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Olympus Stylus 850SW Digital Camera

Olympus 850SW

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Key Features of the Olympus 850SW :
  • Ultra Compact camera with Full metal body which is Shockproof up to 5 ft and Waterproof up to 10 ft.
  • 8 Effective Megapixel Resolution.
  • 3X Optical Zoom with Face detection.
  • Digital Image Stabilization Mode. Capture Crisp, Clear Pictures With High ISO Sensitivity And Fast Shutter Speed.
  • Large 2.5" Hypercrystal LCD Screen.
  • 28 Built in Shooting Modes.
 With the rugged and stylish 8-megapixel Stylus 850 SW, Olympus proves that you do not need to be a windsurfer or snowboarder to appreciate a camera that is immune to five-foot falls, works in freezing snowstorms, swims with dolphins and survives everyday life with kids. Designed for the adventurer in all of us, the new Stylus 850 SW weathers harsh conditions in five stylish colors that make it attractive in action while it captures brilliant images to last a lifetime.

Olympus Stylus 850 SW Highlights

Shockproof design The shock-absorbing technology designed into the Stylus 850 SW minimizes the impact delivered to the lens and circuitry when the camera is dropped from heights up to 5 feet. Whether the camera slips out of a backpack or a toddler drops it down a staircase, the Stylus 850 SW can take life’s hard knocks.

Waterproof for underwater fun The Stylus 850 SW performs as well underwater as it does on land because its lightweight, aluminum exterior is matched with interior rubber gaskets and O-rings to seal out the elements. It can take photos while being fully submerged to depths of approximately 10 feet (3 meters). The inclusion of four preset underwater scene modes makes the Stylus 850 SW perfect for snorkeling or a day in the pool. It also features a water-repellant lens coating to prevent water droplets from forming on the lens to get crystal-clear shots no matter how wet the shooting environment.

Freezeproof for icy conditions Unlike other point-and-shoot cameras that freeze up in frosty weather, the Stylus 850 SW still performs when the temperature dips well below freezing (14 degrees Fahrenheit; -10 degrees Celsius) so it is ready to hit the slopes when you are.

Dustproof for worry-free fun The rugged Stylus 850 SW is an ideal companion for a weekend in the great outdoors as it is impervious to dust, dirt and other particles. Shoot without worry in the wind and when the camera gets dirty, just rinse it off and keep shooting.

Face Detection Technology Face Detection Technology tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures.

Digital Image Stabilization This camera features Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) to capture crisp, clear pictures. By boosting the camera’s ISO sensitivity and shutter speed, DIS freezes the action and provides blur-free images, even when you or your subject is moving.

In-camera panorama In-camera panorama mode captures three images and stitches them together to create one amazing panoramic picture. Simply press the shutter button and slowly pan across a panoramic scene. The second and third images will be captured automatically and stitched together with the first image -- resulting in one seamless panorama-size picture. To create the ultimate panoramic picture, consumers can use the Olympus Master 2 software to stitch up to 10 images together.

Shadow Adjustment Technology Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlit areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. Shadow Adjustment Technology compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With this technology, users can preview and capture images with the same contrast as the naked eye.

2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD The Stylus 850 SW features a 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD that displays clear, high-contrast images. HyperCrystal technology increases the LCD brightness for better visibility in low-light and bright-light situations -- perfect for composing pictures underwater or in direct sunlight. Images are also viewable from more than 140 degrees, enabling photos to be composed from a wider range of angles and viewed by several people at once.

Perfect Shot Preview The Stylus 850 SW features a Perfect Shot Preview mode that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. This feature enables users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering.

Perfect Fix in-camera editing The Stylus 850 offers Red-Eye Fix and Shadow Adjustment Edit, in-camera editing features such as resizing, frames, text options, and saturation adjustments, enabling users to edit photos right in the camera. With the Perfect Fix function, multiple editing features can be applied at once.

Practical and fashionable accessories Olympus offers a number of optional accessories, specifically designed for the Stylus 850 SW. For users looking to capture their underwater adventures in depths beyond 10 feet (3 meters), Olympus offers the PT-041 underwater housing, which enables users to take pictures in depths to approximately 130 feet (40 meters). A red floating wrist strap frees consumers’ hands when swimming or chasing the next big wave, and a trendy silicone skin protects the camera from scratches.

Olympus also offers premium cases in a variety of new colors, including cream plaid and gray plaid as well as a new brown leather, which features a masculine wallet design. The premium cases are also available in black, pink and red leather. Durable, sporty neoprene cases are perfect for active or outdoor expeditions, and they are available in black and olive. The new olive color neoprene case features a carabineer, which can be hooked to a bag, swimming suit or hiking shorts. A neoprene armband case is the ideal accompaniment for surfing, hiking or any activity where having free hands is a must.

