Editorial Review :

Far and wide, the world's most powerful ultra zoom. Capture the moment, and capture the action, with the world's most powerful ultra zoom - the 7.1 megapixel SP-550 UZ. Its new 18x wide-angle super-telephoto zoom lens gets you closer to your subject than any other compact digital camera on the market. Dual Image Stabilization eliminates blur. And with high-speed sequential shooting and new Pre-Capture technology, you'll capture anything that moves. Even shoot in low light without a flash, thanks to Bright Capture Technology, and it's easy to preview, shoot and share with the large 2.5" high-resolution LCD.

Customer Review :

Battery Hog

This model is my third Olympus. My old ones have superior battery life but not this one. It's batteries need a recharge after 35 images, max, although I don't use the large viewer and turn off the anti-shake. Then I have to charge them 2 or 3 times to get them to work. I was using Sony and Energizer 2500Mah with poor results, so The company accepted it back as flawed. The replacement is the same. I then ordered the Olympus charger and batteries recommended for this camera, and they are no better. What's funny is, my daughters Canon Supershot (same Mpix, anti-shake, large videos) worked fine on my "spent" batteries.

A lot of "noise" is evident in images taken in low light. The high ISO which is supposed to help in low light, actually makes it worse.

All my Olympus cameras are well made and easy to use, though the internal battery died in one after 3 years, so I have to redo my settings every time I change the battery. There are better cameras out there. I wish I'd gotten something else.

Rating :

Nice camera

I bought this as a gift for my wife. In exchange I got her older camera. Bottom line - if you want to be treated well by your lady, get this camera.

Rating :

Olympus Camera

I found this camera to be what I expected it to be. The seller provided it on time and as promised.

Despite a FedEx messup, when I contacted the seller they responded quickly, sought alternatives to get the delivery to me and followed up in a very professional way.

I just used the camera yesterday for the first time and found it met my expectations in choosing it.

I would recommend both Amazon and the seller again to anyone. We have recently made other purchases through Amazon.

Rating :

Great camera

I have really enjoyed this camera. It seems to offer a few things that I can't seem to understand how to access. It's relatively easy to use in the automatic mode. It takes good pictures, even from far away. It offers several different picture modes. I used the glass mode and took pictures of an aquarium. The pics were so clear it looked like I was in the water with the fish!

Rating :

Horrible Customer Service

The Camera has broken 2 times already and customer support is horrible. I have already paid for this camera in full 2 times.I sent it in to Olympus and they offered to fix it at a reduced rate of 110 dollars plus shipping. The camera never was fixed correctly and I tried to email them several times to no avail. I finally got a hold of them by phone and they said they would send shipping info and it never came. After several calls the info finally came and I was able to ship it in.

After 15 days I still never heard back from Olympus so I called them again and they told me it would cost another 180 dollars to fix it. They stated that the warranty was expired and I should have tried harder to get a hold of them. They refused to fix the problem and won't tell me what is wrong with the camera. Again they offered the reduce the rate but I do not want to put any more money into this camera, I already have paid over 600 dollars for this camera.

Olympus customer service is horrible and they are not willing to work with the customer.


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1. 5.0-megapixel sensor captures up to 2,560-by-1,920-pixel images
2. 2.8x optical and 4x digital zoom
3. One-touch button design; captures Quicktime movies
4. Store images on 28MB internal memory and removable Media Card xD-Picture Card
5. Powered by two AA alkaline batteries

Editorial Review :

Boasting 5.0 million pixels, the FE-115 takes sharp photographs and features a 2.8x optical zoom for added versatility. Even beginners can get used to the camera's functions in no time thanks to conveniently positioned controls and buttons with a single dedicated function.

Customer Review :

NonTechy Very Satisfied

This little digital camera has met my expectations. It is easy to use and understand how to use. I'm easily confused and overwhelmed by electronic products. I bought this camera after seeing it and exploring it with a friend who had received one as a Mother's Day gift. I immediately understood how to use it, and could do so easily when mine arrived. Simplicity is a good thing and this camera falls into step!

Rating :

Good basic camera

We have had this a while. It has survived several drops to the floor and two small kids pushing buttons over and over. The outside is scratched up but it still works. Decent quality photos. We will probably upgrade to something with more pixels next time. Great little camera.

