Olympus Stylus 790SW 7.1MP Waterproof Digital Camera with Dual Image Stabilized 3x Optical Zoom (Orange) - Stylus 790SW Orange

failed in salt water

2/27/2008

This camera failed after 10 min snorkeling in salt water. It seemed to do ok when just exposed to water in the rain or while on a canal trip in an inner tube. Average ease of use, screen very difficult to see in sun light. Can not judge image quality, they were lost with the xd card damaged while snorkeling. To Olympus credit their service department was helpful, and they did replace the camera.
An average compact camera, just not as waterproof as they advertise.

Great camera!

2/25/2008

Its such an easy camera to use and takes great pictures. Loooove the sand waterproof feature!!

Get the Pentax

2/25/2008

Based on a recommendation I did a search on Amazon for "Pentax waterproof camera," Every page that comes up is polluted with this Olympus model--including the pages for the Pentax models.
This camera is a drag, the images are of much lower quality than I expected, the camera controls seem counter intuitive. I still haven't found how to shoot multiple panoramic images. The Olympus software is a complete headache to use on my Mac.
I should add that I am a professional photographer, I've been using Nikon, etc.. equipment for 25+ years. Digital for 10. I shoot professionally the Nikon and have no problems with it's more varied features. I've also had a Canon G5 digital that was joy to use. This is not some pro nitpicking. I simply wanted a camera I could take on my kayak. My friend with the best kayak photos recommended Pentax Optio, I set out to buy a Pentax, but the cluttered and annoying Amazon page design misdirected away from what I wanted to this second rate camera. (How many times really do we need to be offered their credit card?)
The Pentax shoots 30 fps while this only does 15fps. Yesterday I wanted to document a sea lion with a fishing net wrapped around it's neck. I'm glad I shot multiple images because the Olympus underexposed them all and I was only able to use one image. Recommendation: My sea kayaking friends all agree: Get the Pentax Optio. (If you're not going to get it wet....maybe something else).

Ok camera, best part is that it's waterproof.

2/24/2008

Bought it for my girlfriend for a snowboarding trip we were going on. It takes "ok" pictures. The auto focus seems to be working overtime, so I changed it from face detection for her to spot detection, that way it only focuses when you press the shutter halfway. After using the camera for a day, she switched back to her 5 megapixel Kodak V530. The color quality compared to the V530 is terrible on the automatic settings. I just bought the camera because she wanted it, she's the one who takes pictures and sells them.

I might consider this camera to someone who is going on a trip like ours where the camera could get wet or dropped, but only because it can handle it, yet I personally would not recommend this camera to my family or friends.

Failed after one snorkeling trip

2/22/2008

Like others who have written, my camera failed after just one snorkeling adventure. It was clear that water entered the camera and it stopped working. It is probably fine for those who don't actually want to use it in the water.