Is This Compact Point and Shoot Film Camera Worth the Money?

Field magazine

What to Look Out for When Buying an Olympus Mju II

The Mju II has rubber, weatherproof seals that will eventually degrade and are impossible to replace. Be sure to check those before purchasing to see if they look intact so you don’t get a dud that produces light leaked images. Also, the LCD screens on all of these cameras will all eventually fail—old tech is old tech. If you see one listed with a failing or problematic LCD, that means that this camera is likely on its way to camera heaven, so avoid it.

Lastly, check the battery door. As they aren’t the most robust cameras ever built, the battery doors bear the brunt of the impact when dropped, and you’ll often see them taped together somewhat artistically. I would avoid buying one that has clearly been dropped from a decent height, for obvious reasons.

Iterations & Alternatives

The success of the Stylus/Mju line spurred Olympus to build out a full collection of point and shoot film cameras with confusingly similar names and looks. If you search for a Stylus, you’ll likely encounter one of the many Olympus Mju Zoom and Olympus Mju II Zoom cameras—it’s all essentially the same camera equipped with an 80, 115, or 170mm zoom lens (there are other focal lengths too). The Stylus Epic Zoom series cameras are all very affordable and plentiful. Though be suer to check the seals on the telescoping zoom lenses—failing gaskets will lead to light leaks when zoomed in.

Final Verdict: Is the Mju II Worth It?

Based on its unique aesthetic, compact size, the quality and speed of the lens, the level of reliability in terms of its auto exposure and autofocus, how easy it is to use, its remarkable weather resistance and how readily available they are on the market, I do feel that the Olympus Mju II is the best point and shoot film camera. The crux of the issue comes down to how much you’re willing to pay for one, as there simply isn’t a comparable alternative for cheaper. The price is rising, but this is a camera I’ll have on me forever (or until it dies).

Would I spend $500 on a replacement if/when mine died/dies? Probably. I don’t necessarily recommend that you do, as it’s essentially a $500 gamble on what could ultimately just be a piece of plastic hand candy. I have become emotionally attached to these little 35mm cameras and rarely leave the house without one. It looks good, it feels good, it shoots good. All in all, I believe these cameras are truly worthy of the hype, though I’m sure I’m not doing myself any favors by broadcasting that to the world. I haven’t found a shot I can’t shoot with it, but I’ll sure as heck keep trying and report back when I do.

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