Posted to Digital Cameras 2009-02-21
The Olympus Stylus 790 SW is a compact digital camera that is built to take a beating. This 7.1 MP pocket-sized camera is shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof and dustproof. It can withstand a drop from up to 5 feet, is waterproof to a depth of 10 feet and can withstand temperatures below freezing (14 degrees F). The 790 SW also features a 3X optical zoom (38-114mm 35mm equivalent focal length), a 2.5" HyperCrystal LCD monitor and optical image stabilization. The unit also features automatic face detection, shadow detection technology for capturing highlights without losing details in the shadows, and Perfect Shot Preview, which allows you to view the effects of various settings before you take the shot. The 790 SW also features an aperture range of f3.5 - f5.0, a macro mode with a minimum focus distance of 7.9", and an ISO range of 80-1600. The camera has a shutter speed range of 4 - 1/1000 second, exposure compensation of +/- 2 EV, and a 640x480 (VGA) resolution video mode at 30 fps.
QualityThe 790 SW does well in this category due to its rugged construction. It's an ideal go-anywhere camera, given that it is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, dustproof and even sandproof. A good portion of the price of this camera goes into seals for moisture, dust and absorbing shocks. Olympus is known for quality, and this unit surpasses even their usually high standards. If you need a camera that you can literally take anywhere that fits in a pocket, then the 790 SW could be just the one you've been looking for. PerformanceWhile this is probably the most rugged camera in its price range, unfortunately the image quality is well below par. There is considerable softness in images from this camera, even at ISO 80. Noise reduction seems to account for some of the softness, but the lens quality is poor. Only a 8 x 10 print at ISO 80 could be called acceptable. This is a shame, as the camera's rugged build is truly remarkable for a compact camera. But if you don't plan to take a lot of low-light shots and you don't print any larger than 8 x 10, this is an excellent go-anywhere camera. SummaryIf you need a camera that you can take snorkeling with you or take along to the ski slopes, and all you plan to do is view the images on your TV, email them, or print small prints, then you can't beat the 790SW. But if image quality matters to you, or you need to shoot in low light, you might want to consider the Olympus Stylus 770 SW, which has acceptable image quality and is even more rugged than the 790 SW. Pros
Cons
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