Olympus Master 2 software Olympus Master 2 software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to a computer quick and simple. Images are easily organized by folders or albums and are searchable by date in the Calendar View. With one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or emailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee Theater Pack to create professional-quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.



Olympus 850SW Photo Samples

Click here to view more samples.
These are actual photos taken with Olympus 850SW.
Photos courtesy of Flickr and belong to respective users. To view a larger image click on thumbnail.

Compare Olympus 850SW with similar cameras
Name: Canon SD750 Canon SD1000 Olympus 850SW Canon SD1100 IS
Megapixels: 7.1 7.1 8.0 7.0
Optical Zoom: 3 X 3 X 3 X 3 X
Max Res: 3072 x 2304 3072 x 2304 3248 x 2436 3264 x 2448
LCD Screen: 2.5 " 3.0 " 2.5 " 2.5 "
Digital zoom: 4x 4x Yes, up to 5x 4x
Image stabilizer: No No No Yes, CCD
Media Card: SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card xD Picture Card + Internal SD/SDHC/MMC Card
Battery: Lithium-Ion NB-4L battery & charger Lithium-Ion NB-4L battery & charger Lithium-Ion (LI-42B) & charger NB-4L Li-ion battery
Weight (with batteries): 170 g (6 oz) 175 g (6.2 oz) 176 g (6.2 oz) 165 g (5.8 oz)
Lowest Price: $169.95 $159.95 $189.95 $149.00
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Olympus 850SW User Reviews

Avg. Rating
4.0
Out of 5
 This item is reviewed by 101 people so far.
Click here for complete reviews.

5
Out of 5
LOVE IT!!!
- Reviewd on: 2009-01-06 By: S. Meyer
This is probably the best money I spend all year! I love this camera, it is so easy to use and it makes it less stressful to have out all the time with it being water proof and shock proof. It takes great pictures and I love all the different settings. I haven't used it underwater yet but will in a few months and cant wait to try it out! I highly recommend this camera!
2
Out of 5
Works great, but not in the water!
- Reviewd on: 2009-01-01 By: Eileen Gibson
I bought this camera with such high hopes, having planned a trip to Costa Rica that included waterfall rappelling, snorkeling, and plenty of time in the Pacific waves... The camera worked perfectly the first half of my trip, with crystal clear snapshots of scenery, people, and food. However, the first time we went in the ocean, the camera froze up and stopped working. Waterproof? Definitely not.

When we got it inside, I followed the instructions to clean off the camera, etc. However, I noticed water in the LCD area, and when we opened it up, there was water in through the battery and xD slots. Unfortunately, the camera never worked again.

So I would not recommend this product to anyone who actually expects it to be waterproof. It takes beautiful photos, but isn't worth the extra money for features that aren't really there.
1
Out of 5
Don't get this camera!
- Reviewd on: 2008-12-31 By: Margaret M. Manning
I have used Canon small cameras (ELPHS and SureShots) extensively for at least 15 years, for thousands of vacation and family photos under all sorts of conditions. Because I am always dropping cameras and cell phones, I decided to try the "unbreakable" Olympus 850SW. Well, I might not drop it; I might THROW it at something after trying to use it for two months. (1) The battery life is nonexistent. I hardly ever had to charge any of my Canons; they would run for two days of constant shooting on vacation, for example. This Olympus battery dies in a half-hour. (2) The storage card is, as many have pointed out, uncommon. It turns out to really annoy me to have to carry an extra cable, etc. (3) Despite its 20+ special settings, I couldn't get a single decent picture at an indoor fashion show, not with any setting, not in regular auto mode--nothing. Again, in comparison to the long list of Canons I've had, this is pathetic. I never had to worry about focus with a Canon. This camera looks cool and may be indestructible; it's just not a good CAMERA.
5
Out of 5
The best camera ever!
- Reviewd on: 2008-12-19 By: Jennifer L. Ware
My parents gave me this camera for my birthday and I love it! The photos and the screen are so clear.
5
Out of 5
Mom-Cam
- Reviewd on: 2008-12-18 By: Mother Hen
We needed a waterproof camera for a family vacation. I got amazing shots underwater. I got great shots out of water, too. I am a terrible picture-taker...but this camera seems to compensate for my photographic ineptitude.

Definitely glad we got a bright color; silver or blue would be easy to lose at the bottom of a pool or on a beach.