Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)




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I bought this camera to use on my kayak while fishing. I write articles and one of the problems I've had is when fishing alone getting good pictures. I have a mount on the front of the kayak that allows me to take pics of myself. It's on a pendulumn so I can hit the delay button and then because the camera is shock and waterproof I can swing it back into position, pic up the fish and have the camera take the picture. It works great like this. The only reason I give the camera a 4 and not a 5 is the picture quality isn't as sharp as I'd like. I have a 5 meg Kodak, that takes sharper pics.


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I own the Olympus Stylus 720 SW, and while it is virtually indestructible (good for clumsy folks like myself) the picture quality leaves a lot to be desired. The gadgets and settings might fool you into thinking this is the best camera for your $$$, but they don't really do much for me. Canons are in a similar price range and take much sharper photos, in my opinion. If you just want snapshots, this is cool, but if you are more serious about photography, keep looking.


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I can do nothing but rave about this product. I have had no problems with it what so ever. I took it on a 3 month trip across Europe and through 15 countries. With a 1 gig SD chip and extra battery it makes a great companion. It fits in your pocket like a deck of cards and is very durable so you don't have to worry about it. The battery life is long and reasonable, the picture quality is excellent, and the controls are some of the most intuitive that I've seen. I've owned many pocket cameras and I think this one is the best. Also to reemphasize: I lost this camera in Greece during my trip and when I got back to the states I bought a new one. Buy it!


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I've had this camera since January, after I dropped (and broke) my Casio on NYE. I never thought I needed a shockproof camera, but after losing one, this was a godsend. Plus I'm a big water person, and always had a regular film camera for the water, now I can just take one camera with me!

I haven't dropped it yet, so haven't tested the shockproof capabilities, but I took the camera to the beach daily on my vacation in Brazil. I would dive in the waves, take pictures from the ocean, it was great.

When I bought it, I was afraid that the quality of regular pictures wouldn't measure up to my Casio. I was wrong, my regular pictures come out great!!

It really is waterproof, works perfectly wet. Got a great pic of my nephew surfing towards me (literally, I took the shot then dove under so he wouldn't hit me with the surfboard!) Everyone at the beach gave me weird looks, and a couple of kids reminded me that I was taking my camera in the water :)

The only problem with the waterproof feature is that you have to clean up the water drops from the lenses when taking pics out of the water. When you're in the water, but not taking underwater pics, it's a bit hard as your hands, bathing suit, etc, are all wet, but doable!

For the people who complained about the shutter-speed. It is slow if you have the preview of the picture you just took. Turn that off on the settings so you don't get the preview and then there is barely any lag between pictures. I turn it on and off, depending on my needs.

The one thing to be careful about is that the camera is not sand proof -- some sand got in between the lens cap and the camera while I was in the water, and when it dried up, the lens cap wasn't closing all the way -- it took some very throughout careful cleaning to get it all out, but once I did, it went back to normal.

Ah, and remember to wash off the salt water from the camera -- steel & salt water usually means rust, so I always wash it over the sink with some soap after the beach.

I'll post some of my pics up when I get some free time. They really are great pictures!


-> Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I purchased this camera before our trip to Hawaii, and have not repented... It delivers clear photos, with a very flexible set of pre-programmed settings... A must purchase for folks on the move!


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My last compact digital camera was a Canon SD700IS. It took much better pictures than the Olympus 720SW, until I accidentally dropped it and it busted to pieces. The compact digital camera before that was an Olympus that got wet and died when my sailboat capsized. Now I have a 720SW that has not gotten wet yet, but it has been dropped at least once, and it still works. In good light, it takes excellent pictures. In poor light that requires flash, it takes very grainy pictures. It is very small and easily fits in a pocket or purse. If I had to buy another camera, I'd probably choose this one again. But I really really hope I don't have to buy another camera any time soon.


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Just came back from snorkeling. Nice thing about this camera is that it is campact and waterproof, and it takes decent pictures. However, it is hard to see the LCD underwater, and it is hard to get a steady shot. The lens is poorly positioned, and your finger easily finds its way into the image. The battery doesn't last very long.

Now it starts making very weak clicking sound when it is turned on and standing by, as if it is keep trying to sense and adjusting itself. Just in case you wondered, we never dropped it or let it soak for more than 1 hour at a time.


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I bought this camera a month ago for our trip to Roatan, Honduras. My wife and I are avid snorkelers and we wanted an inexpensive camera (not the throw aways) that take great pics of sea life with the vibrant colors we see through our mask. This camera is the one. The divers at our resort were blown away with the clarity of each picture. Also, the pics I took on land were excellent as well. One of the pics I've posted (sunset) is now a desktop background for one of my co-workers. I read every review for this camera before I bought it and when I saw the pics from the reviewer in Hawaii, I was sold. I hope my pics help.


-> Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This camera is the best digital camera I have ever owned. Being a very active person, I needed a camera that would hold up to anything. Waterpoof, shockproof.... everything proof! It's compact size makes it great for sticking in your back pocket during a night out on the town, or packed away in your backpack while traveling the world. The large screen makes for easy viewing of your pictures and all of the functions are very easy to use and understand. This 7.1 megapixel camera taks great pictures that aren't too large so they don't take up too much memory which makes it espescially easy to upload your picutres onto social networking sites without having to reformat them. You definately get your moneys worth buying this great all around camera.


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This camera does everything it says; yes, it's waterproof and I was very uneasy taking a digital camera into the water for the first time!! Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars: it is as slow as every other digital camera I've owned as far as focusing, multiple flashes, and then actually shooting. You get your subject's attention and they smile, frozen, as you hold down the shutter release for a good 3 seconds until the shot is taken (in low light.) I was especially intrigued by its "Bright Capture" technology, but it honestly doesn't seem any different in low light than my old Sony U20 2MP tiny little snapshot camera. Still that same flash-in-the-dark look. There is a fill-flash low light program mode (among many many others), but the shutter speed sets itself so slow the background becomes a messy worthless blob, even if you hold your breath and try to remain still. My ideal snapshot camera is portable, durable, quick, easy, and produces excellent results without having to think about your exposure modes. This camera has 3.5 out of those 5. It is way portable, very durable, easy, produces OK results but you have to mess with settings if you're not in daylight, and it's not very quick.
Overall I am very happy with the purchase and will carry it everywhere.


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I am very pleased with this camera....I have yet to use it 10 feet under water but maybe someday... I love the compact durability of this camera. And the picture quailty is excellent!!!


Very happy photographer!


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I opted for the Olympus Stylus 720 SW after destroying my previous digital camera falling into the pool drunk. After much searching through Amazon I came across this beauty. This camera is really durable and reliable. I even gave it a few test runs and threw on the floor a few times, dropped on the sidewalk, and ran under the focet of the sink. Worked perfect afterwards. The shutter speed is a bit slow, takes usually about 2-3 after pressing the button to take the pics. It can't capture very fast motion too well. Tested this by trying to take pics during a basketball game. It's durablity it's very impressive. It's survived being in my front pocket while snowboarding, me jumping out of an airplane with it(took some nice pics too while parachuting down), many a drunken night of me taking random pics and tossing it around trying to impressive people with its endurance. I've ran into streams and rivers, no problem. Great camera for practical use, takes good pics (not great but pretty nice ones none the less.)

Bottem Line: If you want a camera you can take to a party and not have to worry about handling it carefully, get this one. If you want a camera you can take to the beach or the river and take some group and random photos of your family, take this one. But if your looking for something to catch those action shots of your son/daughters sports games and those mad jumps you do on a snowboard, look elsewhere.


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this was the first digital camera i purchased. i am an adventurous person and wanted something that would stand up to my lifestyle. this camera wasn't it.

the good

*it is compact, which is pretty convenient

*it has several camera functions that have the potential to work well if you are techno-savvy.

the bad

*after snorkeling with it for 30 minutes, the camera leaked and broke. olympus replaced it, but only after my 2 month stay in costa rica was over.

*the functions are unreliable and difficult to use. rarely if ever do i get them to work how i want. the pictures always need touched up afterwards, sometimes seriously.

*the zoom sucks. don't expect to get those awesome close ups they advertise unless you have some serious patience.

*the image stabilization is a joke. you need a tripod or surgeons hands to take pictures that aren't blurry.

*the user manual left me with a lot of questions



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Small size with rugged construction makes this camera very practical for traveling.

The availability of numerous settings enables capturing high quality pictures under various conditions.

This camera has produced many excellent photographs.


-> Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I got this camera in December because I was going to Dominican Republic for New Years and I was tired of buying those waterproof disposable cameras. Since I was scared it wouldn't work once it hit the water I took my other digital camera with me just in case. I didn't want to be left with no camera on my vacation, to my great suprise I never even took my back up out of my luggage. I got in the water looked at my friends and said here it goes ladies. After coming back up from under the water and seeing that my camera was still working I was really excited and the picture came out really clear. You can see the flash underwater too so you know when the picture snaps. I also took great pictures of the Island when we were on a speed boat and again to my surprise there wasn't the slightest bit of blurriness. And it was going pretty fast, lol. I have great memories of my trip. Underwater, out to sea, counting the New Year down, and just pictures of my girls hanging out. Of course I had tons of people asking me how it works underwater. Some people were even concerned. They would run up to me and tell me be careful you'll wet your camera and as they watched us take pictures underwater their mouths just dropped. They were amazed to see the outcome. And you have to believe I dropped it. So shockproof? Yeah I would say it is because it fell pretty hard, Oops! I read a lot of reviews before buying this camera and I remember people complaining about how it doesn't save your settings when you turn your camera off but surprise once again, my settings would stay as is. Pretty neat! I've been back for almost a month and I use my camera for everything. I have yet to have a negative moment with it. It takes great pictures and it's real easy to use. People were also complaining because it takes an XD-picture card but that was actually a blessing for me because I already had 3 of those from my Fuji FinPix Digital camera and a lot of the features where the same so I haven't even had to take out the manual yet. I would diffinitely recommend this camera to anyone and the cheapest new one I found was on Amazon. And I searched long and hard.


