Well if you get great prints at that size, then I think we can safely say that the UZi is indeed NOT obsolete, nor will it be anytime soon, no matter what technology comes out in the next 5 years.
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Why buy a spare UZI?
- Thread starter Bill45025
- Start date
Michael Meissner
Forum Pro
Obstacle number three: Oly lost a lot of money in the last quarter. Cameras that need a lot of engineering and marketing will probably get short shift.
Obstacle number four: The heralded Olydak (Oly lenses + Kodak back if memory serves) seems to have been consigned to the dustbin of history. Foevan seems to have stolen a lot of their thunder.
Obstacle number five: Oly seems to want to focus more on consumer level cameras and leave the pro-sumer market to Nikon, Sony, and Canon. I wouldn't be surprised if a follow-on to the E20 and C-4040 are also a long time in coming. Also, some of their newer consumer level cameras have fewer special features than the previous generation (ie, D-520Z vs D-510Z eliminating TIFF mode, C-720UZ vs C-700UZ eliminating external flash and ISO 800, C-3020 vs. C-3040 eliminating fast lens, external flash), though obviously the newer cameras do have typically one new feature such as more megapixels (C-720UZ), or reduced size/weight (D-520Z), or reduced cost (C-3020).
I don't think Oly ever really understood the market for this camera or the E100RS. In some senses, the camera was probably released at the end of one era (the smaller pro-sumer marketplace with people looking at features, and would be willing to pay somewhat more, but not too much, etc.) and the new era is upon us (more consumers that are price orientated and not as much feature orientated, sales through CompUSA, Walmart, Best Buy, etc. instead of camera stores, which means you first have to sell to the institutional buyers before they will push your product).
Another thing that kind of disturbs me is that they don't seem to think of brand loyality, particularly when it comes to upgrades. Ideally you want a range of cameras that go from point and shoot through the pro-sumer up to the pro-level. Fuji and Canon have this, and Oly used to, but they sure seem to be thinning out the herd.
Eric Carlson
Veteran Member
Three more reasons: What if you drop your UZI? That's not covered by the warranty. What if you have to send your UZI in for repair? You might want to have a second UZI to use while it's getting fixed. What if your UZI is stollen?
You could also set up both UZI's next to each other to take stereo images. And you can use one UZI to take photos of your other UZI.
I was thinking about buying a spare UZI, but now that Heidi has one too, it's not as necessary.
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You could also set up both UZI's next to each other to take stereo images. And you can use one UZI to take photos of your other UZI.
I was thinking about buying a spare UZI, but now that Heidi has one too, it's not as necessary.
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Thanks for the link. Haven't read it yet, but I bookmarked it for later.
It might look like I'm doing nothing but, at the cellular level I'm really quite busy.
http://www.pbase.com/cyber_dude/my_pix
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It might look like I'm doing nothing but, at the cellular level I'm really quite busy.
http://www.pbase.com/cyber_dude/my_pix
Eric Carlson
Veteran Member
With a regular camera, each full color pixel is created from one (or more) red, green, and blue dots next to each other on the sensor, whereas the Foveon detects all three colors for a given pixel from the exact same point on the sensor.
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Ok, I finally bought an UZI because of the price drop--for the money, you can't beat it. But I must say one thing, I don't know how important this is to anyone else, but looks ARE important to me, too (I'm so shallow)! As wonderful as the UZI is, it still looks/feels like a toy to me. As some of you may have seen in some of my other posts, I owned an E-10 for awhile. Now, that looks/feels like a real camera. I would like a more serious looking/feeling camera when I get another. What I'm saying is that the UZI is for me, a stopgap camera--great because of the price drop--but not it for me. Now, don't hate me, ok? It's just my opinion and I'm not saying anyone who disagrees with me is wrong. But I still am expecting much better things around the corner in performance, build, and looks. Sure, it may not have 10X zoom, but if it has a good adapter, or maybe even interchangeable lenses, I'd be happy. Sure, it may not have IS, but I got along for many years w/o it, though I would love to continue to have it. Those of you who are satisfied w/the UZI and don't want/need more--GREAT for you. I'd buy as many as I could get my hands on! But some of us others would like to move on as soon as is feasible. It's like someone said, a 60-something VW can fulfill your basic needs just fine, but if we just went by basic needs, we wouldn't have the myriad models of cars we do, or the myriad choices we have when it comes to almost anything. I guess what I'm getting at with all this rambling is, simply, different strokes for different folks. 
