Review Index – (updated 17 November’09)

About.com
Photo quality is about what you would expect for a camera under $200. It is not what they considered great but on the other hand it was not poor. Pictures taken with the 7010 were a little on the flat side indicated the reviewer however the colors were sharp and were rendered accurately. If you are headed into low light situation you can expect some additional noise in your images.
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Steve’s Digicams
“At the end of the day the 7010 is a little confusing. Sure the specifications looks impressive but the test is in the pudding and with the 7010’s average photo quality, elevated image noise, and a bad battery life it fails to meet expectations. For the price it does pack some nice features but my recommendation would be to look elsewhere in the sub $200 camera lineup.”

PCW
“Here is a camera that does not need a lot of user intervention and they really don’t need to know much about photography, however, video capture is nothing to write home about.”
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Video Review @ ComputerTv

TrustedReviews
“The Stylus 7010 / mju-7010 is an interesting looking camera with a decent specification. Build quality and finish are of a high standard, it is versatile and easy to use, and it is capable of producing good results in most normal situations. However its poor low light performance, limited battery duration, lack of advanced features and relatively high price make it less appealing in comparison to some very capable rivals.”
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PhotographyBlog
“Certainly performance at ISO 400 and above is a let down – as are the rather cool, slightly washed out results delivered when shooting on the camera’s standard default settings. On the plus side the latest Mju is for the most part responsive and intuitive to use, and shouldn’t tax its target audience.”
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Review Index – (updated 13 November’09)

RegHardware
“For one thing this camera is just too large for folks interested in upgrading. No flash. Now this is going to be a real problem for a lot of people who might have bought it otherwise. Compared to full DSLR the E-P1 does not offer that large of a size advantage and the fact that it does not have a viewfinder will probably end a ot of potential sales.”
Rating:  

CameraLabs
“Bottom line – the slightly delayed focusing, middles of the road screen resolution and no onboard flash deny the E-P1 from receiving our top recommendation, but it still is a great camera, and depending on your personality could be the camera you have always been looking for. Micro Four Thirds is also creating lots of excitement in the digital photography world and we are curious how it will mature.”
Rating:  

DPS
“You get all the advantages of digital without the bulk of a DSLRa. The camera is small while the lens is compact and lightweight.
II’m not so thrilled with the LCD being the sole viewfinder, unless you’re using the 17m lens with its associated optical finder: in bright sun the LCD screen is practically useless, with the focusing indicators rendered.”

PCAuthority
“The shutter lag is frustrating, though, it isn’t quite as compact as we’d truly like, and then of course there’s the price. In short, it isn’t the ideal universal travel camera, but if you’ve been waiting for a true rangefinder-style digital at a vaguely sensible price, the PEN E-P1 fits the bill.”
Rating:  

PopPhoto
“What’s Hot: High-resolution, color-accurate images. Low noise up to ISO 800 and usable images at ISO 1600. Head-turning, retrostyle design.
What’s Not: No built-in flash or optical viewfinder. Sluggish autofocus, especially in low light. Micro Four Thirds lens selection is limited, but growing”

DPExpert
“We fell in love with the E-P1 the moment we took it from the box. So we bought one! We know that for years we have been advising readers not to buy cameras without proper viewfinders, and now look what we’ve done. Well, we were right – an LCD is no substitute. It is morning, and we still love her, but we are not blind to her flaws. She is gorgeous but cranky and demands that we do it her way. When was love ever any different?”

WhatDigitalCamera
“Without making too much of a song and dance about it, the E-P1’s video mode is fairly impressive. Though it won’t tempt movie connoisseurs, as it offers only 720p high definition and no audio input, the results still look impressive, and can be output at 1080i if required. Plus, the ability to use the Art Filters, aperture priority and shutter priority for video means you can still get creative.”
Rating:  

ImagingResource
“But the Olympus E-P1 with the 17mm lens hits the right spots for this photographer: great still image performance, very usable high ISO images, good optical quality, a prime lens with more to come, easy portability, and a certain charm that makes you want to take pictures. Hard to beat that. The Olympus E-P1 is a revolutionary design, and a Dave’s Pick.”

DxOMark
“Image quality results for the E-P1 are almost identical in performance compared with the Olympus E-30, which uses the same LiveMOS sensor.”

TechRadar
“Olympus seems to have made great strides with the other one-time weakness of Four Thirds sensors – high-ISO performance. Admittedly, the E-P1’s ISO 6400 maximum is a step too far, and it’s a bit dodgy at ISO 3200 too, but at ISO 1600 it’s very good by any standards.”
Rating:  

Adorama
“They have delivered a game-changing camera that may not be for everybody but if the size, shape, and ability to use so many different kinds of lenses, from Olympus and many others appeals to you, as it does to me, you’ll want an E-P1.”

Ken Rockwell
” I’d get an E-P1 to take anywhere to shoot anything that holds reasonably still. Unlike pocket cameras, the Olympus E-P1 is reasonably competent for shooting slowly-moving subjects. You’ll still want an SLR for moving kids, action or sports, however the E-P1 is much faster for this than any fixed-lens pocket camera.”

