Olympus Stylus 1030 SW (Silver)
Manufacturer: Olympus America Inc. Part number: 226340
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Other cameras may deliver better image quality and performance, but none can survive the range of conditions that the Olympus 1030 SW was designed for.
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CNET editors' review
Olympus Stylus 1030 SW (Silver) price range: $599.99
- Reviewed by: Theano Nikitas
- Edited by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 09/05/2008
- Released on: 03/01/2008
The good: Rugged, sealed body that's waterproof, crushproof, shockproof, and freezeproof; solid build and design, onboard Guide for beginners; live preview.
The bad: Average image quality and performance.
The bottom line: Other cameras may deliver better image quality and performance, but none can survive the range of conditions that the Olympus 1030 SW was designed for.
Olympus has some of the roughest and toughest cameras on the market, most notably the 10-megapixel Stylus 1030 SW, a compact, point-and-shoot camera that's rugged enough to outlast any contestant on Survivor. But you don't have to be exiled or an adventurer to take advantage of the camera's waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof specifications.
Although the 1050 SW is newer than the 1030 SW, don't let the numerical sequence fool you. The 1030 SW succeeds the 790 SW while the not-quite-as-tough 1050 SW replaces the 770 SW. What you really need to know is that the 1050 doesn't match up to the 1030's capability to withstand pretty much anything you can throw at it (or throw it at). While the 1050 SW is shockproof to 5 feet, waterproof to 10 feet and freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, the 1030 SW beats on all counts and adds a few extras. You can drop the latter from a height of 6.6 feet, take it underwater to a depth of 33 feet, haul it out in 14-degree weather and attempt to crush it with up to 220 pounds of pressure. A 3.6x wide-angle zoom lens with a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 28mm-102mm also sets it apart from its siblings.
You only have to look at--and hold--the metal-bodied 1030 SW to start believing that this compact camera is rugged enough to withstand everything Olympus promises. At the same time, the camera is attractively designed; at 3.7 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.8 inch and 6.8 ounces fully loaded, it's compact enough to carry in your pocket while you're hiking up the side of a mountain or around your wrist while diving a shipwreck or a garden of coral and pretty fish.
Scuba divers should note that underwater time is limited to one hour. If you want to take the camera deeper or on an extended dive, check out Olympus' underwater housing for the 1030 SW. Also, anyone using the camera under, on or near the water should be aware that the camera is not buoyant--if you let go, the camera's going to sink.
But you don't have to participate in extreme sports to benefit from the camera's tightly sealed seams. Gaskets and O-rings, as long as you maintain them, will keep out water, snow, sand, dirt and other assorted tiny debris that would wreak havoc with more vulnerable digital cameras.
Like most snapshot cameras, the 1030 SW lacks an optical viewfinder. But its 2.7-inch, 230K-dot LCD features a wide angle of view and, with its five-step brightness adjustment, can be tweaked to work reasonably well under most conditions. If you're diving in dark environments--East Coast shipwrecks come to mind--you may have some problems viewing the display. But midsummer swimming pool conditions with bright sunlight overhead improves the LCD's underwater usability.
Given the camera's physical dimensions and the LCD's size, the controls are pretty small and tightly grouped. If you have large hands, try the camera before you buy it (which we recommend for all camera purchases). More important, even though the camera can handle subfreezing temperatures, you may not be able to handle the 1030 SW while wearing heavy gloves. It's going to be interesting to see how well the 1050 SW's new TAP control interface works since that might be a good option for the 1030 SW's successor.
On the plus side, the 1030 provides easy access to settings through its dedicated controls and function button, a good thing since I've never been crazy about Olympus' virtual menu system. Since the 1030 SW is strictly point-and-shoot, you probably won't be fiddling with too many adjustments, but when you do, the function button will provide quick and easy access to settings you're most likely to change: white balance, ISO, drive mode, metering, and image quality.