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Let me preface this review by saying that I am extremely clumsy and I'm the ultimate electronics durability tester. If something can withstand my abuse it is not only well made, it's almost indestructible.

After much deliberation I decided to get the 720SW to replace my Olympus D-560. I was very happy with Olympus in terms of image quality. Cost definitely came into the equation- I already had the XD cards and wanted to spend more money on the camera itself than settle for something less and buy a 1gig card for whatever other camera I was interested in.

I hadn't ever had a camera with a rechargeable battery so I bought an extra knowing that I'd be on the go almost every day and I didn't want to be caught somewhere and see the low battery message of doom. If you are getting this camera, do yourself a favor and get the extra. The charger doesn't take long to charge the batteries but the batteries barely weigh anything so they're easy to carry with you. I found that I often accidentally turn it on when I have it in my purse just because something will press against it. It does have an automatic shut off although I'm not sure what the timer is.

Let me tell you about the durability. I took this camera with me to Thailand and Hawaii where I used it every day for about a month and a half. I dropped it once in the middle of the street in Bangkok from maybe 4 feet and it was fine. I don't think it even turned off. I took it on a jungle trek for 2 days and had it in my hand almost the whole time. It got dragged in the dirt a little as I climbed up and fell down a hill, it dropped into water and mud in a rice paddy, and I also leaked half a bottle of sunblock on it. I took it out in the rain (I went during monsoon season) and snorkeled with it several times and it worked perfectly. It is absolutely waterproof without an addition housing.

Underwater pictures with this camera are decent! It took some excellent pictures of sea turtles and schools of fish. The underwater features definitely work better the more light you have. Don't expect much from your underwater pictures unless you're taking them in the day time and in some very clear water. Also, don't be afraid of using the 720SW in salt water. I had mine submerged for hours at a time. At the end of the day you follow the cleaning instructions which basically amount to you filling a bowl or a bucket up with fresh, clean water and swishing it around for a bit. After it was dry I cleaned the lens and it was as good as new.

Something else I am absolutely loving about this camera is the size. The LCD is very large and it does have the brightness option so you can see your pictures clearly in the day time if you adjust the settings. The camera can easily fit into my front pocket which makes it very portable. The resolution on the camera is very good at 7.1mp provided you aren't using the rapid-succession mode or the image stabilization mode. Both have their uses but they do not yield the highest quality pictures.

The menu on the Olympus is very straightforward and easy to use. My complaint is that it has to be reset every time you turn on the camera. The image quality is adjustable depending on what you are doing. It has a 640x480 if you're taking little snapshots or messing around. It has 2 different resolution settings for the highest 3072x2304.

If anyone is thinking about getting this camera, do it. It's a camera that is built to last. You don't need to worry if you drop it. You don't need to fret about the screen getting damaged if you take it in the rain. No, it's not big and bulky so it won't take up much space when you're on the go. The picture quality is high. The waterproof feature may be more than you need but the fact that it's basically built like a tank certainly isn't. Save yourself the hassle of buying the Pentax Optio WP. It isn't built nearly as well as the 720. The added bonus is that you don't need to worry about getting a service guarantee with the Olympus- it's built well enough where you definitely don't need it. Chances are pretty good that your extended warranty won't cover you setting it on fire or pushing it down the garbage disposal.


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Takes wonderful pictures underwater and out of water, too. Scared a few people as I was in the pool and ocean as they had never seen a digital underwater camera like this. They thought I had ruined my camera, 'til I told hem it was waterproof. Have even dropped it without a scratch. Perfect camera for vacation. Everything I was looking for.


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There's a lot to love about this camera. Took it on vacation to Maui where we snorkeled daily. Some thoughts:

All the underwater shots needed fixing - white balance especially but also brightness and contrast. Same with movies. Above water shots were fine - very nice usually.

Love the movie mode. 15fps is definitely irritating (like watching 8mm movies) but Adobe's Premiere Elements (not included) does a fair job of smoothing it out. The advantage is you can get almost 15 minutes of video on a 1 gig card. For snorkeling I used the movie mode far more than any of the other modes. A movie of a turtle surfacing under you sure beats a still.

It needs a 20 cent large plastic viewfinder that you could snap on when doing underwater photos as it's very hard, impossible sometimes, to view the screen image while snorkeling on sunny days. I found myself aiming too high when guessing.

As others have mentioned, if you turn off the camera while using one of the specialty modes, the camera doesn't return to it when you next power it up. But it's only 3 extra key presses, 2 of which are the same key. It's not tough. I actually agree with the design logic, but it would be nice if this was a configurable item - so you could have it default to the mode you were in when it was turned off. On the other hand thhe main mode that the camera defaults to is configurable and those customizations do persist during power off.

Digital Image stabilization is nothing more than boosting the ISO which results in grainy pictures - almost comically so. As with any camera with a lens this small you have to keep the ISO low to avoid grain. The camera could use optical (read expensive) stabilization.

Battery life is okay but you'll want extras - they're inexpensive.

Even tho we babied this thing, it leaked after about 5 days of snorkeling (all at than 10 feet) and fried itself. Olympus replaced it under warranty. I'm hoping it was a bad camera and there isn't a design defect.

I have a Canon Digital Rebel that I love, but I find myself taking FAR more shots with the Olympus because I can slip it into a shirt or coat pocket. It's there when I need it and I can take it almost anywhere.

Generally I love this camera - if only it lasts....


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I'm going digital for the first time. A week ago I saw this camera in my dentist's office in his Dec. '06 issue of Popular Photography. He let me take it. This camera's picture made me fall in love with it and forgot about my scary trip to the camera shop fiddling with the Fuji Fine Pix F30 that is very difficult to handle when you've never had a digital camera. I've ordered the Olympus 720SW from my camera store and will get it Tuesday. The features are incredible! I loved the screen. Not huge so not disorienting.The controls? Not confusing. I have small fingers, so handling the buttons was no problem for me. I loved the camera settings so it takes the guess work on taking a particular type of picture. I like the stabilization that was so good I could focus in on a very small piece of artwork of mine. The saleswoman recommended that I get a spare battery as she always has one for hers. She even sells carrying cases which I'll get. I even got to experiment with the movie making mode. So neat when you've never done it before. I can't wait until Tuesday when I can buy this camera and it's accessories which will include charger, spare battery, probably the original battery too, and of course the 1MB memory. I've finally joined the 21st century in cameras.


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I purchased this camera because I saw the what it could do compared to my camera. Another couple on vacation had it and I saw their pictures taken at the same time, same location and was astounded. Its ability to use natural light AT NIGHT was something I didn't think possible in a "non professional" camera. I'm very pleased and would recommend it to anyone.


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This camera was purchased for my teenage daughter. She likes it so much she sleeps with it! Great camera. Incredible pictures.


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I'm completely satisfied with this camera. It takes sharp pictures, lets me set the light and whether or not I want to use the flash, as well as taking great close-ups. There are many features I haven't yet had the opportunity to use, but so far, I have had no problems. It's also small enough to take with me anywhere, either in my pocket or purse.


->Best Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

Was very excited to see this waterproof/shockproof version and I'm STILL excited about this camera! I went fishing in the river every day/otherday, which involves hiking through water and slipping and falling in and bumping rocks -- this camera is still kickin as wonderfully as the first day I bought it! The picture quality IS amazing for a point and shoot - this is not an SLR, so don't let people saying "oh, this is poor picture quality" fool you... they're just camera snobs. The video isn't really worth "oooohaaawwing" over, but it's not really built for that - it's adequate for the quick moment. The only drawback was the limited zoom - I'd prefer a bit more, but I'm SO glad that Olympus offered beef(Optical) and not filler(digital) zoom. This is a fantastic camera for the active photographer that takes shots daily of anything and everything, at any given moment - this camera will LAST.

p.s. (I've owned a mass of different cameras, both digital and film - as far as durability goes, Olympus cameras withstand the abuse longer/better than any other brand out there right now. I've still got a stylus from 96 that's been dropped, rolled, you name it - still working beautifully. Olympus is worth the investment, for your daily use - Nikon and Cannon are fantastic, but delicate and should be limited for pro/artistic use..)



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The Olympus 720SW is great for in water shots and movies - surfing, snorkeling and boating. However, the good things end there. The camera (7.1MP) takes poor images for your average (out of water) shot. The shots are blurry and it is hard to find the proper settings in each condition. The Xd card is super slow, takes several seconds before the camera is ready to shoot again. My suggestion buy the canon elf and just take the extra time to put it in a waterproof housing. My 4MP canon elf takes a much better quality image. I will not buy another Olympus product, my next camera will be the 7.1MP canon elf.


