The Olympus Stylus 850 SW digital camera stands as a testament to rugged design and compact convenience. This camera, engineered to withstand the elements, invites adventurers and everyday photographers alike to capture life’s moments, whether on a mountaintop or a bustling city street.
Its compact form factor belies its powerful features, including a robust build, a user-friendly interface, and an array of shooting modes, all designed to deliver high-quality images in a wide range of scenarios.
This camera is a compelling choice for those seeking a balance between portability and performance. Its waterproof and shockproof construction ensures that it can withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures, while its user-friendly features make it accessible to both novice and experienced photographers.
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW embodies the essence of a reliable and versatile companion for capturing memories and exploring the world around us.
Olympus Stylus 850 SW
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is a compact digital camera renowned for its rugged design and water-resistant capabilities. It’s a versatile camera designed for adventure enthusiasts, travelers, and anyone seeking a reliable companion for capturing moments in diverse environments.
Key Features and Specifications
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW boasts an array of features that contribute to its resilience and user-friendliness.
- Waterproofing:The camera is waterproof to a depth of 3 meters (10 feet) for up to 30 minutes, allowing for underwater photography and protection against splashes and rain.
- Shockproof:The Stylus 850 SW can withstand drops from heights of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet), ensuring durability in challenging conditions.
- Dustproof:The camera is designed to resist dust and sand ingress, making it suitable for use in desert environments or dusty conditions.
- Optical Zoom:The camera features a 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 38-114mm in 35mm format), providing flexibility for capturing both wide-angle and telephoto shots.
- Image Sensor:The Stylus 850 SW is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, capable of capturing images with a resolution of 8.0 megapixels.
- LCD Screen:The camera features a 2.5-inch LCD screen for image composition and playback.
- Battery Life:The Stylus 850 SW utilizes a lithium-ion battery that provides an estimated 200 shots per charge.
- Connectivity:The camera offers USB connectivity for transferring images to a computer.
Target Audience and Use Cases
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW caters to a diverse audience, including:
- Adventure Enthusiasts:The camera’s rugged construction and water-resistant capabilities make it ideal for capturing memories during hiking, camping, snorkeling, and other outdoor activities.
- Travelers:The compact size and lightweight design of the Stylus 850 SW make it a convenient companion for capturing travel experiences, whether exploring bustling cities or serene landscapes.
- Families:The camera’s ease of use and user-friendly interface make it suitable for family outings and capturing precious moments with loved ones.
- Casual Photographers:The Stylus 850 SW provides a simple and reliable way to capture everyday moments, from family gatherings to scenic views.
Design and Build Quality
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is a compact digital camera designed for both everyday use and underwater adventures. Its design and build quality reflect its intended functionality, prioritizing durability and ease of use.
Design Aesthetics and Ergonomics
The Stylus 850 SW features a compact and streamlined design, measuring 96.5 x 62.5 x 28.5 mm and weighing approximately 140 grams. Its small size and light weight make it highly portable, allowing users to easily carry it in a pocket or bag.
The camera’s exterior is predominantly made of rugged, impact-resistant materials, contributing to its overall durability.The front of the camera features a large, centrally positioned lens, surrounded by a protective ring. The lens cover slides open and closes smoothly, ensuring it remains protected from dust and water.
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW, with its rugged design and compact form factor, was a popular choice for adventurers seeking a reliable point-and-shoot camera. Its fixed lens, while capable, lacked the versatility of interchangeable lenses found on more advanced systems.
For those desiring a similar low-profile aesthetic with greater flexibility, the low profile x100v type lens for xpro2 offers a compelling alternative. This lens, designed for the Fujifilm X-Pro2, boasts a compact size and a fixed focal length, reminiscent of the Olympus Stylus 850 SW’s design, while providing the advantage of interchangeable lenses.
The camera’s back panel houses a 2.0-inch LCD screen, providing clear visibility of captured images and settings. The screen is protected by a toughened glass panel, adding to the camera’s overall durability.The Stylus 850 SW features a simple and intuitive layout, with easily accessible buttons and controls.
The power button, shutter release, zoom lever, and menu button are all located within reach of the user’s thumb, allowing for comfortable and efficient operation. The camera’s ergonomic design ensures a secure grip, even when using it underwater or in challenging conditions.
Materials Used in Construction
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is constructed using a combination of high-quality materials, prioritizing durability and water resistance. The camera’s body is made of a tough polycarbonate shell, providing impact resistance and protection against scratches. The lens is protected by a hardened glass element, ensuring clarity and durability.
The camera’s seals and gaskets are designed to withstand pressure and prevent water ingress, allowing it to operate at depths of up to 3 meters.
