Discover your moment on Lufthansa.Olympus Stylus 770SW (silver)
Manufacturer: Olympus America Inc. Part number: 225910
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Olympus' Stylus 770SW might not produce perfect images, but you'd be hard pressed to find a compact camera as tough as this one.
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CNET editors' review
Olympus Stylus 770SW (silver)
price range: $335.15
- Reviewed by: Philip Ryan
- Reviewed on: 03/06/2007
The good: Camera is waterproof to 32 feet; shock resistant to short drops and mild impact.
The bad: No manual exposure controls; slightly soft images
The bottom line: Olympus' Stylus 770SW might not produce perfect images, but you'd be hard pressed to find a compact camera as tough as this one.
There aren't many waterproof compact cameras out there, let alone one made to survive drops of up to 5 feet. Olympus designed its 7.1-megapixel Stylus 770SW to do just that, providing real competition for Pentax's waterproof Optio W30. By its tough nature alone, this Olympus makes an ideal choice if you routinely shoot in adverse conditions. I took it skiing with me as part of this review, and it fared better than I did on a couple of falls. In fact, despite three days of chilly temperatures and a lot of bumps, the Stylus 770SW still came out shooting.
Obviously, a lot of credit should be given to this camera's solid construction. The 770SW weighs about 6.1 ounces with its battery and xD-Picture Card installed and measures 3.6x2.3x0.8 inches. It packs a 2.5-inch LCD, 3x optical, 38mm- to 114mm-equivalent f/3.5 to f/5.0 zoom lens, and a small 7.1-megapixel (effective) CCD sensor into its metal body.
The camera's small buttons were a bit difficult to press with heavy snow gloves on, but I did manage to snap off a few pictures in auto mode before removing my gloves. Like so many compact cameras, Olympus doesn't include manual exposure controls in the Stylus 770SW. To make up for that, the company includes auto and program modes, as well as 24 preset scene modes, so you can let the camera decide what to do based on the shooting conditions. Unfortunately, activating a scene mode requires two presses of a button on the camera back before you even get a chance to select the mode you want. This became somewhat frustrating over the course of three days skiing. Plus, since the movie mode is buried among the scene modes, you'll have to go through the same process if you want to capture a video clip. We'd prefer the option of letting the camera default to the scene mode you last used at start-up, or better yet, a dedicated scene mode button to jump into the last scene mode you used. Olympus' graphically driven menu system is plenty intuitive. Plus, commonly used functions, such as white balance and sensitivity, can be quickly changed by using the function/OK button found in the middle of the four-way rocker on the camera back.
Performance was somewhat slow in our tests. The Stylus 770SW took 2.1 seconds to start up and capture its first JPEG. Subsequent images took 2.4 seconds between shots with the flash turned off, jumping to 3.2 seconds between shots with the flash turned on. Shutter lag fared slightly better, measuring 0.6 second in our high-contrast test, but falling to 2 seconds in our low-contrast test. Continuous shooting mode yielded 1.1 frames per second when capturing VGA-sized JPEGs and 1.4 fps when capturing 7.1-megapixel JPEGs.
Images from the Stylus 770SW weren't perfect, but that's not surprising given this camera is built more for extreme durability than optical purity. For example, our test images looked slightly soft overall and had more image artifacts than we're used to in a camera in this price range, though you can't jump into a swimming pool and shoot images underwater with those cameras. Colors were generally accurate, though they seemed a bit undersaturated in places. Olympus keeps noise well under control through ISO 200. At ISO 400 noise due to sensitivity manifests itself as a light covering of off-color pixels (mostly bluish in nature), which robs a slight, but noticeable amount of sharpness from the image. At ISO 800, that off-color covering becomes heavier, reduces sharpness even more, and severely decreases shadow detail. At ISO 1600, all of those same problems become even worse. We suggest you stick to shooting below ISO 800 when possible, though higher ISOs may still yield acceptable 4x6-inch prints
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User reviews
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Awesome multipurpose camera for any vacation!
by mosfetmosfet on April 20, 2007
Pros: Versatility, durability.
Cons: Hard to see screen underwater.
Summary: I just got back from a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and purchased this camera specifically for this trip. I will say this camera was far and away ...
Summary: I just got back from a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and purchased this camera specifically for this trip. I will say this camera was far and away the best electronic purchase I have ever made and is well worth the money! I wore it around my neck for ~2 weeks: hiking, mountain biking, boating, swimming and snorkeling without worrying about it getting damaged or wet. Also it is very easy to carry due to its small size.