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Good Camera. User Friendly. Underwater shots actually work. Movies are OK, but that is not what the camera is designed to do. Dont waste your money on the waterproof box unless you want pictures in the deep.


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I got the camera for Christmas and was extremely excited. Load of features. Not impressed with the menu. Need to make it easier/quicker to get to the specific mode you are looking to use. I hate how you can't use macro mode when using a specific mode like landscape or behind glass. The behind glass mode only works well if there isn't too much sunlight or reflection. Hate that you can't see what your taking a picture of when using the macro mode. It's completely blurry. Also EXTREMELY upset about the shockproof. Dropped it once from less than 3 feet and the camera is now giving me problems with the xd Card. Tends to happen when I take the battery out and put it back in. Something must have shifted. I contacted customer service immediately and was told that I need to send it in. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told it would take 24/48 hours. It's been over 72 hours and no phone call. I'm also not impressed with the battery life. It doesn't last long at all. I was taking quite a bit of pictures for about 1 1/2 hours and the battery went dead even though I charged it the entire night before. There also seems to be a lot of "noise" when using the large sized pics. At times you won't know what the pic looks like on the computer. It looks better on the camera screen.



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I love this camera - the waterproof and shockproof features were selling points for me - being a teenager, I am demanding of my electronics. I wanted a camera I could take boarding on the slopes in the winter, on the jet ski in the summer, and everywhere in between. This camera has really pulled through for me!

When I bought this, I thought the waterproof feature meant that if I dropped it in the pool, it would survive as long as the pool was no more than 10 feet deep. Once I took a closer look, I realized that this actually meant it could take underwater pictures up to 10 feet deep. This made the summer a ton of fun - give some college kids a camera that takes pictures underwater and you might be surprised by how amused they become!

I just got back from snowboarding a week ago, and this camera was in my pocket the entire time, and worked perfectly! I felt bad for another girl in my lesson group who took her $400 canon up with her, and she rolled wrong and the LCD cracked - I recommended this camera to her! It really can 'take it' if you will - this travels with me in my purse, everywhere I go, and it really does great.

I would recommend buying a 1 GB xD card to go with this - I always take my pictures in Super High Quality Mode, and the 7.1 MP make for great enlargements and also allow for close cropping when there is excess background information. The 1 GB card holds about 300 pictures for me, and that's always plenty, but I also travel with my laptop and download pictures daily.

This is so small! I love the size because it goes everywhere with me! The only downside of this camera is that although it is small enough to tote everywhere, the buttons are also very small, and are hard to work with gloves on!

The only other downside to this camera is that sometimes the flash or other mechanics of the camera tend to wash out people.

I love this camera and I recommend it to all my friends and even loan it to them when they go on vacation and need something a little more compact or a little more durable.


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You know, we are having lots of snow here in Colorado this winter. I like skiing and snowboarding, and saw several friends got problem with their digital camera even it's kind of "splash proof". With 720SW that I got last month, I'm no more worrying about wetting this tiny camera in snow.
The only problem I can find is that I got shaky pictures a bit more - as example Olympus 810 Stylus is way better in the quality of pictures. But, I'm pleased to have this one as my companion in my snowboarding jacket. If you're the one who enjoying the outdoor activities, I can recommend this one. Have a happy new year !


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This camrea is great. Takes great pictures - especially good action shots, night photos, and in the water photos. Great camera for the price.


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Love the small size, point and shoot--large viewing screen--great for active vacations like skiing, beaches because it is rugged--can be dropped or takes some underwater shots too!!!! I am an Olympus fan and have several other Olympus digital cameras.


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I bought this camera because I am a fly fisherman... and every once in a while I fall in! After six months I am pretty happy with the camera. It takes good pictures, very sharp and good color. I miss having a view finder, even though the display is large it can be hard to see, especially in bright light. I skip all the special shooting modes, they are a waste of time. But it's light and durable and waterproof, and that is what I bought it for. I have not dunked it yet but have used it in all kinds of bad weather.


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This a great camera. I have only had it a few months and am still learning how to operate it. I tried the underwater mode was amazed at how well it worked. It is lightwieght and small and easy to us and carry. I cannot say anything bad about this product. I am certainly not sorry that I bought it. The only thing was I did not get a usb cable to hook up to the computer.


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This was a gift for my mother. She needed easy to carry and easy to use. We purchased it because it was shockproof and waterproof so that equaled "purse-proof" to us. She has really enjoyed it including carrying the card to Walmart to print the pictures off.


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This is the 4th digital camera I've owned, and the previous three I owned included two Minoltas and an Olympus. My husband before meeting me also owned an early Kodak digital. And I have a lot of friends who own the Canon PowerShot so I would think I'm semi-savvy about the aim and shoot digital camera arena.

The primary reason why we bought the Olympus Stylus 720SW is be/c I needed a camera that could handle being dropped as the last two I owned broke after accidentally dropping them less than a 1 foot off the ground :( I tend to use my camera a lot for work and now with my kid, so it gets rough-housed a lot.

My biggest complaint about this camera is that I've noticed it's very slow in taking multiple shots unless I change the option to shoot many and then choose. However, when you choose this option you can't use a flash....at least from what I can tell.

Also I'm not sure if it's my error or the camera's slowness to capture a shot but I've noticed that a lot more of my photos are out of focus when compared to my previous photos from my other cameras. When I do get the money shot though, the images are great.

I haven't tried out the underwater feature, but I can definitely say that's a very cool feature if in fact it works as the promo material claims.

My suggestion for those that are wanting a sleek camera and good quality photos, my personal preference is actually the Canon, BUT if shock resistance is a factor, then this Olympus is the best choice on the current market, just know that it's a bit slow to take photos.

PROS -- love the size; very compact; can drop it without harming the LCD display or the lens

CONS -- slow reaction in taking multiple photos; has this large text that appears after you take each photo and it takes about 3 seconds before it disappears (it's just annoying); you have to scroll through I believe 25 different photo options before you can get back to the basic portrait setting -- definitely the most photo options I've ever seen but again it's annoying to have to go through them all to get back to your basic setting


->Comparison Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I HAVE SEVERAL DIGITAL CAMERAS.,BUT THIS BEAUTY CAN FIT ANYWHERE AND WITH THE 1GB CARD WILL GET ME 290 PICS AD/OR 15 MIN OF GOOD QUALITY VIDEO.,IN FACT YOU CAN CARRY THIS CAMERA SORT OF HALF CONCEALED IN YOUR HAND AND TAKE GREAT PICS IN CROWDED PLACES AND CAPTURE TRUE HUMAN SPIRIT.THERE IS NOISE,BUT PHOTOSHOP WILL CLEAR.
JUST LOVE IT!


->Buy Online Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I am very happy with the camera. This was an upgrade from the earlier model and I have taken many wonderful pictures. Does everything that the product summary says it does and that in itself is remarkable. Light but functions great.


->Lowest Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This is a great point and shoot digital camera! Easy features and I just love the fact that if I drop it in the water it's not toast. Take it fishing with me so there's not worry about getting it wet.


->Compare Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

A good, handy camera for rugged, outdoor use. Waterproof as advertised (though the underwater scene modes are not sufficient to obviate the need for custom white balance--which it doesnt have) but cleaning the camera after saltwater use is complicated by the sliding lens cover. I have to remove the battery while the camera is on (so the lens cover stays open), then soak it in distilled water to minimize salt build up. Optics are very good but the camera can benefit a lot from optical image stabilization. The alternative of boosting ISO setting just leads to noisy, grainy images. My best images are at ISO 64 but I need to use a tripod a lot because it is very difficult to keep such a small camera steady. The flash is weak, even for use in snapshots. 15 fps video is a let down. Still a good buy, esp if you have kids (my 3 year old uses it).


->Best Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

Takes nice pictures with a lot of practice. I like that it has preset scene selections to help get a good picture but found that I needed to take a lot, to get one really clear picture. My Sony Cybershot almost always takes really great clear pictures on the first try. Underwater function is cool but again I had to take lots of pictures to get one really good one. Video also works underwater, which was quite cool. Lens is hard to dry without spots after using it underwater. Hate the rechargeable battery. I would definately prefer to be able to use AA batteries like my Cybershot.


->Buy Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I like to go to concerts and I do like to sneak in a camera. So I was looking for a camera that was small and good in low light. My problem I have always had with most cameras is that you need to use a flash when taking pictures at night or in dark places, eventhough I didn't want to during a concert. So over the past few days I have been trying this camera in dark places. So far it has a few different options for pictures at night. One is available light, I have found this to be my favorite option, since it does not use a flash.

My only issues and reading these reviews before I bought it I already knew them. It is hard to keep the same option on the camera after you turn it off you have to go and reset the photo option or else it just goes back to the default. Power button is very small. I also don't like the software it came with.

Also the other night I was at a campfire with friends. Needless to say I ended up dropping the camera and didn't know it. A few hours later when I realized it was gone I went back and sure enough in the bushes I found it. It had started to rain out and I was very glad for this shockproof-waterproof Camera.