Rating :

just about perfect

For the money spent, I am convinced I could not have found a better camera. I just got back from a semester of studying abroad in Glasgow, Scotland. This was the reason I purchased the camera. It traveled with me to Italy, Norway, Belgium, France and England. And I took over 1500 pictures in those 3 months.

The camera is a little short on features and it does some things better than others. It took some time to get used to it and figure out how to deal with the deficiencies and work with it. But once I learned these tricks, the camera took some OUTSTANDING pictures. I have been especially impressed with the sky in many pictures. The camera has been able to expose the foreground well and still pick up specific colors and good detail in the sky (which it seems many cameras have a problem with).

I bought this camera, a 512mb memory card and a pack of rechargeable batteries and it was the best $200 i've ever spent. I am going to be applying for some photography internships and my portfolio will consist mostly of pictures taken with this camera.

If you need a good camera and can't afford a high-end digital SLR or just want more features than this offers, you cannot choose a better camera than this.

Rating :

Great Digital Camera

I bought this camera model, refurbished, for a decent price and I feel like it's been worth it. It runs on AA batteries, and my only problem with it is that it seems to run through batteries pretty quickly. Other than that, it's a great buy that I don't regret.

Rating :

Decent Pictures, but major design flaw

I had this camera for about 1.5 years. It takes pretty good pictures and is pretty easy to use.

However, the battery cover's latches are really small plastic pieces that are a part of the outer cover of the camera. Because it eats up batteries pretty quickly with the LCD screen (covers almost 1/3 of the back of the camera), you have to change the AA batteries fairly often (rechargables recommended). Over time, the little plastic latches seem to either wear out or just break off from friction with the cover. When this happens, the camera becomes unusable. Because the batteries push against the cover, without one of the small plastic latches, the camera acts as though it's not getting enough power to take pictures. You can still connect it to the computer to get the pictures off, but the lens won't stay open for you to take pictures.

Apparently, this happens often with the Olympus FE models from a few years ago. I read that a guy tried to get his FE-130 repaired for the same problem. It was not covered under the warantee and would cost about $100 to fix. (See the Olympus FE-130 for other accounts of the battery cover flaw.)

Overall, this is a good, cheap camera that tool pictures well. The "cheap" aspect comes into play with its structural design.

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1. 7.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
2. 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen minimizes glare
3. 3x optical zoom; Face Detection technology
4. Waterproof (down to 10 feet), freeze-proof, and crush-proof design
5. 27 Shooting modes; in-camera editing options

Editorial Review :

The Olympus ?[mju:] 790 SW goes anywhere you do. Shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof, you can take it mountain biking, swimming or skiing. It handles whatever life throws at it - so there's never a need to worry. Despite its tough attributes, the 7.1 Megapixel ?[mju:] 790 SW looks great and doesn't compromise a bit on photographic features.

Customer Review :

It's Ok but not great

I purchased this camera for vacations on the water and the ability to take shots in rainy weather. It is indeed waterproof and durable, however the shutter lag makes it very frustrating when photographing children. I have a lot of just missed shots because of the delay.
Once taken, the colors seem very vibrant. Once again it is Ok but not great.

Rating :

Bad water proof system

I bought this camera because i was traveling to galapagos and i thought that this trip deserves a water proof camera. But at the third day that I sumerge the camera in to the sea it got water inside. The camara broke down and i couldnt take any more pic in my trip. :(

Rating :

poor overall design

Olympus Stylus 790SW 7.1MP Waterproof Digital Camera with Dual Image Stabilized 3x Optical Zoom (Orange)

Very disappointing camera. The lens is right where your finger needs to be to hold the camera well. You cannot shoot before a 2 second delay and having to press OK buttons. Overall poor ergonomic and software design (includes all the other 1 star issues mentioned: poor image quality, poor video quality, etc.). The Pentax is a much better product, I have now used 2 very happily.
Bernard

Rating :

Amazing compact camera

This camera is absolutely amazing. I have had it for over a year now and have used it in almost every imaginable environment. It is ideal for snorkeling and I have not had a single issue with temperature extremes from 120 to 0 degrees F. This is a perfect camera to pack along anywhere you go. A would recommend this to anyone who needs a simple compact camera for most activities.

