Olympus MJU ii or Contax T2

[clx]

I'm looking for a point and shoot camera which is capable to work well in low light condition.

My options are:
1. Olympus MJU ii

Cheapest one amongst my 3 picks. It's weather-sealed.

2. Contax T2

Browsed for sample pictures through Flikr and I'm highly impressed.

3. Ricoh GR1

Same price as the T2. This camera feels right in hand (never got a hold of the MJU ii and T2)- however after seeing some review, I'm induced not to get this camera as it's fragile and would be expensive to repair.
---------------------------------

I'm intrigued with the T2- but not sure if it's worth the money. After all, it's only a point-and-shoot. How does it differ with the cheaper MJU ii? Do they offer manual control (or is there a compact 35mm with manual control)? And which one is quieter?

 

[bonatto]

Have a look at the Rollei AF35. For what it's capable of, I think it's a veritable bargain. I get precise, dense negatives. Every time.

Low light with any of these leaf shutter cameras is a breeze. It all depends on how steady you can hold, and how fast the other end is moving about.

No experience with either the Mju II or the Contax, they're both highly regarded cameras. There's a nice anniversary Contax t2 for sale in the classifieds.

 

[clx]

Hi bonatto, thanks for the pictures! The Rollei AFM35 seem similar to Fuji Klasse (and slightly cheaper). Are they both made by Fuji?

I'm not willing to spend over £200 on a point and shoot though 🙂

 

[bonatto]

They're both fuji-made, though the Rollei apparently has a different lens coating. They are, for all intents and purposes, the same camera. I paid less than £150 for a mint copy a while back, I've seen them go for less/more.

 

[clx]

Where did you buy it from? Thanks!

 

[bonatto]

Where did you buy it from? Thanks!

Ebay, haven't really seen them for sale elsewhere. Post an ad in the WTB classifieds here, they do turn up 🙂

 

[f16sunshine]

Love the lens on the T2. It's motorized lens retraction always made me nervous but, was never a problem.
You also get control of Aperture selection.

That said... presently I like and somehow prefer the MJUii.
It's smaller and feels tougher. The battery lasts longer and the clamshell design inspires quite a bit of confidence. Lens is crispy sharp too although not as smooth as the Zeiss.
Lastly the MJUii has a annoying feature. One must turn off the flash as it's on auto by default.
So this means each time you open the clamshell you must turn off the flash. It may not bother some but to me is a PITA 😛

Either camera you can not loose!
Cheers

 

[bonatto]

Lastsly the MJUii has a annoying feature. One must turn off the flash as it's on auto by default.

A PITA on the Rollei as well by the way, thanks for reminding me. You gotta push a button every time you turn the camera on.

 

[valdas]

I have both and prefer T2 just because of apperture control and manual focus possibility. And the lens is amazing...

 

[clx]

Good, I'm looking for one with manual focus capability. So T2 can be used without battery and AF?

 

[f16sunshine]

Good, I'm looking for one with manual focus capability. So T2 can be used without battery and AF?

Oh no... It's fully battery dependent.

 

[tuanvinh2000]

A Rollei 35 is the fully manual no battery camera if thats what you look for. I always wonder about the contax t2 af and shutter delay though. i tried one of my friends and its very responsive (or very eager to shoot)

 

[valdas]

Good, I'm looking for one with manual focus capability. So T2 can be used without battery and AF?

It needs the battery and the manual focus is not what you get in SLR or RF, but it's probably the best compromise for AF P&S.

 

[clx]

I have both and prefer T2 just because of apperture control and manual focus possibility. And the lens is amazing...

Which one is more quiet?

 

[Jani_from_Finland]

Is the size or lens-iq more important to you?

 

[clx]

Is the size or lens-iq more important to you?

Lens IQ is more important. As long as the camera can fit in my jacket, I'll be satisfied.

 

[jhthomasii]

the t2 that I shot with had pretty noticeable shutter lag but other people say theirs doesn't have it so I guess it's a hit or miss kinda thing. I sold the t2 and use a mju-ii now. it's faster and quieter.

 

[eric4]

My T2 is a great camera! I haven't used the olympus but i'd imagine the viewfinder isn't as good as the t2

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

It needs batteries like all the others but the Canon AF35ML has a nice fast (F/1.9) 40mm lens and is cheap on ebay.

The only one I can think of without batteries is the Olympus Trip 35 with its f/2.8 lens but it's got manual focusing and really needs a range-finder on it to get the best out of it. Being light powered, rather than battery powered, means poor-ish low light performance...

Regards, David.

 

[clx]

Wow, how did you get such pleasing shallow depth of field with a P&S? Does the T2 come with an focusing ring?