Most of the pictures are fantastic but some didn't turn out as well as others. I think some of this relates to getting used to which settings to use for different situations. I would like to give it a 10/10 but it was difficult at times to see underwater and some of these pictures are not too clear.
Of course each model will continue to get better and better and as someone who likes to travel from snowcapped mountains to sandy beaches I don't think I will ever buy another camera that doesn't have these features of durability, waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof etc.
On a side note I also have a Sony DSC-V3 which has many more manual settings and takes incredible pictures, but I found that I rarely use it these days because it is too big and bulky to carry for most of my vacationing, plus I always worry about it getting wet, damaged etc.
Overall, if you are a traveller and amateur photographer I think this is the best camera out there! If you are aspiring to be a more serious photographer you may not be as happy with it.10 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Durable - Reliable - Excellent Photos
by Greg-G on April 16, 2007
Pros: Waterproof, Sand-proof, great photos
Cons: difficult to see the screen under water
Summary: I purchased the 770SW early this month, near the release date and just returned from vacation in Hawaii. It worked great.
The regular shot photos are as good as any ...Summary: I purchased the 770SW early this month, near the release date and just returned from vacation in Hawaii. It worked great.
The regular shot photos are as good as any I have viewed. The under water photos are superb. And underwater movies turned out better than I expected. Overall, a great product if you are looking for a rugged camera with water proof qualities.
On the down side, the screen is difficult to impossible to see under water (making under water movies is challenging), and I had many artifacts in some videos taken in bright sunlight (vertical lines in the picture), finally, the menu/controls are in a bad spot if you are snorkeling as they are easily hit. Other than that, it performs wonderfully.5 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent Camera, people need to read the manual to use correctly, picture quality is great
by pcmedicnet on July 9, 2007
Pros: Does everything described, picture quality is great
Cons: none really, You have to read the manual to make sure you use correct settings.
Summary: I was worried by some ratings, it seemed like there might be imaging problems. After getting the camera I have come to believe that either these issues were fixed with ...
Summary: I was worried by some ratings, it seemed like there might be imaging problems. After getting the camera I have come to believe that either these issues were fixed with newer versions or that the people just did not know how to use all the settings. WHEN I USE IT CORRETLY THE IMAGES ARE GREAT.
My highschool age daughter is on the swim team and this camera is perfect for an active teanager who is ever in the rain or in the water. There is even a scuba housing that can be bought to use with diving.
Sound and video is big plus. Read the manual to find out about all the settings.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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best small camera I have owned
by timkreft on July 1, 2007
Pros: outstanding for use in an around water
Cons: viewfinder dificult to see in daylight and underwater
Summary: Bought this in St. Maartin in May 2007 Immediately put it through it's paces for a few days before I left the island. Pictures were crisp and clear and ...
Summary: Bought this in St. Maartin in May 2007 Immediately put it through it's paces for a few days before I left the island. Pictures were crisp and clear and lens did not fog in salt water. If you want a shirt pocket camera that will also eliminate the need to carry a video recorder I highly recommend
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Probably the best outdoor point-and-shoot camera you can buy
by SBillBerg on August 6, 2007
Pros: Sturdy as all heck, great outdoor pictures.
Cons: Indoor photos not so hot, $$$$, wide shots aren't very wide.
Summary: The 770SW is the second point and shoot digital camera I own (my other being the Sony Cybershot DSC-P150). I had purchased it because it's water/shock/crush proof ...
Summary: The 770SW is the second point and shoot digital camera I own (my other being the Sony Cybershot DSC-P150). I had purchased it because it's water/shock/crush proof -- and with two small kids who always want to use a digital camera, that's a huge plus. And I wanted a camera I can take in the water rather than purchasing an expensive, bulky, hard to use underwater case for my Sony.
My first impression at the store was that the images the 770 shot looked poor on the camera's display. But with the store's liberal return policy, I decide to take a chance. And I'm glad I did.
Firstly, compared to the Sony, I feel it takes a slightly better photo (I'm talking outdoors here). Doing a same angle side-by-side comparison with my Sony, the colors appear a bit richer and there doesn't appear to be as much aliasing in the 770. Sometimes it appears as if the 770 doesn't freeze the action as well as I would hope (especially in the "sports" mode), but the issue is so minor, it doesn't bother me.
Indoors, I find the camera really doesn't take a great photo most of the time -- it seems to be a bit of hit and miss even with the flash on. In addition, as the light gets low, more and more artifacts (noise) show up in the picture... an issue mentioned in the CNET review. However, I would go a step further to say you should not shoot higher than a 250 ISO to keep the images as artifact free as possible.