->Deals Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

i loved this camera for what it was. i wasn't too brutal to it, but i did dip it several times and it was awesome. unfortunatelly i was too confident that 720sw was undestructible that i dropped it while tubing and it sank like the piece of metal that it was.
quality-wise, i took amazing pictures in good light, surprisingly good macro function, but the low light pics were dissapointing. the "digital stabilization" gets a lot of noise in the pictures because its use of high ISO. for the same price i bought the Canon SD700IS with true image stabilization and the difference is tremendous. except that i miss 720's shock and waterproofness... but those were the only advantages over the Canon...(well, plus the 7MP instead of 6, but there's no big difference there). Also, the 720 makes poor movies with its only 15 fps (the only good thing about it being a good mpeg4 compression).
bottom line: some cool features, good daylight picture quality, some design flaws, but sometimes poor picture quality for its class, and they definitely screwed up the movie mode...


->Sale Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I bought this for my wife for Christmas after she lost her Stylus 400. The user interface on this camera is awesome. She's able to use most of the features without having to read a manual. Great pictures and the camera is very impressive looking. It's also very rugged since it's all metal construction. Very important feature since the last camera she had was suffering a bit from the occasional drop. The pink metal front of the camera is getting her lots of compliments ... like I said, great looking camera.


->Buy Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I am always at the beach or canoeing and my fiance is always fishing, so this camera was a logical choice for us. We have only had it a week, but we love it. We felt slightly superior to the other passengers on the Busch gardens Log Ride this weekend. They were trying to protect their cameras from the water as we snapped away. Great purchase.


->Comparison Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I've only had this camera for a few days and already like it. It's very easy to use and takes good pictures - I didn't even need to read the manual. I really like its low light capabilities and only use the flash for action shots. If you tend to stress out about dropping your expensive camera or getting it wet like I do, your worries are over. I gave this camera a 5 star rating because I'm satisfied that it seems to perform as advertized. I was a little concerned about not having a viewfinder, but I actually like previewing my shots with the display. Kudo's to Amazon and Adorama Camera for getting this to me before Christmas. My expectations have been exceeded!


->Cheap Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I bought the 720sw for its shock and water proof ratings. I work and play in some harsh condictions. So far its all I can ask for in a compact digital camera and easy to use,compact,quality pictures and something I didnt plan on. Its video capacity is really good, I tested the video on a 1GB H XD card and it held 45 minutes.

I got a small belt case for it and it just looks like a cell phone. I can carry it anywhere... I will never miss a great shot or video clip again :-)

Tom


->Shipping Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I love this camera a bought it a month ago and i think that is perfect for beach and pool lovers, you will have a nice point and shoot camera plus many extras, all that you need for family and travel, very easy to use, compact, good battery , 7mp , big lcd screen, nice style, waterproof feature works great, stabilization mode works too.
PD If you are looking for a professional camera, this is not the one. otherwise buy it


->Sale Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I got this camera after looking and looking. I got it for about 300. It takes great pics but you have to be careful when using certain shooting modes. they can come out blurry. I used the fireworks one and they came out great. the 7.1 megapixels allows me to make big prints if i choose. stabilization isn't all that great but i don't see myself having to use that too much. the underwater shots are awesome great to take to the beach or the pool or even when you go to an amusement park and go on a wet ride never having to worry that it will get ruined. the program it comes with is alright. the red eye reduction isn't that great i had to use the manual mode mostly. but the other editing capabilities are great and easy to use. i got a 1 gig xd card and when use set the size of images to 1200 by 900 you can take about 2400 pics. the battery doesn't last all day but like 3/4 of the day so i would recommend a spare for long trips. but definitely worth the money and very versatile i wouldn't want another camera.


->Prices Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I got this camera for vacation shots. I have owned many digital cameras before, from cheap point-and-shoot to pro DSLR. The Olympus has some very unique features that you have to love - waterproof is #1. Take it in the pool, in the ocean - makes nice snorkeling pictures, too! And it is really tough built, that's great. It takes 7MP pictures, so you can crop them later and still get a good resolution print. It has nice big screen that is even pretty bright (a must since there is no optical viewfinder). I like the pictures it takes, usually. There are a few things that continue to disapoint me, though:
- forget about "image stabilization." That's a marketing term; this thing doesn't have one. Shame on Olympus for misleading everybody!
- it has absolutely the minimum of manual controls that I have ever seen - no white balance, no flash compensation, no histogram
- instead it relies on a long range of picture programs that are actually very nice; but tough to select and every time you turn it off and back on it has forgotten its settings!

So if you want a true P&S without any manual intervention on your side, you can;t get one much tougher than this one and it is a decent buy. If water- and shock-proof are not important to you, you can do much better with most any other P&S in this price range.


->Sale Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I haven't bought a new digital camera in 3 years, my old sony cybershot was doing the job until all my pictures started coming out blurry, even when people weren't moving. So I went to best buy and the salesman in cameras suggested the olympus 720sw. I think it was a good buy, it photographs underwater and is shock-proof for 5 feet (it got field tested it when told my dad it was shock proof and he reached out to take a look at it, only to "accidently" drop it). Needless to say, it's survived several drops from a lot higher than 5 feet. I like the stabilization feature it provides, so if a picture comes out a bit blurry you can always retake it with a "sharper" clarity.

Negatives, it's not the best camera for low light, but then again, few compact digital cameras are good for low light. It's also pretty sketchy if you're trying to take a picture of something further away than 15 feet or really close up, like less than 6 inches away. The focus just isn't designed for that. It doesn't take too long to record the pictures to memory either, although I have seen some cameras that are faster. I'm not complaining about it though, it's great for going to sporting events and family gatherings because it's compact and the screen is big to show everyone the picture you've just taken. It even does a great job of taking video with sound, almost as good as my sony handicam (and it's easier to keep steady). I'll probably end up buying a camera with attachable optical lenses for my more "professional" type situations.


->Lowest Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I'va had 4 digital cameras so far ranging from the point and shoot to the DSLR. I bought the Olympus because I needed a camera I could carry in my pocket and I thought the waterproof shockproof option would be a bonus. My friends scoffed at the idea of the camera being waterproof so we tested it by submersing it in the fish tank 7 or 8 times. So far, 3 weeks later, its all working great. I'm anxious to get a day off so I can take the camera snorkling and REALLY test it out. As for the rest of it, picture quality is fair, ease of use is fair, some of the settings are difficult to figure out so don't throw away the manual because you'll need it, the buttons are WAY TOO SMALL especially for ladies with longer fingernails like me but I do appreciate how compact the camera is. It fits in even my smallest purses or a pocket.


->Purchase Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This is a great all around camera. It is especially great for trips and activites such as surf trips, skiing, etc. It is durable and waterproof. With the 1gig memory card with the panorama option, you can't go wrong. It pretty much has everything. I would highly recommend it.


->Best Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This handsome-looking camera gets 5 out of 5 stars from me, because it's the most well-equipped digital camera for real-world conditions. How many times have you left your camera at home because it's raining, snowing, or you'll be in the water? Or how many times have you gone hiking or bicycling without a camera for fear of breaking it? Have no fear, this camera can take the knocks and dunkings that no other digital can.

The picture quality is outstanding (take into consideration that it's a SNAPSHOT camera, not a digital slr). There were reviewers complaining of low quality images from this camera, but that's probably because the photos were taken right off of the card, unedited. You gotta "develop" the photographs in Photoshop....Even with photos made by professional digital cameras, you have to develop (adjust) the image!

The batteries that came with my camera will last for 200 shots, so I think those who complained about short battery life were given old or defective batteries. As for shot capacity, a 1 gigabyte XD card with the camera's settings at super high quality (SHQ) will store 294 shots. The 7.1 megapixels will allow you to print photos up to 16 by 20 inches!

If you lead an active, sports-oriented lifestyle, you will be bringing this camera with you without hesitation, and you will be using it a lot!


->Shipping Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This is the 5th digital camera I have owned and am trying to figure out a way to get rid of it! Bottom line
*No way to remove picture information when reviewing shots...remains on the screen for about 3 seconds and is very annoying
*Shots are ALWAYS blurry, unless you us the stabilizing mode. If you use this mode, it cancels out any other mode you try to select.
*Recharger is very bulky and not travel friendly, combined with...
*Short battery life.

Positives are that this thing is bullet proof and can take underwater shots... that is about it! I strongly suggest you look at either Cannon or Sony cameras instead of this one.



->Deal Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

takes good photos, but I don't like not having a viewfinder. The screen is hard to see outside, even with a shade over it. Battery does not last long, and the charging mechanism is bulky. Some of the features don't really do what they are supposed to do. Don't like how photo info is displayed over photo on the led screen when reviewing photos.


->Buy Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

The Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim digital Camera has to be one of my best electronic purchases by far. Other than the sleek looks and OH.. so very user friendly navigation, this camera has so many extra features like more than 16 different scenes modes which help out more than one can imagine. I just wanted a camera for taking pictures like with friends and while going out for parties and stuff, but I wouldn't have thought that I would be taking so many pictures of things like Sports, Beach, Moving Objects, Museum, and Candle Light pictures. This camera helps me get the best image quality for all of these different events.
Moreover, this camera offers Shock Proof upto 5Ft., and Water Proof upto 10Ft. with a great feel in your hand.


->Cheap Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

The product is excellent. I strongly recommend it if you had a previous camera that failed because of sand getting in or shock impact.


->Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I carry the Olympus 720SW camera in the top pocket of my life jacket. The picture clarity is outstanding. I routinely use the pictures as my home screen on my computer at work. The photos make me look like an expert photographer.


->Deal Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This camera is amazing. It is the perfect choice for any fisherman, or outdoors person. It takes very clear pictures, even with the zoom, plus the anti-shake option is great. I would by this camera again, in fact i'm going to. Good choice-


->Shipping Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I recently purchased the Olympus Stylus 720 SW at 7.1 MP. I needed something small and compact for a cruise of the Greek Isles. This camera fit the need perfectly. I had it with me at all times and never missed a photo oppotunity. Indoor, evening, sunlight, portrait, action shots all came out great. I was even able to show the pictures on the television back in our cabin to my 90 year old father who was not able to take the excursions. I have only two negative things: the extra memory card was very expensive, and even though I love the extra large LCD screen, when wearing my sunglasses in the direct sun, I had trouble seeing the subject on the screen. I could do so easily when I took off my sunglasses.


->Best Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I love this camera. It is great, because sometimes I accidentally drop it, and it still works perfectly fine. I can take it out in the rain, and take it snowboarding, without having to worry about water damage.
Also, the image quality is excellent for the size and the price. The angle even at no zoom is a bit tight, and so I find myself having to back up a lot of times to get the picture I want, but that's not a major problem.
Overall, I love this camera.


->Shipping Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

Great image quality, great size, point & shoot. Lots of preset "manual" settings. And I can drop it all I want, even in water! Just a great camera to have w/ you at all times!


->Compare Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

i have owned this camera for about 3 months and i have dropped, used it under sea water and in rain storms and it hasnt missed a beat. my only complaint is short battery life. needs a charger that doesnt require removal of the battery. overall great product.


->Cheap Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I was looking for a second camera that would replace a lower resolution older Olympus but which had features that would allow it to survive life in a family of 6 - I looked at many small point-and-shoots, but when I saw the feature set of the Olympus 720sw, I knew that it would be a good family camera for us. It IS waterproof, although it is so counterintuitive to dunk it in water. Mine has been in the waters of Hawaii and in several California lakes, but it's the rugged design, sharp photos, and high resolution that sold me.


->Compare Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This camera is excellent. With the 1Gig Card you can take over 500 huge perfect pictures as well as several long movie shots. It;s small enough to put into your pocket while swimming and take it out for a great shot anytime.


->Lowest Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I ordered this camera just before taking a vacation to Hawaii. My primary goal was to take photos while snorkeling. I did so against the advice of several reviews I read here saying the quality of the underwater photos was poor. However, I strongly disagree. I've posted two sample photos here that demonstrate the quality that's possible with this camera underwater. I was completely satisfied. Here's why I ordered this...

First, it's about the only camera in its class -- a simple, compact camera for use on land OR underwater. So my choices were rather limited.

Second, I've taken lots of photos with disposable underwater cameras and I've learned that it's VERY hard to get good results. This has less to do with the camera though and everything to do with the conditions. So I took a chance that this camera would be at least as good. Turns out it was much better. I used the setting for Underwater Snapshots and had great results. I also took several short movies that turned-out surprisingly well. When shooting underwater, just remember the pro's number one rule of getting good pictures -- take A LOT of pictures!! Some will turn out poorly, most will be very average, a few will be great!

This camera performed very well underwater and took nice images on land as well. It's also very compact. One MAJOR warning though. IT DOESN'T float! That means, if you're swimming in water deeper than you can swim to the bottom you'd better put the camera on a lanyard just in case you drop it! I bought one for $2.99 at a dive shop and just kept it locked around my wrist whenever in the water.

If you DON'T need to shoot in wet conditions or need a camera that's this rugged, you can get better image quality with other cameras. But if you need what this camera offers, it's a great choice.


->Affordable Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I beat the snot out of this camera for 6 days and it lived.

I took it elk hunting in northern new mexico. The weather was wet. Very wet. I packed in few miles and then roamed around. Every morning was wet with dew/frost/condensation. It rained, snowed, or hailed every day. Mushrooms were bursting out of the ground. My binoculars sprung a leak and turned into a monocular. I wasn't muddy or too smelly because the rain washed me off.

The camera did fine. I covered the display with a plastic protector sheet, but otherwise wasn't gentle. It spent most of the time stuffed in a soggy shirt pocket. I took many pictures of cool mushrooms.

My only complaint is the lack of view finder. I missed a nice picture of a grouse chirping at me as I tried to find it in the view screen. The grouse and I were in the shade, but the background (bird in tree) was a bright blue sky. I couldn't find the bird because the non-sky stuff was so very dark in the display. Practice or less ignorance on my part might have changed the outcome.


->Best Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This review is based on a 17-day trip to Hawaii in June where I regularly used the 720 SW snorkeling, and covers only its underwater performance. The manual and website FAQs aren't much help on this, and without some careful practice you will probably be disappointed with this camera's underwater shots at first. My results were uneven despite experience with other underwater cameras.

The biggest challenge for all us ocean snorkelers is MOTION. You're floating, the fish are swimming, and you're probably near the surfline and some wave surge. With all this movement, framing and capturing a dead-on sharp image is very difficult. Above all else, you need to maximize shutter speed.

To shoot underwater with the 720 SW, use one of the camera's four underwater scene modes. Contrary to the manual and even the camera's own LCD display info, all four of these modes can be used underwater without a separate housing. I confirmed this with Olympus technical assistance. The modes are:
#21 Underwater landscape No. 1. Probably the best, but increase shutter speed as described below.
#22--Underwater landscape No. 2. Fixed focus, so should offer reduced shutter lag, but I didn't get especially good results. WIsh I had experimented with it more.
#23--Macro. Ok, if you and the fish can stand totally still for a close-up. Otherwise use it for coral or forget it.
#24--General purpose underwater setting that curiously uses the "cloudy" white balance. Not too useful.

The scene modes need to be adjusted further for true underwater conditions. Scene mode #21 is set for ISO 64, which results in low shutter speeds. Press the round OK button and change the ISO setting to 200. This is the single most important adjustment you can make. ISO 400 would be better, but you need to decide if the loss in resulution is acceptable.

Devote your first day in the water just to experimenting with different modes and ISO settings. If you think it's hard to see the LCD on land--try looking at it through your mask underwater! You can increase the LCD brightness a little, but too many of my shots were mostly guesswork.

If you can pick a calm, bright day, and find a place where you can stand on the bottom, it will help immensely with this or any camera used in a shoreline environment. Morning or afternoon light is better for pictures on land, but midday sun is great for underwater shots.

You can zoom in and out in the scene modes, but don't use much telephoto because it multiplies normal underwater camera movement. Take a sharper shot using wide or normal, then crop to your close-up on the computer. Use the highest resolution setting.

You can use the 720 SW's flash underwater--but the water must be totally clear. If it is even a little murky the flash illuminates thousands of tiny particles in the water and spoils your shot. Some of my flash pictures were OK, none were great. Flash distance seems to be maybe 6 feet underwater, but that's enough.

For enlargements, the sharpest picture I got underwater was barely OK for an 8x10, most I wouldn't push beyond 5x7. The dry land photos from the 720 SW will definitely go bigger.

The bottom line: the 720 SW takes some real work to deliver adequate but not great underwater pictures. Olympus provides almost no useful information to the purchaser about the unique underwater features of this camera. Honestly, I think some people would be happier with one of the Kodak or Fuji ISO 800 disposables. Why waste your vacation trying to figure out a new camera when you should be enjoying those angelfish?

Olympus, if you're listening: to sell a lot more of these cameras, hire a good technical writer, put him or her in the ocean with this camera for a few days, and have them write up the best way to take the typical underwater shots. Add this information to the manual and the website and you'll have much happier customers.


->Compare Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I got this for my birthday, after spending months researching different digital cameras. I wasn't going to get it because, as a college student, it was out of my price range.

Looking back though, it's definitely worth the extra dough. I took it with me on a trip to Colorado, and I've been taking it with me EVERYWHERE. It's small/light enough to actually FIT in my back pockets (girl jeans), and it's light enough that I tend to forget that it's there. Also, since I tend to be rather clumsy/forgetful (I killed my past two cell phones by drowning them), the shock/water proof is an excellent advantage. I've made many of my friends nervous by dropping/getting it wet.

The most entertainment that this camera has provided me though was when I took this to the hotsprings today. We took several pictures underwater, just to test it out. In the hour that we were there, FOUR different random guys came over to us and asked what kind of camera it was and was it really waterproof. Quite the conversation starter. Too bad they weren't closer to my own age. ;)


->Buy Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I recently purchased the Olympus 720SW digital camera primarly for its waterproofness, as I already had 2 other digital cameras that I love using. I also added an Olympus 1GB xD card. Less than a week after I purchased it, I used it on the "Maid of the Mist" boat ride at Niagara Falls, Canada. This was my first intended use for its waterproofness. It passed with flying colors! (literally). The pictures came out great! Even when water drops were on the lens they looked decent, although a bit blurry as expected. I had used a Fujifilm disposable waterproof camera the last time that I was there, and the pictures were dark, even though it was sunny out. It was sunny out again with the Olympus, and the pictures were not dark like the Fujifilm. I got some great shots this time of people's reactions as the boat was facing into the horseshoe falls. Please note that I was at the front of the boat, facing the falls! The camera got very wet, as it was like being in a heavy rain fall. After we returned out of the falls, I simply wiped off the lens, and the pictures came out good, as before it was wet. I wish that I could post some of the photos here to show the results.

