Posted by Steve on 13th May 2006
A review of the Olympus Stylus 700 digital camera, also known as the Mju 700, is available at cameras.co.uk. The Stylus 700 is a tiny go anywhere camera with 7 megapixel resolution, a 3x optical zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. As one of only a few digital cameras, especially at this size, the Stylus 700 is weatherproof, which means it won’t mind a bit of rain.
The review conclusion:
“The Olympus MJU 700 is a bit of a disappointment. So much about this camera seems to be an excellent idea. It is weatherproof and the in camera help guide is likely to be very useful to people who would like a little help with their photography. I also like the style and design too. Image quality is the most important factor with any camera though and it is here that I have a number of issues with the camera. Owing to these problems I am unable to recommend buying this camera.”
Posted by Steve on 9th May 2006
Steve’s Digicams have reviewed the Olympus Evolt E-330 digital SLR camera. The Olympus Evolt E-330 is the world’s first dSLR camera equipped with live LCD view, allowing you to monitor your motive on the LCD display. The Evolt E-330 also features Olympus’ dust removal system, that sits in front of the 7.94 megapixel sensor, and the anti shake system.
The results of the review:
“Building on the the architecture of their Four Thirds system and the concepts of the E-300, Olympus has produced yet another amateur dSLR worthy of your attention. […] Its image quality, flexibility and viewfinder compete favorably with the high-end consumer digicams, and its scene modes offer the ease of use needed by less-experienced photographers. […] What makes the E-330 stand out is the Live View feature, offering a hybrid of prosumer digicam and dSLR viewfinders, and enabling you to enjoy the advantages of each in a single camera.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Olympus Evolt E-330.
Posted by Steve on 8th May 2006
CNet Australia reviewed the Olympus Stylus 720 SW / Mju 720 SW digital camera. The Olympus Stylus 720 SW, also known as the Mju 720 SW is an ultra compact all weather digital camera with 7.1 megapixels resolution, a 3x optical zoom and a large 2.5 inch LCD display. It is also shock proof and offers useful features, such as image stabilization.
The results of the review:
“The bottom line: If you’re after a camera that can survive the knocks, splashes and general messy nature of everyday life — especially everyday family life — then the Olympus mju 720 SW is a very sensible buy.
The good:
* 7.1 Megapixel Camera
* Smart design
* Waterproof up to 3m
* Shockproof up to 1.5m
The bad:
* Slow shutter speed
* Auto flash can overfill
* Zoom buttons are a bit small
* Limited video capabilities”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Olympus Stylus 720 SW.
Posted by Steve on 5th May 2006
A review of the Olympus EVOLT E-330 digital camera has been posted at DCRP. The Olympus Evolt E-330 is the world’s first dSLR camera equipped with live LCD view, allowing you to monitor your motive on the LCD display. The Evolt E-330 also features Olympus’ dust removal system, that sits in front of the 7.94 megapixel sensor, and the anti shake system.
Here is part of the review conclusion:
“The biggest negative for the E-330 is its price. Is it worth paying almost $1100 for the E-330 kit, when you can get a Canon Rebel XT with a lens or the very capable Olympus E-500 dual lens kit for $700? Would I, Jeff Keller, pay four hundred dollars more for a live view feature? Probably not. But, since I’m not the one shopping for a camera here, you need to decide if its worth the extra money (not to mention the tradeoffs) for this often useful feature.
What I liked:
* Excellent photo quality; low noise levels through ISO 800; redeye not a problem
* Live view feature lets you shoot in ways not possible with other D-SLRs (though see the numerous issues below)
* Large, high resolution, tilting LCD display
* Solid construction, no button clutter
* Full manual controls, and then some
* Center-frame enlargement for manual focusing
* Very good performance
* Flash-based AF-assist system performed well
* Useful dust removal system
* Settings can be changed easily using four-way controller
* In-camera RAW editing feature
* Dual memory card slots
* All the expandability you’d expect from a D-SLR; fancy underwater case available too
* Camera can be controlled from your computer via optional Olympus Studio software
* Firmware upgrades for camera and accessories are super-easy”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Olympus EVOLT E-330.
Posted by Steve on 4th May 2006
Steve’s Digicams have reviewed the Olympus Stylus 720 SW digital camera, also known as the Mju 720.
The Olympus Stylus 720 SW is an ultra compact weatherproof digital camera and waterproof up to 10 feet. Being waterproof the Stylus 720 SW also withstands dust and dirt and it’s rugged camera body design will protect the camera from falls up to heights of 5 feet. The Stylus 720 features 7.1 megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom and 2.5 inch LCD display.
The results of the review:
“The Stylus 720 SW is a tempting digicam in the weather resistant/water proof class. While Olympus claims it is also “Shock Proof” up to 5 feet, we opted not to test this feature; we’ll take their word for it. The camera’s 7-megapixel SHQ images have plenty of resolution to create high-quality prints up to 13×19 inches or larger. The only real issues we had were with the poor position of the lens and the below average results of its VGA movie mode. With an MSRP of $399, it offers a great value for a 7-megapixel underwater capable digicam.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Olympus Stylus 720 SW.
Posted by Steve on 24th April 2006
The Olympus Stylus 720 SW digital camera, also known as the Mju 720 SW has been reviewed at DigitalCamerInfo.
The Olympus Stylus 720 SW is an ultra compact weatherproof digital camera. You can take the camera to do underwater photography up to a depth of 10 feet. Being waterproof the Stylus 720 SW also withstands dust and dirt and it’s rugged camera body design will protect the camera from falls up to heights of 5 feet. Its small size make the Stylus 720 SW an ideal take anywhere camera and features a 7.1 megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom and 2.5 inch LCD display.
