The Olympus AZ-4 Zoom is a 35mm fixed-lens SLR camera introduced in 1989.
Overview
The camera is almost identical to the Ricoh Mirai, except it does not have a remote control socket and uses different batteries. It was one of the earliest examples of a Superzoom lens, The zoom lens moves slowly compared to modern 35mm cameras, and the autofocus is slower and less reliable. However, the images it can achieve are of a very high standard particularly in terms of sharpness.
It has the following features usually only found on SLR cameras:
- Real image viewfinder
- Manual focusing mode
- Exposure adjustment
- Shutter speed adjustment
- Hotshoe for external flash
It has the following features usually only found on compact cameras:
- Autofocus
- Built in pop up flash
- Self timer (Timer to take photo 10 seconds after shutter is pressed)
- Fill-in flash
It also has the following features
- LCD
- Beeps when autofocus locks
- Tripod socket
Some models use 2 123 size lithium batteries. The version marketed by Ricoh can accept a large lithium battery or four AAA size batteries. There is also a Quartz date model, and the back on a regular model can be removed and replaced with a data back.
Trivia
The camera appeared in the 1989 Batman film.