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

Tag : image stabilized, 3x optical, olympus stylus, 790sw 7, zoom black, 1mp waterproof

Company : Olympus
List Price : $349.99
Amazon Price : $234.00
Used Price : $235.99
Average customer review :

Accessoies

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Features

7.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen minimizes glare
3x optical zoom; Face Detection technology
Waterproof (down to 10 feet), freeze-proof, and crush-proof design
27 Shooting modes; in-camera editing options

Product Description

Boasting a tough body, the 7.1 Megapixel ? 790 SW has the ability to go where other cameras can't. Whether at the beach, doing a round of snowboarding or navigating the hazards of a kids' party, this camera withstands it all.The ? 790 SW matches brawn with performance. For versatility in locating and framing subjects, it features a 3x optical zoom (equiv. to 38-114mm). The ability to recognize human faces as the main subject of a composition through implementation of Face Detection Technology ensures optimal focus and exposure in the areas you want. What's more, the ? 790 SW applies innovative technology to deliver stunningly realistic results through the lightening of shadowy areas such as shade under a tree or backlit subjects. And ensuring photographic settings are tailored for most shooting situations, multiple scene modes are available, including four specifically made for use underwater.

Customer reviews

Good stuff
The camera is working great. The blue actually comes out to be more purple then it looks. It would be nice if the package came with a memory card, the XD is not as readily available as the SD. But overall we are excited to use the camera around the water and not have to worry about ruining the camera.

A Waterproof Digital Camera?
I needed the waterproof feature for my daughter who is a white water river raft guide in Colorado. This camera fills this need very well. The camera is easy to use and the pictures are excellent, even during the rapids sections of the river due to the image stabilization feature. She is very pleased with this camera in every way.

BY far the best camera
In the past two years, ive owned a canon powershot, and a kodak easyshare camera. This Olympus is definatly the most tolerant camera ive had. I bought it mainly for the underwater capability and its definitly exeeded my expectations. For me, photos taken underwater have come out extremely clear, and theyre really fun. I took it with me to florida, and most of the time i had it, it was underwater, and nothing has happened to damage it in any way. It continues to take clear, and impressive photos outside and under water, and i definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a small compact camera that is especially durable when it comes to almost anything.

WATERPROOF AND FOOLPROOF!!!
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.
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.