But to be fair, I feel most point and shoot digitals don't fair well indoors (an SLR does that best in my opinion). But with a little experience, you can probably work around a lot of the camera's quirks.
If you're looking for a great camera for the outdoors -- hiking, swimming (NOT scuba), biking, rafting, playtime... whatever it is you do, this is probably the best point-and-shoot camera out there. I just wish it was a little cheaper. But I guess it take a bit of money to design a case to withstand 220 LBS. of weight!
Personal tip: as with all digital point-and-shoots, I would recommend the extended warranty if the store offers it. I've found most of those types of cameras eventually have some kind of problem. Some warranties even cover accidental damage -- not that you may need it with this camera.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Xtreme Camera. Picture quality, not so much.
by dizon812 on July 6, 2007
Pros: Durable camera, can withstand just about anything
Cons: Picture quality is 'okay'. Most daytime images are washed out. Not very clear at all.
Summary: Olympus has always been a reliable brand for me. I recently had a C50-50 that broke during a trip and I had to get a replacement fast. I researched the ...
Summary: Olympus has always been a reliable brand for me. I recently had a C50-50 that broke during a trip and I had to get a replacement fast. I researched the stylus and thought this was the point and shoot camera I was looking for. Not only could it can withstand abuse, this camera could also be used underwater. Neat as that seems, it's a camera that produces average images where a fair amount of pics lack sharpness and appear washed out. Clarity and contrast is not there. Don't get me wrong, I was able to take a few great pics but found myself more disappointed than happy. For the price I paid for the Stylus 770, I returned the camera and bought a Nikon SLR for a bit more. I figured if you don't mind compromising picture quality and would like a durable camera that withstands the elements, water, kids...this is the camera to get.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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So Far, So Good
by wjw_3 on July 3, 2007
Pros: Takes great pictures.
Cons: Could be faster, shot to shot, but faster than I thought it would be.
Summary: I just returned my Sony DSC W80 and bought this camera made by a camera company, not an electronics company.
This is my fourth Olympus digital camera. i was able ...Summary: I just returned my Sony DSC W80 and bought this camera made by a camera company, not an electronics company.
This is my fourth Olympus digital camera. i was able to test this against the Sony W80 and it won hands down.
Pictures were well exposed, with great shadow detail, with very little noise.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Impressive quality in a durable design!
by jonvaldezy on July 2, 2007
Pros: Durablity, Waterproof, Great Images, Screen Size, Low Light Performance, Clarity,
Cons: Need more cameras to compare it to, a bit pricey, a little larger than prefered, few intuitive controls
Summary: We bought this camera a few weeks ago after our last camera was deposited into about 3 inches of water and refused to work after that. This camera provides not ...
Summary: We bought this camera a few weeks ago after our last camera was deposited into about 3 inches of water and refused to work after that. This camera provides not only great images but piece of mind and reliability. from quick start ups to clear pictures, this camera is worth the investment! All camera's should be moving into this level of durability, very consumer friendly.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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This is the camera I've been looking for!
by area_13 on June 27, 2007
Pros: Great images, Fairly fast action, Clear resolution, Water proof, Shock resistant, Excellent LCD screen
Cons: Takes xD Cards.
Summary: This is everything I have been looking for in a point & shoot camera. It takes fabulous pictures both indoors and outdoors and very good pictures underwater (yep, tried it ...
Summary: This is everything I have been looking for in a point & shoot camera. It takes fabulous pictures both indoors and outdoors and very good pictures underwater (yep, tried it in our pool). I love the fact that it is water proof; no more worries about getting the camera wet when in situations where water hazards exist. I was able to take pictures in total darkness (couldn?t even see the subject) and the focus was excellent with only a slight loss of detail. I have never had a camera that could even focus in total darkness let alone take pictures. It is a solid camera. The doors to the battery/xD, and USB compartments are tough; the best I have ever seen. The response speed is very quick in most applications and only slows down in lower lighting and tricky situations. The only drawbacks are that it takes xD cards instead of the more standard SD card and that it doesn?t have RAW or TIFF file formats output; but that?s standard for point & shoot cameras. If you are looking for a point & shoot that takes excellent pictures and is build like a tank, check out the Stylus 770SW. It is a fantastic camera.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A Remarkable Buy!!!
by zibbyzib2000 on March 3, 2007
Pros: Waterproof+Shockproof+Crushpro of=What more could you ask for?
Cons: No Viewfinder but who cares, nobody uses it anyway.
Summary: I bought this camera from and online store for about $10 less than the MSRP. This camera is fantastic and you dont have to worry about the things that might ...
