This
Olympus Stylus 720 SW Review is based on a production
model. All sample images are unretouched, except
where specified.
This
review has been submitted to DIWA
Awards [Total: 75%].
Early
Morning Jog
Whatever your sports or preferred activities,
the Olympus Stylus 720 SW is built as tough
as it gets and delivers great results. Take it
to the beach, boating, hiking, skiing, traveling
-- wherever your adventurous spirit takes you
-- without undue concern about bumps, knocks,
rain, mud, sand or dust! The body is shock proof,
can withstand a 5 foot fall, is weather and
waterproof to a depth of 3m (10 ft) for up to
1 hour.
The Olympus 720 SW is also elegant in its all-metal
brushed silver compact body, which is JeansPocket™
Certified. It handles very well, and though
the buttons are on the small side, they are easy
to operate.
This camera is targeted to Point-and-Shoot photographers,
has 7.1MP resolution (which is more than plenty
for producing very large prints), and a 3x optical
zoom. AUTO and 24 Scene Modes simplify shooting,
and more advanced photographers can also switch
to the Programmed AE (P) mode which provides control
over ISO (ISO 64 to 1600), WB, exposure compensation,
and light metering. Digital Image Stabilization
favours a high ISO and fast shutter speed to reduce
or eliminate blurring caused by camera shake and/or
subject movement.
The extra large 2.5-in. LCD monitor has an average
115,000 pixels resolution which, together with
a fast refresh rate, makes for a clear and smooth
display (a bit choppy in low light). The LCD monitor
gains up extremely well in low-light to permit
easier composition. It can be difficult to see
in very bright sunlight.
Startup and shot to shot times are about 2 sec.
There is a slight practical shutter lag, though
prefocusing takes care of that.
Image quality is good to very good and ISO 64
produces low noise images. Chromatic Aberration
is slight in high contrast shots.
Standard movies (with sound) can record 640x480
pixels at 15fps until the memory card is full.
For those who want to stay longer underwater
or go explore deeper, there is an optional PT-033
Underwater Housing.
The Olympus Stylus 720 SW is the perfect
digital camera to take with you if you do a lot
of traveling -- or if you have to use one in weather
conditions when other cameras normally get put
away. It is easy to get great pictures using any
one of its 28 shooting modes. Compact, rugged
and elegant, it's a digital camera you
can have with you anywhere.
See if you fit the Olympus Stylus 720 SW User
Profile below:
Olympus
Stylus 720 SW
User Profile
•
Desire a quality 7.1 MP
resolution point-and-shoot digital camera.
•
Camera must be able to
take bumps, knocks and falls... and
keep working.
•
Camera must be weather
and waterproof (up to 3m / 10ft for
up to 1 hour).
•
Want a compact, JeansPocket™
Certified digital camera (small
fashion purse, jeans pocket).
•
Have no problem with small
buttons and dial as long as they are
precise and responsive.
•
Able to hold a small camera
steady and gentle with shutter release.
•
Like the WOW! Factor:
this camera makes a fashion statement.
