Canon Esprit

My favorite film point and shoot!

From what I've seen, this isn't really talked about in this way, but to me, the Canon Esprit is one of the best alternatives to the overhyped Contax T2 and 3 (I've never used them, but I think they're overpriced). Additionally, I would also point out that this camera has gone by many names, like the Prima Mini, the Autoboy F, and I think one other. Just in case you're looking for one, make sure to search all of the names.

Starting with the lens, the Esprit is perfectly fine. To me, it doesn't blow anything out of the water, but it also doesn't really disappoint. And maybe THAT'S where the Contax has a lead, I wouldn't know. Regardless, it's a solid 32mm f/3.5 lens and for the kind of thing anyone would photograph with a point and shoot, it works really well. Additionally, the autofocus is nice and snappy. I've never really missed a shot due to autofocus issues, nor have I ever experienced the autofocus missing focus. To put that into perspective, I've put at least 10-20 rolls through a Canon Esprit, and I've used two Canon Esprits. Reliability wise, I'd say it's great!

There aren't really any fancy exposure settings; in fact, there isn't even any exposure comp. However, I've never found there to be any exposure issues. I suppose it really comes down to user needs. For me, especially with the dynamic range in film, I never quite found the need for exposure compensation on a camera like this. And speaking of expsoure, the flash on this thing is amazing, and works perfectly with the rest of the camera. A gripe I have with the flash is that while you can force it off (which is great, a lot of point and shoots just don't have that capability), you have to push and hold a button on the side of the camera through the whole time you take a shot to do so. It's never been impossible, but it can be a little awkward at times, especially if you want to do things one handed.

I would say that of all the good things about this camera, that the form factor is one of my top reasons for really liking this camera. It's so small! It fits in practically any bag and most pockets, and the lens collapses into the body very well (a slightly limited version of what the Contax point and shoots do). I do wish that there was a lens cap that went over the lens when it collapsed into the body instead of just relying on a clear filter that remains perpetually over the lens, but as of yet, nothing has scratched this filter, and I think that it's actually a similar configuration to a Yashica T4.

Probably my biggest con to this camera is the viewfinder. It is absolutely tiny. It's not unusable, but even after using it for a while, I still miss it when trying to put it up my eye. The size does make sense considering the form factor of the camera, but I would even say that the viewfinder is better on my Olympus Pen, a half frame camera.

As I write this, I feel as though I've completely undersold the camera. But overall, I have to say that while this camera will probably not blow your mind with its performance, that it also will be an excellent daily shooter, and you are unlikely to experience any issues that completely prevent you from shooting most of the time. Although I've made so many comparisons to premium compacts like the Contax's and the Yashicas, I should also point out that the Yashicas now generally go for $400-500, and Contax's generally go for no less than $900-1000. The Canon Esprit can easily be had for under $140, if not less; so, overall I would say that basic features of this camera match up price wise, and I would 100% say it's a good bang-for-buck deal. Also, a lot of the cons I had with this camera were resolved in what I assume is a more expensive upgrade, the Canon Prima Mini II.