(+) Great for beginners, fool proof, easy to use, compact and can buy used models very cheap. (-) Slow autofocus, no manual overrides for shutter and aperture settings.
(+) Fold out LCD screen, Image Stabilization, Zuiko lens quality, Picture quality, Flash options (-) Noise in low light, Too many buttons, Badly laid out, Too many gimmicks
The good points about this camera are that its really very user friendly, and surprisingly durable (has gone everywhere with me ever since I bought it) even the Amazon!!
However I have found some bad points about this camera these are its a bit slow on the low light shots, and I know its an SLR but its quite hefty
General Comments
I have bouth this Dynax500si in 1997 with my then girlfriend from Dixons in London, England. Always wanted an SLR and buying that one was just a lucky guess as I was not in photography. Six years and three girlfriends later the camera is still with me never letting me down. I shoot about 30 films a year, and have had no problem whatsoever. I started enjoying it even more when I treated myself to an 70-210 zoom lens. I find that it takes better pictures with a kodak ultra (400) film and that is what I ...
Advantages: Good range of features, Lightweight, Cheap Disadvantages: Out-dated, out-specc'd
Four years ago I wanted to buy a camera to accompany me on my travels. At the risk of sounding 'snobbish' I wanted something I could use to take photographs rather than just holiday snaps. What I wanted was an slr.
But what to choose? With prices ranging from £100 - £1000 (and more!) I had to think long and hard. I didn't want to spend more than £300 as an absolute maximum but I wanted something that would introduce me to photography gently. Something that would allow me to take holiday snaps as well as exercise a bit more creativity.
The minolta 505si fitted the bill admirably, and still does although there are now better cameras available.
The first thing you notice about the camera is that, for an slr, it is small. and light! Even with a standard lens attached, it's probably one of the lightest slrs you are going to find ...
