Olympus Stylus 850 SW

Olympus Stylus 850 SW features:

• 8 megapixels
• 3x optical zoom
• 2.5 inch LCD
• ISO up to 1600
• Waterproof and shockproof

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Read More Reviews - (updated 03 September’08)

PCAdvisor
“Judged side by side with the exceptional Nikon Coolpix P5100 in terms of shots captured, the Olympus mju 850 SW comes up short, but this is a truly durable and capable sub-£200 compact camera with all the manual controls you could want.”
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CNET.co.uk reviews the Olympus Stylus 850 SW | mju 850 SW and writes -
“If you’re in the market for an all-weather, tough compact camera, there’s nothing out there to compete with Olympus’ SW range. The mju 850SW’s image quality and handling might be a little frustrating in everyday use, but hit the slopes or the surf and you can simply keep on shooting when everyone else is too scared to try.”

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Cameras.co.uk has reviewed the Olympus Stylus 850 SW and they write -
“This is a waterproof and shockproof camera. Picture quality may not be top drawer, but this is a fun camera you can take more or less anywhere with you. I also like the design.”

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GoodGearGuide - 25 February’08 - reviews the Olympus Stylus 850 SW and thinks is offers pretty peppy performance. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Past “tough” models have been on the slow side, but not the 850 SW. What really sets this camera apart is its build quality, which allow it to survive treatment that would render other cameras inoperative. One of the weakest aspects of the camera is he color balance which sad to say has not seen improvement over earlier models. Inaccurate colors reveal themselves primarily with indoor shots, however, outdoor pictures seemed normal.”

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ThinkCamera - 25 February’08 - reviews the Olympus Stylus 850 SW and it has just about every feature you would want plus you can take it in the shower. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Picture quality and performance may not be record setters but if you grade it on all around toughness it would get an A. The main reason this camera is so attractive is its toughness. To make sure your photos are good make sure and stay between ISO 64 and 400, anything above that suffers.”

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Actual Owner Feedback

Olympus Stylus 850 SW

“I have been very satisfied with my stylus 850sw. It has been on the construction jobsite with me as well as the jungles of Central America in the back of a truck.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“I got this camera to take on a trip to the Yucatan. We did some snorkeling, but a lot of sightseeing as well. The camera did GREAT! I have videos of sea turtles, as well as some great shots of Mayan pyramids, monkeys, sunsets.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“Both my husband and I purchased this camera (he in black, me in pink) and we’ve had them for about four months. We just returned from a rafting trip in Montana - and all I can say is - AMAZING!! Our cameras spent hours in and out of the water, his even got bounced on some rocks - and the photos they took are absolutely superb!”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“I have had this camera for a few weeks and really love it! I have taken it to the pool with my godsons and gotten some really fun shots although not perfect clarity. I also took it to a concert and got some video. The picture was clear and the sound was surprisingly good!”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“I was wanting a digital camera that I could use while fishing and not be afraid to get it wet. Not only could this camera take moisture, but it could also take some awesome underwater shots. I even accidentally dropped it while on the boat and it didn’t suffer any damage.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“All the features are great, except battery duration, and the fact that you need to take off the battery to get it charged.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

Sample Photos

[Sample Photos at TrustedReviews]
[Sample Photos at Cameras.co.uk]
[Sample High ISO Test Photos at ThinkCamera]

Specifications

[Official Olympus Specifications]

Owners Manual

[Owners Manual]

Press Release

London, 22 January 2008 – Olympus announces the shock and waterproof Stylus 850 SW. It is remarkably tough, offering protection against falls, water immersion and the freezing cold. It is an ideal choice for great image results no matter the intended photographic terrain.

It will be available from February 2008.

Building on the tough reputation of their predecessors – including the TIPA Award-winning µ [mju:] 770 SW – the new µ [mju:] 1030 SW and µ [mju:] 850 SW set you up for adventure. Drop them in a muddy puddle on a hike through the mountains and don’t worry: simply wash the mud off in the next stream and keep shooting. Adventure is really yours for the taking. Go for dives in lakes or the sea and capture the wonders under the water’s surface, or take to the snow and immortalize those sub-zero moments. Whatever your lifestyle, these extraordinary, chic models take it all. Despite their tough attributes, image quality doesn’t take a back seat. Precision Olympus optics deliver true-to-life results, while integrated cutting-edge technologies provide intelligent solutions to ensure the flawless reproduction of subjects. In addition, a choice of several striking colors serves to further brighten the photo-taking experience.

The Olympus Stylus 850 SW Sporting a sleek metal body in a choice of Starry Silver, Midnight Black or Metal Pink, the Olympus Stylus 850 SW brings the durability of the shockproof, waterproof line-up to everyone. Waterproof to 3m, shockproof to 1.5m, and freeze proof to -10°C, this camera is ready for the bumps and bangs of everyday life. In conjunction with its tough exterior, the Stylus 850 SW boasts a hearty 8.0 Megapixels to guarantee the flawless capture of every detail. Digital Image Stabilization is also on board to reduce blur. For framing flexibility, a 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 38-114mm on a 35mm camera) gets you in close, and the large 2.5”/6.4cm LCD makes it easy to quickly preview and review shots. In addition, an LED Macro Illuminator is available for enhancing shots of close-up subjects during macro photography.

All-round quality The 850 SW incorporate Face Detection Technology for the optimal exposure and focus of human subjects. Shadowy compositions are no longer a problem either, thanks to inclusion of Shadow Adjustment Technology. And with BrightCapture Technology, low-light shooting is significantly improved. The integrated TruePic III image processor works to enhance not only speed, but also color reproduction and noise suppression for more realistic images. And for additional operating ease, Olympus has raised the number of languages on board to an incredible 38. Furthermore, the underwater case PT-041 is optionally available for the Stylus 850 SW for additional fun up to 40m below the water’s surface.

The ultra-tough Stylus 850 SW is the perfect companions for fun and outdoor adventure, and will be available from February 2008.