Olympus Stylus 730

Connectivity
Software
The Olympus Stylus 730 will come packaged with Olympus Master Software that allows users to download images to a computer, search them by date or keyword, and perform simple editing tasks.

Jacks, ports, plugs
The Olympus 730 has a single terminal on the camera body that can do it all. It accepts AV-out, DC-in, and USB cables. Like most digital cameras, the AV-out function can be optimized for European or North American standards (PAL or NTSC). The DC-in cable uses 4.8 volts and it requires a coupler that is not included in the package, while the USB and AV cables are included.

Direct Print Options
The Olympus Stylus 730 has an option to create print orders from the initial blue menu screen. It lets users select all of the pictures to print or scroll through individually and choose 0-10 prints for each image. There are plenty of features that enhance photos and prepare them for direct printing on this camera. Frames and labels can be added to make birthday, thank you, or other cards. There are cropping, rotating, and other editing features in the playback menu. A “Perfect Fix” button on the top of the camera automatically improves the lighting, red-eye, and sharpness. There is also an option to create layouts of photos to print into photo books. Overall, this digital camera is primed for direct printing with its useful features and handy USB connectivity to PictBridge compatible printers.

Battery
The Stylus 730 comes with the same battery that powered the 720 SW camera: a rechargeable Olympus lithium-ion LI-42B battery. The 3.7-volt battery comes with a charger that will be used frequently. The skinny battery can only shoot 200 shots per charge. The pre-production model had problems with its battery door; it kept popping open unexpectedly and shutting down the camera. Hopefully this doesn’t happen on the real deal; that would make those rubber seals on the door quite pointless.

Memory
The Olympus 730 has 22 MB of internal memory. The camera requires an xD-Picture card, and for all of the functions to work properly users will need Olympus-branded media. The camera is tested to accept cards up to 2 GB.

Other features
Panorama mode – The specs claim that the camera can take up to 10 pictures and stitch them together with the help of the Olympus Master Software and an Olympus-branded xD-Picture card. This function definitely had some glitches on the pre-production model. It would provide framing assists and take a string of pictures, but if I tried to view them in the playback menu there would be trouble. An xD logo would appear, then fade into a white screen which would freeze the camera. I had to pop the battery out and back in a few times.

Silent Mode – This will keep the camera quiet at a ballet performance or other place where noisy beeps and shutters are unwanted. This is available from the initial blue menu screen.

Voice Memo – On the pre-production mode, it recorded less than 5 seconds. It is unclear how long the real model will record. The voice memo function can be turned on and off in the setup menu.

Pixel mapping – Like several other Olympus digital cameras, the image sensor can reformat itself with the built-in pixel mapping function.

Image Parameters	Page 8 of 10		Overall Impressions
Olympus Stylus 730 First Impressions Review Navigation
Intro	Physical Tour	Components	Design / Layout
Modes	Control Options	Image Parameters	Connectivity / Extras
Overall Impressions	Conclusion