Olympus Stylus 1050 SW a
Worth the price, the Olympus Stylus 1050 SW produces quality images.
Nov. 28, 2008— -- While on vacation or just out with friends, it's sometimes really uncool to whip out a huge digital camera, even if it is one of the fancy expensive types with the detachable zoom lens.
That's why most opt for a pocket-sized digital camera that won't break the bank -- or your hand. Into that category falls the Olympus Stylus 1050 SW, and it's a good choice for amateur photographers.
The slim, compact Stylus is easy to use and produces great results. At $299, the 10.1 megapixel camera is not the most budget-friendly, but you may be able to find it for less online or in holiday sales.
As with many of the newer compact digital cameras on the market today, the Stylus' display screen takes up most of the back of the camera. The screen is good for reviewing pictures and movies, but anyone with less than delicate thumbs may find a little precision work is needed to handle the small buttons and dial.
A quick flip of the sliding camera lens cover -- bonus points for not having to worry about the lens getting scratched if the cap accidentally falls off -- turns the camera both on and off without having to use the power button.
Though the monitor's color quality is a little off, giving everything a yellowish tinge, the pictures come out crystal clear when uploaded or printed out.
Both images and videos produced by the Stylus are sharp with good color quality.
And the camera, with its 30-to-117 zoom lens, comes with some nice features. Billed as being shockproof and waterproof, the Stylus also has a nice anti-shake feature that prevents blurry images for photographers with an unsteady hand. Even a picture taken while forcibly shaking the camera comes out decently.
Keeping clutter on the back of the camera to a minimum, most buttons lead the user to a variety of features.
The red-eye reduction feature leaves a bit to be desired -- it does lessen the irritating effect, but doesn't completely eradicate it. There are nice flash feature options, though the difference between them is sometimes hard to discern. The camera's SCN setting automatically chooses the best mode for picture-taking based on what it's aimed at with underwater, portrait, sport and fireworks among the more than 20 options.
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