Summary: I bought this camera from and online store for about $10 less than the MSRP. This camera is fantastic and you dont have to worry about the things that might happen to the camera because in a sense, this camera is INDESTRUCTIBLE. It has tons of little features that just make this camera AWSOME.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Olympus America Inc.
- Part number: 225910
- Description: Olympus Stylus 770 SW is the world's most durable digital camera. You can drop it (from 5ft), dunk it (to 33ft), freeze it (-10°C/14°F) or even try to crush it (up to 220lbf), and it will still take amazing photos. But the 770 SW isn't all brawn and no brains. It features a bright 2.5" Hypercrystal LCD so you can easily compose, view and share your images underwater or in direct sunlight. Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) creates sharp, blur-free pictures, even if your subject is moving. And the 27 Shooting Modes, including movie with sound, allow you to master any shooting situation.
General
- Product Type Digital camera - Compact
- Color Silver
- Weight 5.5 oz
- Width 3.6 in
- Depth 0.8 in
- Height 2.3 in
- Body Material Stainless steel
Main Features
- Resolution 7.1 megapixels
- Sensor resolution 7.1 megapixels
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Effective Sensor Resolution 7,100,000 pixels
- Total Pixels 7,400,000 pixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/2.33 in
- Light Sensitivity ISO 200, ISO 800, ISO auto, ISO 400, ISO 80, ISO 1600, ISO 100
- Digital Zoom 5 x
- Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
- Shooting Programs Shoot & select 2, Underwater wide 1, Candle, Underwater macro, Landscape, Underwater snapshot, Night portrait, Sports mode, Documents, Landscape-portrait, Fireworks, Candlelight portrait, Sunset, Auction, Cuisine, Behind glass, Portrait mode, Beach/snow, Available light portrait, Shoot & select 1, Night scene, Underwater wide 2, Indoor
- Special effects Black & White, Sepia, Frames
- Max Shutter Speed 1/1000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 4 sec
- Exposure Metering Multi-segment, Spot
- Exposure Modes Automatic, Program
- Exposure Compensation ?2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
- White Balance Automatic, Presets
- White Balance Presets Tungsten light, Overcast, Fluorescent light (warm white), Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (daylight), Daylight
- Digital video format AVI
- Still Image Format JPEG
- Continuous Shooting Speed 1.1 frames per second
- Color support Color
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture AVI - 320 x 240, AVI - 640 x 480, AVI - 160 x 120
Memory / Storage
- Flash Memory 18 MB Flash - Integrated
- Integrated Memory 18 MB
- Floppy Drive None
- Image Storage JPEG 1024 x 768, JPEG 1280 x 960, JPEG 640 x 480, JPEG 2048 x 1536, JPEG 3072 x 2304, JPEG 1600 x 1200, JPEG 2560 x 1920, JPEG 2304 x 1728
- Flash memory 18 MB - Integrated
- Supported Flash Memory XD-Picture Card
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 6.7 mm - 20.1 mm - F/3.5-5.0
- Focal Length 6.7 mm - 20.1 mm
- Lens Construction 8 group(s) / 10 element(s)
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Self Timer Delay 12 sec
- Additional Features Built-in LED illuminator, USB 2.0 compatibility, DPOF support, Audio recording, PictBridge support, Digital noise reduction, Crushproof, Automatic Pixel Mapping (APM), Resizing an image, Brightness control, Direct print, Saturation control, Digital image rotation, In-camera red-eye fix, Bright Capture Technology, Auto power save, Built-in manometer, Digital image stabilization
Camera Flash
- Effective Flash Range 12.5 ft
- Type Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Flash OFF mode, Fill-in mode, Auto mode, Red-eye reduction
- Red Eye Reduction Yes
- Effective flash range 12.5 ft
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type None
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5 in - Color
- Mounting Built-in
- Resolution 230,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x DC power input, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x USB
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x XD-Picture Card
Lens Systems
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Type Zoom lens
- Focal length 6.7 mm - 20.1 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 38 - 114 mm
- Focus adjustment Automatic
- Min Focus Range 19.7 in
- Macro Focus Range 7-50cm
- Lens Aperture F/3.5-5.0
- Optical Zoom 3 x
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens construction 8 : 10
- Features Aspherical lens
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case None
- Cables Included 1 x A/V cable, 1 x USB cable
- Underwater Depth up to 30ft
- Included Accessories Wrist strap
- Min Operating Temperature 14 ?F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 ?F
Power
- Power Device Battery charger - External
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating system MS Windows ME, MS Windows Vista, MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, Apple Mac OS X 10.1 or later, Apple Mac OS 9.0 - 9.2, MS Windows 98 SE
- Peripherals USB port, CD-ROM drive
Battery