Olympus Stylus 850 SW 8 to 10 Megapixel

Olympus Stylus 850 SW 8 to 10 Megapixel 

DESCRIPTION

Tough enough for everyday life. The Stylus 850 SW is designed for active people who want a tough camera that can keep up with their on-the-go lifestyles. Incredibly durable, sleek and stylish, the Stylus 850 SW is a must-have vacation and party accessory.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-8 of 8  
[Mar 07, 2011]
nayolympus
Beginner

Strength:

I really did enjoy the landscape feature and the use of making a calendar. I don't know if that is a common feature with most cameras these days

Weakness:

From the very first day I've had problems when taking photos at night time. It takes a long time for the camera to actually take the photo which is a bad thing when you've asked someone else to take a photo of yourself and they expect the camera to behave like most. Just in general it seems to be slower than most cameras.

I an Olympus Tough for the days when work takes me away to the Great Barrier Reef and the outer islands. So far the boths times that I have really wanted to use it underwater the battery casing has taken on water. The first time I sent it back as it was under warranty and they offered no real warranty period after it was repaired and warranty was almost expired. Now the second time I tried to use it the same problem happened to me again. Due to the salt in the ocean it will now be totally unrepairable

Customer Service

The customer service team were great when it came to getting my camera back to me as I live in a remote area and they were able to track it easily. Since it was salt water that got into my camera I had asked are they able to give me a warranty if something else with the camera is affected after the repair, they couldn't offer any. I wasn't happy with the final result and obviously the camera has the same fault but they can't acknowledge it due to being out of warranty

Similar Products Used:

Camera previous to this was a Sony but wasn't waterproof or shockproof

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Feb 02, 2011]
Jonathan Edge
Intermediate

Strength:

Robust construction.

It just lived in my pocket with no issues and was ready for use faster and easier and much better than a phone camera.

Battery life was perfectly acceptable.

Picture quality is good.

Easy to use (single handed)

It just worked and never missed a beat.

Weakness:


Shutter lag is not up there with the newest ones so you may struggle to get the dolphins (though the record a short video starting 2 seconds ago worked)

The lens is recessed so when it has snow, salt spray or even rain on it, it can be fiddly to clean whilst skiing or whatever you are up to.

As with all compact lens cameras it did not perform well in low light but was certainly not bad.

This was my pocket camera for over a year. I only stopped using it because I gave it away and really miss it. I replaced it with a Sony TX5 which though more shiny, I did not prefer.

This is a rugged little camera - it does not leak unless there is dirt or hairs in the seal (like any wp camera or housing)

The pictures are perfectly acceptable for all but fine portraits etc.
It can be used single handed (great for skiing, climbing etc)

I would buy another and probably will now my sony was stolen.

Customer Service

Never needed the customer service so can't comment.

Similar Products Used:

Sony TX5

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 24, 2011]
bean02
Casual

Strength:

Able to go underwater.
Durable - dropped several times with no damage.
Good quality pictures.
Many scene options to pick from.
Rechargeable battery.

Weakness:

Low-light and night shots aren't great quality.
Menu isn't great, and unneeded buttons.

I have had this camera for just over 2 years. The thing I loved most about it was the fact that it could be used underwater! The picture quality underwater were pretty good. Portrait shots are good as well, but low-light photos aren't very good, and night shots are pretty grainy. I recently took this camera on a trip to Cuba, and used it all the time in the pool. While using it it all of sudden stopped working, so now it's broken. I think water must have gotten into it, though it wasn't taken deeper than instructed. This really disappointed me, but up until then I had no problems.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 28, 2010]
julie m
Intermediate

Strength:

none

Weakness:

see above

I bought this camera to specifically take on a snorkeling trip to Hawaii.
The second day I used it, the LCD screen fogged up. Fortunately it was under warranty-- and was sent in for repair. It was returned with a note to "make sure I keep the camera closed while underwater". Duh.
Unfortunately, I was in Hawaii for a week and wasn't able to take pictures of all of the cool stuff I was seeing while snorkeling.

The next time I used this camera was several months later, again on a snorkeling trip to honduras. Guess what, on DAY ONE it again stopped working. Of course, now it is out of warranty and they want me to pay an astronomical sum to fix it. Now, given that I shelled out a fair amount of money for this camera in the first place, and it has FAILED me every time I tried to use it in the water----- why oh why would I bother to pay to fix it again???

Olympus customer service= not helpful.

Save your money and get something else. This one is not worth it.
Interestingly enough-- we ran into another person while on vacation that had the same thing happen to their camera (the same camera.)
hmmm...

Similar Products Used:

I have owned many cameras and this was BY FAR my worst purchase.
Maybe I will stick with canon in the future ---although I haven't tried their waterproof one.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jul 24, 2010]
LMM
Casual

Strength:

Underwater and daylight shots.

I am not a photographer by trade or hobby. I simply like to capture the important (and not-so-important) events in my life. I bought the Olympus Stylus 850SW shock and waterproof camera about 2 years ago prior to a family trip to Walt Disney World. I am constantly surprised and pleased with how my pictures turn out. I think this camera takes wonderful underwater shots in pools (it has been used countless times in my backyard pool and has been tested at well-known water parks) and awfully good shots out of water. It also captured the aftermath of copious amounts of snowfall (and the subsequent digging-out).

