The Olympus Trip MD3 is a snapshot camera with many automatic features. It was manufactured by Olympus in China from 1998 to 2002. It is the successor to the Olympus Trip MD2. The “MD” in the name stands for “Motor Drive”. This model does not have much in common with the legendary Olympus Trip 35.
The camera lens is fixed and not interchangeable. The largest aperture of the lens is f/6.9 with a focal length of 34 mm. There is no possibility to change the focus settings. There is no provision for manual focusing on the subject. To ensure good image quality, you should keep a distance of at least 150 cm from the subject.
The camera has film speed detection. This value is read out via the coding on the film cartridge. However, this value is only used for the flash. The shutter speed is fixed at 1/125 second.
The camera weighs 185 grams. The dimensions are 12.4 x 6.9 x 4.5 cm. The camera requires two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*), which provide the power for all camera functions. A tripod thread is found on the bottom.
Films for the Olympus Trip MD3
The Olympus Trip MD3 is designed for 35mm format and exposes corresponding films. The film transport is motorised. After each picture, the film is transported further. Through a window on the back you can see the inserted film. There is a frame counter on the top.
The 35mm format is one of the most widely used film formats and for this reason there are still some suppliers and manufacturers who produce and sell material for this format.
Available photo films for the Olympus Trip MD3, which are straightforward to get from online retailers, are the Kodak T-Max 400* for magical black and white photos and the Kodak Gold 200* for brilliant colour images.
Value of the camera
The Trip MD3 is certainly not one of Olympus’ top models. With some of the Japanese cameras, you still have to put a three-digit amount on the table today. For a used copy of the Trip MD3, you currently pay an average of 41,91 Euro.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Snapshot camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 34 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/6.9 |
| Minimum focus distance | 150 cm / 4.92 ft |
| Focus | Fixed |
| Lens design | 3 elements in 3 groups |
| Exposure times | 1/125 second |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | Yes |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Double and/or multiple exposure function | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | No |
| Connection for camera strap | Yes |
| Power supply | 2x AA batteries |
| Size | 12,4 x 6,9 x 4,5 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 4.88 x 2.72 x 1.77 inches |
| Weight | 185 Grams |
| Country of production | China |
| End of production | 2002 |
| Production duration | 4 years |
| Estimated value / Used price | 41,91 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 33 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of May 18, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 43,18 Euro (46.54 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 53,27 Euro (57.37 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 39,35 Euro (42.21 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Olympus Trip MD3
What is the minimum recommended distance to the subject for optimal image quality with the Olympus Trip MD3?
To ensure good image quality, maintain a distance of at least 150 cm (approximately 5 feet) from your subject. This is due to the fixed focus lens.
Does this point-and-shoot camera offer manual focus adjustments?
No, the Olympus Trip MD3 features a fixed-focus lens. Manual focus adjustments are not possible. The focus is pre-set.
What type of film and format does the Olympus Trip MD3 use?
This compact camera is designed for 35mm film. It automatically advances the film after each shot.
How is the film speed detected and used in this camera?
The camera reads the film speed from the cartridge's DX coding. This information is only used for the flash exposure.
What power source does the motorized film transport of this snapshot camera require?
The Olympus Trip MD3 operates on two standard AA batteries, which power all camera functions including the motorized film advance.