DigicamReview
” The Olympus PEN E-P1 really is a ground breaking, genius product, with a gorgeous metal body that fits in your pocket, compact lenses that retract inside themselves, and image quality and features to rival some of the best Digital SLRs. It not only lives up to the hype surrounding the product, but in my opinion, exceeds expectations, and is well worth the seemingly expensive outlay. Highly Recommended!”
Rating:  

ByTom
“The problem is that, without fixing all the little details, the Olympus E-P1 is very vulnerable to competition. I’m betting that the Panasonic GF1 doesn’t have the same problems, which is bad news for Olympus fans. So Olympus needs to get the E-P2 out quickly, and they need to address all the little things that are wrong with their initial offering. First to market is only good if you can protect the position. It’s unclear to me if Olympus can or will.”
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PDN Gear Guide
“Both the Sigma DP2 and the Olympus EP-1 deserve kudos for coming out ahead of the big boys— Canon and Nikon—and trying to meet those challenges but, in the end, these two cameras are a letdown. Of the two models, the EP-1 is definitely the superior camera and is being offered for about the same price. While it’s a beautiful looking camera with a first-rate HD video feature with fantastic sound, the frustratingly slow autofocus speed and its image noise issue at ISO 800 and above will limit where and when you’ll want to use the EP-1.”

Shutterbug
“Shooting scenes with both highlights and shadows can often be dicey because of the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The E-P1 addresses this challenge with Shadow Adjustment Technology that adjusts for extreme light variations and maintains visible detail in both the shadow and highlight areas of the scene.”

PhotographyBay
“Yes, it handles noise decently and produces solid images; however, there’s a lot more that goes into the process. We need a competent and reliable autofocus system in order to make sure we capture the moment. If you aren’t going to take photos of living subjects, I suppose you could make the Olympus E-P1 work for you. Alternatively, if you want to look cool and have people compliment you on how cool your camera is, you should check this camera out.”

LetsGoDigital
“However, contrary to all the rational thoughts, there is the feeling the camera gives you. In a way, you can’t but love this camera. There is something very special about this camera. Not only its appearance, but something that simply cannot be explained. Don’t ask me why, but the Olympus E-P1 will challenge you again and again to take pictures. Not because you should, but because it is that much fun.”
Rating:  

DigitalCameraInfo
“The E-P1 combines an intelligent Auto mode that attempts to recognize the scene before you and match it up to a preset scene mode with the traditional program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual shooting modes. Newbies will welcome the wide array of scene modes provided and, while they seemed irretrievably goofy when we first encountered them, the Art Filter effects have grown on us a bit.”

DigitalCameraReview
“On one hand I can’t tell you how happy I am to see the return of the Olympus “Pen” series to the world of digital photography. On the other, I can’t tell you how frustratingly slow this camera is if you’re used to the speed of a DSLR. Despite this fundamental flaw, the E-P1 makes a superb photographic tool for photographers who are willing to take their time with photography. If you’re not trying to grab snapshots of running children or motor sports then the E-P1 proves to be a capable camera.”

Wired
“Manual focusing is confusing and difficult without an optical viewfinder. Autofocus not entirely reliable. No included flash. Maximum aperture of f3.5 in the kit lens is disappointing. Kit lens requires a manual “press and twist” maneuver to extend it into shooting position. Recorded sound is so-so; internal microphone will also pick up whirring from the lens if you zoom in and out. Camera is a bit bulky with lens attached.”
Rating:  

DCResource
“Here’s the easiest way for me to summarize my thoughts on the Olympus E-P1: If you’re taking action shots, consider something else. If you’re not, then it’s absolutely worth a look. The combination of size, style, photo quality, and features is hard to beat. Just like with the pioneering E-330 three years ago, if you can live with the E-P1’s trade offs then you’ll find that it’s a fun and capable interchangeable lens camera.”

DPInterface
“I think E-P1 is a niche camera for street shooters and those who NEED to travel light; at least for now with its premium price tag. For the same price, one can get the ‘dual lens kit’ for the Olympus E620, which is almost the same camera with better overall value, improved more-SLR-like ergonomics, a flip-out and rotate LCD and faster performance, but minus the ‘cool’ factor and movie mode of the E-P1. So you need to know what you’re doing before swiping the plastic for the Olympus E-P1.”

The New York Times
“You take a few pictures, and now you’re certifiably in love: they are spectacular. There’s a clarity of light, an almost molecular level of detail, a perfection of color in some of the shots that make you giddy. The camera does just incredibly well with skin tones, close-ups, nature colors — these photos knock your socks off.”

Dantestella
“Maybe Olympus has some better, more compact, more functional version of a Micro Four-Thirds camera around the corner – but it might be better to wait for now. The E-P1, as currently configured, looks too expensive and inflexible to be an “intermediate” camera and neither functional nor small enough to be a compact for serious photographers. It certainly does not evoke Olympus’ history of brilliant engineering and execution. If you can read this, Olympus, let’s see an improved E-P2 on the next go-round.”