Rating :

Best camera for a kid

This is a great camera for a kid. It looks good and is water resistant and shockproof. However, make sure to read the directions together to learn to use it well. They're easy to follow and have plenty of pictures. This camera is kid and user friendly.

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1. 1.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 5 x 7 prints
2. 3x optical plus 2x digital zoom lens with autofocus
3. Included 8 MB SmartMedia memory holds 36 images at default resolution
4. Connects with Macs and PCs via serial port
5. Uses 4 AA or 2 proprietary lithium batteries (2 lithium batteries included)

Customer Review :

Good Starter Camera!

This is the first digital camera I have really gotten to use. I think its great! It may be a bit heavier than other digital cameras, but it takes a good amount of pictures, and a good quality. I reccomend this camera.

Rating :

great optics, durable machine

After four years, I can attest that the D-460Z is a great camera. My 35mm SLR (Minolta SRT201)skills transfer well to this digital for takeoff photos of aircraft. Ignore the "digital zoom" rating for all cameras, as the quality comes with the optical qualities. A couple of professional photographers in 1978 rated Minolta optics a close second to Nikon's first for SLRs, and I would place Olympus third. In coastal Alaska, durability is the thing, as humidity rarely drops below 75%. My D-460Z resides in a LowePro case with enough room for a spare set of NiMH AAs and SmartMedia cards. At the time, Olympus had a special deal for a free Zio USB card reader with purchase, and I have since upgraded to an HP printer with integral card reader. CAUTION: Do not delete photos from the card unless the card is in the camera as other card readers may corrupt the format, rendering the card worthless, until you locate the program (try google search) to reformat the card.


Rating :

Low price, high quality, but is it today's technology?

I bought this camera in 2000 and is it still kicking today. It's extremely durable. I've dropped it at least a dozen times, and while there are plenty of scuff marks on the exterior case, I've never had any damage to the functionality of the camera.

Back in 2000, this was state of the art. Decent quality, decent zoom, at a good value. Today, I'd recommend spending the extra bucks to get something with a better optical zoom (you can't rely on the digital zoom for quality) and higher megapixels. But as far as delivering what this camera advertises, it is right on.

Based on my experience, I plan to buy another model from Olympus when I upgrade. The durability factor alone makes them worth it.

The Olympus cammedia software that comes for downloading your pictures does leave something to be desired. It's a very slow interface. For transferring pics off your memory card, I recommend investing in a stand-alone memory card reader. It's worth it for the saved time, and you won't be draining your batteries every time you transfer pictures from your camera.

Rating :

Still love it after many years!

I've had this camera for many years now- I'd guess close to ten. It has held up beautifully despite my lack of carrying case and my tendency to just throw it in the car, in a backpack, etc. The exterior is scratched due to my carelessness, but the camera still takes terrific quality photos. I have had momentary pangs of jealousy when I see the sleek, pretty little cameras that are on the market now, but I have no reason to replace my Olympus, as it works so well. It's like the watch in those old commercials- it takes a lickin, but keeps on tickin! FABULOUS value and you won't be disappointed if you buy this model.

Rating :

Good camera for a novice.

I got this camera several years ago, when it first came out.
I also paid over twice what it is going for now. I tried it
a few times and thought that it was too difficult to print
my own photos (I take lots!) I put it away, and went back
to my Olympus film camera. A few weeks ago, 20 minutes into
my niece's wedding shower, my 35mm camera stopped working! No time to run around hoping the nearest store had a battery.
Panic set in. Then I remembered my digital. I called someone
to bring it to the party. I barely remembered how to use it . .
but the pictures turned out very well. I've managed to lose
the manual, so some things are a mystery to me - I'll just
have to practice with it. But I am pleased with the picture
quality. So pleased, in fact, that I just ordered the Olympus
C5500. The 460-d will be my "back-up". Now that you can go and
print pictures for pennies, I'm going to give digital photography
another try. I think that this would be a good camera for young
adults and for the infrequent photographer. Those who are
the "family photographer" at parties, or who take pictures of
their small children, or enjoy outdoor sceneic photography are
better off spending $75 more for a more advanced camera.
As for Olympus quality . . .I have always gone back to them
when purchasing my cameras. I upgrade every 2 1/2 - 3 years.
Olympus ought to be sending me commissions . . . I've
recommended them to everyone who has asked, "What kind of
camera do you use?" I know that at least 25 people have
purchased Olympus cameras because I have recommended them.
My only complaint: NO NECK STRAP! They only use wrist straps.
Any parent who is trying to wrangle a toddler, a bored 10 year
old and a puppy for a portrait knows that a wrist strap is
not practical. Most events where you take pictures are hectic:
fairs, parties, sporting events. You are more likely to put
down your camera if there is only a wrist strap . . .you
need your hands for other things, like holding onto your
5 year old niece, paying for your beer or clutching onto
your ticket. I recommend getting a small, practical camera
bag that you can attach to a belt loop or has a neckstrap -something that you can access easily.