The 1030 SW offers the requisite Auto, Program AE, and Movie modes along with a variety of scene modes, including special underwater options. However, the camera is tricked out with a couple of cool features. Live preview allows you to see how different settings--white balance, for example--will affect the photo you're about to shoot. And beginners will appreciate the 1030 SW's onboard Guide. Just choose from one of more than a dozen shooting situations or tasks (such as backlight or brightening a subject) and the Guide will offer options and automatically set the camera for whatever selection you make. It's a good learning tool, too.
Although performance is improved over the 790SW, speed isn't one of the 1030 SW's big selling points. Although start-up time is a respectable 1 second, it takes close to two seconds between shots without flash and more than double that with the flash. At only 0.8 second, the burst mode won't keep up with action. But autofocus is fairly responsive and its shot lag of 0.5 second under optimal conditions and 0.6 second in dim, is minimal.
While colors reproduce accurately, the camera's bright exposures can sometimes make them look a bit washed out. Although test shots show good detail, the photos tend to be soft. In fact, the 1030 SW isn't going to score many points for sharp focus. Overall, the photos look pretty pleasing, though.
Let's face it; other cameras will deliver better image quality, a broader feature set, and faster performance at the same price or less. But you're not going to find another camera that's as tough as the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW.
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(Longer bars indicate better performance)
User reviews
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Slightly bad pictures are better than no pictures
by elektrobot on May 13, 2008
Pros: Can go where other cameras can't and takes shots that you would normally miss out on
Cons: Image quailty yet to be perfected, quirky about memory cards.
Summary: Picture quality is about a 7 out of 10, but a 7 is better than no picture at all. If you find yourself in extraordinary environments and want to photo ...
Summary: Picture quality is about a 7 out of 10, but a 7 is better than no picture at all. If you find yourself in extraordinary environments and want to photo them without dragging a bunch of weatherproof gear around- this camera is THE best option on the market right now. I am thrilled to be able to pull out this pocket sized camera ANYWHERE and quickly get a few shots off in harsh environments. If the only other option is to simply not have a picture of it...then 7 is the new 10. Its intended purpose is to let you take pictures where you normally would not be able to, and it fulfills its purpose 100%. Make sure you use a correct memory card for all the features to function. Panoramic mode and some video modes are not available with non-olympus cards. I am using the free card that came with the camera from Circuit City and everything functions 100%. It came in a Sandisk package, but the card itself says olympus.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Water Damaged
by liubhs02 on May 9, 2009
Pros: Waterproof for awhile
Cons: I bought this camera about 6 months ago for it's waterproof ability. The picture quality wasn't great, but I just wanted a waterproof camera. But today, the camera just leaked. It's apparently pretty common, see www.photographyreview.com ratings.
Summary: I really hope Olympus will cover this under warranty, because that's a lot of money down the drain if otherwise.
I sent it in ...
Updated on May 27, 2009Summary: I really hope Olympus will cover this under warranty, because that's a lot of money down the drain if otherwise.
I sent it in for warranty repair. I was glad Olympus honored the warranty and repaired the camera. I'm taking it to Hawaii in 2 weeks. I hope it will hold up for those underwater shots.
Updated on May 27, 20092 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Rugged uit with some limitations
by Antonolbo on April 12, 2008
Pros: Take anywhere portability
Cons: Some odd restrictions in some settings
Summary: I like the worry free portability. I don't have to worry about the camera getting wet if I'm out in the rain, or the ocean for that matter. ...
Summary: I like the worry free portability. I don't have to worry about the camera getting wet if I'm out in the rain, or the ocean for that matter. Some of the odd things are the severely limited time of 10 second length of a high quality (640x480) 30 frame per second video clip... that's disappointing... but the 15 frame per second clip is as much as your battery/card can handle. The camera gets quite warm after a few minutes, but still keeps recording. There are many photo setting options, but for some reason, in the "program" mode, the file size is limited to 5 Mpixel or less. (Why did I buy a 10 Mpixel camera??) Also you may change the settings in one mode, and then switch to another mode, but the settings for each mode have to be set individually. Just because you changed them in one mode, the camera only changes the particular settings for that mode. Change to a different mode, and you have to change the settings again. You have to watch carefully that the settings are the ones you want.
