Olympus Toughens Stylus Line
By Greg Scoblete -- TWICE, 2/26/2007
CENTER VALLEY, PA. — Olympus launched two new Stylus models, including an ultra-durable one, and four models in its FE-series of entry-level cameras late January.
The company toughened up its all-weather Stylus camera, making the 7-megapixel Stylus 770 SW a true underwater model capable of submersion in up to 33 feet of water. Thanks to a reinforced construction and stainless steel body, the camera can also endure temperatures of up to 18 degrees below zero, a fall of up to five feet and up to 220 pounds of pressure. It is 0.8 inches thick.
The 770 SW offers a built-in manometer, which measures water and air pressure and records the measurements to an image file, allowing users to identify their altitude and air pressure at the time of image capture. Additional features include a 3x optical zoom water-repellent lens, a 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen, digital image stabilization, in-camera editing and 27 scene modes — including four custom underwater settings and a super macro mode for focusing on subjects as close as 2.8 inches.
It uses Bright Capture technology for low-light photography with a light sensitivity as high as ISO 1,600 and features a built-in LED illuminator to provide light without using a flash. With the PT-035 underwater housing the 770 SW can descend to approximately 130 feet under water. It will ship in March for an estimated $379.
The company also introduced an all-weather model, the 7-megapixel Stylus 760. It offers two forms of image stabilization (CCD shifting and digital stabilization) and Bright Capture with sensitivities up to ISO 2,500. The technology is available for movies as well as stills.
The all-metal Stylus 760 features a 3x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD with a 140-degree viewing angle and a backlight boost function, 26 shooting modes (including three underwater modes), built-in help guide and in-camera editing.
The camera will ship this month for an estimated $249 in black, silver, pink and light blue.
Rounding out the line will be a quartet of entry-level models in the company's FE-series shipping in February. The cameras also incorporate a My Favorites setting that lets users save nine resized photos to the camera's internal memory for showing off.
The FE-210, 230, 240 and 250 all feature a 2.5-inch LCD, built-in help guides and digital image stabilization.
The 7-megapixel FE-210, for $149, includes a shooting guide that lets users choose a desired effect while the camera adjusts settings automatically. It features 16 shooting modes and a 3x optical zoom lens.
The 7-megapixel FE-230, for $199, will be 0.6 inches thick with a metal body and features Bright Capture, a 3x optical zoom and 19 shooting modes.
The $249 FE-240 sports a 5x optical zoom in a 0.79-inch, all-metal body and incorporates a 7-megapixel sensor, 16 shooting modes and Bright Capture. It will be available in black and silver.
The 8-megapixel FE-250 will offer a 3x optical zoom, sensitivities to ISO 3,200, Bright Capture, 16 shooting modes and an 0.8-inch thick body. It will retail for an estimated $299.
The FE-230 and FE-240 also offer the company's Digital Image Stabilization Edit feature, which uses a built-in gyro sensor to track camera movement to correct blurry images in the camera after they've been captured.
