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

WATERPROOF AND FOOLPROOF!!!

6/17/2008

I can't say enough about this camera. I purchased it for the waterproof capability, though I never thought I could take such GREAT shots. POSTCARD QUALITY. BELIEVE IT!

I used the SCN setting a lot for available light (I hate a flash) and other situations and that feature helped tremendously.

Even the video clips come out great!

Ken from NJ

CHECK OUT A FEW OF THE PICS I POSTED...

Too many flaws for $250. It has/had potiential.

6/16/2008

I bought this camera upon its release in 2007 and now after almost a year, I have some opinions. I'll try to keep it simple.

XD card format: Going the way of the dinosaur. Finding decent priced cards is hard. Also, the XD format tops out at 2gb. Unaaceptable. This in itself is a deal breaker. I think any new camera purchase from 2008 on should be SD/SDHC compatible as it is seemingly the industry standard as well as the only mini/micro class card media to go up to 16gb.

Video recording Limitations: Another deal breaker. The VGA resolution of recording has a 10 sec limit. There is a firmware update that allows unlimited (card limit) recording but Olympus only released it for the 1030sw and 850sw. Even then, the limit is 4gb but that is not even a factor as the 790 has no update available. The only plus in video recording is the AVI format. I appreciate this as I work mainly with AVI's with my Pocket PC's and Creative Zen Vision M Media player.

Low light captures: Indoor photos with low ambient are very poor. I have tried many different settings and even adjusted WB & ISO but to no avail. the flash either washes out the focal point or over compensates if using the shadow adjust "feature".

Delay time in capturing images: If using the scene modes setting in the wheel selector, every time you turn on the camera you have to manually select a scene. You cant take a picture unless you manually chose a scene. So time from power up to scene select to auto focus to capture can range up to 5 sec if using scene select. When using image stabilization, the capture time is also delayed. noticibaly much that I have missed many special moments when my son (2yo) was smiling doing something cute. Even a shutter button hard press (bypassing the half press autofocus) did not actually bypass anything. It was still delayed.

Size: It is in the compact catagory competing with most sony dsc & T models and the Lumix line. Although for a water resistant it is the smallest that I know of beside the canons.

Outdoor shots: This is where the camera has its best captures. Greens and blues are true and auto focus seems fast when well lit and using the correct ISO/Scene select. Assuming that the person who wants a all-weather camera is active and needs a camera that can capture an image quickly, this camera should suffice for that situation.

Durability/H20 resisance: I have not tried this under water. It did get a little rain on it and no problems there. I had dropped the camera from about 4 ft to tile floor. It survived. I did the same drop by accident on my old Sony T-20 and it seperated into 2 pieces.

Favorites setting: This is where the manual is wrong. I dont care what it says, you cannot retrieve a photo once it is marked as favorite. The manual will say that you can move a photo back but I tried with no avail. In other words, unless you only plan to have a photo sit in hte cameras memory and not print, copy or transfer to your computer then great. If you have not copied it to your computer or printed it before you mark it as a favorite you are out of luck with that and will only be able to view it on the LCD or in a slideshow on TV via AV cable. Once marked as a favorite, it is gone from the XDcard and embedded in the cameras memory with no way to transfer it off or back to the card. Ridiculous. That's no way to treat a favorite anything right?

I really wanted to like this camera due to the 7mp, weather resistance, "video recording", size and the fact that I spent about $350 with the extra batteries and silicone case. But I will be selling this camera due to the above issues and cannot recommend it with good conscience to anyone. Unless you can get this camera for under $150 and plan to use it as a outdoor/beach only camera then go for it. It should meet and exceed your expectations. Another situation where the 790sw would be ok in, is if it's for a child, like a young child. This camera may be good for them as it should withstand most minor bumps a kid would throw at it... and the occasional drop in the toilet at summer camp.

BTW, the firmware update that was offered to the other Olympus cameras allows you to use one of their XD card adapters to use a micro SD. So you will need to buy another item. Yet another issue is thta this SD to XD adapter is not available for sale, it comes packaged with the new Olympus cameras but for the 790 people we are out of luck. So basically we need the Firmware 1.1 release AND the adapter release. I have emailed Olympus support requesting the Firmware 1.1 update for the 790sw. I highly doubt that they will oblige but if they do I will happily edit this review. Until then I am boxing this up for eBay.

Amazing underwater photos

6/15/2008

I purchased this camera in November because I wanted a waterproof camera. I was worried that it would be slow at taking pictures like the Nikon point and shoots. After using it for a week, I had decided to buy my sister one for Christmas. It is a great camera that easily fits it your pocket and you can carry it anywhere. The photo quality isn't quite as good as my Canon. I have taken this camera to the pool, waterpark, beach, and on a few ski trips. The underwater photo quality is amazing; even better than the out of water photo quality. As many have suggested, if you don't need a waterproof or rugged camera buy something else and save the money. Camera around $130 are comparable as far as image quality and speed, but they can't get wet. I would recommend this camera to anyone who needed it.

Camera not waterproof

6/15/2008

I bought the Olympus Stylus 790SW for my daughter and figured the waterproof camera would be great around our pool. The camera, at least the one I purchased, is not waterproof. Water got into the battery compartment and the camera stopped working within minutes of making contact with water. Sent the camera back to Olympus as it was only several weeks old and still under warranty. They repaired it, but unfortunately the camera immediately failed the next time it was used in the pool. Now I am again sending it back for repair. Reading the reviews from others it appears that a fairly high percentage are defective (i.e. not waterproof as Olympus claims). Based on my experience with this model, I have given up on waterproof cameras. I'm buying my daughter a Canon and intend to use the Olympus as an expensive paperweight

good buy

6/11/2008

got this for a friend. she has a 2 yr old son and loves water rides, she loves this camera