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Camera home > Camera Reviews > Olympus Reviews > Olympus Stylus 1030 SWFirst Shots
Olympus Stylus 1030 SW First Shots includes test images straight from the lab. (more)
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Olympus 1030 SW

Low: $317
Avg: $360

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Test Images
(click to enlarge)

Still Life

Multi Target

10.10
Megapixels
3.64x zoom
2.7 inch
LCD
   
Basic Specifications
Resolution: 10.10 Megapixels
Lens: 3.64x zoom
(28-102mm eq.)
Viewfinder: LCD
LCD Size: 2.7 inch
ISO: 80-1600
Shutter: 4-1/1000
Max Aperture: 3.5
Mem Type: xD
Battery: Custom LiIon
Dimensions: 3.7x2.4x0.8in
(94x61x21mm)
Weight: 6.0 oz
(170 g)
MSRP: $400
Availability: 03/2008

Olympus 1030 SW Intro

The Stylus 1030 SW is more than just another stylish-looking digicam - it's the latest in Olympus' of incredibly rugged compact cameras, offering the peace of mind you get when you're using a waterproof, shockproof, crushproof and even freezeproof camera. If your body can go there, odds are the Olympus 1030SW can as well.

Olympus 1030 SW Features

The Stylus 1030SW includes both a ten megapixel CCD image sensor and Olympus-branded 3.6x optical zoom lens, as well as a 2.7" LCD display with 230,000 pixels. The 1030's lens starts at a wide 28mm equivalent focal length, and extends to 102mm, a moderate telephoto. The LCD is one of Olympus' new HyperCrystal II designs, and the company says it offers improved contrast and color reproduction.

Other 1030 features include a separate LED light that replaces the flash for macro photography, Face Detection AF and AE, in-camera Panoramic Stitching, Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) which automatically boosts ISO to reduce blur, as well as Red-Eye Fix and Shadow Adjustment in-camera editing features. The Stylus 1030 comes with 14.7MB of built-in memory, an xD-Picture card storage slot, and is compatible with an optional underwater housing. Power for the Stylus 1030 comes from a proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery.

Additional Olympus 1030 SW features and details (adapted from the press release):

  • Shockproof and Crushproof Design
    Afraid the mountain winds might sweep a camera out of your gloves? Never fear, the Stylus 1030 SW can withstand a 6.6-foot drop with its shock-absorbing technology, which minimizes the impact on the lens and circuitry. In addition, the Stylus 1030 SW features a crushproof body that can withstand up to 220 pounds of crushing pressure.
  • Waterproof for Underwater Photos
    The Stylus 1030 SW performs as well underwater as it does on land because its lightweight, stainless steel and aluminum exterior is matched with interior rubber gaskets and O-rings to seal out the elements. It can be fully submerged to capture beautiful images down to 33 feet (10 meters) underwater, and features a built-in manometer, making it ideal for more serious underwater adventurers who want to know the depth of where their images were taken. The inclusion of four preset underwater scene modes makes the Stylus 1030 SW perfect for taking photos while snorkeling or scuba diving. Additionally, movies are simple thanks to an underwater movie mode. The camera also features a water-repellant lens coating to prevent water droplets from forming on the lens to get crystal-clear shots no matter how wet the shooting environment.
  • Freezeproof for Icy Action
    Unlike other point-and-shoot cameras that freeze up in frosty weather, the Stylus 1030 SW still performs when the temperature dips well below freezing (14 degrees Fahrenheit; -10 degrees Celsius) so it is ready to climb the mountain or hit the slopes when you are.
  • Dustproof for Desert Winds
    The rugged Stylus 1030 SW is an ideal companion for an expedition in the Sahara because its airtight construction is impervious to dust, dirt and other particles. When the camera gets dirty, just rinse it off with your canteen.
  • Advanced HyperCrystal™ LCD
    The Stylus 1030 SW – the flagship of the SW line – boasts an advanced HyperCrystal II LCD, which is Olympus’ next generation of LCD technology. It reproduces true colors with a dynamic contrast ratio of more than 180 percent and a color reproduction performance of more than 160 percent compared to HyperCrystal LCD.
  • Wide Optical Zoom in Ultra-Slim Body Design
    The Stylus 1030 SW features a 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm equivalent in 35mm photography, f3.5-5.0) so that even more of the subject makes it into each shot – perfect for underwater photography. The lens does not protrude from its body so it is further protected from harsh conditions.
  • Face Detection
    Face Detection tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures.
  • Digital Image Stabilization
    The Stylus 1030 SW features Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) to capture crisp, clear pictures. By boosting the camera’s ISO sensitivity and shutter speed, DIS freezes the action and provides blur-free images, even when you or your subject is moving.
  • In-Camera Panorama
    In-camera panorama mode captures three images and stitches them together to create one amazing panoramic picture. Simply press the shutter button and slowly pan across a panoramic scene. The second and third images will be captured automatically and stitched together with the first image – resulting in one seamless panorama-size picture. To create the ultimate panoramic picture, consumers can use the Olympus Master Software 2 to stitch up to 10 images together.
  • Shadow Adjustment Technology
    Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlit areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. The Stylus 1030 SW addresses this challenge head-on with Shadow Adjustment Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With this technology, users can preview and capture images with the same contrast as the naked eye.
  • Perfect Shot Preview
    The Stylus 1030 SW features a Perfect Shot Preview mode that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. Perfect Shot Preview enables users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering.
  • Perfect Fix In-Camera Editing
    The Stylus 1030 SW offers Red-Eye Fix and Shadow Adjustment Edit, in-camera editing features such as resizing, frames, text options, and saturation adjustments, enabling users to edit photos right in the camera. With the Perfect Fix function, multiple editing features can be applied at once.
  • LED Illuminator
    An LED Illuminator works like a mini-flashlight on the front of the camera to enhance focus and exposure for macro shooting – great for underwater close-ups where light is scarce. The LED also works in conjunction with Bright Capture to help illuminate your subject when taking low-light portraits.
  • TruePic III Image Processor
    Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal-clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures sharp images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.
  • Memory
    All Olympus digital point-and-shoot cameras accept xD-Picture Card media. The Stylus 1030 SW will also come equipped with an adapter, which will enable microSD memory cards to be used when capturing images. The microSD cards are emerging in consumer electronic devices, including mobile phones and PDAs. Users can also easily display photos on their HDTVs.
  • New Powerful Battery
    The Stylus 1030 SW includes the new LI-50B Li-Ion battery, which charges 2.5 times faster (two hours instead of five) than its predecessor. The new 925-mAh battery boasts a 25 percent increase in power.
  • Practical and Fashionable Accessories
    Olympus offers a number of optional accessories, specifically designed for the Stylus 1030 SW. For users looking to capture their underwater adventures deeper than 33 feet (10 meters), Olympus offers the PT-043 underwater housing, which enables users to take pictures as deep as 130 feet (40 meters). A highly visible floating wrist strap frees users’ hands when swimming or chasing the next big wave. Stylish silicone skins protect the camera from scratches. Skins are available for the Stylus 1030 SW in a new stealth gray color. Additionally, Olympus offers premium cases in a variety of colors, including a new cream plaid, a new gray plaid as well as camel and red leather. The premium cases are now also available in a new brown leather wallet-like design. Durable, sporty neoprene cases are perfect for active or outdoor expeditions. The neoprene cases are available in black and a new olive color. Carabineers now come with the neoprene cases so they can be hooked to a bag, swimming suit or hiking shorts.

Olympus 1030 SW Pricing and Availability

The Olympus Stylus 1030 SW ships from March 2008, with an estimated street price of US$399.99.

 

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