I also used the camera for some regular photos (no water), and they came out very well. I used it in both light and dark situations, making changes with the controls both manually and presets. The photos were pretty much what I expected. Today, I took it on a helicopter ride and the photos came out good, as well.

I have used the camera while swimming, but have not had the courage to use it completely underwater yet. So I cannot comment on using it like that. I do intend to use the camera snorkelling next year in Hawaii. We'll see how it works out then. I can tell you that each compartment on the camera (i.e, battery/memory card, cable connector) has rubber seals around the inside of the little doors.

Now my primary problem with this camera is the movie mode. It uses Quicktime (.mov) format. I had this on my first digital camera, an Olympus 490, and it was not good on that one either. The movie mode takes up too much memory and battery juice. On this 720SW model, the sound of the movie has a lot of static noise in it, which even makes the movie mode worse. Also, the battery life is low, even when only taking photos. I can only take about 100-150 photos on a full charge, depending on flash use. Mind you that my 1GB card can hold hundreds, even over thousands of pictures, depending on the resolution mode selected. So I recommend getting a 2nd battery, which I have not done yet, as I mostly only use this camera where water is involved, and use my other cameras the rest of the time.

One of my other cameras is a small Sony T5 digital camera that is comparable in size to the Olympus 720SW. It uses mpg movie format. The movie mode (including sound), memory, and battery life on the Sony T5 are much better than the Olympus 720SW. If the Sony T5 camera were only waterproof, I would have never bought the Olympus 720SW camera. I also have a Canon S1 digital camera, which is a larger camera with 10x (32x digital) zoom. It also fairs better in most respects to the Olympus 720SW, but again is not waterproof.

So my final take at this point with this Olympus 720SW waterproof/shockproof camera is that if you intend to take a decent amount of pictures involving water, be it swimming, rain, or even Niagara Falls, and want good results, this is a good camera to have. If water is not in your plans, it still makes a decent digital camera, and would be handy to have the waterproofness just in case you get it wet. (I remember as a child when my dad's $1,000 35mm SLR camera was ruined at Niagara Falls with just the mist. This incident had a lot of influence on my purchase of this Olympus camera.) But if you also want to take good digital movies with this camera, I do not recommend it. Either get a Sony T series, or even better - a camcorder! Just don't use those in water, unless you have a waterproof housing.

With the movie problem and the lower battery longevity (compared to my other cameras), I give the Olympus 720SW 4-stars instead of 5. It is still a good digital snapshot camera though, especially with the waterproofing.


->Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I'm an avid photographer with high end SLR's and Digital SLR's. Just Before going on a trip to Maine, I lost my Sony T7 and needed a replacement. The T7 was a great camera but it's underwater housing was a pain to work with. So, I decided to by an underwater camera. With all the poor reviews out there I almost decided to go back to the T7. I'm glad I took the leap.

This camera takes GREAT shots. I purchased a 1GB memory card for it and it holds tons of photos. The picture quality is also excellent. I'm not sure how people are getting poor images but believe they may not be holding the camera still while shooting or may not be filling the shadows with light. I default the flash to always being on and it works great. I did this also for my T7.

For the complaints you've read about it not saving the "shooting mode". When the camera is turned back on, it defaults to the standard shooting mode. If you'd like to use a preset mode, it goes back to the last one you selected at the push of a button. This is a great since you may turn it off underwater and then turn it on later while above surface (and forget that you were on a preset mode). If you are still underwater you're only a button away to getting to the last preset mode you used again. There are a lot of presets, so having it go back to the last one used is really helpful.

I'm going to try to upload some of the shots I've taken. They're as good as the Sony T7 (if not better) with the added versatility of underwater photography. If you want a camera that can truly go anywhere, this is the one! Don't forget to put a little RainX on the lens and clean the lens regularly as this is another common reason people get poor shots with these cameras



->Deals Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

The camera only holds a total of 13 pictures!!!! The pictures during the day were phenomenal but my night pictures were horrible. The picture was so delayed and blurry. Moving pictures, even with the 'sport' mode on were just as blurry. I am not a camera expert and this is my first camera but this is not what I had expected.


->Best Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

At first the camera seemed like a great buy with lots of unique features. I soon learned that all the extra features did not make up for the extremely poor picture quality. There is color distortion as well as pixilation. Save your money.


->Best Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I got this camera about two months ago. I took a lot of pictures and I am not happy about the camera. It takes a lot of blurry pictures. Almost all of the pictures I took are blurry. That's a shame. I am thinking about returning it.


->Compare Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This camera can take some pretty nice pictures. But for outdoor pictures, which mine tend to be, you need to do a lot of button pushing. This camera won't save "modes" as default settings. I find that outdoor color quality stinks unless I have it on a particular mode. But the camera won't save that as a default. Olympus says that feature isn't available on this model. If you're a kayaker - this probably isn't the right camera for you.


->Shipping Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This camera would be great if not for the latency between pressing the button and the actual taking of the picture. I sent mine back.


->Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

a great go-everywhere camera. I won't rehash all the praise that's already been given by prior reviewers. I bought it for its underwater capability. took it sailing (catamaran, so wet), waterfall climbing, snorkeling, white water rafting, water park, as well as in the pool. underwater is great, DRY out of the water is great. however, when it's recently been in the water, but taking pictures out of the water, water droplets can 'hide' behind the lens cover and get on the lens when you turn it back on. if you're not aware of this you can end up with pictures ruined by a pretty miniscule drop of water on the small lens. if you're out in bright sun, you might not notice the distorted photo in time to dry/clean the lens and try again. it's not a huge deal, just something to be aware of - and only if the camera has recently been submerged or wet.

otherwise, very pleased with the camera. can't tell you how many people 'warned' me that I was about to take my digital camera into the water . . . after I advised them that it was waterproof, they were all impressed and wanted its brand/model.


->Purchase Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I recently bought this camera and took it with me to a trip overseas in which I shot over 500 pictures, and took multiple videos. It is a great compact camera which you can take with you anywhere. It takes great pictures, but sometimes it requires you to adjust the settings depending on your environment and lighting. But this is one of the great features of the camera, you can adjust it to suit the picture that you want to take. Image stabilization works great.
Overall Great Product


->Buy Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This is an amazing camera. It takes clear, sharp, highly detailed images above the water and in the pool. I just stick this small camera into my shorts pocket an it goes everywhere with me without a care. I'm very happy with the still image quality ( I shoot on the highest quality). However, I'm not giving it a top rating because the movie mode is sub par. It's difficult to get to, you can't zoom while shooting, the image quality is low and choppy. The Kodak v550 I have does a perfect job of movies. It would also have been great if they had a bluetooth connection to transfer the images. However, for a carefree, durable camera, I still recommend it.


->Deals Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

THIS CAMERA SINKS LIKE A STONE! I was just ocean kayaking off the ocean caves at La Jolla CA, taking pictures and accidentally flipped while helping my son grab his water bottle. Sunscreen, still floating, water bottle, still floating, CAMERA GONE! If you find this camera while snorkeling in the area near sea caves, I WILL PAY for just the camera card back! Keep the camera! My pictures!

I bought this camera in May 2006, since I wanted to take pictures of my kids on the beach. My biggest problem is that the LCD screen is useless when you are in bright sunlight. It dims out so much that there is absolutely no way to see exactly what you are taking pictures of. The easiest thing to see is your own reflection in the LCD screen. (By the way, as far as I can tell there is no way to brighten the screen).

Another problem is that the lens is in the upper corner of the camera near your left hand, and since you can't see what you are taking pictures of, most of my pictures have at least part of my finger in it.

My other issue is that is has a proprietary battery charger. Although the camera connects to your computer via USB, this DOES NOT in any way charge the camera. In fact, it drains your battery very quickly. So when you travel, don't forget that charger, because they are not easy to find. (Apparently Office Max is the only store that carries a compatible charger).

Another issue is that if you are in the ocean taking pictures of waves and kids splashing, drops of salt water obviously get on the lens, and your pictures will suffer.

My advice if you want to take these kinds of pictures is to buy a disposable waterproof camera. I have taken some great pictures, even underwater, with these cameras.


->Deal Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I live in San Marcos Texas and we are very lucky to have a crystal clear river (San Marcos River)that bubbles up from the ground in the middle of our city. It is a great place to snorkel which is why I bought the 720 SW. The pictures I have taken underwater have been terrific. I am very pleased with the durability and ease of use while in the river and when I get home I just soak it for a minute in filtered water and allow it to air dry, followed by dabbing off any water droplets left on the lens with q-tips and lens cleaner. (Olympus tech service reccommendation) The land pictures are crisp and incredibly detailed. The camera functions really make a difference and are worth reading about and using instead of always using the auto mode. The only drawback I read when researching this camera that I found accurate is the ability to see the display screen well in bright sunlight. This is really not that big of a deal to me. I love this camera and if there is even a chance that you would like to take pictures in or around water (kayacking, boating, swimming) this is the perfect choice.


