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

Value (6.5)
The Olympus Stylus 770SW has a retail price of $379. This is $20 less than the 720SW's original retail price, and it now can be found online for under $300. The Stylus 770SW can survive just about any conditions, making it a tempting choice for adventurers and outdoorsy people who need a digital camera that will survive adventures with them. The $379 is steep when compared to other digital cameras with similar modes, controls, and performance. None of those cameras would survive a climb on Everest though.

Comparisons

Olympus Stylus 720SW - The Olympus Stylus 720SW also has 7.1 megapixels and a similar sturdy body design. There are a few tweaks to the housing, but they’re all pretty much cosmetic. The cameras have the same dimensions, 3x optical zoom lens, and 2.5-inch sized LCD screens. The resolution on the LCD screen of the older 720SW isn’t as good though at only 115,000 pixels. The Stylus 720SW is shockproof to 5 feet, like the new model, but the older camera is waterproof only to 10 feet. It is also not crush- or freeze-proof. The Olympus Stylus 720SW had a solid body, but it wasn’t a solid performer. It had decent resolution and some noise but terrible color reproduction and lengthy shutter lag. The new and old models have the same modes and controls, including ISO options to 1600. The Olympus Stylus 720SW uses a Li-40B rechargeable battery that gets 300 shots per charge. The new camera has the same size battery but a different version (Li-42B) that snaps a hundred shots less at a time. The 720SW originally retailed for $399 when it was released last year and can now be found online for less than $300.

 

Pentax Optio W30 - There aren't many waterproof digital cameras out there, but the Pentax W30 provides some competition. It has 7.1 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens, and a 2.5-inch LCD screen with half of the resolution at 115,000 pixels. It has a similar listing of automatic and scene modes including a digital shake reduction mode that is much like Olympus's digital image stabilization mode. The W30 boasts a movie mode that records 640 x 480 pixels at a much smoother 30 fps. There is a green button on the camera body that makes activating the auto mode much simpler, and it includes a face detection system. The W30's body isn't as slim at 4.2 x 2.1 x 0.93 inches, but it has a similar hefty 5.6-ounce weight. The Pentax Optio W30 is waterproof for up to 2 hours in depths of up to 10 feet, so it can't go as deep as the Olympus 770SW, and it isn't guaranteed to survive a fall or freeze in the cold either. Still, the Pentax W30's retail price of $299 makes it a tempting option.

 

We got to briefly review the 770SW before it hit the assembly line and only a few minor changes have been made since.

1. The preproduction model had the same silver body, but the labels were printed in black, red, and green. The final model came with white labels that are much more difficult to read.

2. An LED icon was added on the Menu button. This activates the LED flashlight function that was not included on the preproduction model, but it now provides light for 30 seconds when the camera is turned off and the Menu button pushed.

3. A long list of languages was included on the preproduction model: English, Japanese, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Korean, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Russian, Norwegian, Czech, Finnish, Polish, Turkish, Croatian, Slovenian, Hungarian, Greek, Latvian, Serbian, Estonian, and Arabic. The final product we received had only English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese - although all the other languages can be loaded onto the camera with the included software.

4. Perhaps the most disappointing difference was that the preproduction model could shoot pictures in a burst until the memory card was full, but the production model stopped after four pictures in each burst.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – The 770SW is built for these consumers with its list of automated modes, few controls, and built-in help guide. And you can even point and shoot in 33 feet of water, under 220 pounds of rock, and in freezing temperatures.

Budget Consumers – At $379, these consumers could purchase a simpler and cheaper model and maybe even an optional waterproof housing.

Gadget Freaks – There is an LED flashlight and a manometer that gauges the pressure on the camera, but these are the only unique gadgets – and users will hardly even know they're included without checking a spec sheet.

Manual Control Freaks – There are a few control options but not enough to entice this audience into giving the 770SW a serious look.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists – Professional photographers won’t look at this camera, but perhaps professional mountaineers, divers, or other outdoorsy types might give the Olympus Stylus 770SW a glance.