Low light situations, even if it's not that dark out, the camera picks 1600 asa speed equivalent, and the pictures can be quite grainy looking. Quite a bit more than I would have expected. The flash also isn't as consistant as I would like. Over exposed more in several shots of similar sitations.
I'm not as impressed with the camera as I thought I might be, but I bought it for a compact travel camera so I don't have to lug extra bulky camera gear around, and that's what it is.3 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not Hawaii Proof
by JD6150 on March 26, 2009
Pros: Nice for cold
Cons: Not water proof!
Summary: Second day of snorkeling in Hawaii, camera sprung a leek.
Summary: Second day of snorkeling in Hawaii, camera sprung a leek.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not waterproof AT ALL
by finding-nemo on February 21, 2009
Pros: It makes decent pictures and movies, is fairly sturdy, easy to operate.
Cons: It is NOT waterproof, not even up to 1 m (for snorkelling). It may hold out in the rain, but it is not meant to be taken into the water. The 10 m waterproof claim is an extravagant lie. (Why 10 m? They could have just as easily written 50 m.)
Summary: I bought this camera specifically and only for snorkelling and, I hoped, diving (I have better cameras for dry conditions.) A previous model I had, Olympus 770 SW, was a ...
Summary: I bought this camera specifically and only for snorkelling and, I hoped, diving (I have better cameras for dry conditions.) A previous model I had, Olympus 770 SW, was a very good one, waterproof to 3 m, and worked really well until I ruined it by my own mistake. It was no longer available so I had to take 1030 SW. It worked well the first day, 2 x 30 min of snorkelling. The pictures were very good. I was surprised, when I opened the battery compartment later, to find it very moist. (I looked up the manual - it says, improbably, that this is how it should be and you should dry the inside carefully before next use. Which I did, thoroughly.) Still, the next day, as soon as I jumped into the water, the camera was kaputt. Water splashed across the LCD screen from inside. Opened the battery compartment, water poured from it.
I read other reviews and my experience does not seem to be unique. This camera is simply useless in water.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great for outdoors terrible in the Club/Night life
by tanooki84 on October 13, 2008
Pros: B/c of this camera I have pictures of animals from Gators in the swamps of central Florida to bears at the foot of Mt. McKinley in Alaska
Cons: the flash on the camera is too bright and whites out EVERYONE/EVERYTHING on all of my club and night life pictures and even some regular indoor shots in low light.
and that really sucksSummary: this is one camera you need to enjoy the outdoors but when its time to party...put this one down
Summary: this is one camera you need to enjoy the outdoors but when its time to party...put this one down
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great camera but read the fine print
by bosnoval on October 10, 2008
Pros: Great camera, waterproof, small size but with large LCD
Cons: Olympus intentionally limited its memory & video functions. Read the manual carefully. Camera's menu system can be awkward. Default settings don't do the camera justice, many tweaks to do for optimal performance. Labels on camera fade with use.
Summary: (4 out of 5 stars) Lost a star for blatant false advertising regarding microSD compatibility.
Water: We got the float strap. Been snorkeling with it underwater entire duration (2hr), did ...Summary: (4 out of 5 stars) Lost a star for blatant false advertising regarding microSD compatibility.
Water: We got the float strap. Been snorkeling with it underwater entire duration (2hr), did great! Have taken it in pools and ocean several times now. Do know someone that had issue but they were in a hot spring and the heat got it, not the water. Olympus promptly replaced it minus shipping.
Love this camera. Only negatives are probably marketing gimmicks by Olympus. They crippled the camera's video abilities and many functions only work with xD style memory (Olympus & partners make xD memory). It can use microSD memory but the firmware limits options when you do. ?it limits recording duration, disables panoramic mode, etc. They claim it?s because of read/write speeds of memory but that?s just not true. We had gotten a high-speed 4GB microSD-HC memory module but had to get a xD M+ chip too just to be able to use all the advertised camera functions. ...hope they get sued
Minor Stuff:
Microphone could have been placed in a better location. We frequently rub the mic while filming videos which causes a loud popping sound to be recorded.