DPReview
“It’s easy to come up with a list of reasons not to buy one; the slow focus, the dime-store screen, the lack of built-in flash, the paucity of Micro Four Thirds lenses, the unimpressive ‘iAuto’ mode, not to mention the fact that Panasonic could – and probably will – produce something that fixes half these problems at some point by making a compact version of the GH1.”
Rating:  

Photo Review
“Sadly, the E-P1 also fails to meet its promise in critical areas like interface design, auto focusing performance and failure to include important items most photographers require (viewfinder, flash) in the camera body.”
Rating:  

Imaging Resource
“The Olympus E-P1 is an interesting and innovative camera, and as a first model in what will probably be a series it has some very nice features. Build quality and finish are of an exceptionally high standard, and image quality and performance are safely superior to the vast majority of compact cameras. However the enormous cost compared to a good DSLR, and the lack of either a viewfinder or built-in flash will put many people off.”
Rating:  

The Online Photographer
“I applaud Olympus’s PEN E-P1. The camera world is badly in need of new ideas even if they’re not entirely new. Taking advantage of the PEN’s 50th anniversary was an inspiration that has injected welcome excitement into the camera marketplace, rather like the 2006 introduction of the Leica M8. Relatively few people can, or are willing to, spring for Leica’s pricey digital rangefinder. But the E-P1 is within reach of a broad segment of photo enthusiasts and is reportedly already selling very well.”

PCMag
“Despite its slow focusing, the Olympus E-P1 offers one of the best all-in-one experiences for photographers looking to balance size, image quality, HD video, portability and nostalgia. If Olympus could improve focusing speeds and video performance to match Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds Lumix GH1, they’d have a flat out winner.”
Rating:  

Video Tour @ DigitalRev

GoodGearGuide
“Overall, the Olympus Pen E-P1 is a great unit that’s ideal for users who want a compact camera that can also be used with interchangeable lenses. We like its picture quality for the most part, and its grainy film mode in particular. It’s the ideal camera for travellers or anyone who just wants an inconspicuous camera that can be used with a variety of lenses. We like it a little more than Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-G1K Micro Four Thirds-based camera.”
Rating:  

LapTopMag
“If you want the image quality of a DSLR along with a more compact design (and can afford to pay a premium), this camera is a compelling choice. The E-P1 is also a smart buy for serious photographers looking for something smaller than a DSLR but more advanced than a point-and-shoot.”
Rating:  

CNET Asia
“Looks aside, the Olympus snapper offers plenty of creative options for enthusiasts. But the lack of an onboard flash may put some users off, so this is something Olympus may want to look into this for future models.”
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PhotographyBlog
“This is a very appealing and refreshingly different camera that does indeed combine the best features of compact and DSLR cameras. It’s not a pocketable camera by any means, contrary to how Olympus are marketing it, but it is small and unobtrusive enough to carry over a shoulder without attracting too much attention. The EP-1 represents a significant upgrade for compact owners who don’t want the bulk of a DSLR, and a great second camera for DSLR users who want something smaller without sacrificing image quality, ultimately satisfying the needs of both groups.”
Rating:  

Photocrati
“The E-P1 system is great as a compact alternative to a DSLR for occasions when you don’t want to lug a heavy camera bag. By next year, additional lenses will be introduced and those will provide even more versatility. Granted, there are a few issues (such as low light AF performance and a lack of a viewfinder and built-in flash) but the favorable aspects outweigh those, in my estimation.”

Pocket-lint
“True this camera will be neither fish nor fowl to some, who may not be able to see the point. However, others that may hanker for that “days of yore” feeling, evoked by the styling, design and handling will not be disappointed. As for me? Well, I was won over by the image quality and that at the end of the day is probably the single most important factor and so makes this a camera one I cannot help but recommend.”
Rating:  

CNET
“I can’t really recommend the E-P1 to folks upgrading from a point-and-shoot, since the biggest motivation there, in addition to wanting better low-light photos, tends to be a desire for better performance to shoot kids, pets and sports. On the latter count, unfortunately, the E-P1 simply doesn’t deliver.”
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DigicamReview
“The Olympus PEN E-P1 really is a ground breaking, genius product, with a gorgeous metal body that fits in your pocket, compact lenses that retract inside themselves, and image quality and features to rival some of the best Digital SLRs. It not only lives up to the hype surrounding the product, but in my opinion, exceeds expectations, and is well worth the seemingly expensive outlay. Highly Recommended!”
Rating:  

T3
“The Olympus E-P1 is a brilliant-looking camera, and possibly the best example so far of what the Micro Four Thirds technology is capable of. While many will baulk at the price of the camera it does have the right amount of technology to back up its worth and will no doubt tempt new users to the ‘grown-up camera’ brigade. The retro revolution starts here.”
Rating:  

Steve’s Digicams
“I feel Olympus has hit a home run with their new PEN series model. While there are a few things that I feel could be better (shooting performance, low-light AF performance, etc.), the list of positive aspects of this camera far out weight the negatives. With the ability to capture beautiful photos, a host of creative still and video options, pleasing HD video quality, and various accessory options, the E-P1 is one well-rounded digital camera.”

