Which camera: Pentax Optio or Olympus Stylus?

Which camera would you recommend: Pentax Optio or Olympus Stylus?

I am finally going to ante-up for a new camera. YAY!
But I am having trouble choosing between these two waterproof camera manufacturers. Part of me (the cheap part) wants to buy the Optio W10 because it seems like a good deal at $170. But the other part of me (the avid consumer) wants to get the Stylus 1050sw because it has better features, but it costs about $70 more than the W10.


So, please share your experiences and/or comments about these two brands of waterproof cameras. Good experience, bad experience, whatever. I plan to use this camera to document fishing adventures on both shore and kayak.

Thanks in advance for your input,
PK

 Pentax optio! If Fish Hunters photo's don't impress you.....take another look at his posts!

Pentax optio! If Fish Hunters photo's don't impress you.....take another look at his posts!

It IS the CAMERA!,not me......but don't get that old one, go for the W20 at least(7 pixels)
I rinse it after each salt/bay trip and let it sit out drying when not in use...don't leave it packed up in all the wet&moist gear.....it has had ZERO problems and I've had it for 2.5yrs and counting.

pic1,2,3 ~ auto mode

I've got the stylus, the 850SW. It's served me well so far. The only thing I don't like is having to take the battery out to charge it; would be easier if it could just be plugged in.

Other than that, it takes great underwater pictures IMHO.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,12925.0.html

If you're good at not DROPPING things, go for the Pentax. Otherwise, go for the Olympus. I initially bought the Pentax always managed to bang it against something or drop it on the ground. Eventually, it died. The olympus is shock proof. Wasn't sure at first until a buddy demonstrated by throwing it to the ground. (Unfortunately for that friend, however, he dropped his camera in the water shortly afterward.    )

Howard

Love my Optio WP.  Got some good underwater shots of the kids & am not afraid in the least to take it yakking

I've got the Olympus that goes to 10' - I wish I'd have gotten the one that goes deeper...  Also, I am not fond at all of the audio, but that could be true for most waterproof's when videoing.  Last, I hate how the battery life indicator goes from green/ready to red/about to die - totally unpredictable except that now I pretty much count on only getting one session on a charge...

Good luck, and I'm looking forward to a new chapter in Shore(and yak)fishing Pirate lore.   

I've had the Optio WP 5mp for 4 years (and abused) = still ticking!!! No complaints from me.

This is great feedback guys! Thank you, and keep it coming!

Seems like the Stylus cameras have a short battery life--I've read that complaint numerous times. I have seen souped-up aftermarket batteries on eBay but that's another 30-40 bucks.

Had my Optio for about 4-5 years.  Battery life is falling - need to get new batts.  Other than that it is dented, dinged, & still works.  I just need more fish to aim it at

I've got the old-school Olympus Stylus 770SW.  It takes great pictures when on the correct setting.  There are so many settings that it is mind-boggling.  I'm somewhat tech savvy but when it comes to cameras, forget about it.

I too spent mucho tiempo researching what I wanted.  After weighing the pros and cons, I obvious settled on the 770SW.  I'm a klutz and enjoyed the added security of the shockproof feature.

It is true that the battery life is poor and thus I spent the aforementioned $30-$40 but am glad I did.  Nothing like having the battery go dead and having the back-up.

Look forward to hearing what you decided on.

Michael

I've got the old-school Olympus Stylus 770SW.  It takes great pictures when on the correct setting.  There are so many settings that it is mind-boggling.  I'm somewhat tech savvy but when it comes to cameras, forget about it.

I too spent mucho tiempo researching what I wanted.  After weighing the pros and cons, I obvious settled on the 770SW.  I'm a klutz and enjoyed the added security of the shockproof feature.

It is true that the battery life is poor

Look forward to hearing what you decided on.

Michael

Ditto, except that mine leaked 8 days after the warranty expired, ruined the camera but not the card or battery, it has a 33 ft rating and I was about 12 ft down, Olympus honored the warranty so I'm back in business,

Also I have at least once tested the shockproof feature, I was impressed that it still worked,

I'm not any kind of a judge on features but when left on auto I can't complain about the pics.

While doing internet research on Pentax I found high praise for the cameras, and almost universal dissatisfaction with their customer service, but none of that is personal experience, just what I read.

I've got the Olympus that goes to 10' - I wish I'd have gotten the one that goes deeper...  Also, I am not fond at all of the audio, but that could be true for most waterproof's when videoing.  Last, I hate how the battery life indicator goes from green/ready to red/about to die - totally unpredictable except that now I pretty much count on only getting one session on a charge...

Good luck, and I'm looking forward to a new chapter in Shore(and yak)fishing Pirate lore.   

Ohhhh yeah, I forgot about those.

Pat; I don't think my Olympus battery has a particularly short life, it's just that the indicator appears to have only two settings, either "I am full" or "I am about to die", so you never know how much life you've got.

and yeah, the audio isn't great for video. It always clips off the first few words, maybe trying to auto-adjust or something. I don't know, I don't understand machines.

Received my Olympus 850SW in early Nov. for a B-Day gift.
In auto mode it does well and takes great under water shots.
Really like the shock proof bit as I have dropped it several times.
The reason I decided on the Olympus instead of the Pentax is because that was the only one of the two I could find in a local retailer and wanted to have someone I could talk with if I needed schooling. I'm sure you'll be happy with either brand but make sure you can talk to someone face to face if you have any questions or need to be shown how to operate it.

I got the pentax optio....and I love it. It takes great pics and video. Totally waterproof. I had it in a bag that also had my gps and vhf......I didn't notice but the bag was full of water for an entire day. The GPS and the camera were fine (and I even forgot to 'lock' the battery/sim card door on the camera). VHF.......DEAD! and the VHF even had the word 'waterproof' on the front. Like others said. I just give it a quick rinse after each saltwater outing.