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is a compact digital camera renowned for its rugged waterproof and shockproof design. While it boasts a fixed lens, for those seeking greater creative control, a ef to e mount lens adapter can be used to adapt a wide range of Canon EF lenses to the camera’s body, expanding the possibilities for photography with the Olympus Stylus 850 SW.
Build Quality Compared to Similar Models
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW stands out in its price range for its robust build quality. Compared to other compact cameras with similar features, the Stylus 850 SW offers a more durable and water-resistant design. The camera’s use of high-quality materials and construction techniques contribute to its overall resilience, making it suitable for a wide range of environments and activities.
Image Quality and Performance
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW boasts a robust image quality and performance, crucial for capturing memorable moments under diverse lighting conditions. Its 8.0-megapixel CCD sensor, combined with a 3x optical zoom lens, allows for detailed and vibrant images. This section delves into the camera’s image quality and performance aspects, analyzing its capabilities in various lighting scenarios and evaluating its autofocus system.
Image Sensor and Resolution
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW utilizes an 8.0-megapixel CCD sensor, capturing a significant amount of light information to produce high-resolution images. The sensor’s size, combined with the camera’s lens, determines the image quality, influencing factors like dynamic range, noise levels, and overall detail.
The camera’s resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels enables the creation of large prints, ensuring that details are preserved even when magnified.
Image Quality in Various Lighting Conditions
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW performs well in various lighting conditions, showcasing its adaptability and ability to capture high-quality images in diverse environments.
Performance in Bright Sunlight
When exposed to bright sunlight, the camera excels in capturing vibrant colors and sharp details. The sensor’s ability to handle a wide range of light levels allows for well-balanced exposures, preventing overexposure and maintaining accurate color representation. The images produced in such conditions are crisp and full of life, suitable for landscapes, portraits, and outdoor activities.
Performance in Low Light
In low-light scenarios, the camera utilizes its image processing capabilities to minimize noise and enhance detail. While noise reduction can sometimes lead to a slight decrease in sharpness, the overall image quality remains satisfactory for casual photography. The camera’s ISO sensitivity, which can be adjusted to compensate for low light conditions, plays a significant role in controlling noise levels.
Higher ISO settings allow for faster shutter speeds but can introduce more noise.
Performance in Indoor Lighting
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW performs adequately in indoor lighting conditions, providing a balance between sharpness and noise reduction. The camera’s autofocus system can sometimes struggle in low-light environments, requiring a slight adjustment to achieve focus. However, with careful composition and lighting adjustments, it is possible to capture clear and detailed images indoors.
Autofocus System and Performance
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW incorporates a contrast-detection autofocus system, which analyzes the contrast levels within the image to determine the point of focus. This system is generally reliable and efficient, particularly in well-lit conditions. The camera’s autofocus speed is adequate for capturing still subjects, but it can struggle with fast-moving objects, leading to blurry images.
Autofocus Modes
The camera offers various autofocus modes, allowing users to choose the most appropriate setting for different shooting scenarios. These modes include:
- Single-shot autofocus: This mode focuses on a single point and locks the focus until the shutter is released. It is suitable for capturing still subjects and landscapes.
- Continuous autofocus: This mode continuously tracks the subject’s movement, adjusting the focus accordingly. It is ideal for capturing moving subjects, such as children or animals.
- Manual focus: This mode allows users to manually adjust the focus ring on the lens, providing greater control over the point of focus. It is suitable for macro photography and situations where precise focus is required.
Autofocus Performance
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW’s autofocus system generally performs well in well-lit conditions, providing accurate and fast focusing. However, in low-light environments, the autofocus speed can decrease, and the system may struggle to lock onto the subject. This is a common limitation of contrast-detection autofocus systems, which rely on contrast levels for focus detection.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW, a compact digital camera designed for outdoor adventures, boasts a unique blend of features that cater to both casual and serious photographers. While its strengths lie in its rugged design and ease of use, it also presents some limitations, primarily in its image quality and zoom range.
Durability and Water Resistance
The Stylus 850 SW’s most notable strength is its exceptional durability. Designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor activities, it features a shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof construction. Its ability to operate at depths of up to 3 meters (10 feet) for up to 30 minutes makes it an ideal companion for underwater photography and other water-based activities.
Compact Size and Portability
The camera’s compact size and lightweight design contribute significantly to its portability. Its small dimensions allow for easy storage in pockets, backpacks, or travel bags, making it a convenient option for photographers on the move.
User-Friendly Features
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is designed with user-friendliness in mind. Its intuitive controls and straightforward menu system make it easy for both novice and experienced photographers to operate. Features such as the automatic mode and scene modes simplify the process of capturing quality images in various situations.
