Olympus Stylus 1000 Digital Camera Review

by Emily Raymond
Published on November 16, 2006

Navigation
Intro	Testing / Performance
Physical Tour	Components
Design / Layout	Modes
Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity / Extras	Overall Impressions
Conclusion	Specs / Ratings
Photo Gallery

 

The front of the Olympus Stylus 1000 isn’t exceptionally gorgeous, but it isn’t terribly comely either. The left side has a polished chrome band on it large enough for the Olympus logo. Above it is the auto focus assist lamp and the built-in flash, which is rectangular in shape. Below the Olympus logo is an embossed “Stylus 1000” that is hardly noticeable. The right side of the front has an Olympus lens, which is labeled as such along with its specs: “AF 3x Optical Zoom 7.4-22.2mm 1:2.8-4.7.” The lens has a polished outer rim and several duller barrels that it extends from. The actual glass lens element is exposed by a built-in lens cap. To the top right of the lens, the camera boasts its pixel count: “10.0 Megapixel.” To the top left are three holes for the built-in microphone to pick up sound in the movie mode.

Back (7.0)

The back side looks similar to other digital cameras with the large LCD screen on the left side and the controls on the right. The LCD screen isn’t throned on a platform, but remains flush with the rest of the camera body and has an Olympus logo at its bottom. On the top of the right side is the zoom lever, which is a single button with outer edges that protrudes more than the scooped center. To its bottom right is the mode dial, which faces users and must be rotated from the right side. To the left of the mode dial is a small LED indicator. Below these elements are the multi-selector and four buttons. The multi-selector has a central OK/Func. button surrounded by a single donut-shaped ring. The donut has been nibbled at four edges, and there are four small circular buttons that surround the navigational system. Clockwise from the top left, they are for Menu, Digital Image Stabilization/Perfect Fix/Print, Delete, and Disp./Help Guide. On the multi-selector donut itself are four icons. They are embossed and very hard to see, but they are (from top, clockwise) exposure compensation, flash, self-timer, and macro mode.

The left side of the camera is fairly featureless; no seam or screw is even visible here. From this angle, the front edge of the camera looks slightly curved while the top is peaked at the front and slides back and downward to the LCD screen. There is a chrome band that runs down this side as decoration.

The right side of the Stylus 1000 has a thicker chrome band than on the left side. In the middle of the band are two arch-shaped holes that connect to make a wrist strap eyelet. Above and below the eyelet are two screws. Above the bottom screw, but below the eyelet is a small door that encompasses half the chrome and half of the other material on the body. This is labeled: “USB, DC IN 4.5V, A/V OUT.” Also from this angle, the right side of the mode dial can be seen. It has texture on it so it can be more easily rotated.

 

The top of this digital camera shows off its strange wedge shape. The left side with the lens is considerably thinner than the right edge. A chrome band runs across the top line, and thickens to a wider platform on the right side with two buttons; the smaller button on the left turns the camera on and off, while the larger one on the right snaps the pictures.

The bottom of the Stylus 1000 has a battery compartment on the left side and a tripod socket on the far right edge. The socket is located so far to the right that the camera can't sit straight on a tripod. The one side weighs the camera down and tilts the camera just slightly. In the middle of the camera is the built-in speaker.