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Olympus VR-370

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Olympus VR-370, In The Morning Light

Compact Comeback: An early morning session with the 16MP CCD Olympus VR-370, a compact 12.5x optical zoom point-and-shoot digital superzoom released in 2013.

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An early morning 'compact comeback' session with the Olympus VR-370, a 12.5x optical zoom point-and-shoot digital superzoom released in 2013.

The camera combines a straightforward point-and-shoot functionality with a respectable zoom range and CCD imagery for enthusiasts of sensor legacy.

The VR-370 is fitted with a 16MP 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor paired with the TruePic III+ image processor.

Olympus retained the CCD lineage for this compact line to leverage the sensor's reputation for color accuracy and low noise characteristics typical of CCD technology.

The 12.5x optical zoom lens spans the 24 to 300mm 35mm equivalent zoom range, with a maximum aperture of f/3.0 (wide) to f/3.3 (telephoto). It features close-focusing capability, ranging from 20cm in macro mode to 1cm in super-macro mode. The camera has a shutter speed range from 4 to 1/2000 seconds.

The functionalities of the VR-370 are supported by a 460,000-dot 3.0-inch LCD for both recording and playback, along with video recordings at 720P (1280×720) and VGA (640×480) in either 30fps or 15fps, using AVI Motion JPEG files.

Exposure modes include Program Auto (P Mode), Intelligent Auto (M Mode), Beauty Mode, Scene Presets with 15 submodes, Magic Art Filters with 10 effects, and a Panorama Mode that captures up to 10 sequential frames for external edge-stitching.

The VR-370 also comes with three AF options: Face/iESP auto-detection recognizes human faces, displaying white frames around detected subjects which turns green upon focus lock; Spot AF that restricts focus to a center target mark; and AF Tracking that locks onto moving subjects like pets, children, or sports action.

Olympus VR-370

Image Stabilization is supported by the VR-370 with sensor-shift (mechanical) stabilization and intelligent high-ISO elevation, activated by either half-pressing (standard) or full depression (more aggressive) of the shutter button, and a dedicated 'Off ' setting for tripod work.

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Olympus PEN E-PM2, Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8

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Photo of the Day

Olympus PEN E-PM2, Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
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Photo of the Day

Olympus PEN E-PM2, Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Olympus PEN E-PM2, Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Olympus PEN E-PM2, Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8

Digital Moments: First impression images with the Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8, a legacy wide-angle lens known for its excellence and many variants.

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What seems to be the main points of discussion around the legacy Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8, a classic manual focus wide-angle prime lens acknowledged as an excellent example of a third-party lens manufactured in the 1980s, are not about the quality of their images, but rather the origins of its manufacturer.

The lens, known to have several variants, is primarily manufactured by Komine, is identified by the serial number 28xxxxxxxx. And is available in multiple mounts, including Canon FD, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus OM, Pentax K, and others.

The unit I have, however, has the serial number etched on the lower part of the lens barrel itself (rather than on the lens trim plate), and has the serial number starting with 98xxxxxxxx, which, as pointed out on PentaxForums, is manufactured by Cosina.

Nominally, as described for the Komine version, the lens is a 7-element in 7 groups design with multicoated elements, has 6 iris blades, a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters, takes 49mm filters, weighs around 206 grams, and comes with a non-rotating front element.

The Cosina version of the lens enjoys a rating of Sharpness at 7.7, Aberrations at 7.7, Bokeh at 7.4, Handling at 8.0, and Value at 9.1 on the forum.

Aside from the starting serial numbers already noted, there is also a version identified as Vivitar 28mm f/2.8 Close Focus Wide Angle, which differs from the 28mm f/2.0 version by having a slower aperture and an aperture click between f/11 and f/16, and a Kiron version of the lens with serial numbers starting with 22xxxxxxxx.

On the mirrorless Olympus PEN E-PM2, the lens is equivalent to a 56mm lens on a 35mm full-frame camera, with a versatile mid-telephoto perspective that is an excellent choice for portraits (headshots to half-body), with potentially excellent subject isolation and creamy bokeh.

The focal length is also excellent for detail shots in travel, and isolating subjects in street photography with compression that adds a pleasing, three-dimensional look.

On APS-C DSLRS with 1.5x crop sensors, the Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8 will be equivalent to a 42mm prime, just a titch wider than the 40mm, which is considered the 'sweet spot' lens for photography for its natural perspective that mimics what the eye sees, ideal for everyday shooting, street, and travel, for its ability to balance wide scenes with subject isolation.

Olympus PEN E-PM2, Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8

The Olympus PEN E-PM2, one of the smallest and lightest footprints among interchangeable lens cameras, is an entry-level MFT (Micro Four Thirds) system camera introduced in 2012. The camera features a 16.1MP CMOS sensor, the same as found on the OM-D E-M5, acknowledged for its excellent image quality and color reproduction, a 3-inch touch LCD screen, Full HD 1080p video recording with full-time autofocus.

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