Limited Zoom Range
The Stylus 850 SW’s 3x optical zoom lens, while sufficient for everyday photography, might prove limiting for capturing distant subjects or wildlife. The lack of a powerful zoom lens restricts its versatility in certain photographic situations.
Battery Life, Olympus stylus 850 sw digital camera
The camera’s battery life is a notable weakness. The Stylus 850 SW’s battery capacity is relatively low, and users may find themselves needing to recharge frequently, especially when shooting videos or using the flash extensively.
Image Quality Limitations in Low-Light Conditions
The Stylus 850 SW’s image quality, while acceptable in well-lit conditions, deteriorates significantly in low-light situations. The camera’s small sensor size and limited ISO range contribute to grainy and noisy images when shooting in low light.
Comparisons to Similar Cameras: Olympus Stylus 850 Sw Digital Camera
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW stands out as a rugged and compact camera, but how does it compare to other popular models in its price range? This section examines its key differences in features, image quality, and user experience when compared to its rivals from Nikon, Canon, and Sony.
Comparison with Nikon Coolpix
The Nikon Coolpix series offers a range of compact cameras, often known for their image quality and ease of use. The Coolpix S6000, for example, is a popular choice in the same price bracket as the Olympus Stylus 850 SW.
While both cameras boast similar features like image stabilization and HD video recording, the Stylus 850 SW stands out due to its waterproof and shockproof construction. The Coolpix S6000, on the other hand, focuses on image quality, offering a slightly larger sensor and higher resolution.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot
Canon’s PowerShot series is known for its user-friendly interface and reliable performance. The PowerShot SX230 HS, for instance, is a popular model in the same price range as the Stylus 850 SW. Both cameras feature a similar zoom range and image stabilization, but the PowerShot SX230 HS boasts a larger sensor and higher resolution, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW was a pioneering waterproof digital camera, designed for capturing memories in even the most adventurous settings. While its compact size and rugged build made it ideal for travel and outdoor activities, the Olympus Stylus 850 SW lacked the professional features of cameras like the Canon EOS R8 and RP, which are discussed in detail here.
Despite its limitations, the Olympus Stylus 850 SW remains a testament to the ingenuity of early digital camera design and its ability to bring photography to a wider audience.
However, the Stylus 850 SW’s rugged design makes it a more durable choice for outdoor adventures.
Comparison with Sony Cyber-shot
Sony’s Cyber-shot series is renowned for its innovative features and advanced technology. The Cyber-shot DSC-W830, for example, competes with the Stylus 850 SW in terms of price. Both cameras offer similar features like image stabilization and HD video recording, but the Cyber-shot DSC-W830 stands out with its built-in GPS and NFC capabilities.
However, the Stylus 850 SW’s waterproof and shockproof design makes it a more suitable option for active users.
Conclusion
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is a compact, rugged, and waterproof digital camera that offers excellent image quality and a user-friendly interface. It is an ideal choice for travelers, adventurers, and anyone who wants a reliable camera that can withstand the elements.The camera’s strengths lie in its durability, waterproof design, and impressive image quality.
Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, while its shockproof and waterproof features ensure that it can withstand the rigors of outdoor use. The 850 SW’s image quality is excellent, with sharp details and accurate colors, even in low light conditions.
Camera Features and Performance Summary
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is a compact, rugged, and waterproof digital camera that offers excellent image quality and a user-friendly interface. It is an ideal choice for travelers, adventurers, and anyone who wants a reliable camera that can withstand the elements.The camera’s strengths lie in its durability, waterproof design, and impressive image quality.
Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, while its shockproof and waterproof features ensure that it can withstand the rigors of outdoor use. The 850 SW’s image quality is excellent, with sharp details and accurate colors, even in low light conditions.
Recommendation for Potential Buyers
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is a highly recommended camera for those who need a rugged and waterproof camera for outdoor activities. It is also a good choice for travelers who want a compact and easy-to-use camera that can capture high-quality images.
However, if you are looking for a camera with advanced features, such as manual controls or interchangeable lenses, the 850 SW may not be the best option.
Conclusive Thoughts
The Olympus Stylus 850 SW digital camera emerges as a compelling option for those seeking a durable and compact camera that delivers quality images. Its robust construction, user-friendly interface, and versatile features make it a suitable choice for both casual and more demanding photographers.
While its limited zoom range and battery life might pose some limitations, its overall performance and value proposition solidify its place as a reliable companion for capturing life’s adventures. Whether you’re documenting a hiking expedition, capturing a family vacation, or simply snapping everyday moments, the Olympus Stylus 850 SW stands ready to capture your world.