Olympus Stylus 720SW

Connectivity
Software (6.0)
The Stylus 720SW comes with the 1.41 version of Olympus Master Software. This program takes about 5 minutes to load from the included CD-ROM and requires the serial number from the packaging. Once in the software, several of features also require a serial number from an Olympus branded xD-Picture card, and the supposedly included ImageMixer VCD DVD2 program is only available if the software is upgraded via the Olympus web site. The opening screen, furthermore, looks archaic with its old fonts and randomly placed icons.

As the program does not automatically load pictures from the computer (although it does automatically open pictures from the camera), users must first upload images into the program for viewing. They can then click the ‘Browse’ option to view images as thumbnails or as individual pictures. From this screen, basic commands, such as editing, printing (home and online), and finding are available. Users can view all of the file information, including shutter speed and aperture, and display histograms of their files... A Help function always sits in the top right corner of the screen to aid lost photographers.

When users venture into the editing browser, the original file is enlarged on the left side of the screen and the live preview of changes sits in a tiny frame at the right side. The preview is a little small, so users may be squinting to see how the +10 green channel option affects the image. Red, green, and blue channels can be individually tweaked in the color balance menu. Other options include an instant fix button, rotating and cropping functions, and even automatic tone and red-eye fix buttons.

An Art option, which sounds rather ambiguous, is really only there to tease users. While Art offers Watercolor, Oil Painting, and Cartoon Art options, and allows users to play with images, adjust brush strokes, and so forth, saving the images is not possible without entering the serial number of the Olympus xD-Picture card.. The 3D picture option also requires the serial number.

Overall, don’t expect much from the Olympus Master Software, because it’s just not there. It all seems to be a plug for the upgraded software or the Olympus branded cards. Consumers who are planning to spend much time editing should probably look into purchasing another editing software program.

Jacks, ports, plugs (4.5)
A single terminal serves as the Olympus Stylus 720SW’s USB, AV-out, and DC-in jack. The USB is high-speed 2.0, while the AV-out function can transfer at North American (NTSC) or European (PAL) standards. These two cables come with the camera, but the DC-in cable is optional and not included in the package. A sturdy hinged door with a rubber seal on the inside protects the port; it is a nice departure from the flimsy covers that plague digital cameras.

Direct Print Options (6.5)
Printing directly from the Stylus 720SW is not as streamlined as with other models, but it isn’t that difficult either. Pushing the Menu button in the playback menu brings up a Print Order option. From there, users can choose whether to print all of the photographs in the memory or scroll through the images and select a few, add times or dates, and choose how many copies of each picture to print.

While the PictBridge compatible digital camera hooks up to printers directly via the USB cables, it doesn’t automatically transfer images. A screen appears and users must scroll to the direct printing option, then push the OK/Func button in the center of the multi-selector. For not-so-direct printing, users can transfer images to the computer, then order prints online or print from home via the Olympus Master Software.

Battery (6.0)
A tiny rechargeable lithium-ion battery powers the Olympus Stylus 720SW. The included charger is not a wall-mounted style, but has a base and a separate cable that connects the base with the outlet. It takes about 300 minutes for the Li-40V or Li-42B battery to fully charge. The battery is quite efficient, considering its compact form and the large LCD screen. It can get about 300 shots per charge.

Memory (4.0)
The Olympus Stylus 720SW comes with 19.1 MB of internal memory, enough to hold about 6 full-resolution images. Although the camera doesn’t include external memory, it accepts accepts xD-Picture cards up to 1GB. The panoramic stitching mode, art function, and 3D picture modes also require an Olympus branded xD-Picture card and its serial number, so saving the packaging is important.

Other features (8.5)
Shock Proof – Indeed, the "SW" at the end of this camera’s title actually means something. The "S" denotes its shockproof feature, which is completely new to the digital camera market. Olympus tested the Stylus 720SW to 5 feet, so users can drop it right out of their hands - a situation made likely by the lack of good gripping surfaces - and then keep shooting like nothing ever happened.

The Olympus Stylus 720SW has an extremely durable exterior highlighted by a metal casing and sturdy bolts. Supposedly, the insides are equally durable: the camera employs a floating circuit board designed to absorb the shock from falls of up to 5 feet. This Stylus wasn’t designed to be thrown against walls or dropped from 8-story buildings, but can certainly take far more abuse than most cameras can endure. It’s certainly childproof: my own baby tested gravity with it, and it survived perfectly well.

Water Proof – "W" in "SW" indicates the waterproof functionality of this digital camera. Olympus markets its entire Stylus line as all-weather, but the 720SW goes above and beyond that distinction with a completely waterproof body. Rubber O-rings and sealants keep the camera’s internal workings from getting wet; these are tested to survive up to an hour under 10 feet of water. Though this isn’t a camera for deep-sea diving or caving, unless users want to purchase the optional PT-033 underwater housing, it’s good enough for snorkeling and swimming in the bathtub or pool.

Sadly, underwater pictures didn’t turn out so well. Viewing the LCD was difficult because it catches glares easily, and the finicky water surface and lack of contrast caused focusing problems. Overall, the Olympus Stylus 720SW didn’t do as well as expected underwater, but its sturdy housing is still convenient in rainstorms and the like.

Panoramas – When an Olympus-branded xD-Picture card is inserted, the Panorama option becomes accessible via the camera menu. With this option, the Olympus Stylus 720SW can shoot up to 10 frames, which can then be stitched together in the Olympus Master Software upon uploading.

Automatic Pixel Mapping – This digital camera comes with an automatic pixel mapping function in its setup menu. When users activate the function, the Stylus 720SW reformats the pixels across the image sensor. This process takes about 15 seconds and only needs to be done about once a year: it acts as a tune-up for the image sensor. Usually, this reformatting must take place at the manufacturer’s, but Olympus puts it in the consumer’s hands.