Olympus µ[MJU:] 1030 SW - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The 10.1 megapixel Olympus Stylus 1030 SW is ready to go just about everywhere you want to go with a camera.

Pros: Rugged - waterproof, shockproof, cold proof and crush proof ; LED illuminator is a nice touch for macro shots ; High quality construction ; Quick performance

Cons: Pricey ; Panoramas better done on a computer since in-camera stitching results were not great ; Mediocre battery life

Verdict: getting it stepped on by a bouncer, this camera will do just fine

Review summary: Announced on the 22nd of January 2008, the Olympus Mju Stylus 1030SW is Olympus' latest ultra compact "tough" digital camera - it's designed to withstand the elements, and is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof, dustproof, scratchproof, ...

Pros: Very good image quality ; Good wide angle 3.6x optical zoom lens ; Excellent 2.7" screen - works well in bright sunlight ; Very robust compact metal body ; Crushproof, Waterproof, Shockproof, Freezeproof, Scratchproof, Dust resistant body ; Excellent ...

Cons: Lacks orientation sensor ; Lacks manual / custom white balance ; Real optical image stabilisation would be nice (and useful in videos) ; Slow flash recharge time (unless you're using the continuous shooting mode) ; Red-eye in group photos

Verdict: If you want a rugged digital camera then this is it - it's probably the toughest digital camera currently available. If you have children who want to play with all your toys, but you don't want to worry about them breaking them, then this camera is ...

Award: gold

Review summary: Slightly larger than a pack of cards, the Olympus Tough 1030SW feels reassuringly solid. With a stainless steel case, it is designed to be water resistant up to a depth of ten meters and survive being dropped from two meters, crushed by 100 kg or even ...

Verdict: A Lithium Ion rechargeable battery powers the 1030SW. A compact charger is provided with the camera, as are USB and AV cables, a wrist strap and a software CD-Rom

Review summary: Since its emergence in 2007, Olympus? SW series has managed to combine Shock, Water and Crush proofing within a shell that has a certain industrial charm and is by no means cumbersome

Pros: Life-proofing', design, noise control

Cons: A touch expensive, white balance, fringing

Verdict: A truly 'life-proof' camera which handles well and impresses in design and build.

Review summary: This fast and durable camera can take a pounding in all sorts of conditions and can snap good-looking pictures.

Pros: Rugged yet sleek design, Simple interface, Speedy performance, Records smooth video

Cons: Flash sometimes overwhelms low-light shots, No optical image stabilization, Reds and pinks sometimes appear muted, Flash sometimes overwhelms low-light shots

Verdict: You don't have to climb Mt. Olympus to appreciate the 1030 SW. Its durability and ability to capture sharp photos in a wide variety of shooting conditions makes it a versatile camera for travelers and thrill-seekers alike.