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It might look like I'm doing nothing but, at the cellular level I'm really quite busy.
http://www.pbase.com/cyber_dude/my_pix
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It might look like I'm doing nothing but, at the cellular level I'm really quite busy.
http://www.pbase.com/cyber_dude/my_pix
In fact, every aspect of the Uzi has been surpassed several times over. To say that 2 megapixels is enough when the common camera these days is 4 MP and there are other going up to 6 MP and more, is silly. The 10x zoom has been around a while and almost all of the upper line cameras (Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc) come with better quality lens, better glass now. Ergonomics have been vastly improved since the Uzi was prime real estate.
What has not been matched yet, and as far as I can tell will not be matched soon, is THE PACKAGE, the particular combination of features that make the Uzi a standout. I have owned three or four cameras better than the Uzi in the last four years, but no one of them is better in every respect .
What is most odd is that Canon, who I understand supplied the lens for the Uzi and its own Pro90, has not managed a new, high res camera with the 10x IS lens. Canon could very well sweep the high end consumer market with such a camera, but it has not done so. My understanding is that this has to do with the new lens that would be required to deal with the new, larger chips--that building such a lens is cost prohibitive.
Thus is doesn't seem likely that any camera will soon match the Uzi's particular combination of features, so even if you own a G2, a 707, a Nikon 5000 or the new one, well, the Uzi has you beat one way or another.
Long live the Uzi.
fbx
What has not been matched yet, and as far as I can tell will not be matched soon, is THE PACKAGE, the particular combination of features that make the Uzi a standout. I have owned three or four cameras better than the Uzi in the last four years, but no one of them is better in every respect .
What is most odd is that Canon, who I understand supplied the lens for the Uzi and its own Pro90, has not managed a new, high res camera with the 10x IS lens. Canon could very well sweep the high end consumer market with such a camera, but it has not done so. My understanding is that this has to do with the new lens that would be required to deal with the new, larger chips--that building such a lens is cost prohibitive.
Thus is doesn't seem likely that any camera will soon match the Uzi's particular combination of features, so even if you own a G2, a 707, a Nikon 5000 or the new one, well, the Uzi has you beat one way or another.
Long live the Uzi.
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fbx
I've heard people say this but never seen any evidence. Is this a known thing (can you point me to a reference?) or just speculation?
fbx
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fbx
Where did you get it, please? I can't find one in southern USA.
Psychephylax
Leading Member
Reliable sources
Indirect connection to Corporate?
http://www.pbase.com/psychephylax
Proud owner: Oly 2040Z, 2100UZ, B-300, WCON-08
Indirect connection to Corporate?
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http://www.pbase.com/psychephylax
Proud owner: Oly 2040Z, 2100UZ, B-300, WCON-08
art van deleigh
Active member
- Messages
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1500 bucks and you got a used camera and one lens with very little zoom. now you'll have to tack on several hundred more for a decent 300mm lens with IS. i have a friend who spent a small fortune on a d30 and several lenses and i admit the pics are fantastic. but for me who uses my uzi as a travel camera i could not carry that monster around all day. i tried with a film slr and two lenses on my last vacation and it was almost like work.
Juli Valley
Forum Pro
I have been interested in the Canon Slrs. It looks like you got a good deal. How much was the lens alone?
Phil Wheeler
Senior Member
No. It will be a long time before we see another camera with a 10x image stabilized lens. And it will likely be a dSLR with a very expensive add-on lens.
The Uzi and E-100RS selling at the $500 range was an overproducton fluke it seems.
I'm very happy to have two cameras with this lens system. Megapixels ae not everything!
Phil
Robert Fitzgerald
Member
This has turned into an Olympus R&D discussion. In my orginal post I ment that someone (maybe not olympus) will build the new UZI. I like Oly but I'd buy it from whoever produces it.
It will be expensive at first but like all tech products if your willing to wait 6 months after the release price will come down considerably
Oly 3030z & c-2100 UZI
It will be expensive at first but like all tech products if your willing to wait 6 months after the release price will come down considerably
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Oly 3030z & c-2100 UZI
For me I bought an Uzi strictly because of the price drop. I came from and still actively use film, I have too much invested in that to simply throw it out. Plus, my trusty Canon EOS 650 feels much better in my hand than most digicams, and I am certaintly not willing to pay $1000 for a new camera. Truthfully, the Uzi was a fluke, as it was outside my price range, even at the $500 price. I was looking more at pocketable digicams like the digital elphs, etc, to complement my film set up and to experiment with. When the price dropped further, I jumped on it, and have been very pleased with the camera to date. However, I cannot afford to dump another $4-500 on a spare. I am doing good to pick up an extra 128mb card and maybe an A-200. The extended warranty will have to allay my fears during that time.
