Olympus Stylus 850 SW

Got me a new toy.   

I hope it takes good stills and videos like my Sony's have.

It was at Costco for $279 including a 1 GB card - seems like a good deal.

Anyone running with one of these?  How do you like it?  What don't you like about it?

My product research is a little backward, but I'll take it back to Costco within 90 days if I'm not happy with its performance.

Eric

One thing it supposedly has going for it is being shock proof, short of slamming it to the ground. My Optio definitely isn't. I've seen some comments about shutter lag, which the Optio also has. I'm not crazy about Pentax customer service, but very happy with the pictures from the Optio. I haven't seen any pictures yet though that were ID'd as being taken with the Olympus. Both cameras are touted to be waterproof to an extent. I proved the Optio is when I fell out of my kayak and was in the water for about 20 minutes.

If you plan to shoot a lot of video with it and if it will accept the new high capacity memory cards (over 2 GB), get a 4 GB card. They're coming finally coming down in price.

Howard

Got me a new toy.   

I hope it takes good stills and videos like my Sony's have.

It was at Costco for $279 including a 1 GB card - seems like a good deal.

Anyone running with one of these?  How do you like it?  What don't you like about it?

My product research is a little backward, but I'll take it back to Costco within 90 days if I'm not happy with its performance.

Eric

Thanks for the advice, Howard. 

I should have some R&D work on here before the end of the weekend.

Eric the video geek   

I have the 720 W, and like it a lot, other then the shutter lag. I've heard that the 790 is much better in this respect, hopefully the 850 shares this trait.

If you can get one of those translucent silicon rubber covers, do so. They keep the camera from getting beat up as much, and are also non-slip, so the camera tends to stay put a lot better. Be sure to dunk the camera in freshwater after a trip to the salt, with the cover off.

Regards,
Scott

Thanks, Scott.  I do like the idea of having that silicone cover - I'm not a believer in the idea of "impervious to salt water"...

 

What kind of memory card does it take? if I remember correctly it is not an SD card.

I'll step out on a limb, and say that the 850 uses the same XD card as the 7X0 series use. A guick google indicates this as well.

Scott

I too have one.  I like it but don't brag about it.  Mostly because I'm not that camera savvy and haven't figured out optimum settings.  A lot of my pictures come out blurry so I take LOTS o' photo.

If you can get one of those translucent silicon rubber covers, do so. They keep the camera from getting beat up as much, and are also non-slip, so the camera tends to stay put a lot better. Be sure to dunk the camera in freshwater after a trip to the salt, with the cover off.

Agreed! 

I think I ended up ordering the cover from Olympus but I'm sure you can get it elsewhere.

Thanks, Scott.  I do like the idea of having that silicone cover - I'm not a believer in the idea of "impervious to salt water"...

The cover is not so much for keeping water out as it is for protecting the shell of the camera - keep it looking pertty.  Water will creep in but its no biggie as long as you follow Scott's directions of taking the cover off and dipping it in fresh water per the instructions.

What kind of memory card does it take? if I remember correctly it is not an SD card.

Tote is correct, they don't take take the standard SD card.  At least my 720 SW doesn't.  I shopped around online and ended up getting the 1 GB but you're already there.  I can't imagine that larger cards aren't available.

Good luck and have fun Eric.  I'll be looking forward to your posts AND pictures.  Maybe you'll be able to teach me a few things!

Michael

It uses either Olympus xD picture cards or any brand mini-SD (the tiny SD cards) memory card. Plus, it will work with the newer higher capacity (4 GB and higher) cards.

It uses either Olympus xD picture cards or any brand mini-SD (the tiny SD cards) memory card. Plus, it will work with the newer higher capacity (4 GB and higher) cards.

My 720 SW takes the xD, I wonder if it will take the mini-SD.  Also wonder if it will take the higher capacity cards.  Need to check that out when I get home.

Thanks Hojoman!

Michael

XD it is.  I'll wait to see how the capacity of this 1 GB card is before I invest in more.

Thanks.   

Eric

Not sure about the 720, Michael. The Olympus camera site said that the 850 can use the mini-SD cards in a micro-SD adapter. The site doesn't list the 720 anymore and the review at http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/stylus720_pg2.html only talks about the xD card and makes no mention of high-capacity cards.

If you're getting blurred pictures, you either have autofocus turned off, or in the wrong autofocus mode (closeup, moderate, distance), or moving too quickly once you press the button to take the picture.

If you decide to return it 

Cannon A650(279@costco with decent printer and sd card) w/waterproof housing (about 160@amazon).  I liked the optio and considered the olympus but the 10 and 30 foot depth restriction meant I'd have to get a housing anyway or risk damaging the camera. 

12 mp. This pic was shot from a serious distance and cropped, still decent quality.


UW, lots of surge throwing me around and I ony got one blurry pic out of the dozen I shot.  Being able to shoot pics while in motion is a biggie for me.

Wow, Art!  You're into it and doing it right!!   

You've outted yourself by showing those - now we'll be expecting more killer shots with your reports!   

That deal sounds nice, but I don't think it's for me right now because I like the idea of using a wallet-sized camera.  I've figured for quite a while that I'll go back to SLR at some point, but not right now - I'm too rough and tumble.   

I got the 770 SW because of the higher depth rating  30 or 33 ft I think. So the first thing I did was take it ab diving, (last fall) probably won't do that often, it's a pretty harsh environment, irons, gauges, abs, rocks, sand, etc.

But I did take some pics at about 15-20 ft, the things are guaranteed waterproof for 3 yrs right? and I'd heard good things about Olympus customer service (vs nothing good about Pentax service) so I figured my risk was minimal.

Took some nice pics, washed it off in fresh water and still works great,

taking a normal looking digital camera down under like that sure felt weird though.

dale