Olympus Mju IIFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 66 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment46%
PROS 46%
CONS 54%

Rank based on 66 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a genuinely pocketable, weather-sealed 35mm shooter with a sharp lens
  • You can find one cheap secondhand or from family/thrift stores rather than paying inflated market prices
  • You're fine with full-auto point-and-shoot operation and occasional flash-happy quirks

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're not willing to pay $150-400+ for a plastic P&S that can die at any time
  • You need reliable close-focus/portrait autofocus without using focus-lock techniques
  • You want manual control or expect zero risk of light leaks and mechanical failure

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Nikon FE2
Precise match-needle meteringLong-term reliability and durabilityFast 1/4000 shutter speedBattery dependency riskRepair scarcity and costFilm advance lever as power switch is annoying
Nikon FE2
Precise match-needle metering
Long-term reliability and durability
Fast 1/4000 shutter speed
Battery dependency risk
Repair scarcity and cost
Film advance lever as power switch is annoying
Best value
2Budget
Nikon N90S
Rugged, reliable buildExceptional value for moneyExcellent matrix meteringLimited G-lens and no VR supportSticky, degrading rubber coatingBulk and weight
Nikon N90S
Rugged, reliable build
Exceptional value for money
Excellent matrix metering
Limited G-lens and no VR support
Sticky, degrading rubber coating
Bulk and weight
3Mid
Nikon F2
Exceptional mechanical build qualityDeep sentimental and personal attachmentFully mechanical and easily serviceableAging meter and CdS cell reliabilityCostly and slow specialist servicingHeavy weight
Nikon F2
Exceptional mechanical build quality
Deep sentimental and personal attachment
Fully mechanical and easily serviceable
Aging meter and CdS cell reliability
Costly and slow specialist servicing
Heavy weight
4Premium
Nikon F6
Exceptional metering accuracyData imprinting between framesExcellent viewfinder for manual lensesHigh used market priceFailing internal backup batteryLeatherette peeling
Nikon F6
Exceptional metering accuracy
Data imprinting between frames
Excellent viewfinder for manual lenses
High used market price
Failing internal backup battery
Leatherette peeling
5Premium
Olympus OM-3
Fully mechanical, reliable shutterAccurate spot/multi-spot meteringExceptional viewfinderHigh collector pricingWeak original marketing/poor salesBattery drain on meter
Olympus OM-3
Fully mechanical, reliable shutter
Accurate spot/multi-spot metering
Exceptional viewfinder
High collector pricing
Weak original marketing/poor sales
Battery drain on meter
6Mid
Olympus OM-2N
Real-time OTF meteringBargain pricing and valueCompact, lightweight bodyMirror lock-up with dead or fresh batteriesNo shutter lock leads to wasted framesBattery type sensitivity
Olympus OM-2N
Real-time OTF metering
Bargain pricing and value
Compact, lightweight body
Mirror lock-up with dead or fresh batteries
No shutter lock leads to wasted frames
Battery type sensitivity
7Mid
Nikon FM2
Legendary mechanical reliabilityAccurate, easy-to-read light meterFast shutter and flash syncRising prices and scarce servicingViewfinder LED placementAge-related mechanical drift and repair difficulty
Nikon FM2
Legendary mechanical reliability
Accurate, easy-to-read light meter
Fast shutter and flash sync
Rising prices and scarce servicing
Viewfinder LED placement
Age-related mechanical drift and repair difficulty
8Mid
Nikon F5
Fast, reliable autofocusExtremely rugged buildExcellent ergonomics and handlingHeavy and bulkyHard-to-see AF points in low lightIncompatible with pre-AI lenses without modification
Nikon F5
Fast, reliable autofocus
Extremely rugged build
Excellent ergonomics and handling
Heavy and bulky
Hard-to-see AF points in low light
Incompatible with pre-AI lenses without modification
9Mid
Olympus OM-1
Exceptional viewfinderSharp Zuiko lensesCompact, well-balanced buildNo exposure info in viewfinderObsolete mercury batteriesServicing and part fragility issues
Olympus OM-1
Exceptional viewfinder
Sharp Zuiko lenses
Compact, well-balanced build
No exposure info in viewfinder
Obsolete mercury batteries
Servicing and part fragility issues
10Mid
Olympus OM-4Ti
Beautiful, well-regarded designExceptional metering systemStrong OTF TTL flash meteringLacks slow sync OTF TTL flashMissing base screw quirkRedundant highlight/shadow controls
Olympus OM-4Ti
Beautiful, well-regarded design
Exceptional metering system
Strong OTF TTL flash metering
Lacks slow sync OTF TTL flash
Missing base screw quirk
Redundant highlight/shadow controls
You are here
31Premium
Olympus Mju II
Sharp lensAccurate metering and autofocusLong-lasting sentimental favoriteInflated resale pricesInconsistent/unreliable autofocusLight leaks and seal degradation
Olympus Mju II
Sharp lens
Accurate metering and autofocus
Long-lasting sentimental favorite
Inflated resale prices
Inconsistent/unreliable autofocus
Light leaks and seal degradation

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A genuinely sharp, well-metered lens in a pocketable body. Commenters consistently praise the 35mm f2.8 lens as sharp with accurate metering and autofocus once mastered, making it a favorite for street, travel, and party photography. Several owners have kept theirs for decades, taking thousands of photos, calling it a legendary and hassle-free shooter for casual, spontaneous use despite its lack of manual controls.

Focus and flash quirks demand technique and patience. Many users report inconsistent autofocus, especially with off-center subjects or backlit portraits, requiring a half-press focus-lock technique aimed at the central cross sensor. The flash resets to auto every time the shell closes, frustrating users who don't want it, and the viewfinder is described as small and narrow, adding friction to everyday shooting.

Reliability issues and inflated prices are the biggest deal-breakers. Long-term owners report light leaks, unpredictable rewinding, broken half-press focus mechanisms, and non-repairable zoom-seal degradation as common failure points. Combined with cult-status pricing now reaching $150-400+ versus original launch costs, many commenters steer buyers toward cheaper alternatives like the Olympus XA2, AF-1, Mju I, or Trip 35 instead.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?