Olympus’s ever-growing FE range has a tradition of transferring sleek design and advanced features to the price-conscious consumer – a trend continued in the 7MP FE-240. Its main selling point is the 5x optical zoom lens, yet the camera impresses across other areas too. The 2.5in LCD screen manages to display images clearly even in difficult lighting, and the slim yet weighty angular chassis gives the camera a real feeling of build quality.

However, it is in use that the FE-240 really fails to deliver. The menu system is confusing and unintuitive, making it very difficult to get the shot you want and, alongside non-adjustable ISO settings, render the FE-240 as no more than a compact to own and keep on auto for its lifespan. The images produced are, on the whole, flat and cold. Fringing is controlled to an extent, yet image detail falls off alarmingly towards the frame edges and the overall look of the images is rather messy.

Overall, a well-designed camera with an impressive spec which is let down by usability and image quality.