OutbackPhoto
“To our surprise even AF works. AF is slower than with the kit lens but still usable. The only issue we see is that this lens is too big for the small body to balance well. We hope Olympus makes this zoom also for m4/3.”

Engadget
“Obviously some of the detracting factors here should give pause before you put down your $799 for the basic kit, but you should know that there are also a lot of really outstanding features and impressive performance packed into this small and extremely attractive package. The E-P1 would be an excellent pick for anyone getting serious about photography who wants something easy to use, but still powerful enough to take really striking pictures and video.”

Biofos (First Impressions)
“As both a concept and a product the E-P1 is simply stunning. This is a bold and courageous move from Olympus and I for one feel confident that it will be rewarded by the market. The E-P1 is a refreshing change from all the ‘also ran’ DSLR black bodies and the boring oblong boxes of the compact world that look like mobile phones.”

The Online Photographer (First Take)
“E-P1 surprised me pleasantly in lots of shots. Yes, the contrast is a bit too strong for my taste. Everything else is very nice. My favorite, though, is the vertical shot of the model in pink bikini. Out-of-camera JPEG, not the lightest compression, I misfocused, she had her eyes almost closed and the photo might benefit from a tiny little increase in exposure…”

CNET Asia (First Take Preview)
“The Micro Four Thirds shooter is using a new imaging processor, the TruePic V engine, which was developed for the new snapper. According to Olympus, the new chip will deliver clearer pictures even at high ISO sensitivities, by removing noise without smudging details in the shot.”

Imaging Resource (Hands On Preview)
“First, the Olympus E-P1’s image quality won’t be held to the standard of bigger, heavier digital SLRs; even when it is compared — which it will be — people will make allowances for any shortcomings they see; if they see any at all. Second, there are so many advantages to a camera of this size that Olympus can’t help but attract new users on that fact alone.”

LetsGoDigital (Hands On Preview)
“This is not a speed monster, but a model that is based on a platform that gives life to an entire new camera segment, created by Olympus. In my opinion, the Olympus E-P1 is only the first of many possible models. A camera that will win a photographer’s heart in no-time, designed from a historically rich photography past.”

DPReview (Hands On Preview)
“Perfect it ain’t, but when we first saw the E-P1 we couldn’t have been happier, and we just wanted to run off with it and start taking pictures.”

DigitalCameraReview (Hands On Preview)
“For the E-P1, Olympus went back to the drawing board, or at least, back to the filing cabinet. Vintage camera nuts will immediately recognize the aesthetic influence of Olympus’s classic Pen F – a half-frame 35mm camera from the middle of the last century, and one of the manufacturer’s early attempts at miniaturization – in the converging body lines of the E-P1’s top panel.”

Review Index – (updated 29 October’09)

PhotoReview (Editor’s Choice)
“Buy this camera if: – Want a small DSLR camera that can takes a range of compact lenses – You need powerful in-camera image stabilization and highly effective dust reduction technology – You like access to lots of in-camera adjustments and special effects – Live View in important to you and you want preview functions plus support for autofocusing.”
Rating:  

CNET UK
“Olympus has even managed to extend the dynamic range of JPEGs produced by the camera. Where the E-420 would clip highlights, should you take your eye off the histogram (real-time in live view), the E-450, with the ‘auto gradation’ option enabled, can largely be left alone to make complex auto-exposure decisions.”
Rating:  

LetsGoDigital
“The impression that lasted for a long period of time after having testing the Olympus E450, is the feeling of ease and pleasure of photographing. The camera has strong features in that respect, which are not reflected directly in the technical specifications, but, in practice these certainly come out.”
Rating:  

ePhotozine
“I like some of the features that Olympus have put on the E-450 and I think it could do well as long as people start to understand that FourThirds isn’t a bad system to buy into. It works easily enough I can just see a lot of newcomers to photography being turned off because of all the buttons on the body. Image quality is great, though, as is noise control and colour rendition. If you can see past the complexity of the buttons then you will bag yourself a lovely little camera.”
Rating:  

TechRadar
“Although the E-450 is a budget model, it’s not been dumbed down and keen photographers will find it gives them all the hands-on control they want, without burying the technicalities, and that’s a large part of its charm.”
Rating:  

PhotographyBlog
“What the E-450 offers over the E-420, which can be had for even less? A subtly different LCD screen and processing engine aside, the difference is limited to the three Art Filters, present in the E-450 but absent from the E-420. The Art Filters are well implemented and admittedly fun to use, but are they enough to sway you away from the cheaper E-420? Only you can tell.”
Rating:  

Review Index – (updated 19 October’09)

LetsGoDigital
“It is clear that the Mju 9000 scores only moderately, and should be improved on several points in order to reach comparable test results like the PowerShot SX200 IS or Lumix DMC-TZ7 cameras of Canon and Panasonic respectively. Without these improvements, the Olympus Mju 9000 is unlikely to be around for long.”
Rating:  

DigitalCameraReview
“This camera is geared for the casual shooter looking for focal power and full automatic controls and it doesn’t demand all the precision of a more expensive camera with more manual control. The camera is a great travel companion, but it can’t be pushed past the limits of a snap shooting camera. The Stylus-9000 is what it is, an entry-level to intermediate point-and-shoot with some cool features.”

