Olympus's top i-series APS compact — 21-58mm zoom (26-73mm equiv), 199-step AF, six flash modes, 145g, 2001.
The i Zoom 3000, launched in February 2001, topped Olympus's 'i' series of ultra-compact Advanced Photo System cameras, joining the 3x i Zoom 75VF-E and 2x i Zoom 2000. It was positioned as the value 3x-zoom model of the trio, with a 0.4mm stainless-steel front panel dressing up a 145g body measuring just 92x61x34mm.
The 21-58mm zoom lens (equivalent to 26-73mm in 35mm terms with H-type printing) uses two aspherical elements and a 199-step autofocus system. Six flash modes include red-eye reduction, fill-in, night scene and combinations; macro focusing reaches 60cm at wide (80cm at telephoto). APS C/H/P print formats switch mid-roll, and a magnetic IX head records shooting data to the film for the lab.
As a shirt-pocket zoom compact it made a neat travel and street camera, and the switchable panorama framing was half the fun of APS. Handling is minimal-button simple, with the viewfinder masking to match the selected print format so the user sees roughly what the print will show.
The overriding used-market fact is that APS film was discontinued in 2011: only expired stock remains, developing options are limited, and many examples now sell as display or parts pieces. For shooters, confirm the camera powers up, the cartridge door and film transport work, the flash charges, and the data-back LCD displays — then budget for expired film and speciality processing.