Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
203 of 206 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great little camera that takes VGA 30fps videos for more than 10sec!, April 17, 2008
After 5 years with a 5MP Olympus Camedia C-50 with the underwater housing, I decided it was time to upgrade. We only used the underwater housing to protect the camera from the elements when we went sailing. We used it a couple of times to go snorkeling, but it wasn't worth the bulkiness of the housing.
So, that being said, I went looking for another camera that was waterproof--we could take it on the boat or for the occasional swim without buying an underwater housing. The options were limited with the Pentax and the Olympus. I went for the Olympus because we were happy with the old camera and still have a few xd cards. I went for the 1030sw since it is the latest and greatest. So far I am glad with my choice.
In the box: The camera, USB cable (not the same camera connection as the old one), audio/video cable, microSD converter (put the microSD card in to fit into the xd space), Olympus Master Software, battery, and wall plug-in charger (no more cord--although the manual says in some areas a cord is still used). No xd-card is included.
I took the camera right out of the box and started playing. I took videos of my dog and plenty of pictures of him, too. I loved it! It is strange to me not to have an eye viewfinder, but I am getting used to it. It is super easy to use and I had so much fun dropping it in a bowl of water to test it out and having it work! I've ruined a camera before because it got wet, so this was the coolest feature!
I bought the camera even though I knew it only took VGA video at 30fps for 10sec, which was a disappointment, but I figured I could live with it. Well, after registering the camera a couple of days ago, I got an email this morning saying that an update to the firmware was available that would allow longer video at 30fps! Yea! I upgraded the firmware (through the provided software) and tried it out and it didn't work. Then I re-read the email--an M+ or H xd card is required. The older (or cheaper) M xd cards don't allow for the longer videos at 30fps. So, I ran out and bought a 2GB M+ xd card and sure enough, I can take VGA videos at 30fps for as long as the card can hold. That does away with that negative!
Let's get down to the pros and cons:
Pros:
*small & lightweight,
*takes nice pictures,
*easy to change settings (a quick click on the "ok" button and you can change settings,
*lots of available features on the camera itself (it even has a selection that will "guide" you for certain things),
*nice big LCD
Cons:
*the xd card--just about every other camera out there uses an SD card and computers don't have built-in xd reading capability,
*it doesn't have a remote to take group photos--the c-50 did and I loved it because I didn't have to set the timer and run into the picture--I'm going to miss that,
*it is easy to get your finger in front of the lens--I will have to learn to keep my fingers off to the side.
It doesn't have all the features of an SLR, but hey, it isn't an SLR! For a point and shoot, it does enough for me. I have the SLR for the "big" projects and this is for the times when I don't want something bulky and want to take pictures. I can't wait to take it on the boat or snorkeling!
I highly recommend this camera for someone looking for a sturdy camera that is waterproof (not just all weather) and easy to carry around. Go for the M+ xd card for the video capability (I went for the 2GB). I would also recommend protective covering for the LCD (I'm thinking about the silicone cover, too). An extra battery is always nice, too, but it doesn't seem necessary so far--I've been playing with it for 3 days running around taking videos and pictures and it still shows a full battery even though I don't think I even charged the battery all the way when I first got it because I was so excited to play with the camera.
|
|
|
89 of 90 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Olympus 1030SW - I like it!, March 20, 2008
I, after much research, purchased this camera about a week ago. Since then I have shot about 100 pictures both indoors and out, on cloudy and sunny days. I have also shot quite a few macro photos on both manual and automatic settings. I have experimented with some the scene modes. I have not tested the movie mode and have not dropped it, frozen it or submerged it yet (however I am going snorkeling in the Bahamas next month). The build design is definitely rugged and the fit and finish is excellent. This is the best built point and shoot I have ever handled. The LCD is big and bright and the buttons and menus are well designed and laid out. Flash seems consistent with other point and shoots in this category (so-so).
Photo Quality: For the most part I am pleased with the photos, especially those taken close up using all three of the macro modes. Outdoor pictures in sunlight were sharp and clear. Cloudy day photos lacked a little sharpness that I felt I got more of with my Canon 870 however I also think that I need to experiment with the spot metering focus mode versus the ESP metering mode. I know my Canon had 9 point AiAf focusing which seemed to make more objects in the photo in focus. I don't think this camera has the same type of focusing system. I haven't really tried the face recognition feature that much but it did work when I tried it in the store prior to purchasing. The color reproduction seems accurate to me and the photos I took outdoors on a sunny day seemed to really pop. Indoor photos seemed overly noisy however this has been consistent with other point and shoots that I have owned (Canon S500 and 870).
Value: The price of this camera is admittedly high however it does offer features that other point and shoots in this category don't. The crush, freeze and water resistant features are compelling. I typically have very high expectations for items that I purchase and initially was a little disappointed with this camera. However as I use it more and take more pictures with it I am becoming increasingly satisfied. It's not a digital SLR and it doesn't have a lot of manual controls, viewfinder, light-up-the-night-sky flash, etc. It is a very well built, extremely rugged and water proof (to 33ft) 10MP digital camera with a decent LCD, zoom and software that takes good point and shoot quality photos.
|
|
|
69 of 69 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Point and Shoot - Special features balance make it great, May 27, 2008
This camera is NOT a replacement for a good DSLR. If you aren't expecting that, you won't be disappointed by this Point and Shoot (P&S) camera.
This camera offers strong features for a "take it anywhere" camera - water PROOF (to 30 feet) drop proof (to 6 feet) and dust proof. After a month of dragging it everywhere, I think the claims are real. I've gotten it soaked, dropped it, and been in wind-blown dirt without any damage or crud appearing on my shots.
The camera also offers numerous metering modes for shooting. The auto exposure is current with today's best P&S technology. Once you learn the menu system, you can get a good shot almost anywhere, and the default setting works well almost anywhere.
Yes, it is 10MP. No, it won't rival shots from a Canon 40D (unless you have really cheap glass on it). But you will get shots that don't fall apart into blurriness when you crop them or blow them up a bit, the colors will be good, and you'll have it with you, in your pocket, not home in the camera bag.
Downsides? Sure, there are a few, and they will probably vary by personal taste. Mine include:
1. There is NO finder window, you MUST use the view screen to frame your shot. It's awkward for those of us accustomed to a view finder. But I've learned... (and I'm over 50, so you probably can too ;))
2. The menus are not complex, but there are a lot of options. There are settings that work for "instant" shots. But for more challenging situations there are great options - especially useful is the "portrait flash" options that let you highlight a face while not losing the background. It actually works as advertised.
3. The lens is limited in aperture. This type of camera does not let you stop down to f/11 for that "perfect" depth of field shot. You are shooting around f/5 and changing the exposure time as you select different settings. What it sees is what you get.
4. It's small. I have several great shots -- that feature my finger over the left 1/3 of the lens.
5. it has the usual metering delay of P&S - so you can't take a TRULY instant shot - but there IS a feature called SHOOT&SELECT - which takes about 8 shots in "motor drive" mode - you then pick one or more that you want to keep. (you must do it NOW - before going on to the next shot, and it does take a moment for them to save.) But for action shots of kids, its fun and works well.
SUMMARY: For a camera you can throw in your kayak, drop off your bike, keep in your jacket pocket, and let your kids take pictures from the monkey bars without worrying about, this is the perfect fit.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
Saving...