Cameras.uk
“Picture quality is not perfect, but the flaws only become noticeable if you are planning to make larger prints. The Olympus MJU 9000 is certainly a very handy size for a camera offering this much zoom.”
Rating:  

CNET Asia
“Despite its professional look, the Mju 9000 didn’t quite deliver as expected especially in the image quality department. But if you are not fussy about image quality and just want a user-friendly, long-zoom compact, then perhaps you can consider this Olympus. If not, the SX200 IS or TZ7 may just be a better bet.”
Rating:  

ePhotozine
“What began as an impressive display of features and build quality slowly soured as I used the camera more and more. If this camera can be kept in normal balanced daylight that’s bright enough to use a low ISO then the results will be acceptable. That’s the problem, though. I’d expect them to be more than acceptable as a camera that sits higher than others in its range and no flashy graphics or lit up buttons can change that.”
Rating:  

GoodGearGuide
“Overall, there is plenty to like about this camera — it has a great zoom lens, useful in-camera editing and panorama stitching. You might have to play around with it in order to get the image quality you’re after, but it definitely has the ability to produce clear and vibrant images.”
Rating:  

PhotoReview
“Don’t buy this camera if: – You want to shoot raw files (this camera is JPEG only). – You’d like to adjust aperture and shutter speed settings. – You want to shoot widescreen or high-definition video (VGA at 30 frames/second is the best this camera offers). – You want good low light performance.”
Rating:  

Pocket-lint
“Well the Olympus offers a good zoom and some nice features, however we weren’t overly impressed with the image quality or the button layout on the rear of the camera. Images seemed flat when reproduced, and although our test day was on the overcast side in terms of weather, even the bit of sun we did get didn’t lift our spirits or image colour that much.”
Rating:  

Trusted Reviews
“The Olympus Mju 9000 is a sensibly designed and well made camera with a very useful zoom range. It is easy to use, performs well and produces good results in most situations. However the lack of some important features such as an AF assist lamp or any colour adjustments limit its appeal somewhat, especially considering the relatively high price.”
Rating:  

PhotographyBlog
“The Olympus mju 9000 still has its main advantage of being smaller and lighter than its rivals, especially when compared to the Canon SX200 IS, and it certainly won’t disappoint if you decide it meets all your needs. A good first attempt at the travel zoom by Olympus, but it ultimately falls short of the high standards set by Canon and particularly Panasonic.”
Rating:  

CNET Australia
“In terms of appearance and overall functionality, the Mju 9000 is one of the nicest Olympus compacts we’ve tested in quite some time. It’s a little bulkier than usual thanks to the 10x optical zoom but for the most part this is the pick of the bunch if you’re looking at buying an Olympus.”
Rating:  

DPInterface
“The Olympus Stylus 9000 is suited for casual/leisure picture-taking in well lit conditions (its movie mode is not fantastic). It’s not particularly speedy, there are no manual controls and pictures are usable only up to ISO 400. I would only recommend (even then, not whole-heartedly) the Stylus 9000 if you MUST absolutely have the smallest 10X zoom camera in the market.”

CNET.co.uk
“The Olympus mju 9000’s a fairly smart little camera. It beats the latest Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ6 and DMC-TZ7 with 12 megapixels to their 10, but they’ve got a 12x zoom instead. While the 9000 has an attractive finish, the TZ6 and TZ7 are ever-so-slightly neater and more elegant, although you may disagree.”
Rating:  

Review Index – (updated 08 October’09)

DigitalCameraReview (As compared to the Nikon P90)
“Is it unbridled zoom power you’re after? The 26x Olympus SP-590 UZ might be the camera for you. Do you attach more importance to the look, feel, and user experience of your camera? Take another look at the Nikon Coolpix P90. Bottom line – there are no losers here.”

Cameras.uk
“If it is plenty of zoom you are after you will struggle to find more than the 26x zoom on offer here. The camera does a good all round job and achieves what it sets out to do. It has a set of manual exposure controls and a wide angle lens.”
Rating:  

Steve’s Digicams
“Olympus has really made some improvements with the SP-590UZ. While many features have been carried over, the 590’s increased performance really helps this camera shine in a category that is becoming more and more competitive. With great image quality, speedy performance, loads of exposure options, and a generous 26x optical zoom lens, the SP-590 has a lot to offer.”

DigitalCameraInfo
“To put it bluntly, the zoom difference from 20x to 26x just isn’t that significant. While the Olympus performed well enough in most tasks, there are simply better choices out there for around the same price point.”