I have doubts as to what will show up in the future. A 10x IS camera may be developed with a higher MP count, but it will again be priced way out of my reach. Probably the only way I will be able to afford such a camera is to have the Uzi fail near the end of it's 3 yr warranty, and get a credit towards a new camera if they do not replace it outright with the equivalent model at the time. As much as I love the Uzi, I simply cannot afford a 2nd one strictly as a backup, or really for any other reason. I hope I do not have any problems with it, but if something comes up I will just have to deal with it as it happens.
I have doubts as to what will show up in the future. A 10x IS camera may be developed with a higher MP count, but it will again be priced way out of my reach. Probably the only way I will be able to afford such a camera is to have the Uzi fail near the end of it's 3 yr warranty, and get a credit towards a new camera if they do not replace it outright with the equivalent model at the time. As much as I love the Uzi, I simply cannot afford a 2nd one strictly as a backup, or really for any other reason. I hope I do not have any problems with it, but if something comes up I will just have to deal with it as it happens.
How can you say NO. do you have a crystal ball. Maybe because I work in the tech sector I have a biased view but the landscape changes very rapidly and nothing is certain.
Oly 3030z & c-2100 UZI
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Oly 3030z & c-2100 UZI
UZi_Lovin_Hawaiian
Senior Member
I agree with some of the other posters. Megapixels aside, the UZi makes a great prosumer camera that would take more than double the investment to match (double of $400, not the original retail price). That makes it easy for some who can afford a spare to rationalize the second purchase.
I guess for some the purchase of two of the same product is similar to purchasing a replacement plan, only it guarantees replacement immediately. I do the same with shoes sometimes since companies like Nike keep changing product lines every 6 months or so.
I don't have a spare UZi, but if I had the cash laying around I would be inclined to buy one.
Just curious Bill, if you are the type to keep up with technology why did you purchase your UZi which is basically technology from 2+ years ago?
I'm not sure what your motivation is in pushing this thread, but have to wonder if maybe after all of that hard work you went through to get the perfect UZi (if I'm not mistaken you returned 3 to find the final one that had no dead pixels and no grinding sounds) somehow question the value of the UZi you bought.
Gerald Andrade
aka. Uzi Lovin Hawaiian
Honolulu, Hawaii
I guess for some the purchase of two of the same product is similar to purchasing a replacement plan, only it guarantees replacement immediately. I do the same with shoes sometimes since companies like Nike keep changing product lines every 6 months or so.
I don't have a spare UZi, but if I had the cash laying around I would be inclined to buy one.
Just curious Bill, if you are the type to keep up with technology why did you purchase your UZi which is basically technology from 2+ years ago?
I'm not sure what your motivation is in pushing this thread, but have to wonder if maybe after all of that hard work you went through to get the perfect UZi (if I'm not mistaken you returned 3 to find the final one that had no dead pixels and no grinding sounds) somehow question the value of the UZi you bought.
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Gerald Andrade
aka. Uzi Lovin Hawaiian
Honolulu, Hawaii
Yes i did go through 3 before getting a good one, and no one is questioning the value of the camera. I did buy technology from 2 years ago because it is now affordable. 3 years from now there will be something else affordable with similiar specs.
My motivation behind this thread is obvious "Why would anyone buy two of the same camera?" Its like buying two 1ghz desktop computers when you only need one. A few years from now its forgotten technology. and maybe the people who are quesitoning the technology are indeed those who bought two cameras. If you need to buy two because your afraid one might break.. either you have money to burn or perhaps you should have gotten a product you have more trust in.
I've noticed many people on this forum get offended and touchy when topics such as this are brought up. It gets a little boring if all we do is give group hugs and say 'great pics keep up the good work', so i'd wanted to discuss the technology where it was... where it is.... and where its going
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Oly 3030z & c-2100 UZI
My motivation behind this thread is obvious "Why would anyone buy two of the same camera?" Its like buying two 1ghz desktop computers when you only need one. A few years from now its forgotten technology. and maybe the people who are quesitoning the technology are indeed those who bought two cameras. If you need to buy two because your afraid one might break.. either you have money to burn or perhaps you should have gotten a product you have more trust in.
I've noticed many people on this forum get offended and touchy when topics such as this are brought up. It gets a little boring if all we do is give group hugs and say 'great pics keep up the good work', so i'd wanted to discuss the technology where it was... where it is.... and where its going
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Oly 3030z & c-2100 UZI
L-5
Forum Enthusiast
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jazzman
In a word the price at $399.00 will never be again.I can still get something else later but I would love to always have a 2100 to fall back on.
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