Olympus Stylus 830

Auto Mode (7.0)
The Olympus Stylus 830 has a full Auto mode as well as a Program mode. The modes are accessible in the Function menu. The Auto mode limits selectable settings to image quality, exposure compensation, flash settings, self-timer, and macro focus. The camera automatically selects other settings.

The Program mode is mostly automated, but gives users access to white balance, ISO, drive, and metering in the Function menu.  Users may choose to manually select options or set them to auto. Additionally, Autofocus mode and the panorama feature can be set in the Camera menu.

Movie Mode (7.0)
The Stylus 830 records AVI Motion JPEG with sound. There are three resolutions available: SHQ (640 x 480) at 30 frames per second (fps), HQ (320 x 140) at 15fps, and SQ (160 x 120) at 15fps. Movies shot at 15fps have a stuttery look; the 30fps setting is more desirable because it makes for smoother footage. Some cameras, such as the Canon PowerShot A720 IS and A650 IS offer multiple resolutions at 30fps, which gives the user more flexibility.

There are severe restrictions to how long Movies can be recorded. At the highest resolution, only 10 seconds can be recorded continuously to a 1GB memory card. When set to the lower resolutions, up to 29 minutes of continuous video can be recorded. To compare the Canon PowerShot A720 IS can record up to one hour or 4GB at its top resolution and the Panasonic TZ3 can record up to 2GB.

White balance and metering can be adjusted in Movie mode, but optical zoom is disabled. Digital zoom is available, but we suggest physically moving closer to the image instead of using digital zoom because it degrades image quality. The Sony T100, which sells for $70 more than the Stylus 830, also has a 5x optical zoom lens, but it’s fully functional in the Movie mode, which makes a huge difference in quality.

The Stylus 830’s Movie mode could use some work. If a Movie mode is high on your features priority list, it’s best to consider another camera, like the Sony T100.

Drive / Burst Mode (5.75)
There are high and normal speed Burst modes, accessed through either the Function or Camera menus. The normal Burst mode snaps a pretty slow 1fps for up to six images at full resolution. The high speed Burst mode snaps away at 3.9fps for up to 11 images, but at reduced resolution. After a series of images are taken, it takes about 3 seconds to write to the memory card.

Playback Mode (7.25)
In-camera editing features are on the rise in digital cameras, allowing users to improve their photos without the use of a computer. The Casio Exilim EX-V8, for instance, offers color correction, brightness adjustments, and dynamic range editing tools. The Stylus 830’s Playback mode, however, is primarily for viewing images, not editing them.

When the camera is set to Playback mode and the menu button pushed, icons representing the following submenus are displayed: Slideshow, Edit, Print order, Perfect Fix, Playback menu, Setup, Add Favorite, Erase, and Silent mode.

/o:p>Images can be viewed individually or in groups of 4, 9, 16, or 25. The calendar display groups images by the date they were taken. Images can be magnified up to 10x to check details and for focus.  

Various amounts of image information can be displayed by pressing the disp. button. Images can be displayed without information; with shooting information and a histogram; with date, time, and file number; or with shooting information and the date and time information.

The slideshow feature is basic; the transitions can be changed and the department-store like background music can be turned on or off. That’s it. The slideshow’s duration can’t be changed and users are stuck with the cheesy background music.

The following color effects can be applied to images: black and white, sepia, saturation (high), saturation (low). Edited images are saved as a new file, rather than overwriting the original. Other cameras allow users to fine tune both saturation and contrast.

Olympus’s Perfect Fix feature brightens shadows in backlit images and/or corrects red eye. Users may choose to apply one or both effects to an image.

Movies can be played back with VCR-like control. Clips can be fast forwarded and rewound at various speeds and the volume can be turned up or down.

Overall, the Olympus’s Stylus 830’s Playback mode is suitable for reviewing images, but other cameras offer more editing options for both still images and movie clips.

Custom Image Presets (8.0)
The Stylus camera offers a robust selection of Scene modes, including the basics such a Portrait, Landscape, and Night scene. The 23 Scene modes are as follows: Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Sport, Indoor, Candle, Self-portrait, Available light portrait, Sunset, Fireworks, Cuisine, Behind glass, Documents, Auction, Shoot & Select 1, Shoot & Select 2, Beach & snow, Underwater wide 1, Underwater wide 2, and Underwater macro.  The underwater modes require underwater housing.

The Scene modes are accessed by turning the mode dial to the SCN position, pressing the menu button, selecting the scene submenu, and choosing the appropriate Scene mode. That’s four steps and that’s a lot compared to most cameras. Many cameras’ primary Scene modes, such as Portrait and Landscape, have a position on the mode dial.