Value (7.0)
The Olympus Stylus 410 is a decent value for a 4 megapixel point-and-shoot camera priced at US $379. With a host of automatic controls and sharp imagery, the Olympus is ideal for a beginner user. In general, most cameras will run about a hundred dollars per megapixel; anything below, as long as the camera performs overall, is a value. The Olympus Stylus 410 is basic, but as long as manual controls are not a precedent, the camera will perform. Besides, for under $400, how can you go wrong with a cuisine mode?

Comparisons
Canon PowerShot S410 - A similar 4 megapixel camera to the Olympus Stylus 410 Digital is the Canon PowerShot S410. Measuring 3.43 x 2.24 x 1.09 in, 8.4 in³, and weighing about 6.53 oz, the Canon S410 is slightly heavier, slightly more expensive (US $363), but has slightly more manual control to boot. If you’re worried about issues like white balance, the Canon PowerShot S410 may be a better choice for you. Unlike the Olympus, it has more preset white balance options, plus the ability to be set manually. That may be a crucial plus to many people.

Fuji FinePix A340 - In the Fuji line, the Fuji FinePix A340 is comparable to the Olympus Stylus 410 Digital in a number of ways. In addition to their equal manual control options, picture storage, 1.5-inch LCD size, and 3x optical zoom, the Fuji A340 and Olympus 410 have similar lens covers that activate the camera when slid open. Measuring 4.09 x 2.42 x 1.23 in, (11.27 in³ total volume) the Fuji FinePix A340 has quite a large frame, but is relatively light at 5.1 oz. For cameras with similar features and controls the decision might come down to a coin toss… or the amount of coins you have. The Fuji FinePix A340 is roughly $50 cheaper at US $299.99.

Kodak DX6440 - Another similar 4 megapixel camera in the exact same price category as the Olympus Stylus 410 Digital (US $349) is the Kodak EasyShare DX6440. With a size of 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.5 in, 16.1 in³, the DX6440 is slightly larger and heavier (7.8 oz) than some other cameras in this range, but this extra bulk might be overshadowed by its bulkier settings. The Kodak EasyShare sports an impressive 4x optical zoom and has increased control options, such as manual shutter speed and aperture.

Nikon Coolpix 4300 - One of Nikon’s answers to the 4 megapixel point-and-shoot is the Nikon Coolpix 4300. With a weight of 7.9 oz and measuring 3.7 x 2.7 x 2.0 in (19.98 in³), the 4300 is pretty large. This is mostly attributed to its handgrip on the right side of the digital camera, which increases handling ability, but decreases portability. The unique feature about the Nikon 4300 Coolpix is its white balance bracketing option. The bracketing option shoots 3 images with one click of the shutter button and allows the user to select the most accurate or desired image, perfect for those who are new to white balancing and have not mastered it yet. This is a nice feature to have in a camera that is aimed at novices and casual users. Nikon must think so too because their price is slightly higher than its competitors at US $399.95, but it might just be worth it.

Pentax Optio S4i - A small but feisty 4 megapixel competitor from Pentax is the Pentax Optio S4i. This camera has similar features to the above cameras with a whole host of other manual and automatic settings. All of this packed into an amazingly small body (3.3 x 2.0 x .08 in, 5.28 in³, 4.2 oz) that can fit into an Altoids box, so you can have fresh breath and fresh pictures! The Pentax Optio S4i goes above and beyond many other digital cameras in its class by offering manual focusing, manual white balance and up to 16 automatic preset shooting modes! These options will please both the point-and-shooter and folks who know a little more about photography and would like more options. One would think that all of this would cost you an arm and a leg, but Pentax does consumers a great service by offering it for US $350.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters-- This is definitely a good camera for the average point-and-shooter to use and understand with ease. Its small size, clever design, and protected lens cover make it an easy and fun travel companion.

Budget Consumers-- With an initial price of US $349, the Olympus Stylus 410 Digital is moderately priced for its range. It is not the kind of camera for an extreme budget, but is definitely in an affordable price bracket.

Gadget Freaks-- If changing the start-up screen picture and the color of the menus are considered gadgets, this might fall within that category. But, other than these few bells and whistles, the Olympus Stylus 410 Digital is pretty basic.

Manual Control Freaks-- Sorry manual freaks, you’re going to have to look somewhere else. The Olympus Stylus 410 Digital is obviously meant for the automatic control freaks of the world.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists-- The same goes for the serious photographers, unless they would like a point-and-shoot camera to augment their pro shooting equipment. Everyone has birthday parties to go to, and who wants to schlep their SLR with them wherever they go?