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More reviews...

1. 8.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
2. 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
3. Add optional conversion lenses to the camera's threaded barrels (not included); hot shoe attachment accepts external flashes
4. 30 selectable shooting modes, including 27 creative scene options
5. Powered by CRV3 battery (included) or two AA-size batteries; stores images on xD-Picture Cards

Editorial Review :

This full-featured, solid and elegant compact camera combines a slew of advanced manual functions with the perfect compliment of easy, automatic options to deliver a superb performance day and night. From one-touch printing and 30 shooting modes to customizable settings and conversion lens/external flash compatibility, there's a comfort level for just about anyone who picks it up.

Customer Review :

I loved this camera up until its death...

I'd owned a few digital cameras before settling on this one, and I never regretted my purchase until now. I say this because the camera is dead, and Olympus estimates the repair at $174. That's just plain crazy.

Turns out my problem is a fairly common one, so if you get this camera my advice would be to get the protection plan. My camera lasted about two years.

Contrary to the negative reviews on here, I think it got excellent battery life. Try a Nikon CoolPix if you want to see crappy battery life. Even with plain old AA's this camera would power up for a good while... but I would typically get those super-duper lithium batteries. You pay more but they last far longer.

As for the slow shutter speed, I agree it is a problem at time. But I started using the sports setting for my action shots. This helped.

This is a good little camera, and it took great pictures. Just be aware of the fact that it's most likely mechanical failure will cost you the price of a new camera. I'm not a fan of protection plans, but I would definitely suggest it here.

Rating :

Dissapointed

After owning a few digital cameras, I decided to go with the Olympus SP350 mainly because of all the great reviews it's gotten. I have two small children and the most important feature that I look for in a digital camera is the shutter speed as I like to take lots of candid photos of my kids. I could not do that with the Olympus. Every time I got ready to take a photo the time for the shutter to go off was extremely slow thereby losing the chance to take a great picture. The battery life is quite limited. It would drain after taking several pictures. In summary, although the camera took nice photos it was just not the one for me and if you have young kids and like to take consecutive candid photos of them, I suggest that you spend a few hundred dollars and buy a digital SLR camera. I bought the EOS Canon RebelXT and I have not been happier. The shutter speed is excellent and the battery last for days.

Rating :

its hard to make a review over a product you dont have.

i ordered a camera 2 monthes ago and i have yet to recieve it. not only that, it said on my product tracking that it was delivered to the back door. i am on a military army base in iraq so thats impossible. when i tried to contact the company to find out what is going on (over 5 emails to be exact) i recieved not one response. so, after they took out the money from my bank account, i recieved no product and no response. im in a combat zone so its hard for me to get to a computer/phone. so this has been one frustrating experiance. i will NEVER do bussiness with this company and its pretty obvious to me that they dont care.

Rating :

Camera is really durable!

I have had this camera for over a year now. A few months after I got it, I had an issue where the lense wouldn't extend. There was a jam, so I sent it back to Olympus and it was repaired. It took them 5 days to inspect it and repair it, since then I have had NO problems with this camera. My husband actually dropped it the other week from a height of about 5ft 4inches (he is 6ft 4 and was getting ready to take a picture) and the camera still works GREAT! My only complaint is how fast it does go through batteries. We have 8 sets of Energizer 2500 mAH rechargeables, and we need every one of them.

Rating :

good bargain

i've always liked olympus cameras, and this one did not disappoint. this model has since been discontinued, but there are still a few available if you look. the price is right, the performance is typical Olympus. point and shoot ease, but enuf bells and whistles to keep your interest.

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