Awesome. A camera for the Twitter generation. A generation that really cares about what it looks like, doesn’t think any job needs much effort and can express itself (often not too well) in 140 characters or less.

There are both good and bad in the above statement, and there’s both good and bad in this camera.

Things I like straight off the bat are the pretty rugged looking body. It’s got some sweet curves, a rugged flash pop-up button and is thin enough (almost) to fit into a pair of skinny jeans, a must if it’s going to appeal to the Twitter generation.

More good news is that it’s got a 16MP CMOS sensor, and the menu and settings within are stupendously easy to decipher and work out. For a first timer looking for a camera to take basic make-me-creative party pics, this camera comes in near the top.

The first problem is the price point. R4 000 is like near the price of a small iPad bru. And further issues are with the 16MP sensor. The results aren’t that mind blowing in terms of quality. But that’s easily solved and I’ll explain why in a minute.

The other downside to this camera is that they’ve made the 3-inch LCD screen on the back touch sensitive. While this might sound like a bonus, it’s actually quite annoying when you’re in the midst of making your friends think you’re good at taking photos and the camera is taking unwanted pics because you’re accidentally touching the screen. Rather keep it simple I say.

Last sticking point: it’s a bit dim-witted and slow. Once you’ve taken a picture, especially with any of the filters on the camera, you’ve got a few seconds before you can shoot again. Cut it a break and you’ll live longer.

The resulting pictures aren’t great, especially if you’ve made any use of the 24x wide optical zoom that the camera comes with. But like I say, don’t fret. You’re 16, and you like Lady GaGa and Fall Out Boy and the chances of you ever needing a picture of high enough resolution to actually print out, frame or even send to a friend with the outside chance of them recognising themselves in it is very slim. Zoom away.

And it’s here that the Olympus SZ-31 MR comes into its own. This camera meets the Twitter generation at the door, puts their name on the guest list and escorts them through to the VIP room where they party the night away.

The Magic Filter awaits. A programmed setting on the camera that lines up a range of Instagram-inspired filters to instantly change, enhance or ruin the picture you’re taking. When you first find the setting, you’re going to go through a stage of frustration and irritation getting the right shots, understanding which pictures will work with which filter and getting over the fact that you missed that moment. But once you’re in the groove, there is no stopping you. I tested this camera out at a wedding on the dance floor, and “giddy with excitement” about explains it.

Of course, it’s ridiculous to have your photo turned into an Andy Warhol pop art image. I mean, the Twitter generation thinks Andy Warhol is a comic book character from the 60’s. And square mosaicking your landscape image is cheesy and ridiculous. But isn’t that the point of Instagram photos of the ice-cream that’s just been delivered to your table? Or worse, uploading embarrassing pictures of your friends to Facebook the moment they’re taken, without even reviewing them or giving your camera permission? Or am I just friends with the wrong people?

In fact, this is the one sticking point where the Twitter generation is going to walk away from this camera: no Wi-Fi connectivity. “How’m I sposed to instantly upload this to Twitter without thinking about the consequences or realising it’s a bad idea?” you hear them moan.