Olympus Stylus 840 8 MP Digital Camera (Blue) Review
I too, paid full blown retail at BB. I knew the price would drop soon, but I wanted the camera at the time. No regrets.
This camera is actually a darker shade of (cobalt)blue than the photo shows. IMHO it is a much nicer shade. I get a lot of comments on it’s good looks.
BTW, this camera DOES take SD memory, the Micro kind. I returned the weird Olympus memory once I found out the camera takes a MicroSD chip. I bought a 2GIG for 15 dollars. The nice thing about the MicroSD is that you do not need to tote your camera to an internet cafe to DL pictures when you are on vacation.
Just slap the chip (with the supplied adapter)into a Kingston Data Traveler Reader (20 dollars, and it is a stand alone 2GIG thumb as well!). No need for anysoftware. Just use Windows. Microsoft has a cool free (and small)utility called Power Toys Image Resizer that installs on any PC with XP. Just right click on any image (or hold shift key and click for a series) and “Bob’s Your Uncle”, all your pix are resized to email to friends or blogs.
I love the camera and the extra optical zoom available. The Super Macro mode is incredible for a compact camera. Extremely close and sharp images that can be made even much closer digitally on a computer. You can zoom in a shot after it is taken on the camera to see just how well the image holds up. Amazing. Note:Beware of camera shake for macro work. The image stabilizer does not help much here.
The camera is advertised a “splash proof”. This may be so for the controls, but the battery compartment has no rubber seals. Still, it was a consideration for me purchasing this camera. I vacation in Thailand where it can be wet at times. Olympus does makes a water proof/shock proof (resistant, really) camera for much more money with out all the 840’s features.
The controls are intuitive for anyone in the digital age. I have not even cracked the manual open yet. I expect to read it sometime to explore all the features. But so far I have been able to access so much just on my own with the easy to navigate menu. I have not yet bothered to load the software on my PC yet. So far all my needs are being met by Windows. I’ll get around to it eventually. The point I am trying to make is that you can pretty much charge the battery, take some pictures, DL them to your PC,and email them with out having to read the manual or mess with Olympus software. I like that. The camera syncs right up with windows using the supplied USB cord.
The Olympus charger takes 5 hours which is dismal. But not to worry,do a search here on Amazon and you can find DIRT cheap spare batteries and 1 hour quick chargers (even with a cigarette lighter adapter).
EDIT: They lied. The charger takes the same amount of time, but it is more compact, so not a total loss. Spare battery seems fine.
I highly recommend the type of soft case I bought. A Lowepro Rezo 20 soft case with a pocket for spare battery. It has a snap and Velcro belt loop that can be attached to any back pack strap or fanny pack as well as your belt. Very handy and inexpensive. Make sure you get the newer, improved model with the extra security of a snap as well as Velcro on the belt loop.
For the money I believe you may find a better camera image wise, but only if you intend to make huge prints. And the other cameras don’t come in cool blue either! Nor do they have the combination of the Super Macro mode, 5X optical zoom, and splash resistance.
Coming out right about now, is Olympus’s other Stylus cameras with 7X optical zoom. More money, slightly bigger and heavier. But worth a look.
Even though I paid about 30 dollars too much I am very happy with this camera and expect to be for some time.
This is my first review on Amazon. i hope you found it helpful.
Product Description
The Stylus 840 is a perfect camera for users looking for a compact digital camera with advanced features. An attractive package of features including a 5x Optical Zoom and Digital Image Stabilization helps users capture clear, crisp memories. 8.0MP gives you superior image quality that you can use to make large prints, or even crop, without losing detail. The Stylus 840 has a 5x optical zoom that gets 60% closer to the action when compared to a 3x zoom with this ultra-compact, precision-crafted Olympus lens. With the Dual Image Stabilization you get 2-in-1 anti-blur solutions that keeps your shot steady by compensating for camera shake to capture crisp, clear images in any situation. Easily view photos on the 2.7″ HyperCrystal LCD that lets you view at extra-wide angles and with the anti-glare technology share photos with family and friends even in direct, bright sunlight.Focus Range Normal mode -0.7m – infinity, Macro Mode -0.2m -infinity, Tele -0.6m – infinity, Super Macro mode -3cm – 70cm 1/2000 -1/2 sec. (up to 4 Sec. In Night Scene mode) Shutter Speed Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 ISO 14.8MB Internal Memory (additional memory recommended to store more photos and video) Media Card Slot -xD-Picture Card (1GB,2GB), microSD (MASD-1 is required) Built-in Flash with Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Flash modesFlash Working Range -0.2m – 3.6m @ ISO 800 Wide, 0.6m – 2.4m @ ISO 800 Tele Face Detection tracks your subjects’ faces within the frame and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures.Bring out the details in the shadow. Capture scenes exactly as you see them, even in difficult lighting situations such as backlight.Using a live, multi-frame window on LCD, you preview the effects of various settings, select and capture the perfect shot USB Connector, Audio/Video Output, DC Input System Requirements -Windows 2000/XP/Vis
Click Here to see more reviews about: Olympus Stylus 840 8 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom (Blue)
