Olympus mju: The iconic range of compact film cameras.

Brief presentation of the Olympus mju range

The mju series embodies Olympus' excellence in compact photography. With its iconic design and innovative features, it has captured the attention of amateurs and professionals around the world.

Importance of compact and ergonomic design

The compact and ergonomic design of the Olympus mju has revolutionized the photography market. By combining aesthetics and practicality, these devices have redefined user expectations in terms of comfort and maneuverability.

The Olympus mju has its roots in the heritage of the famous Olympus XA, an iconic creation by legendary camera designer Maitani Yoshihisa. By taking up the innovative principles of the XA, the mju range evolves to offer an even more refined and intuitive photographic experience.

The design of the Olympus mju is distinguished by its small curved body, a characteristic that makes it recognizable among thousands. Its integrated lens cover, a distinctive feature of the series, adds to its clean aesthetic while providing effective lens protection when the camera is not in use. This ingenious design also allows easy handling, with a compact size and ergonomics designed for a comfortable grip.

In addition to its ergonomic design, the Olympus mju offers a variety of color variants and special editions that speak to its timeless appeal. From classic sleek black to limited edition metallic silver, the mju range offers aesthetic options for all tastes and occasions, while preserving its iconic design heritage.

The first generation Olympus mju stood out from the moment it was released for its remarkable technical performance, which allowed it to capture images of exceptional quality in all conditions.

Featuring a 100-point autofocus system, the Olympus mju 1 offers unrivaled focusing precision, allowing you to capture the perfect moment with impeccable sharpness. Whether for portraits, landscapes or action scenes, this autofocus guarantees impeccable results with every shot, even in demanding situations.

The Olympus mju 1's versatile flash modes provide optimal adaptability to different lighting conditions. Whether brightening subjects in dark environments or reducing unwanted shadows in bright sunlight, the mju series flash options ensure well-balanced exposures and visually stunning results.

Finally, the 35mm f/3.5 3-element lens of the Olympus mju 1 guarantees exceptional image quality. With its high-quality optical construction, this lens delivers sharp, detailed, contrast-rich images, capturing every nuance and detail with exceptional fidelity. Whether shooting striking portraits, stunning landscapes or dynamic urban scenes, the Olympus mju lens excels in every situation, delivering results that exceed the highest expectations.

The Olympus mju range has achieved unprecedented commercial success, with more than 5 million units sold worldwide. This popularity is explained by the series' ability to appeal to both passionate amateurs and demanding professionals, thanks to its unique combination of elegant design and exceptional performance.

The global recognition of the mju range does not stop there. Indeed, these cameras have been awarded numerous times for their innovative design and exceptional functionality. Whether through prizes awarded by renowned institutions or through the plebiscite of users around the world, the Olympus mju has made its mark and established itself as a reference in the world of film photography.

Even with the advent of the digital age, Olympus has preserved the heritage of the mju range by extending its offering with digital compact cameras. This transition to digital has allowed users to continue to benefit from the reputation and quality of the mju brand, while embracing new technologies and the possibilities offered by the digital world of photography.

Over the years, the Olympus mju range has undergone remarkable evolution, marked by the introduction of new models and constant innovation. Here is an overview of this evolution, as well as the emblematic models that have marked the history of the series:

mju original series (∞ Stylus)

• Olympus µ[mju:] (also known as Stylus, 35mm/3.5, 1991)
• Olympus µ[mju:] LIMITED (metallic silver, 50,000 copies produced, 1991)
• Olympus µ[mju:] PANORAMA (35mm/3.5, 1992)
• Olympus µ[mju:] ZOOM (PANORAMA) (also known as Stylus Zoom, 35-70mm, 1993)
• Olympus µ[mju:] ZOOM 70 DELUXE (35-70mm)
• Olympus Stylus 80 (38-80mm) (flash does not deploy, no mju version apparent)
• Olympus µ[mju:] ZOOM 105 (DELUXE) (also known as Stylus ZOOM 105, 38-105mm, with aspherical glass elements and ED, 1995)
• Olympus µ[mju:] ZOOM 115 (DELUXE) (also known as Stylus ZOOM 115 (DLX), 38-115mm, 1997)
• Olympus µ[mju:] ZOOM 130 (38-130mm, 1997)
• Olympus µ[mju:] ZOOM WIDE 80 (DELUXE) (28-80mm, 1998)
• Olympus µ[mju:] ZOOM 140 (also known as Stylus Zoom 140, 38-140mm, 1998)
• Olympus µ[mju:] ZOOM 140 DELUXE (38-140mm, color balanced flash, 1999)
• Olympus µ[mju:] ZOOM 140 VF (2000) (38-140mm, like Deluxe, but with temporary dimming VF, 2000)

mju II Series (∞ Stylus Epic)

• Olympus µ[mju:]-II (also known as Stylus Epic (DLX), 35mm/2.8, 1997) (Considered a modern classic. 3.8 million sold.)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-II LIMITED (35mm/2.8, marked 10 million µ series cameras sold, 65,000 produced, burgundy color, 1998)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-II ZOOM (38-80mm, 1998)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-II ZOOM 80 (PANORAMA) (also known as Stylus Epic ZOOM 80 (38-80mm)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-II ZOOM 115 (also known as Stylus Epic ZOOM 115, 38-115mm)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-II ZOOM VF (also known as Stylus Epic ZOOM 80 DLX/DELUXE, 38-80mm, 1999)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-II 115 VF (38-115mm, illuminated viewfinder, 2000)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-II 170 (VF) (also known as Stylus Epic ZOOM 170 (DELUXE), 38-170mm, switches between passive and active AF, "Visual Finder" for noisy environments, 2001)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-II 110 (38-110mm, illuminated viewfinder, 2001)

Flagship metal model

• Olympus µ[mju:]-V (also known as Stylus Select 105, 38-105mm, world's smallest 3x zoom, smooth metal body, 2002)

mju III series (∞ Stylus Epic)

• Olympus µ[mju:]-III WIDE 100 (also known as Stylus 100 WIDE, 28-100mm, three types of exposure sensors, 2002)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-III 110 (38-110mm)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-III 115 (38-115mm, 2003)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-III 120 (also known as Stylus 120, 38-120mm, f/5.6-12.6, 8 elements in 7 groups, 2003)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-III 135 (37.5mm-135mm, f/5.1-12.6, 2004)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-III 150 (also known as Stylus 150, 37.5-150mm, f/5.1-f13.3, 8 elements in 7 groups, featured skin tone mode, latest mju sold in Japan, 2003)
• Olympus µ[mju:]-III 80 (also known as Stylus 80, 38mm-80mm, f/4.5-8.9, 5 elements in 4 groups, last mju 35mm sold, 2004)

The mju range has undergone several iterations since its launch in 1991, with each model bringing its share of improvements and innovations. From the first pioneering models to subsequent evolutions, each device has helped to strengthen the series' reputation for quality and reliability.

In the United States, the mju range was marketed under different names, including Stylus and Epic. These evocative names helped strengthen the series' brand image in the American market, while emphasizing the distinctive characteristics of each model.

Each model in the mju range is distinguished by its specific characteristics, whether technical or aesthetic. From improving image quality to adding new features, each iteration of the series has been the result of a constant search for refinement and innovation. In addition, the aesthetics of the devices have also evolved over time, with increasingly refined and sophisticated designs, while maintaining the timeless essence that characterizes the mju range.