Olympus offers stylish, waterproof 10.1 megapixel camera

Tag : Shutter Switch

Don't be camera shy, try these out
McClatchy Newspapers
The new Olympus Stylus 1030 SW 10.1 megapixels pocket digitalcamera is a shockproof, waterproof, freeze-proof, crush-proof anddust-proof. With all that, it's made for anyone wanting to takephotos in rain, snow, sleet or hail or about any other condition.
The waterproof feature (up to 33 feet) is what sells the camera forme. Since it's made with waterproof gaskets and seals, taking thecamera in a pool or even the ocean is simple. The camera capturesgreat still images underwater as well as AVI motion movies.
A metal body surrounds the camera, which includes shock-absorbingconstruction enabling it to withstand a 6-foot-6-inch fall. WhileOlympus advertised this as a feature, I chose not to test this onthe loaner to keep my reputation intact with the company (eventhough I had confidence it would hold up.)
Freezing weather is not an issue since the camera is winterized tofunction at below-freezing temperatures (140F). The crushprooffeatures help the camera withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure.
So how did the camera work? My main area of interest was using itunderwater and it performed great. The camera has 29 shooting modes(sports, night, fireworks, underwater, etc) and like a typicaluser, I chose not to use any. I just charged up the battery,inserted an xD-Picture Card to store my images (I'm still notthrilled that Olympus won't switch to the more standard SD cards)and dove in the water. (NOTE: I did make sure all the doors of thecamera for the battery, card and USB cable were secured tightly.)
Once in the water, images were as easy to capture as on land withthe 3.6X optical 28-102mm f/3.5-5.0 zoom. The wide angle lens isvery useful underwater; hopefully, future models will only getwider.
Back on land, images were fine during daylight hours, but werepretty grainy at night, even after messing around with the scenesettings.
Other features include shutter speeds 1/1000 second to ½second and up to 4 seconds in Night Scene mode, ISO setting rangefrom auto and a range of auto, 80 to 1600.
Panorama images can be made with up to 10 frames automaticallystitchable with Olympus Master software, while using Olympus brandxD-Picture Card.
A Li-ion rechargeable battery is included and should provideapproximately 260 shots per charge (based on CIPA battery lifemeasurement standards).
Information: olympusamerica.com, MSRP $399.99.
Nikon has announced some new digital cameras, including theFX-format D700 Digital SLR, the SB-900 Speedlight Flash, and the45mm and 85mm PC-E lenses. Highlights for these products include:
The D700 D-SLR is a 12.1 megapixel, Digital SLR that delivers allof the high-quality image in low-light performance, and speed ofthe Nikon D3 in a smaller, lighter camera body. Other featuresinclude Live View, automatic sensor cleaning, Active D-Lighting,weather sealing against dirt and moisture and the 51 point AFsystem. Expect availability in late July, with an estimated sellingprice of $2,999.95
The SB-900 Speedlight has a zoom range of 17-200 feet, and includesNikon's wireless capabilities; the intelligent and versatile SB-900Speedlight takes its place as the new Speedlight flagship. It willbe available in August with an estimated selling price of $499.95.
Verizon Wireless and Rhapsody have teamed up to launch V CAST Musicwith Rhapsody with unlimited subscription music for $15 a month.This delivers unlimited access to music on up to threeRhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online onmultiple PCs and Web browsers. All this for about the cost of asingle CD.
Users of V CAST Music with Rhapsody can still purchase songsover-the-air within the V CAST coverage area for $1.99 and get twocopies of the song. The first is for their phones, the second fortheir PCs in the DRM-free MP3 format.
For more information, go to Rhapsody.com or Verizonwireless.com.