Olympus Stylus 770 SW Digital Camera Reviews
Olympus was the first to introduce the go anywhere digital camera. Drop proof shockproof, waterproof, you name it and they were the first to make it. The 770 SW is the third generation of Olympus’s shock and waterproof cameras and takes the standards a rung higher than its fore runners. First of all, it can withstand a drop of up to five feet and is waterproof up to a depth of 33 feet – something no other camera can match without a special underwater body – something you can get for the 770 SW if you plan to dive really deep. Additionally, the camera has no problems with sub zero temperatures and can withstand pressures of up to 220 pounds, so sitting on it won’t be a problem.
And all this, along with a 7.1 megapixel resolution, comes in a package that fits comfortably into a shirt pocket. It is a point a shoot camera and has all the feature you expect to find on a camera of this type – 3x optical zoom, program and auto exposure options and 24 scene modes that will cater to just about any photographic conditions. There are a few extras that are special to the cameras capabilities – a display the show the height or depth at which a photo was taken, an LED lamp for use in low light situations and which doubles both as a flash for macro photography and as a flashlight in emergencies, and editing and re-sizing functions.
More advanced camera users may be disappointed at the 770’s lack of manual setting options, but they should remember that the camera is designed to use in tough conditions and often with one hand only, so having as much automated as possible makes sense. Trying to do manual settings with a scuba mask and gloves on is never any fun.
Actually the buttons on the back of the camera are small and sometimes difficult to use even under normal conditions. Getting used to the camera and the small button can take some time but once you get the hang of it, the problems disappear.
Like all new point and shoot camera’s the 770 does not have an optical view finder, so you have to reply on the 2.5 inch display. The LCD display has an auto brightness setting to compensate for very bright sunlight so it easy to use even outdoors. However, the auto brightness adjustment is a bit slow which can be irritating at times.
Performance wise, the picture quality more than meets the expectations the 7.1 megapixel specs create. Just remember that the camera can only duplicate what there is to be seen so don’t expect miracles in murky water or in foggy conditions. However there are two drawbacks that affect the functionality of the camera in extreme conditions. Firstly, the power uptime is sluggish and the shot to shot time is also too long. A camera meant for the outdoors should be able to get ready to shoot quickly when the unexpected appears and be able to capture multiple images of an object that may be visible for only a few seconds. Secondly, the battery life is a bit low. Carrying an extra battery is fine, but how do you change it underwater?
All said and done, despite its minor flaws, the 770 offers capabilities and operational parameters far in excess of most cameras on the market. It’s a camera you can carry with you anywhere with worrying about it getting damaged. And it will take as good pictures as many point and shoot camera and probably better than most.