->Compare Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I've practiced taking portrait shots, and a couple of video clips with this new camera with very good results. Its size makes it easy to take to events without needing a bulky camera case or worrying about leaving it on a table when you leave because you didn't want to carry it around in your hand while eating/drinking. Photo quality seems great! I haven't drop tested it yet, but I'm sure that will happen. Nor have I tested the underwater capabilities yet, but probably will (not by choice) when we go whale watching in Hawaii!


->Prices Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This is the first camera that I feel comfortable carrying with me wherever I go. It's also really easy to use with a huge screen.


->Compare Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

This is the coolest camera out there. It takes very detailed pictures and great videos. The best part is that it's waterproof. I just got back from Havasu falls which is an oasis in the desert. This camera gave me the oppotunity to take pictures that any other camera couldn't. I was swimming in 10ft of water and diving off of cliffs into the water, all with the camera in my pocket. When it was time to take pics of my friends jumping into the water, it took amazing pictures. My friends weren't able to get the shots I did and were so jealous. This camera is well worth the money, don't hessitate on this one.


->Deal Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

Pros:
Great underwater photos
Compact size; easily fits in pocket
Digital image stabilization works well
It is shockproof; I dropped it by accident
Solid construction
Good price

Cons:
3x optical zoom is limiting
Battery charger with cord is cumbersome when traveling
Camera does not charge when connected to the camera via USB like most cameras
Menu settings and programming are so-so, not that intuitive
Flash is not that strong

I have used this camera out of water and underwater. Wow! It can do it all and it's small. The all-metal construction is amazing with a great feel. We took the 720SW on vacation and went snorkeling with it. It performed really well. The LCD screen is a good size out of water, but we had difficulty underwater discerning subject from background. When we got out of the water we were surprised to see how well the photos came out. It was also great to be able to take a camera to the beach and into the water for fun shots. Macro mode was good and captured the colors well. I was also impressed with the digital image stabilization feature that allowed me to take clear and well focused pictures while I ran, jumped or shook. Since the size of the camera is so compact I carry it around with me almost all the time with ease. It's a winner!


->Buy Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I just got back from whitewater rafting the Grand Canyon and this thing rocks. I just got done uploading about 200 pictures and video off this thing and the photo quality is amazing.

Obviously the cool part is the waterproof part. I had this thing on a carabiner off my life jacket for 7 days in and out of water and sand pretty much constantly. It got hit repeatedly by various things and no electronic gear should have survived what I put it through. I did give it a few "beauty marks" including a scratch on the screen and a few dings but it still works fine.

The video it takes is awesome, I have video of us running the rapids in the Grand Canyon and obviously this thing doesn't care about a water hit which made me a star out there.

Couple of things,quirks, etc.:
1. Wish it had a regular optical viewfinder in addition to the big screen. However, when I was outside in the sun taking photos I never got it washed out unlike others' cameras I used.
2. I had to go on Ebay and buy a 1 gig memory chip for the trip. That gave me almost 300 pictures on the super highest setting. It comes with none of them. Plan on buying a chip.
3. I had two batteries for the trip (bought an extra one). For some reason the first one died in about a day which worried me a lot, but for some reason the second one lasted for the entire rest of the trip.
4. Keep in mind, I lost a few photos because while this camera is a good underwater camera, a few times there were water drops on the lense which blurred the shot. Not sure if there is a fix for that but FYI.

Overall - this camera kicks[..]. If you are going to be outside and active, get this thing.

UPDATED JUNE 2006:
- My camera is now DOA. This thing survives being in the desert, underwater, around sand etc, now I come back and go to the pool for about an hour and the thing is now dead. Looks like water got inside the unit through the battery door. Seals look fine and intact so I don't have a clue. Water behind the lense, this thing acts like, well - a piece of electronics with water inside. It's totally fried. I basically had it at the pool and took one photo with it and it's gone.

Only warning to learn is this thing isn't some super ingenious design - basically it has the same vulnerable ports as all other electronics do but with rubber seals on the insides of the doors.

The good news is I sent it back to Olympus and they sent me a brand new camera about a week later without any explanation. I was expecting them to tell me I'm an idiot and forgot to do something but no questions asked. Not sure how many more of those I'll get but overall good story


->Best Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I bought mine from Best Buy with the 4-year protection ($60). The salesperson there "demoed" the item by throwing it on the ground, saying he had done that at least 50 times previously without breaking it. The camera fits very easily in my pocket and the SW protection gives me great peace of mind (the less to worry about on vacation, the better!)

As a Dad with three kids my favorite feature is the "shoot & select" mode which allows many pictures to be taken quickly so you can choose which you want to keep or delete. Anyone with kids will know how useful that is in getting the best shot. It's packed with lots of other features as well.

Other reviewers have mentioned an issue with picture quality. I admit that was not the most important feature to me because I also have a digital SLR and am looking to this as my everyday/ on-the-go camera.

Bottom line: To me, it didn't make sense to pay around the same amount for a similar camera without the SW protection. I'm very please with my choice.


->Buy Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

There are several great features offered by this camera.. BUT
I wanted a waterproof camera to take photos outdoors, boating, fishing, at the pool and beach in sunlight. The default shooting mode for this camera is "portrait mode" that is very poor for these situations. There are options to select better settings for "sport", "beach" etc. but it takes a few clicks on multiple buttons to get to them. When you turn off the camera, the desired mode is not preserved and when you turn it on, its back in portrait mode. So you are obliged to click the buttons again to get back to the mode you want. Why make a waterproof camera and then default back to indoor portrait setting on every power up??? I've confirmed with Olymups support that the settings are not preserved...


->Buy Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

The Stylus 720SW marks the second Olympus digital I have owned. I am primarily a film SLR user, but there are always those times when it is more convenient to shoot using a small easy camera. The 720SW is not only small and easy, but can also come out to play when my other camera has to be protect from the rain (I'm on the West Coast), from the subject (I work with kids!), or from my clumsyness (I will surely drop the darn thing eventually).

Yay!
- Fast start-up
- Sleek and stylish
- Super strong construction will stand the test of time (I love that the battery and USB doors are so much stronger than on previous Stylus's)
- High MP count for large pictures
- Colourful, intuitive menus to help both new and old users
- Plenty of scene modes
- Underwater shooting!
- Acceptable video for a digital still camera (it's not a video camera!!!)
- HIGHLY protected lens
- Great battery life
- User-friendly software included
- Awesome landscape photos (with panoramic capabilities)
- Nice looking pictures in almost all light situations

Nay...
- Small lens (little light gets through, sometimes results in grainy low-light pictures without a flash)
- Fingerprints on screen and body
- I turn it off sometimes when attempting to press the shutter (this should improve with use)
- Small camera, and therefore prone to red-eye (easily removed in the photo editing software)
- Does not include a remote (we used it often on the Stylus 410! I suppose I will have to use the timer... darn it!)


This is a sturdy little camera that is already the envy of my friends. I don't buy a new camera often, and I expect this one to last many many years!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


->Lowest Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

On the search for the ultimate ultracompact digital camera ive owned the popular Canon SD600 elph, the ultra portable Sony T9, and finally the Olympus 720sw. If any of these cameras are on your list of choices then read on...

Image quality:

Of the three cameras the Canon SD600 wins hands down, followed shortly by the Sony T9. If excellent quality photos are a must for you then the Olympus might not be the best choice. Just because the Olympus has the 7.1 megapixels does not translate to better image quality, just bigger prints. But who really prints photos bigger than poster size?

Functionality:

This is one area where the Olympus 720sw really out shines its competitors. The "s" and "w" in "720sw" stand for shockproof and waterproof. For many, the purchase of this camera will be heavily weighed on this characteristic alone as no other ultracompact on the market comes even close to being submersible. Its really remarkable and somewhat disarming when you first bring the camera into the water because of its steel construction, but there are definately many goodtimes to be had with taking photos in rain, in the pool, or even in the shower. Aside from just its construction however, the 720sw also has many added features like calendar options, titleing, slideshow, sound memo, and more. The menu is also easy to navigate and allows for ease of use.

Construction:

In terms of construction quality the Canon SD600 is excellent. While the Olympus has the waterproof and shockproof value to it, Ive found the overall design and weight to be slightly off balance. As the next reviewer noted, taking photos felt somewhat awkward at times with the lens placement, weight, and design of the 720. In some cases I had to make a conscious effort to make sure my fingers werent in the way when I photographed. The LCD screen on the Olympus is also the worst of the three cameras (which is unsatisfactory since there is no viewfinder). Sony had the nicest followed closely by the Canon.

Portability:

Of the three reviewed, the Olympus was also the largest and heaviest. For a man, the Olympus is just small enough to slip into the back pocket. For a woman however, its on the verge of being too bulky and heavy to slip into your jeans or purse. Keep in mind too that this camera falls into the "ultracompact" category. So if you are basing a large part of your purchase on portability and compactness, the Sony T9 might be best for you.

Conclusion:

If you are in need of a rugged and durable ultracompact camera that "gets the job done" so to speak then look no further. For adventurers and those who WILL knowingly take the camera into very wet or humid areas then this camera is for you. However if you are looking for something with excellent picture quality, high quality construction, and/or ultra portability then you might want to consider the Canon SD600 or the Sony T9. Both have very good picture quality and are true ultracompacts. Just dont jump into a pool with either one of them.


->Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I really liked the design and functionality of the camera. I spend a lot of time outdoors and having a waterproof camera was excellent. It is small enough to fit in a pocket, so I could take it with me wherever I wanted.