After some use, the camera labels begin to wear off1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Diffinately not water proof as claim.
by moumou40 on September 12, 2008
Pros: overall a good rugged camera for active outdoor lifestyle, just don't take in to the water.
Cons: Not water proof as in can't be submerge for a period of time in water. So when you claim it's water proof you really can with stand body sweat and a little rain.
Summary: I have to agreed with cocoinhawaii, and disappointed in Olympus, with his review that it's definitely not water proof. I brought my Olympus 1030sw brand new, got it a ...
Summary: I have to agreed with cocoinhawaii, and disappointed in Olympus, with his review that it's definitely not water proof. I brought my Olympus 1030sw brand new, got it a day before I went on vacation, took it snorkeling and it would off and on NOT work. It would not turn back on for a long while. I too got the error message that I needed to close the battery cover and the side port cover. I even stayed on the water surface and didn't dive to or pass the 33ft. There were great vacation photo opts and memories were missed because of it. I have additional issue; my battery ejection is stuck I can't get the battery out to recharge. I'm going to have to send it in for repair. You spend over $300 on a brand new camera you shouldn't have these major issued. When the camera does work, it takes great pictures.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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MAJOR flaw.
by murffburger on September 4, 2008
Pros: The camera does take overall good pictures in lots of different conditions. I used mine in snow, sun underwater and underground.
Cons: The main, massive reason I bought the camera was because it is water proof..... apparently. It did work plenty of times in shallow depths, . But the first time I took it diving, it leaked in, about 2 meters under.
Summary: Bottom line, I got the camera for my year out after Uni. It wasn't cheap, and the main reason I chose it was that it's water proof and ...
Summary: Bottom line, I got the camera for my year out after Uni. It wasn't cheap, and the main reason I chose it was that it's water proof and I was planning on spending a few weeks on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. On my first trip snorkeling on the reef it leaked. It is under warranty, but I still didn't have it for the 4 weeks I really needed it. I have two other friends with the same camera and both of theirs leaked in almost identical circumstances. However one other friend has taken theirs diving plenty of times, once even to 12m when it says only 10m, and has had no trouble at all.
While the camera did work perfectly in shallow depths and worked well in lots of other conditions, I can't recommend the camera if you plan on taking it to depths.
At least Olympus are keeping to their warranty and replacing it, but what happens when I bring it under water again.....1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Leaked 2nd time in Water
by Robmoo on August 21, 2009
Pros: Compact and takes a fall.
Cons: Not water proof.
Summary: Save your money
Summary: Save your money
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Olympus America Inc.
- Part number: 226340
- Description: The Stylus 1030 SW is one tough camera. The shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof and dustproof design gives active people the confidence to take this camera anywhere and shoot in nearly any condition. Plus, the wide-angle lens lets users capture more of what they see. It is great for divers, surfers, rafters, skiers and anyone with an active lifestyle.
General
- Product Type Digital camera - Compact
- Width 3.7 in
- Depth 0.8 in
- Height 2.4 in
- Weight 6 oz
- Enclosure Color Silver
- Body Material Metal
Main Features
- Resolution 10.1 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Total Pixels 10,700,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 10,100,000 pixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/2.35 in
- Light Sensitivity ISO 80, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO auto
- Digital Zoom 5 x
- Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
- Shooting Programs Candle, Indoor, Sunset, Auction, Cuisine, Documents, Fireworks, Landscape, Anti shake, Beach/snow, Night scene, Sports mode, Behind glass, Portrait mode, Self-portrait, Night portrait, Panorama assist, Shoot & select 1, Shoot & select 2, Underwater macro, Underwater wide 1, Underwater wide 2, Landscape-portrait, Underwater snapshot, Available light portrait
- Special Effects Sepia, Frames, Saturation, Black & White
- Max Shutter Speed 1/1000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 4 sec
- Exposure Metering Spot, Matrix
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
- Exposure Compensation ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
- White Balance Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light (daylight), Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white)