CNET Asia
“We debated on the rating of the SP-590UZ’s photo quality. It’s not bad, and if you’re not picky, you’ll probably be very happy with the photos. However, even at low sensitivities (ISO 64 and ISO 100) our photos displayed visible noise, a lack of sharpness and had that painterly artifact quality usually associated with higher ISO images, which makes prints look soft.”
Rating:  

LetsGoDigital
“It is in fact the super mega zoom feature of the Olympus SP-590 UZ that lets us down. It seems Olympus went just one step too far. The specifications are beautiful, 26x zoom and high resolution with many setting options, but in practice the camera does not live up to its expectations. If you expect good quality and all-round photography, you’d better look for a DSLR.”

CNET
“Ultimately, the Olympus SP-590 UZ ranks as a functional but not particularly notable megazoom. While none of the current models have a 26x zoom lens, as with many megazooms the EVF makes it impractical to shoot the things most people want the long lens for–kids’ sports, for example. So you might as well go with an alternative: save money with a cheaper camera or got for a more expensive camera and get better image quality and performance.”
Rating:  

DigitalCameraReview
“Noise performance is average and the folks who live by the monitor on their point and shoots should plan to pack extra batteries (lots of extra batteries if they’re alkalines) for all-day outings. They’ll get lots of good stuff never venturing from the auto modes, but this camera does its best work when the user takes charge with the manual shooting options.”

DCResource (As compared to the Kodak EasyShare Z980, Nikon P90, Pentax X70)
“What I didn’t like: Dull colors out of the box, LCD on the small side, no IS in movie mode (unless you turn off sound recording), redeye a problem (though you can remove it in playback mode), plastic tripod mount, reliance on xD cards, lousy manual.”

PCWorld Australia
“The camera’s zoom is quiet but it was slightly slow. Operation is on par with other advanced compact cameras we’ve tested, with shots taken quickly and an impressive 10 frames per second in the continuous shot mode in our testing. Interestingly, we did notice a faint but constant rhythmic ticking sound while the Olympus SP-590UZ was on — thankfully the camera didn’t explode. “
Rating:  

DPInterface
“The Olympus SP590’s operation, however, proved to be less user friendly than other super zoom cameras of its class. The SP590 has a Function menu which allows for quick access to certain shooting features (such as white balance and ISO), but for everything else, you’ll have to dig into the 5 page Camera Menu. The camera also lacks a control dial of any sort (ie rear rotary wheel or front command dial), so you’ll have to resort to tedious button mashing if you want to tweak exposure.”

PhotoReview
“Buy this camera if: You’re looking for an ultra-zoom digicam with good wide-angle coverage, plenty of adjustable controls and image stabilisation – You want manual flash adjustment plus a good range of flash settings, along with the ability to work with multi-flash set-ups. – You’d enjoy taking very close ‘macro’ shots.”
Rating:  

Photoxels
“The Olympus SP-590UZ has most everything a beginner or serious amateur photographer needs ( only RAW file format and hot shoe are missing). Consider: super macro at 1 cm, satisfying wide-angle at 26mm, incredible tele reach at 676mm, full exposure flexibility with PASM, sensor-shift image stabilization, fast and precise AF in good and low lighting, a much improved menu system, and, more importantly, all of this packaged together so they work as a complete whole.”

InfoSync
“This is the “Hit or Miss” poster camera. The Olympus SP-590UZ would crank out a beautiful image in one shooting environment and then an exceedingly sub par image in the next. At close range, the SP-590UZ was great, but landscapes were bland and most colors lacked electricity.”
Rating:  

CNET UK
“Superzooms are tricky to recommend. Real photography enthusiasts will find they do a great deal but only tolerably well. The Olympus SP-590 UZ, however, is one of the best of the bunch and comes at a price that makes it well worth a punt.”
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Trusted Reviews
“The Olympus SP-590UZ has a lot to commend it. The price is good, and the overall design is attractive and functional, with very good handling. It performs well and it’s low light performance is especially good. However that title-capturing 26x zoom lens is far too big, produces inferior image quality and cannot be used at full zoom without a tripod. Image noise issues are also a problem.”
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PhotographyBlog
“Intuitive and well-featured compact bridge camera with a frankly amazing lens and focal range, which delivers good-looking images if taken in the right lighting conditions. It doesn’t fare so well in low-light, isn’t a great choice for keeping up with the action, and feels incomplete without the RAW mode. On the whole though, the Olympus SP-590UZ is a great do-it-all camera that’s easy to highly recommend.”
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DigitalCameraReview (Hands-on Preview)
“Like most continuation models, there’s a lot that is, to put the matter bluntly, unremarkable about the 590. We haven’t even made it around to the camera’s electronic viewfinder and its 2.7 inch HyperCrystal II LCD, for instance, as neither is especially noteworthy or memorable.”

Review Index – (updated 28 September’09)

About.com
“During my Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 review, I found a sturdy camera that offers an easy to use interface for beginning photographers. However, I didn’t quite like the Stylus Tough 6000 as much as its big brother, the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000. “
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Hardware Secrets
“Picture quality is good. The screen is fantastic in bright sunlight. And the waterproof and shockproof qualities live up to their hype. The tap function works quite well making the camera good for cold weather or underwater photography. The camera is good-looking and easily pocketable.”

