The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 12/23/22

Olympus VR-330

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The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 12/22/22

Olympus VR-330

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The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 12/21/22

Olympus VR-330

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The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 12/20/22

Olympus VR-330

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Olympus VR-330, In iAuto Micro Mode

Compact Comeback: Images with a vintage compact digital superzoom camera with a 14MP CCD sensor, a 12.5× optical zoom (24-300 mm equivalent) lens, and a 3.0-inch LCD screen, praised for its light frame and mechanical image stabilization.

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I am accentuating my interest in vintage digital cameras with CCD sensors with the addition of a compact superzoom from Olympus to the collection. The camera, an Olympus VR-330, is one of a pair of VR cameras launched by Olympus in 2011, and it comes fitted with a 14MP CCD sensor.

Features include a 24-300mm equivalent zoom lens, dual image stabilization, 720p HD movie capture, 3-inch LCD screen, 1cm super macro mode, Olympus Magic Filters, auto-focus tracking, and Intelligent Auto Mode.

The VR-330 is also fitted with a 3D mode that merges two consecutively shot images, where the second image is taken from a slightly different perspective. The data is processed in-camera.MPO file, the universal industry 3D format for easy display on 3D televisions or laptops. The VR-320, on the other hand, does not have the 3D mode feature. Both are available at very low prices on the auctions, and for CCD sensor enthusiasts, this could be a very strong bet.

Testing the point-and-shoot was straight and simple. The Menu System of the VR-330, selectable from the LCD display, lists Program Auto, iAuto (Intelligent Auto), Scene, Magic, Panorama, and 3D as selectable or intelligent options, each with its own selection of subset variables. For example, the iAuto (Intelligent Auto) mode switches itself to the iAuto Macro Mode for the close-up shots posted here.

Olympus VR-330

A very intelligent start, and with the impressive set of images captured by the CCD sensor, it looks like the camera is in for the long run.

JCPenney Auto 135mm f/2.8, Mild and Mellow

Cameras and Lenses: Images with a legacy JCPenney Auto 135mm f/2.8, a vintage, third-party manual-focus prime, sold by the JCPenney department store chain, a 270mm full-frame equivalent on the Olympus PEN E-P5, mild and mellow.

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The JCPenney Auto Lens 135mm f/2.8 manual focus prime telephoto lens that I tested is probably an early version manufactured in Japan (as it carries the 'Made in Japan' mark) before production was moved to Korea, and the elements were multi-coated (as seen on a few other images of similar items posted on the Net).

Looking up the lens's heritage was also quite impossible. Aside from a very scant mention that 'Pentax had a deal with JCPenney and some other department store chains some years ago...', there are no clear indications of which manufacturer the lens originates from.

Olympus PEN E-P5, JCPenney Auto 135mm f/2.8

The test unit is an MD-mount, very well done, in all metal and glass, with superb mechanics and very smooth focal action, and as far as I can see, it is still in top-mint condition. I had the lens mounted on the E-P5 for these shots, wide open, handheld. Impressive images.