- Digital Video Format AVI
- Still Image Format JPEG
- Continuous Shooting Speed 5.2 frames per second
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture AVI - 640 x 480 - 8 sec - With 14MB built-in memory, AVI - 640 x 480 - 16 sec - With 14MB built-in memory, AVI - 320 x 240 - 19 sec - With 14MB built-in memory, AVI - 320 x 240 - 38 sec - With 14MB built-in memory
Memory / Storage
- Flash Memory 14.7 MB Flash - XD-Picture Card
- Integrated Memory 14.7 MB
- Floppy Drive None
- Digital Storage Media None
- Image Storage Fine JPEG 3648 x 2736 : 3 - With 14MB built-in memory, Normal JPEG 3648 x 2736 : 5 - With 14MB built-in memory, Fine JPEG 2560 x 1920 : 6 - With 14MB built-in memory, Normal JPEG 2560 x 1920 : 12 - With 14MB built-in memory, Fine JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 9 - With 14MB built-in memory, Normal JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 19 - With 14MB built-in memory, Fine JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 15 - With 14MB built-in memory, Normal JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 30 - With 14MB built-in memory, Fine JPEG 1280 x 960 : 24 - With 14MB built-in memory, Normal JPEG 1280 x 960 : 47 - With 14MB built-in memory, Fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 89 - With 14MB built-in memory, Normal JPEG 640 x 480 : 163 - With 14MB built-in memory, Fine JPEG 1920 x 1080 : 14 - With 14MB built-in memory, Normal JPEG 1920 x 1080 : 28 - With 14MB built-in memory
Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
- Red Eye Reduction Yes
- Effective Flash Range 3.3 ft - 13.4 ft
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 5 mm - 18.2 mm - F/3.5-5.1
- Focal Length 5 mm - 18.2 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 28 - 102 mm
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Min Focus Range 19.7 in
- Macro Focus Range 2cm
- Lens Aperture F/3.5-5.1
- Optical Zoom 3.6 x
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens Construction 8 group(s) / 10 element(s)
- Lens Manufacturer Olympus
- Features ED glass, Aspherical lens
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Self Timer Delay 12 sec
- Additional Features DPOF support, Direct print, Face detection, Audio recording, Auto power save, Shock resistant, Cropping an image, Histogram display, Resizing an image, Built-in manometer, PictBridge support, PRINT Image Matching, USB 2.0 compatibility, Digital image rotation, Digital noise reduction, Display brightness control, In-camera panorama preview, Automatic Pixel Mapping (APM)
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type None
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Format 230,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x DC power input
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x xD-Picture Card
Software
- Software Olympus Master, Drivers & Utilities
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows Vista, Apple Mac OS X 10.3 or later
- Peripheral Devices USB port
- System Requirements Details Windows 2000/XP/Vista - Pentium III - 256 MB - 500 MB, MacOS X 10.3 or later - PowerPC G3 - 256 MB - 500 MB
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case None
- Underwater Depth up to 30ft
- Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista
- Included Accessories Wrist strap, microSD to XD adapter
- Cables Included USB cable, A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Battery charger - External
Battery
- Supported Battery Olympus Li-50B
- Supported Battery 1 x Olympus Li-50B Li-ion rechargeable battery - 925 mAh ( Included )
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 14 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
- Min Storage Temperature -4 °F
- Max Storage Temperature 140 °F
- Humidity Range Operating 30 - 100%
- Humidity Range Storage 10 - 90%
Product series
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Olympus Stylus 1030 SW (Silver)
Manufacturer: Olympus America Inc.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10.1 megapixels, 3.6 x, 2.7 in LCD display, 14.7 MB - XD-Picture Card
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Olympus Stylus 1030 SW (Black)
Manufacturer: Olympus America Inc.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10.1 megapixels, 3.6 x, 2.7 in LCD display, 14.7 MB - XD-Picture Card
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Olympus Stylus 1030 SW (Green)
Manufacturer: Olympus America Inc.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10.1 megapixels, 3.6 x, 2.7 in LCD display, 14.7 MB - XD-Picture Card
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Olympus America Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Olympus America Inc. products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.olympusamerica.com/
- Address:
Two Corporate Center Dr., Melville, NY 11747 - Phone: 631-844-5000
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