The review verdict:
“On paper, the Olympus Stylus 720SW looks extremely attractive. In practice, however, many of its features fail to impress.
[…]This digital camera is a new release with a great durable body, but has the inner workings of far older models, with lengthy shutter lag, slow and inaccurate auto focusing, and an overly-convoluted menu structure. The camera also shoots choppy movie clips and lacks resolution for many of its scene modes. What’s the use of 7.1 megapixels that you can’t use in all of the shooting modes?
And what is the use of a shockproof, waterproof digital camera which often produces blurry pictures? The Olympus 720SW is fantastically rugged and can take a few beatings, but, in the end, doesn’t produce shots which merit its $399 retail price. We hope to see Olympus continue to develop this body design, with modifications made to improve imaging capabilities on future models.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Olympus Stylus 720 SW.
Posted by Steve on 24th April 2006
A review of the Olympus SP-310 has been published at imaging resource.
The Olympus SP-310 is a compact digital camera, equipped with 7.1 megapixels resolution and a 3x optical zoom. In addition to the optical viewfinder, the SP-310 offers a 2.5 LCD display to compose and review your images. Featuring a fully automatic mode, a large amount of scene modes, as well as full manual controls, the Olympus SP-310 will appeal to both point and shoot photographers as well as the more experienced photographers demanding more control over the image taking process.
The summary of the review:
“The 7.1-megapixel, 3x-zoom Olympus SP-310 is an excellent performer where it counts: printed image quality. It has a wealth of features in a surprisingly compact body; and though it’s not the most attractive design (in our eyes, anyway) you’ll start to like it right away when you shoot with it. […] A large 2.5-inch LCD monitor provides accurate framing, and a great place to view pictures, with a real-image optical viewfinder available to save battery power, a feature disappearing from most digicams with a large LCD. […] Even at high ISO, its images were usable at larger print sizes than most competing models. For the traveler or hobbyist photographer looking for a small capable camera that has impressive output, the Olympus SP-310 is a clear Dave’s Pick.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Olympus SP-310.
Posted by Steve on 22nd April 2006
PCWorld has reviewed the Olympus Evolt E-330.
The Olympus Evolt E-330 is the world’s first dSLR camera equipped with live LCD view, allowing you to monitor your motive on the LCD display. The Evolt E-330 also features Olympus’ dust removal system, that sits in front of the 7.94 megapixel sensor, and the anti shake system.
The Evolt E-330 scored 77 out of 100%, a ‘good’ result.
Some of the review results:
“The new EVolt’s image quality is good, with good detail and sharpness. […]
Other nice upgrades over the E-300 include a slightly faster burst rate of 3 frames per second, the ability to adjust ISO sensitivity in increments of one-third stop, support for both CompactFlash and XD-Picture Card storage, and an effective in-camera noise filter for shooting at high ISOs.
The camera’s interface is adequate, permitting relatively speedy access to essential controls. And the E-330 includes Olympus’s excellent automatic sensor-cleaning mechanism to keep dust from marring your images.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Olympus Evolt E-330.
Posted by Steve on 20th April 2006
A review of the Olympus FE-110 digital camera has been published at imaging resource.
Designed as an entry level digital camera, the Olympus FE-110 offers 5 megapixels resolution, a 2.8 times optical zoom and a simple point and shoot mode for a reasonable price.
The review conclusion:
“The 5.0-megapixel Olympus FE-110 is a bare-bones, entry-level digital camera well-suited for travel snapshots. Its body design is relatively compact, with very few external controls. Offering automatic exposure control and only a couple of exposure options, the FE-110 handles average bright shooting conditions well, though its Night Scene mode should be fine for standard nighttime photography in urban environments. Color is a little too saturated and warm for my taste, and the camera tends toward high contrast, with limited shadow detail. But if you’re looking for an inexpensive digital camera to throw in a backpack and record a trip, the FE-110 may be up your alley. Its price point is low enough that you won’t lose too much sleep if it falls over the side of a boat or your two-year-old covers it in peanut butter. While it’s not a Dave’s Pick, the FE-110 may be of interest to novice users uninterested in learning too much about digital photography.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Olympus FE-110.
Posted by Steve on 13th April 2006
A review of the Olympus SP-320 digital camera has been posted at DigicamReview.
The Olympus SP-320 offers 7 megapixel resolution, a 3 times optical zoom and a large 2.5 inch LCD display. The SP-320’s movie mode supports the recording of high quality movies at 30 frames per second and a resolution of 640 by 480.
The results of the review:
“I was generally very pleased with the Olympus SP-320’s image quality straight from the camera, as pictures came out with low noise, accurate colour, and good saturation, contrast and detail. The camera also provides excellent control over image quality, with saturation, contrast, and sharpness options, and full aperture, shutter and manual controls. The SP-320 is a comfortable camera to hold with a good sized hand grip and a fairly compact but sturdy body. This camera is easy to use (in auto mode) especially with the built in help guide and numerous scene modes, although it offers a mixed bag with regards to camera speed. The camera offers good battery life with high powered rechargeable batteries. The camera has very good controls and features, such as custom white balance, digital image stabilisation, excellent macro mode, and good video features. The SP-320 is excellent value for money as one of the more competitively priced 7 megapixel digital cameras. If you are looking for an easy to use, compact, high resolution digital camera with advanced controls then I would definitely recommend the Olympus SP-320.”
All available reviews and more information on the Olympus SP-320.