I wanted a small camera with a very long lens which I could carry in my bag. To this end, I gave up the idea of getting something classy and bought a Minolta ProShot with a 67X zoom lens. It was less than a quarter of the price of the better models. By the time I bought it, I had read up on it in a variety of places. Read all the reviews. Knew this wasn’t going to be taking pictures of the quality I’m used to but it should do the job.

According to the measurements provided by Minolta, this should be have been a slightly-too-big for my pocket camera. It turns out their measurements are off by a more than half an inch front to back. Just enough to make it not fit into any of the small camera bags. But, they included bag. It’s not much of a bag, but it’s good enough to wrap it up so when I carry it, it won’t get scratched.

This is not a pocket camera though it is smaller than any of my Olympus’ and has an insanely long lens. It’s too big for a pocket and it weighs in at more than two pounds. Heavy. It isn’t as big as the Olympus’ cameras’ but it outweighs them. So not a pocket camera. It should fit in my bag because my bag is huge. I knew I’d be carrying a camera eventually so I prepared.

What I keep noticing about “compact” cameras is they aren’t really compact. Once upon a time, they were small enough to slide in a pocket, but that time ended about 20 years ago. To make these very long-lensed cameras smaller, they compress a huge amount of lens and electronics into a small body. But nothing can make that super long lens any lighter. The optics are heavy.

It’s not plastic. No hint of plastic anyway. It is very sturdy and feels solid. Fits nicely in my hands. It is designed for real amateurs, so it has a very simple menu which is fine with me. I am totally lost in most camera menus. I won’t get lost in this one.

It came with a manual. A small one half in Japanese, but at least they give you something. It was no help on two subjects: how to use the menu (I figured it out) and the size filter it needs. I eventually found the filter size — 52mm — in one of their Q&As.

I took a few pictures.

I bought it yesterday it being almost the exact amount I had remaining from our tax refund after paying the oil bill, buying fixtures for two out of three bathrooms — AND putting money into savings.

It’s takes better photos than the iPhone but isn’t in the same class as my Olympus OM-Ds.

As soon as I saw how big and heavy it is, I considered returning it. Reality said “keep it.” It’s not small and light, but I wanted that long lens without having to haul my long lens and best camera wherever we wander. I can’t haul a lot of heavy stuff anymore.

I’m pretty sure it will do what I need. Better than the iPhone but not one of the better lenses I have known. But, the price was right. It one cost less than the least expensive of my lenses, even those I bought used. It doesn’t have the fine resolution to which I’ve become accustomed but I knew that when I bought it. You can’t blame a camera for not being better than expected.

This one is exactly what I expected except bigger and heavier. Even reading those very incorrect measurements, did I really believe I’d get that huge lens in a pocketable camera? I was deluded.

For the price, it will do and it may be better than I think. I only tried it inside when the light was very low outside. Maybe the sun will shine tomorrow.

Categories: #gallery, #Photography, Anecdote, Cameras

Tags: #Photography, Camera, compact camera, Marilyn Armstrong