Olympus Stylus 770SW Digital Camera Review

by Emily Raymond
Published on May 23, 2007

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

Likes

- Solid construction - Improved Olympus Master Software - Compact body - Waterproof, shockproof

Dislikes

- Confusing menus - High-speed burst mode limits resolution - Small buttons - Small f/3.5 max aperture - Choppy 15 fps movies - Spotty flash coverage

Conclusion
The Olympus Stylus 770SW has an impressive set of specs that surpass the older Stylus 720SW. The new camera is just as sturdy with its 5-foot shockproof rating, but it can go deeper into the water to 32.8 feet. It reaches a whole new level of ruggedness by withstanding weights of up to 220 pounds and freezing temperatures to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

The 770 will appeal to adventurers with its rugged specs, sturdy housing, and Swiss Army knife-like functionality. It has a manometer that records the elevation of each shot, an alarm clock for those early morning canyon hikes, and even an LED flashlight to help campers find their boots in the dark. Perhaps the next model will have a fork that folds out of the top.

 

Despite all this, the 770SW has a ways to go in terms of organization and imaging. The buttons are incredibly small, the movie mode is buried in menus, the auto focus system takes a little too long, and the lens is placed in the way of fingers. The flash rarely looked good in pictures but was hard to avoid using in low light situations, which also impacted the reliability of the auto focus system.

 

The Olympus Stylus 770SW is a fun camera and a practical option for a specific group of photographers because of its ability to be dunked, frozen, dropped, and crushed, but it isn't a serious camera in terms of performance and image quality. Its body is built for adverse conditions, but its modes and controls work best in optimal conditions.