Olympus Stylus 790SW 7.1MP Waterproof Digital Camera with Dual Image Stabilized 3x Optical Zoom (Orange) by Olympus
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Digital camera reviews of Olympus Stylus 790SW 7.1MP Waterproof Digital Camera with Dual Image Stabilized 3x Optical Zoom (Orange)
Digital camera Review: Other reviews sold me!!
Summary: 5 Stars
When trying to decide what camera would be best for my teenager, the reviews here sold me on the Olympus Stylus 790sw!! Being waterproof, drop proof from less than 5 feet and the image stabilizer, made this camera perfect for my daughter and she loves it. Small, compact and easy to use! thanks amazon!Digital camera Review: So far I love this - fits in your pocket and can go underwater
Summary: 4 Stars
I took this camera for a swim two days ago and was very surprised at the quality. The conditions were murky, yet still many of the pictures turned out better than I thought they would. I like how long the battery lasts, (although the original charge didn't last very long) -- once I recharged it, it lasted a long time -- still running after an hour-long swim where I left it on and then looked at the shots after. The only negative that I can think is that there isn't a through the lens viewer. My reading sight is starting to go and I have a hard time seeing the viewer. Also when the sun is out it is impossible to see the LCD viewer so I find myself guessing what I am shooting. Other than that -- I'm a fan and don't regret buying it for one minute.Digital camera Review: So far so Good... Great Camera
Summary: 4 Stars
Not bad at all.. Better than the Previous Sony cybershot I have which is pretty much on the same price. Tested in Water with no Problem, very durable, and good quality pix. Only the video sound very hard to hear, but once transfered to PC... sound alright, just average.Digital camera Review: The best camera
Summary: 5 Stars
This camera makes the best pictures - in all types of weather and lighting conditions. So portable, fits easily into jeans pocket, purse, shirt pocket.Digital camera Review: Too many flaws for $250. It has/had potiential.
Summary: 1 Stars
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.