Olympus 1020 Review

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1020 Overview

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1020 Overview
Specifications

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Olympus Stylus 1020
Resolution:	10.10 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.33 inch (6.1mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	7.02x zoom (37-260mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	LCD (playback only)
Extended ISO:	80 - 1600
Shutter:	1/2000 - 4 sec
Max Aperture:	3.5
Dimensions:	3.9 x 2.2 x 1.0 in. (99 x 56 x 25 mm)
Weight:	4.8 oz (135 g)
MSRP:	$350
Availability:	03/2008
Manufacturer:	Olympus
Full specs:	Olympus 1020 specifications

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10.10 Megapixels	7.02x zoom	1/2.33 inch size sensor

Olympus 1020 Intro

The Olympus 1020 is the flagship of the Stylus line, intended as an all-around "family" camera, good for taking along on outings. Its splash-resistance makes it more able to stand up to rain and occasional mishaps involving water, and its sleek lines and compact profile make it ideal for slipping into a pocket or purse at a moment's notice. Like others in the line, the Olympus 1020 would make a great bring-along camera for everyday photography.

Olympus 1020 Features

The Olympus Stylus 1020 has a ten megapixel image sensor coupled to an Olympus branded 7x optical zoom. It is near-identical to the Stylus 1010, with the exception of the LCD display which is a newer HyperCrystal II type with improved color reproduction and contrast, versus the regular HyperCrystal LCD of the 1010. The LCD is the sole method of framing as the 1020 forgoes an optical viewfinder. The Olympus 1020 also offers sensor shift image stabilization, xD-Picture Card storage, and roughly 15MB of built-in memory.

Additional Olympus 1020 features and details (adapted from the press release):

Large Zoom in a Small Package
Great images begin with great optics, and the new Stylus line-up offers amazing optics with stunning design flourishes. The Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 feature new lens technology that enables the 7x optical zoom lens (37mm-260mm equivalent in 35mm photography, f3.3-5.3) to magnify the subject by seven times, and then tuck away into a compact body just one inch thick.
Blur-Free Photos Two Ways
Dual Image Stabilization combines two technologies mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization to provide one powerful anti-blur solution for capturing great images whether the photographer or the subject is moving. Olympus' mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the CCD image sensor to compensate for camera movement, which often occurs in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blurry images often caused by a moving subject. By combining the two technologies, users of the Stylus 840, Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 are able to take crystal clear images in any shooting situation.
Large 2.7-Inch HyperCrystal™ LCD
The Stylus 840 and Stylus 1010 cameras are equipped with large, high-resolution 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD screens with high contrast and anti-glare technology for clear visibility, even when pictures are composed in bright sunlight. The HyperCrystal LCDs also offer a wide-viewing angle, greater than 140 degrees in every direction, enabling photos to be composed from a range of angles and viewed by several people at once. Additionally, the Stylus 1020 the flagship of the Stylus line boasts an advanced HyperCrystal II LCD, which is Olympus next generation of LCD technology. This new technology increases the LCDs dynamic contrast ratio and color reproduction performance, ultimately providing users with more precise image displays.
Millions of Pixels for Superior Image Quality
The 10.1-megapixel Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 as well as the 8.0-megapixel Stylus 840 enable consumers to achieve consistently sharp and vivid images when producing large-format prints or cropping/enlarging a portion of an image.
A Rainbow of Colors in All Designs
Feeling blue today? How about pretty in pink? Glossy black goes with everything, surely. The new Stylus line-up offers colors for every mood (and outfit!). The Stylus 1020 will come in blue, pink, black and silver. The exterior of the Stylus 1020 has a premium glossy finish that gives it an ultra-modern look and feel. All three new Stylus cameras feature illuminated button icons for ease of use and savvy style.
Face Detection
Face Detection tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Even if your subject is moving, the camera continuously tracks your subject's face without having to press the shutter button.
Shadow Adjustment Technology
Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlight areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. The Stylus cameras address this challenge head-on with a new Shadow Adjustment Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With the new technology, users can preview and capture images that have the same contrast as seen with the naked eye.
Perfect Shot Preview
The new Stylus cameras feature Perfect Shot Preview that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. This feature enables users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering.
Perfect Fix In-Camera Editing
The Stylus cameras offer Red-Eye Fix and Shadow Adjustment Edit, in-camera editing features such as resizing, frames, text options, and saturation adjustments, enabling users to edit photos right in the camera.
In-Camera Panorama
In-Camera Panorama mode captures three images and stitches them together to create one amazing panoramic picture. Simply press the shutter button and slowly pan across a panoramic scene. The second and third images will be captured automatically and stitched together with the first image resulting in one seamless panorama-size picture. To create the ultimate panoramic picture, consumers can use the Olympus Master Software 2 to stitch up to 10 images together.
TruePic III Image Processor
The Stylus cameras feature Olympus exclusive TruePic III image processor developed for the demanding performance of digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras. Olympus enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures crisp, clear images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.
Memory
All Olympus digital point-and-shoot cameras accept xD-Picture Card media. The Stylus 840, Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 will also come equipped with an adapter, which will enable microSD memory cards to be used when capturing images. The microSD cards are emerging in consumer electronic devices, including mobile phones and PDAs. Users can also easily display photos on their HDTVs.
OLYMPUS Master 2 Software
OLYMPUS Master 2 Software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are easily organized by folders or albums and searchable by date in Calendar view. Additionally, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee Theater Pack to create professional quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.
Underwater Photography
Capturing brilliant images underwater is a snap with Stylus cameras when paired with their respective underwater housing. The new PT-042 housing fits the Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020, enabling users to take images down to the recreational scuba depth of 130 feet (40 meters). Underwater scene modes offered in the two cameras help users to capture brilliant images of their underwater adventures.
Olympus Premium Cases
Olympus also offers premium cases in a variety of new designs, including cream plaid, gray plaid and a brown leather, which offers a masculine wallet-like look. Premium cases are also available in black, pink and red leather. A new olive neoprene case is perfect for active or outdoor situations. The sporty neoprene case is also available in black.
New Powerful Battery
The Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 include the new LI-50B Li-Ion battery, which charges 2.5 times faster (two hours instead of five) than its predecessor. The new 925-mAh battery boasts a 25 percent increase in power.