Unfortunately, it wasn't as comfortable and easy to hold as I imagined. My finger kept getting in the way of the shots. I found the picture quality to be very poor. This bad quality outweighed everything good about the camera. It was bad enough that I returned the camera, and would have been willing to do so even at a substantial loss. I would rather be without a camera than pay for a 7 MP camera that takes pictures that are this poor.

The indoor picture quality was especially quite poor. Any picture taken indoors was very "grainy". Especially the dark colors were very poor. My older 3.2mp C-300 Olympus actually performed better. I tried adjusting all of the settings and I couldn't find a way to correct the problem.

The lack of a XD card and camera case in the packaging was a big bummer as well.




->Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I purchased this camera to replace my Canon G3 as I am going on vacation and wanted to use it while snorkeling.

I've taken several pictures and I am having a terrible time with getting blurry and grainy photos. I'm hoping it's user error and that with more experience I'll figure out how to take nice photos. To make sure it wasn't my imagination I stuck this camera and the Canon G3 on 1600x1200 and took pictures in the same lighting of the same objects and there's absolutely no comparison, the Canon looks so much better.

I tried it out in the fish tank and the waterproof feature seems to work great, but again I was getting terrible photos. I tried with and without flash and varying the levels of light.

On to the pros, the camera is very small and light and the memory card is fast. The menus are easy to use. Seems to have excellent battery life.

So like I said, I'm hoping I can figure out how to take better photos. The default settings out of the box just aren't doing it for me.


->Wholesale Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I bought this camera knowing that there would be problems with it. It has no viewfinder, which is a bit of a pain, it's a little laggy, as I find most slim point and shoot cameras are, and it's got limited zoom (3X), as it has to have because of the internal lens.

But these are all problems I could see existed before I bought it, and they're acceptable to me. My other camera is a Canon 350, and that is not something you can bring anywhere, you can't slip it into your pocket like this camera, you can't bring it to the beach or to muddy places. You have to carry around the expensive, bulky camera and a bag of lenses with you.

I bought this olympus because you can bring it ANYWHERE, not just because it fits into your pocket, but also because you can put it around your wrist and go swimming with it, and not have to worry about someone stealing it from your bag on the beach. You can bring it to the mud baths and if it gets totally messed up by letting your little cousin play with it, you can just bring it to the shower and rinse it.

So, despite there being better point and shoot cameras out there, and despite it being a tad expensive, I still give it five stars. It's the best waterproof camera on the market and the first time you bring it into the pool and take some pictures under water I guarantee you'll appreciate how fantastic it is.

Also the ISO-1600 mode is a wonderful bonus, It's perfect for taking pictures of fast moving action from a distance in dim light, when flash just doesn't reach far enough.


->Discount Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I'd give this camera 3.5 stars for the money.

I arrived at the decision to buy this camera after a bit of circuitous route. Long ago I loved my old Nikon CP-990. Then I had a kid and for the first year or so it was ok. But after he started moving around on his own I found the camera to lacking in focus speed, frames per second and a few other tech specs. Not wanting to spend a fortune shooting him with my F3 Film camera so I got a D-70 and life was good, still is.

However as he gets older and more adventurous we find ourselves in places I dare not take the "nice" camera. The pool, the beach, the sandbox, muddy days, the creek etc. At the same time my wife wanted a pursable camera so that we could have something with us at all times without lugging around a rig.

So a pocket Point and shoot (PNS) seemed to be in the cards. I was all set to get the Pentax Optio WPi when Olympus announced the 720SW. It was good to 10 feet instead of 5 and was shockproof and had a form factor liked better than my wife (bigger LCD). So we held out and bought it. I've had a chance to play with it a couple of weeks and this is my impression.

Pros-
Small - Fits in the pocket/purse without issue.

Faster than yesterdays PNS for turn on, focus and lock time
Easy to use - Has the standard full auto mode and some "scene" modes that are easy enough to figure out. They tell you what they are for and give sample pictures.

Build Quality - I've never seen a point and shoot built like this. You could put this thing on the end of a chain and use it as a weapon and then take pictures of your vanquished foe afterward. Its tough. It has an all metal frame that surround it, the front plate is plastic, the back glass, metal and plastic. It feeds very solid. I haven't tested its robustness yet but its good.

Internally focusing lens - You know those cameras that stick a snoot out when you turn them on? I find that somewhat annoying but more importantly I've seen those die when you get dirt or sand in the snoot. I've lost a couple of film PNS that way and seen a few digitals go down as well. Everything here is internally focusing. Its sealed, nothing to stick out or break off. I let my 2 year old play with the camera, he didn't break it but seems to instinctivally grip it with a sticky finger on top of the lens.

Lenscap - The Pentax WPi does not have a lenscap! This one does. I once heard the salesman say "oh but it has a protective plastic cover in front of the lens so it doesn't need one" Ookkkay, so the lens doesn't get scratch, the cheap non replacable plastic in front of it does. Its still a scratch in front of your picture! The olympus has a more robust wiper type lenscap that can sweep stuff away instead of getting gummed up.

Waterproof - This trick more than anything else is why I got the camera. Take it to the pool, take it IN the pool and get cool pictures. Pay the beach no head, splashing at bathtime, no worries. My son gooped it up pretty good, just ran it under the faucet and dried it off with a soft towel. Don't try that with your normal camera.

High ISO - This camera can go to ISO 1600 which for its class is amazing. Higher ISOs make your sensor more sensitive but increase noise. ISO 800 and above starts looking very noisy and that's not uncommon in many digitals. Most small ones fall apart by ISO 400.

Big Screen, Fast Zoom - It has a very generous 2.5" LCD screen. When you take a picture and review it you can zoom in very quickly. Really great for taking a picture of a tourist map and taking it with you.

Cons-
Too small - Yes, too small. I'm not a big guy, my fingers fit ok but big guys might have some issues. Also the camera is so small and light its kind of hard to hold very steady. It doesn't have the weight to dampen your tremors and you really can get a good two handed grip on it, its always a finger hold.

The "Image stabilization" - It promises no more blurry pictures because of "image stabilization". Well its not really image stabilization. When you kick that feature in it does an ISO boost (makes the sensor more sensitive to light) which lets you reduce the shutter speed so you don't have camera shake as much. The drawback is that you get more noise and less quality in your picture than if it had real image stabilization.

Camera downloads kill the battery - If you plug your camera into the computer to download the pictures plan on charging the battery right after. It sucks it down big time. Get a card reader for $15 at any discount shop.

Stupid XD Card memory format - It uses the "XD" memory format which is neither as cheap or fast as Secure digital or Compact flash. It's the same size as an SD card but different shape. Had to go get a new card reader to deal with it. Dowloaded about 5x faster. Most people don't have those cards laying around so plan on forking out some extra $$$.

Can't zoom on video mode - When you start taking a movie you can't use the optical zoom, it can use the digital zoom be those are not too good.

Review screen isn't all that pretty- Big screen but not great resolution. You can zoom in real close but it lacks sharpness. This might let you think the image is not sharp but it is.

That sums up the pros and cons, but what about image quality? Does it take good pictures? Well I would say it takes ok pictures. I've seen better, I've seen worse. I've gotten somewhat used to Digital SLRs with good lenses so perhaps I'm not the best to judge. My wife thinks they are fine.

For family stapshots of the kids by the pool or at the beach it is fine. Don't expect your photos of opportunity on vacation to far away lands to make the cover of a magazine though. This camera is at its best when getting the shot becomes more of an issue than getting it perfect.

The best camera to use for any shot is the one you have with you. This little thing is a go anywhere do anything kind of camera. You can take it with you to the beach, the pool, on a 3 day hike through the mud and rain, across the desert and into the rainforest and not worry about it when you fall of your mountain bike doing it all..

If it gets dirty or goopy find a bucket of water or a hose and wash it off. If that's important then this is the way to go. If that doesn't really matter there are smaller and cheaper cameras that will serve you just as well.



->Lowest Price Olympus Stylus 720SW 7.1MP Ultra Slim Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I just took my 720 on its first vacation. I usually shoot with a Canon Digital Rebel SLR and was looking for something pocket-sized for when I didnt want to lug a big camera around. The weather-proof and shock-proof features sealed the deal.

I have to say that I am impressed with the color fidelity on the 720. White-balance is good and colors are sharp and vivid without looking unnatural.

Start-up time is good as is the time between shots. Its slower than my SLR but that is to be expected.

I can get around 300 photos on a 1meg card (not included, you'll want to buy one at the same time). I also like the video feature. Sure its only 15fps, but it's an addition to the features on the camera already.

The best part is the digital image stabilization which helps to steady your shots. I've had other small point and shoot cameras in the past and have gotten rid of them because of all of the great shots that were ruined by blur caused by camera-shake. Think twice before going for a small camera without stabilization. You can't possibly hold a camera this small without some shake, so without stabilization you're wasting your time and money.

The digital zoom, as with all digital cameras, adds too much noise to the photos to be useful.

My only complaint is that the small size makes holding the camera without getting a finger or two in the shot difficult.

I would highly recommend this camera. I can's say the same for many of the small Sonys that I have used in the past. I am truly impressed with the quality of the photos this camera takes. I used it the first day of vacation and the SLR never left my room!