Olympus's budget 5x-zoom compact of 2009 — 12MP CCD, 36-180mm equiv lens, AA power; regional badge of the FE-46
The Olympus X-42 is a regional badge of the Olympus FE-46, a budget point-and-shoot from the tail end of the FE line, released in 2009; the X-41 is a further variant of the same body. Olympus's own manual covers FE-46, X-42 and X-41 together. In the UK the camera commonly turns up under the X-42 name, which is used here, with the FE-46 the reference model for specifications.
It combines a 12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD with a 5x zoom equivalent to 36-180mm at f/3.5-5.6, framed on a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot LCD with no optical finder. Exposure is program-only with scene modes, Magic Filters, face detection and ISO 80-1600. Storage is xD-Picture Card or microSD via Olympus's MASD-1 adapter, plus 19MB internal memory. It records 640x480 motion-JPEG video, has only digital image stabilisation, and runs on two AA batteries rated around 180 shots.
This is a simple, inexpensive family camera: light, pocketable and easy to run on AAs anywhere in the world. The long 5x range gives useful reach for a budget compact, but the lack of optical stabilisation means the telephoto end wants good light, and the 36mm wide end is tight for interiors.
Check which storage the seller includes: xD cards are discontinued and the microSD route needs the small MASD-1 adapter, which is easily lost — a camera without either is awkward to use. AA power avoids charger problems. Test the lens for smooth extension, look for LCD scratches on the finderless body, and confirm the flash charges.