Olympus's telephoto Mju II zoom compact — 38-80mm, autofocus, weather-resistant clamshell body, 1999.
The Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 80, known as the Mju II Zoom 80 in markets outside North America, was released in the late 1990s as part of the Mju II / Stylus Epic zoom family. It carried the weather-resistant clamshell body of the line and offered a longer zoom range than the standard model, extending to an 80mm telephoto setting as its name indicates.
The Stylus Epic Zoom 80 is a fixed-lens 35mm autofocus compact whose zoom lens reaches roughly 38mm at the wide end to 80mm at the long end. It has autofocus, automatic exposure, and a built-in flash with several modes, plus motorised film handling and lithium-battery power. The sliding clamshell cover switches the camera on and protects the lens, and the body follows the weather-resistant design of the Mju II line.
In use the Zoom 80 suits a photographer who wants extra telephoto reach in a sealed pocket compact for travel and everyday photography, allowing tighter framing of distant subjects than the shorter zoom models. It remains an automatic camera at heart, so its appeal is convenience and the extended zoom rather than manual control over exposure or depth of field.
When buying, run the zoom to its full 80mm setting and confirm autofocus, flash and motorised transport work on a fresh lithium cell, as the camera is entirely battery-dependent. Inspect the lens for haze and fungus, check the clamshell and the film-door and back seals that provide weather resistance, and look at the battery compartment for corrosion, a recurring issue on electronic compacts of this era.