Great little integrated system, and splash proof too.

No ultra wide lenses available (widest is 22mm which is equivalent to 28mm in 35mm format.
Unique lens mount, so can't use 35mm format lenses. Autofocus can be slow in anything other than bright conditions.

I bought the camera with the dedicated flash, the 22-100mm, 100-240mm, 50mm macro and 400mm Reflex lenses. I have taken some really excellent images with this outfit and got to really like it. Then I felt the need for a ultra wide angle - and ended up with a Canon EOS IX Lite (called an IX 7 in the UK)together with a Sigma 17-35mm EX HSM.

The rest, as they say is history, and I am now a confirmed Canon user for the ease of handling and for the speed of the autofocus.

However, I think that the S-1 scores in being splash proof and that its metering is a bit more accurate in extreme lighting situations when using slide film. With print film, there is no discernable difference between the two - and how many of us really use that much Fujichrome 100ix in this format?

The bottom line - my wife now owns and operates this outfit and loves it. And on the odd occasions when she needs an ultrawide she simply borrows my Canon and Sigma combination.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Canon IX Lite

Seemed much lighter than other APS SLRs on sale. Splash proof construction. Takes proper flashgun, eyesight adjustment on viewfinder. Fully auto or reasonable manual control. Remote control shutter release available. 22-80 lens offers superb range from wide to zoom. Very good price.

Print size knob may be showing the start of a problem, there now seems to a slight mechanical resistance when setting the camera to panoramic. I've got a three year warranty so I'm not worried.

I'd like to be able to buy a good fast non-zoom zens.

I'm very pleased with this camera and have taken some some very good photographs with this camera despite my lack of experience. I have already purchased the remote control and plan to buy a longer zoom lens to use alongside the 22-80.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

none

The camera is small and light weight. This make it easy to carry around the neck for long hikes. It has great metering,a bright view finder that is to the left of the camera allowing the user to better concentrate on the subject, easy to remember operating instructions, full auto and manual modes and many other features you would expect only from a 35mm format top of the line camera

As many other have said, Vectis lenses do not come wider than 22 mm (28 mm when compared to 35mm format). The camera has a max shutter speed of only 1/2000 which is a disapointment considering the smaller film size

I am very satisfied with the performance and price of my S-1. It takes some getting used to since it's small for an SLR. However, it is a nice outfit.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta S-100, Canon EOS IX

Light weight, produces high resolution shots that can be blown up to 11*14 without losing quality. Light weight, Battery replacement is inexpensive.

Sometimes I have trouble with the auto focus, it stalls.

I love this camara. It goes everywhere with me and takes great pictures considering how I treat it and what I expect of it. I stuff it in my purse so I can pull it out whenever I come upon something that I need a photo of. I have more luck with outdoor shots than indoor people shots.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

various minolta point and shoot, Canon AE-1, Cannon Rebel, old Leica, Rolliflex

light easy to use takes great pictures.APS system.The fact that its a fully featured SLR

Wearing specs its a little dim in the viewfinder.apart from that nothing.

This is a well made easy to use camera with a host of great features. I like to keep it around for family pics and going out in the boat as its splash proof.What are you waiting for go and buy one they are dirt cheap now as minolta keeps dropping the price.

Customer Service

Good

Similar Products Used:

Nikon Pronea

Light, Small,Splashproof
APS Format(Midroll change, Data Imprint, 3 print sizes)
Offset Viewfinder

APS Format (Limited Films, More Expensive)
No Multiple Exposures
Controls are a bit clumsy
Limited Slection of Lenses and Flashes
LIMITED CREATIVITY

I learned a lesson from this purchase. Do your own research and don't buy on a friends advice! I bought this camera on impulse, knowing very little about the camera or what to expect or look for SLR equipment. The ritz salesperson knew abou the same which is why I dislike shopping there. I was lured to this camera becuase of the APS format...very gimmicky, but it also limits your creativity. You can't make multiple exposures, exposure bracket, or buy non Vectis Lenses. This has lead me to sell my Vectis equipment at much less than i paid for it at Ritz. I was lucky to get $100 for the body on eBay. Ritz told me they would buy it back for $75 after I paid $200. I feel like I got out of the APS market just in time. I compare it to polaroid...neat, but it will never come close to 35mm. So I wouldn't recommend buying this camera, unless you love APS and don't want to expand your creativity. Read the book on photography, research, and buy. I recently purchased a Nikon N80, and it is 100 times better than the Vectis because of the choice in accesories.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Vectis 28-56mm Lens
Vectis 80-240mm Lens

Small, light, and it doesn't look like an SLR.

Can easily be used both creatively and a super-spec'd P&S.

The 22-80mm lens offers good zoom but average apertures.

Less expensive than IX7 and ProneaS

Autofocus can be slow. Fully manual mode can be cumbersome.

The main problem though is the lack of a fast standard lens equivalent to a 35mm SLR's 50mm f/1.8.

Great value for money.

An accessible SLR.

Poor range of lenses - particularly a fast 35 or 40mm f/1.8.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Looked at the ProneaS and IX7.

Also use the Fuji Fotonex 250ix APS zoom camera with great results.

Lightweight, compact for travel photography. Ability to change film easily for indoor/outdoor phots.

Computer module failed a few months after receiving it but a replacement has worked fine for two years since then.

A nice alternative to heavier 35 mm SLR gear but not in every case a replacement. Needs 800 speed film and/or faster lenses for easier indoor photos where rules do not permit use of flash. Concur with earlier comment to exchange the "kit" lense for the 22-80 and the 80-240... that's quite a combination. Also have the 50 Macro for flowers and such close up... a good lense.

Customer Service

Repairs were done in about a month under warranty with no problem since then.

Similar Products Used:

None

Lightweight (including leightweight set of lense), splashproof, great set of features ranging from full manual to full automatic with helpful "partial auto" features in beteen. Also has some nice quality lenses - get the 22-80mm lens and not the one that usally comes with the kit, it's a much better lens!

None so far. Lens selection is more limited than other cameras, but they offer all the lenses I want currently (Macro, 80-250).

GREAT for hiking, lightweight and splashproof. Also light enough to carry with you a lot of places, in short a wonderful APS SLR camera.

Similar Products Used:

Old 35 mm SLR cameras, P&S APS cameras.

Small, easy to hanndle system with many features, with full manual to program modes

None

Cheapest of the three available aps slrs, it is a bargain at its current price level. Proprietary lenses are a limit and single autofocus sensor limit focusing capabilities, but still a neat system

Customer Service

Not applicable

Similar Products Used:

Nikon Pronea and Canon IX