I think my only complaint is that in "auto" flash mode, I end up with a lot of red-eye in my subjects, but those are easily fixed with most computer programs. I also never figured out all of the scene settings, and could probably be getting better pictures in certain circumstances if I knew what setting to put the camera on. Overall, I have had the most success with daylight and underwater photos. Recently, the camera stopped working in video camera mode, and it goes on the fritz a bit if you try to use the video setting (screen goes funny, etc.). Returning it to still camera mode and turning it off and on seems to make it able to take pictures again. I don't know if the malfunctioning video is a result of water getting inside the camera, or if it is due to the many falls the camera has taken (or is completely unrelated to either). I will say that I have not been at all careful with the camera and I have put it to the test in circumstances in which I would never have considered bringing a regular camera. The beauty of a digital camera is that you can just keep shooting and get rid of the photos that don't come out (although those are few and far between).

I am considering getting a new waterproof camera, but will likely wait until I have completely killed this one. When I do go shopping again, I will definitely consider getting an Olympus again. I have been thoroughly satisfied with my 850 SW, and often have been pleasantly surprised by its output. It has beautifully captured some really wonderful moments in my life.

The 850 SW is simple to use, and a great camera for the casual photographer. My teenagers take it out to the pool often and my 5 year-old nephew was able to use it without me worrying about whether he would break it. It is a great camera to just throw in your pocket and take with you, wherever you are heading. Bring on the rain, the snow, the amusement park rides, and the deep end of the pool. The 850 can handle them all!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Nov 10, 2008]
Jenni_LMT
Casual

Strength:

It's waterproof! I took this camera on a trip to Lake Powell and really put it to the test. I was able to take it out on the ski boat for wakeboard and waterskiing shots which turned out pretty good. I took a lot of fun shots from underwater and the ones where the camera was half submerged turned out great! I even took it with me on a canoe ride and on the jet ski. My friends would see me with me camera and look worried for me, but I'd tell them, "relax, it's waterproof," and they'd be amazed. It certainly doesn't look waterproof, but it is! I had no issues with it being in and out of the water at all. Very cool! I also took it on a mountain bike ride in the pouring rain and was stoked to be able to record the adventure.

It's small! There is nothing chunky about this camera. It fits well in my pockets, small purses, and little pouches on my backpack.

Weakness:

I will say that the quality of the pictures isn't quite as good as some I've seen with other cameras in its class. Sure it's much better than my old Sony, I should hope so, but I was disappointed that it didn't have the optical Image Stabilization common in many of the current point and shoot cameras I considered buying. Even so, I have been happy with the results and since I've never owned a better camera, I'm not complaining. The action shots I took wakeboarding weren't exactly crisp and focused, but they were still really sweet! I also got some pictures of landscapes from a moving boat that turned out a lot more focused than I expected. Makes me wonder how great they'd have been with that extra oomph!

So far this is a great little camera! I had been using a 5 megapixl Sony Cybershot for the past few years and decided it was time for a new point and shoot. I looked at 8 megapixl cameras because they seemed to be a good upgrade for my price range and needs.

I decided to look at the Olympus Stylus because a friend of mine as well as my brother owned them and I thought it would be cool to have a waterproof, shockproof camera for my active lifestyle. I love to snowboard, hike, camp, mountain bike, wakeboard, and in general just down and dirty with Mother Nature. In the past I've always worried about messing up my camera and at times it wouldn't see the light of day simply because it was safely packed away and I'd forget to pull it out. No more!

For me there isn't anything more important than to be able to take photos anywhere, anytime, while doing anything. Having this camera has proven that to me. I may at some point want to spend the money to buy a camera with really great image quality, but I'll keep this camera around too. I have a feeling that even then, it would get more use. It's the camera I can carry around in my pocket and pull out at a moments notice, even in a rain storm....especially in a rain storm. It gets the shots others don't and they all want copies.

Two thumbs up!

Customer Service

No experience with customer service yet, but was happy with the ordering process at B&H Photo.

Similar Products Used:

I've played with an older Olympus Stylus and also a newer one. I'm mostly familiar with my old Sony Cybershot.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 22, 2008]
Kent Schimke
Intermediate

Strength:

Basically I was tired of purchasing the one time use cameras and after paying for prints and processing having little to show for it. I have tried the technique where I held my Sony V-1 in a clear container underwater being paranoid that water would splash on it and ruin it. Plus I lost a camera at the beach when a wave hit me when I was wading. So when I saw this I thought it was the answer to my adventurous style of photography. I just want to capture the times when my kids do what they really enjoy, body surfing, swimming and the like. I have used it in the ocean and at the lake and have really got some good quality shots. I don;t pay for the bad ones though. The other advantage is you get the ability to shoot a movie.

Weakness:

My only wish would be that the battery was a bit longer lasting.

It is a nice camera easy to operate and takes very little space to pack in the camera bag.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use it yet.

Similar Products Used:

Sony V-1, Toshiba m25, Olympus c-450

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 18, 2008]
vacilon
Expert

Weakness:

salt water , beach

I have bought 3 of these cameras and they have all sooner or later within 1 month water has gotten into the battery compartment. I even had to send one of them to the Olympus warranty. I strongly do not recommend this camera for water operation.

Customer Service

okay

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
Showing 1-8 of 8  

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