Yashica Microtec Zoom 70

Small, simple but very usefull P&S camera for reasonable price
Practical zoom range, fast automatic, focus-AE-lock, Hi/Lo ISO-metering, nightscene flash-mode... qulity glass lens

I've used many point and shoot cameras through the years since I travel so much and need to be able to grab my camera and take a quick picture. I normally shoot 20+ rolls of film per year. Bought this camera and used it as my primary camera for about 5 years. It took awesome pictures--some I enlarged for the wall. I took it everywhere--overseas, the Carribean, etc. However, it abruptly stopped winding while on vacation (of all places). I had been caught in a thunderstorm the day before and although it was in a case, it got slightly damp, so I think that was the problem. I was sick because it is so easy to use and carry. Due to its age, and other reviews, I didn't even try to fix it. I bought an Olympus Sylus (waterproof) that I don't like as much, but the Microtec is no longer made. Even though I'm disappointed that it stopped, it was used so much that I feel I got my money's worth out of it.

Small size, easy to use, takes awesome pictures

None but not waterproof

Kodak, Minolta

Didn't use

I bought this camera about 5 years ago and had little to no problems with it... until recently. In the first 5 years of use, I thought it worked great - pictures turned out fine and as a beginner, it had all the features I wanted. Lately, the some of the internal mechanics stopped working and my camera shop told me it would cost about the price of the camera to repair it, so we're looking for a new camera. I would recommend it if you can get it at a good price... otherwise, don't bother.

Good design, attractive camera, good pictures.

Poor long-term durability.

Background: I received this camera as a gift several years ago to replace my old Pentax IQ Zoom, which broke after many years of use. I was satisfied with the Yashica until the zoom stopped functioning recently, through no apparent fault of my own (i.e., I didn't drop it.) Any warranty would have expired by now, and my local camera shop told me the price of repair would approach the price of a new camera. So now I'm looking for a new camera.

This Yashica is very convenient to carry around, one of the most important features of a point and shoot camera. It also takes fine pictures. But a less-than-ideal design really bugged me: the viewfinder is in the middle of the back of the camera, and the zoom control is a dial on top of the camera that sticks out a little toward the back. What this means is that if you put your left eye to the viewfinder and your index finger near the button that takes the picture, there's no easy way to reach the zoom dial. I would end up trying to control the zoom dial with my thumb knocking into my nose or right (closed) eye. In shopping for a new camera then, Yashicas and Pentaxs (at least the current ones, not my old one) are out for me because they all seem to have the same design problem. A Samsung is my leading contender right now because it has a viewfinder to the left of middle in addition to a zoom controlled by buttons on top. By the way, however, if you use your right eye to look into the viewfinder, the design of the Yashica wouldn't be as much of a problem. (If you happen to be interested in buying my Yashica -- works fine except for the zoom -- feel free to contact me!)

small size
light weight
fine picture quality

ergonomics (see below)

first Pentax IQ Zoom
Canon SureShot

no experience