Imaging Resource
“Our big complaint with it, though, was its sluggish performance. Shutter lag and shot to shot times were very slow, making it poorly suited for any kind of action shooting. Given that a camera as rugged as the Olympus 6000 invites use in all sorts of active settings, we find it hard to recommend for the active life it seems designed for. If you can afford the roughly $80-90 difference in street price, the Olympus 8000 offers higher resolution, better shutter response and cycle time, and is even tougher and more waterproof than the Stylus Tough 6000; a better camera all around.”
NotRated –

DigitalCameraReview
“At the end of the day, the Tough-6000 – which impressed us so much early on – left us feeling just a little disappointment after a month of testing. Maybe our expectations were too high. Regardless, it’s a stylish, impressively solid little camera that handles itself well in the great outdoors. But for all of its adventure-photo advantages, the Tough-6000 is just a little too rough – or perhaps a little too tough – around the edges to be the all-in-one, general use answer we were hoping for.”

Neocamera
“There are very few cameras like this but if you do not consider all these characteristics to be important, it is fairly easy to find a better ultra-compact. If you do give importance to these, then the Tough 6000 holds its own quite well.”

Pocket-lint
“With a price to match your average 10-megapixel compact camera, the Olympus Mju Tough-6000 offers a good rugged approach without trying to sting you for it. That rugged approach lives up to its name, giving you a camera that you can happily give to the kids or take to the beach without the fear of breaking it.”
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GoodGearGuide
“There’s not much that we don’t like about the Tough 6000. In fact, we think it’s a lovely ruggedised camera for anyone with an adventurous bone in their body. Its picture quality is as good as the 12-megapixel Tough 8000, if not a little better. It’s also $100 cheaper than the Tough 8000, but it can’t go as deep or withstand as much force.
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DPInterface
“With many handy features and scene modes, the Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 aka Mju Tough 6000 is a decent point-and-shoot, rugged camera that I can recommend, with reservations. Why? The Stylus Tough 6000 isn’t the best camera in town – there are other rugged cameras with HD movie modes, better battery life, faster performance and better image quality.”

Cameras.co.uk
“I like this camera. Obviously its main attraction is the fact it is waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, but it also takes a decent snapshot and is easy to use. If you are looking for a family camera knowing it might get the odd knock then this is well worth a look.”
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CNET Asia
“The Olympus mju Tough-6000 isn’t some testosterone-pumped freak of a camera. It’s a perfectly normal-looking, though stylish, pocket-sized compact that just happens to be able to survive extraordinary amounts of abuse. The picture quality is good rather than great, but, apart from that, it’s a tempting buy for outdoor types.”
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Steves Digicams
“With the durability of the camera, there are no worries of children handling it. Performance and quality are ok, but the camera makes up for these with its unmatched versatility. With a MSRP of US$299, this is a great choice for people that want to document their adventures without the risk of breaking the camera from small bumps and accidents.”

DPExpert
“If we were in the market for an indestructible compact camera we would wait to see what Canon and Panasonic have to offer. We have tried a pre-production Panasonic unit and were satisfied with the results. As for the Beauty setting on the Olympus – we tried it on a plain person and it didn’t help. It simply blurs skin detail while keeping eyes and hair reasonably sharp. File under G for Gimmick along with Smile Detection.”

Review Index – (updated 19 September’09)

DPInterface
“Olympus makes great SLRs, decent compact cameras but they have a long way to go with ‘super cheap’ cameras. I’d pass on the FE3010 as you can find better cameras out there. For the same price as the FE3010, you could pick up a Canon A480 or one of the Panasonic LS/FS cameras which perform better in terms of speed and image quality. Not to mention they don’t compromise on features such as burst mode.”

Review Index – (updated 09 September’09)

Demystifyingdigital
“My family loves the water and this Olympus waterproof camera is very water-friendly. In fact, It’s waterproof down to 33 feet. What an awesome feature. My first reaction was to throw the kids in the pool and shoot a ton of photos. Once I got that out of my system, I also found the Olympus Stylus Tough 800 was great for things like our “slip ‘n slide” or for when the kids are playing with the hose or even in the rain”

Gizmodo
“Relative to other test shots by other waterproof cameras, the photos were, well, middling and grainy. I don’t believe that picture quality is necessarily a main concern on waterproof cameras—water quality is a bigger determination here—but as an above water camera, there are better choices.”

PCMag
“While the Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 is tough, has handy tap controls, and is quite attractive for a ruggedized camera, it’s difficult to recommend an almost-$400 shooter with image quality results that are on a par with the Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital Elph—a camera from 2004.”
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Steve’s Digicams
“Leading the way in “go anywhere, do anything” line of digicams, the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 goes as deep and is as strong as any other camera on the market. A big plus is that the styling of the camera doesn’t make it stand out as an underwater only camera. Featuring a 12-Megapixel imaging sensor, 3.6x wide optical zoom lens and dual image stabilization, it has everything you would find on other digicams in its price range. Performance from this Olympus model is very good, but it does lack a little in image quality.”

