Olympus's 14MP budget compact — 2010 FE-47 twin with 5x 36-180mm zoom, 2.7in LCD, SD cards and AA power
The Olympus X-43 was a budget 14-megapixel compact from 2010, sold in North America and other regions as the Olympus FE-47 — the two names cover the same camera and share a single instruction manual. It sat at the entry level of Olympus's late FE/X line, pitched at snapshooters who wanted AA-battery convenience.
Inside the 1.1-inch-thick body is a 14-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD behind a 5x optical zoom covering a 36-180mm equivalent range at f/3.5-5.6. Framing and review happen on a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot LCD, as there is no optical viewfinder. Storage is on SD/SDHC cards (up to 32GB SDHC; no xD support), and power comes from two AA cells — alkaline, lithium or NiMH — with a CIPA rating of about 120 shots on alkalines.
It suits casual shooters and buyers who like AA power: flat batteries can be replaced from any corner shop. The long 5x zoom is versatile for a budget compact, though the 36mm wide end is not very wide and the small high-resolution sensor limits low-light quality. Operation is menu-light and beginner-friendly.
The AA power and standard SD cards make this one of the easier old compacts to run today — no proprietary charger to hunt down. Battery life on alkalines is short, so NiMH rechargeables are worth using. Check the LCD for scratches and bright spots, the zoom for smooth travel, and the battery/card door hinge, a common weak point on light plastic bodies.