Olympus 850 SW Review

Olympus 850 SW Intro

The Stylus 850 SW, like the 1030 SW it is announced alongside, has a waterproof, shockproof, dustproof and freezeproof body, although it doesn't offer the crush proofing of its more expensive sibling.

Olympus 850 SW Features

The Stylus 850SW includes both an eight megapixel CCD image sensor and an Olympus-branded internal 3x optical zoom lens, as well as a 2.5" LCD display with 230,000 pixels. Other features include face detection autoexposure / autofocus, digital image stabilization, in-camera panoramic stitching, Olympus' shadow adjustment technology (which helps compensate for extreme contrast), and Perfect Fix in-camera editing, which offers red-eye fix and shadow adjustment, as well as resizing, frames, text options, and saturation adjustments.

As well as 14.8MB of built-in memory, the 850 SW has an xD-Picture card storage slot, and is compatible with an optional underwater housing good for depths up to 40 meters. Power for the Stylus 850 comes from a proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery.

Additional Olympus 850 SW features and details (adapted from the press release):

• Shockproof Design
  The shock-absorbing technology designed into the Stylus 850 SW minimizes the impact delivered to the lens and circuitry when the camera is dropped from heights up to 5 feet. Whether the camera slips out of a backpack or a toddler drops it down a staircase, the Stylus 850 SW can take lifes hard knocks.
• Waterproof for Underwater Fun
  The Stylus 850 SW performs as well underwater as it does on land because its lightweight, aluminum exterior is matched with interior rubber gaskets and O-rings to seal out the elements. It can take photos while being fully submerged to depths of approximately 10 feet (3 meters). The inclusion of four preset underwater scene modes makes the Stylus 850 SW perfect for snorkeling or a day in the pool. It also features a water-repellant lens coating to prevent water droplets from forming on the lens to get crystal-clear shots no matter how wet the shooting environment.
• Freezeproof for Icy Conditions
  Unlike other point-and-shoot cameras that freeze up in frosty weather, the Stylus 850 SW still performs when the temperature dips well below freezing (14 degrees Fahrenheit; -10 degrees Celsius) so it is ready to hit the slopes when you are.
• Dustproof for Worry-free Fun
  The rugged Stylus 850 SW is an ideal companion for a weekend in the great outdoors as it is impervious to dust, dirt and other particles. Shoot without worry in the wind and when the camera gets dirty, just rinse it off and keep shooting.
• A Rainbow of Colors
  The Stylus 850 SW is available in five stunning colors to suit your individual taste: blue, yellow, pink, black and silver.
• Face Detection Technology
  Face Detection Technology tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures.
• Digital Image Stabilization
  This camera features Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) to capture crisp, clear pictures. By boosting the cameras ISO sensitivity and shutter speed, DIS freezes the action and provides blur-free images, even when you or your subject is moving.
• 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 MasterTM Software 2 to stitch up to 10 images together.
• Shadow Adjustment Technology
  Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlit 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. Shadow Adjustment Technology compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With this technology, users can preview and capture images with the same contrast as the naked eye.
• Large HyperCrystal™ LCD
  The Stylus 850 SW features a 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD that displays clear, high-contrast images. HyperCrystal technology increases the LCD brightness for better visibility in low-light and bright-light situations perfect for composing pictures underwater or in direct sunlight. Images are also viewable from more than 140 degrees, enabling photos to be composed from a wider range of angles and viewed by several people at once.
• Perfect Shot Preview
  The Stylus 850 SW features a Perfect Shot Preview mode 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 850 offers 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. With the Perfect Fix function, multiple editing features can be applied at once.
• Memory
  All Olympus digital point-and-shoot cameras accept xD-Picture Card media. The Stylus 850 SW 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.
• Practical and Fashionable Accessories
  Olympus offers a number of optional accessories, specifically designed for the Stylus 850 SW. For users looking to capture their underwater adventures in depths beyond 10 feet (3 meters), Olympus offers the PT-041 underwater housing, which enables users to take pictures in depths to approximately 130 feet (40 meters). A red floating wrist strap frees consumers hands when swimming or chasing the next big wave, and a trendy silicone skin protects the camera from scratches. Olympus also offers premium cases in a variety of new colors, including cream plaid and gray plaid as well as a new brown leather, which features a masculine wallet design. The premium cases are also available in black, pink and red leather. Durable, sporty neoprene cases are perfect for active or outdoor expeditions, and they are available in black and olive. The new olive color neoprene case features a carabineer, which can be hooked to a bag, swimming suit or hiking shorts. A neoprene armband case is the ideal accompaniment for surfing, hiking or any activity where having free hands is a must.

Olympus 850 SW Pricing and Availability

The Olympus Stylus 850 SW ships from January 2008, priced at US$299.99. Its available in five colors: blue, yellow, pink, black and silver.