Olympus's slim 7.1MP FE compact — 3x 38-114mm zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, xD card, LI-42B battery
The Olympus FE-230 was a slim 7.1-megapixel compact announced on 25 January 2007 and in shops from February that year, part of the value-focused FE series. Its stainless-metal body was only around 19mm thick, pitching it as a stylish pocket camera at an entry-level price.
It used a 7.1-megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD with a 3x optical zoom equivalent to 38-114mm and 4x digital zoom. A 6.4cm (2.5-inch) LCD handled composition, 18 scene modes included underwater and macro settings, and a High ISO mode reached ISO 1250 for dim conditions. Movies recorded with sound up to card capacity, storage combined internal memory with an xD-Picture Card slot, and power came from a rechargeable LI-42B lithium-ion battery. It measured 91x55x19mm and weighed about 105g.
This is an easy carry-everywhere snapshot camera for beginners and casual street shooting, with the pleasing colour signature of mid-2000s Olympus CCDs. Automation is total — there are no manual exposure controls — and the tiny flash and slow tele aperture cap its low-light ambitions.
Used buyers should confirm a healthy LI-42B battery and charger are included; cells are still cheaply available new. The xD-Picture Card is the awkward part, being discontinued and costly, though internal memory permits basic testing. Check the metal front for dents, the lens cover blades, and the screen for pressure marks.