Digital Camera News

Olympus Introduces Stylus 780

March 5, 2007 – In preparation for the Photo Marketing Association show this week, Olympus announced a new point-and-shoot to its Stylus series, the Stylus 780. The weather-proof camera comes with a 5x optical zoom lens, dual image stabilization, a TruePic III processor, and an updated feature called Shadow Adjustment with face detection. The Olympus Stylus 780 will retail for $349.99 when it debuts in May.

"The Stylus 780 keeps with the Stylus heritage, appealing to stylish and sophisticated digital compact users who are looking for the convenience of All-Weather durability combined with superior image quality," said Olympus product manager Tomoko Matsunaga in a company press release today.

The Stylus 780 takes features from the point-and-shoot series while borrowing the TruePic processor from the Olympus DSLR line that promises life-like colors. Like the Stylus 750 introduced in August, the Stylus 780 comes with a 7.1-megapixel CCD sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens. The Olympus 780 has a 2.5-inch, 230,000 pixel HyperCrystal LCD, designed to prevent glare for 140 degree viewing.

Like the Stylus 750, the 780 comes with a Dual Image Stabilization features, providing a shifting sensor to compensate for camera shake at slow shutter speeds and digital image stabilization with boosted ISO for action photos.

The camera comes with their Bright Capture technology that allows users to shoot in low light situations at maximum settings up to ISO 2500, according to the release.

For novice users, the Stylus 780 has a dedicated Guide Button that engages built-in help menus with descriptions of each setting. Users can frame their images even before capturing with a Perfect Shot Preview that brings up a multiple view screen of varied photos with different exposure, white balance, and metering settings.

The Stylus 780 includes a new feature called Shadow Adjustment technology that can be turned on and off. As the name implies, Shadow Adjustment allows users to shoot outdoor in high contrast situations such as backlit photos. The Shadow Adjustment function includes face detection auto focus and auto exposure to boosts details in shadow areas, according to the release.

Although not shockproof like its "SW" siblings, the Stylus 780 does come in a weather-resistant body. The camera has rubber gaskets to seal moisture out.

The camera has 23 shooting modes and accepts xD media. The Olympus Stylus 780 will be available in silver and black.

Key Features:
Weather-proof
5x optical zoom
2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD
Bright Capture
TruePic III processor
Shadow Adjustment Technology (with face detection)
Perfect Shot Preview
Dual Image Stabilization