CNET
“Photo quality is good, but could certainly be better. Image noise and detail degradation starts creeping in fairly early, about ISO 200, so try to keep the ISO set at 64 or 100, and make sure you have plenty of light. Colors are natural and pleasing, and at their best at these lower ISOs, too; shots were generally evenly exposed as well. At all of the ISO settings, however, photos from the Tough 8000 just aren’t sharp.”
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Imaging Resource
“Its combination of “tough” features and ratings outranks anything else currently on the market, and it snaps photos with accurate color and better than average detail for its category. Drop it, crush it, freeze it, or dive with it to 33 feet, and it’ll keep on clicking: If “tough” is what you need, the Tough 8000 delivers it in spades.”

DigicamReview
“The camera has a wide range of features that should suit every person, such as face detection focus, shadow adjustment, numerous scene modes, good video mode, excellent macro mode, a wide angle 3.6x optical zoom lens, etc. It’s also good to see Olympus are supporting MicroSD memory cards with the provided XD adapter. The only thing I’d say this camera was missing, is custom white balance.”
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TechRadar
“The controls are too dainty for extreme conditions. The buttons would be hard to operate underwater or in a blizzard, and the menu system is hard to navigate. However, image quality is reasonable, with a decent amount of detail and pleasing colors.”
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Cameras.co.uk
“This is a robust digital camera at home around water or on the ski slopes. It is also drop proof and crush proof. It takes a good picture and is worth a good look if you are after a digital camera anyone in the family can use.”
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MacWorld
“Overall image quality is good as long as you don’t push the camera to produce big enlargements. Underwater scene modes produced average results in a swimming pool, which feels like a missed opportunity for a camera designed to tame the elements. But for family vacations, rambunctious kids, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to document their adventures, the Tough 8000 will be a faithful companion.”
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The Digital Story
“Overall image quality is fine as long as you don’t push the camera to produce beyond its design. I made 13″ x 19″ enlargements from the 12 megapixel files, and they were OK, but I saw corner softness on only average detail. But I liked the 5″ x 7″ and the 8.5″ x 11″ prints much better.”

About.com
“For an almost $400 camera, the image quality with the Stylus Tough-8000 is a mixed bag. In good lighting, you’ll find excellent images most of the time, with good color and sharpness. However, when the lighting is not as good, you’ll tend to find some stray noise in images.”

TravelGearBlog
“If you are in the market for a waterproof digital camera, the Stylus Tough-8000 Digital Camera is one of the best ones on the market at the moment. It has everything the previous Olympus waterproof camera had and then some. If you do a lot of travel or serious outdoor activities, the Stylus Tough-8000 Digital Camera should be a no brainer.”
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InfoSync (As compared to the Panasonic TS1 and Fujifilm Z33WP)
“It was a tight race, however. The Olympus Tough 8000 is definitely the best current Stylus of the lot. But when it came down to overall sharpness, detail and color, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 took the cake, with the Fujifilm Finepix Z33WP riding its coattails.”

Buy-n-Shoot
“There isn’t much this Olympus unit isn’t able do for a camera in its price range and there certainly aren’t many places it can’t be taken. So for the oft travelling, adventure seeking, and those who would prefer to really use their camera to its fullest rather than keep it tucked away for special occasions, this unit is one to seriously consider.”
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PhotographyBlog
“The usual caveats apply of course. Like most digital compacts, the Olympus mju Tough 8000 likes good light and isn’t really well suited to low-light photography. In addition to that, its extreme pixel density pushes its folding optics to their limits and beyond, meaning you don’t get as much detail as you would expect based on its high pixel count.”
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Gadling
“Topside, the image quality is everything you would expect from a good point and shoot camera. The auto shoot mode on the camera does a great job adjusting the flash and exposure settings to get the best picture possible. We found ourselves in that “auto” mode ~95% of the time because the camera is undoubtedly better at judging the proper settings.”

DPInterface
“Performance-wise, the Stylus Tough 8000 is around average in terms of speed. There is nothing in particular that screams ‘blazing fast’, but things aren’t sluggish either, considering the 12 megapixel files the camera needs to process. Battery life of the Stylus Tough 8000 is around 10% above the group average.”

CNET UK
“You expect compromises in a specialized camera, but precious few have been made with the Olympus mju Tough-8000. The fine detail could be better but it’s not enough to worry about, and you’re not giving up on any of the things you can take for granted in a standard snapper.”
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CNET Australia
“While the Tough 8000 may be the most rugged camera on the market, it doesn’t mean it’s the best in terms of image quality. We were disappointed with the general lack of clarity that photos had, and the amount of noise and chromatic aberration present.”
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Digital Photography School
“Another feature that I thought was quite nice was the “tap control” feature. I have used cameras underwater before and one of the main issues I had was trying to change settings whilst underwater with diving gloves on.”

Digital Trends
“Although we certainly like the tough concept and the ability to kiss your worries goodbye if drop your camera, step on it by mistake or take it into the snow and water without a care in the world, a digicam still has to take good pictures. The Olympus Tough-8000 really doesn’t do that primary task well, sad to say, and it’s hard to recommend”
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