Olympus Stylus 730

As with the rest of the Stylus line, the Olympus Stylus 730 digital camera is based around a weatherproof body that ensures wherever you go, your camera can go right along with you. It triumphs unhindered by rain, sleet, or snow that would see most digital cameras left at home, or in a sealed case, unable to get that chance-of-a-lifetime photo that sneaks up on you when you're not prepared. Pocket-friendly, and relatively lightweight, the Olympus 730 includes a 3x optical zoom with a pretty standard 38 to 114mm equivalent focal length range, an f/3.5 to 5.0 maximum aperture. It's a "folded optic" design, which allows the lens to zoom internally, which means there are no protruding lens elements to break. This design also makes it easier to seal the camera body. The lens is coupled to a 7.1 megapixel imager, and a whopping 3.0-inch LCD display with a higher-than-average 230,000 pixels, which dominates the rear of the camera. As is common on many digital cameras these days, this LCD is the sole method of framing images, as the Stylus 730 forgoes any form of optical viewfinder.

Autofocus is via contrast detection, and ISO sensitivity ranges from 80 to 3,200 equivalent and can be controlled automatically or manually. The Olympus Stylus 730 also offers what the company calls "Digital Image Stabilization" mode -- which should not be mistaken for true hardware image stabilization, where either lens elements, or the image sensor are moved based on sensors that detect camera shake; instead, the 730 combines a gyro sensor, software blur removal, and boosted ISO sensitivity to gain a faster shutter speed -- all of which will reduce blur, but at the expense of some added noise, and/or lost image detail.

By default, exposures are determined with Olympus's Digital ESP multi-pattern metering, with spot metering also available. Users can also tweak the exposure with +/-2.0 EV of exposure compensation, in 1/3 EV steps. Shutter speeds range from 1/1,000 to 4 seconds, and the Olympus 730 offers automatic, or preset white balance control courtesy of six presets, but no custom white balance mode. The Olympus 730 also includes a four-mode internal flash good to 12.5 feet at wide-angle, and offers beginner-friendly control over images courtesy of a generous 24 shooting modes.

As well as still images, the Olympus Stylus 730 can also capture movies at VGA, or lower resolution, at a rate of 30 frames per second. The 730 also has a 12 second self-timer to let you get into your own pictures. The camera stores images on xD-Picture cards, or 22MB of built-in memory. It also offers video, and USB 2.0 Full Speed computer connectivity (rather slower than the USB 2.0 High Speed connections on many cameras these days). Power comes from a proprietary lithium-ion battery. The Olympus Stylus 730 ships from September, priced at $400.

Basic Features

• 7.1 megapixel sensor
• 38-114mm zoom (35mm equivalent)
• 3x optical zoom with 5x digital zoom
• Maximum aperture f/3.5-f/5.0
• 3.0 inch LCD with 230,000 pixels
• Shutter speeds from 1/1000 sec. to 1/2 sec., and up to 4 sec. in Night Scene mode
• 20 Scene modes
• Movie mode with sound

Special Features

• ISO sensitivity up to 3,200
• Digital image stabilization
• Large, illuminated buttons
• All-weather seals and gaskets, making it splash-proof, dust-proof, and snow-proof
• Bright Capture technology to boost LCD brightness in dim scenes
• TruePic TURBO image processor for quick start-up and fast shutter response
• Perfect Fix in-camera image editing
• 22MB internal memory

In the Box

The Stylus 730 ships with the following items in the box:

• Stylus 730 digital camera
• LI-42B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger
• USB cable
• Audio/Video cable
• Wrist strap
• Quick Start Guide
• Basic Manual
• Two CD-ROM's (Olympus Master Software and Advanced Manual)
• Warranty card

Conclusion

Pro:

Con:

Water resistance makes this camera safe for vacations Attractive design Internal lens is protected from impact and compression damage High ISO images capture good color and apparent detail Excellent close-up shooting, especially in Super Macro mode Very compact body that fits both large and small hands well Function menu for quick access to oft-used items Very large 3.0 inch LCD display

Full autofocus shutter response is sluggish by current standards Even low ISO images exhibit mushy color Indoor images shot with Auto White Balance are warm to the point of appearing sepia Chromatic aberration is high at wide-angle Confusing menu system Battery life is below average at 200 frames per charge Color is achieved at the expense of detail Contrast is a little high, tends to lose highlight, and shadow detail under harsh lighting Flash is very weak No optical viewfinder No shutter/aperture info displayed, in either Record or Playback mode