lithium battery. (3V)

Here is one of the most special animal encounters I’ve ever had in my life.

This is a two week old elephant calf. It isn’t a typical sighting to see the calves out in the open like this. Usually the mother and other females hide the calves away in the bush until they are big enough to not be threatened by predators as well as other male bull elephants. While we observed this group from a safe distance the females surrounded the baby and made some pretty intimidating growls to let us know not to come any closer. To my girlfriend and I, every one of these moments in Udawalawe National Park was new and amazing but for our guide who had 10 years of experience guiding folks through the park not a lot got him visibly excited, but this moment got him pretty giddy. What a privilege it was to see this baby up close.