Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

I purchased this camera for use in places where I don't want to take my digital SLR: hiking in humid or dusty,sandy places, near waterfalls and snorkeling.

Last week, I used it for the first time under water during a week in the Bahamas. On the second day of snorkeling, I started seeing low battery warnings on a just-charged battery following by a reset of my current settings. Returning to my hotel, I opened the battery compartment and discovered several drops of water. There appears to have been no permanent damage to camera or battery, and I have contacted Olympus for info about sending it in to be checked out. (Note: the camera was never more than four feet under water)

I do like the design and size of the camera and the location of controls.

Image quality is not nearly as good as a lot of comparably priced point-and-shoots. High resolution images tend to have a lot of noise, especially in less than very bright light. Color tends to be a bit flat. It did produce some nice underwater shots.

In summary, this cameras only real value is its ability to go where you wouldn't want to take another camera for fear of damaging it. Unfortunately, I am now concerned about just how waterfproof it really is.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

I have not gotten to use the camera much yet. But so far its awesome.
Im looking forward to taking surfing, backpacking, and skateboarding pictures with it and im sure it will work awesome for all of those.

I love the panorama mode, its super easy to use and looks really cool.
WATERPROOF is awesome!
3 different macro modes for taking great close up shots
very easy to use for someone who doesnt know much about picture taking but still fun for someone who does
Decent video quality.

GREAT BUY!!!

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

compact size, tough case, waterproof & shockproof. That's why I bought this camera.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

I purchased this camera due to the shock resistance, water proof ability, and freeze proof. I snowboard, and this camera is exactly what I needed.

I finally was able to use it this past week on a group snowboard trip in Utah and it was exactly what I needed. It held up to the manufacturer's specifications. The camera function worked flawlessly and snapped great shots. I used the Snow/Beach setting, which helps with the brightness of the snow. I took a couple videos which were turned out great, as well.

The only trouble I encountered while using the camera out on the snow was with the Snow/Beach setting. When you turn the camera on in that setting, you have to confirm that you want that setting on. It can be a little tricky in gloves to select the small Ok button. Other than that, it is a great camera!

I'm not a professional photographer by any means. Just a activist that likes to document the fun times.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

I bought this camera for taking to the lake. It is waterproof and very rugged. Since I am very rough on things I thought that this camera would fit my need very well. It takes very good pictures and is very awesome under water.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

The best thing is to use it under water i have already check it shoot great pictures .It is best value for money because for an amateur it is noy necessary to buy extra equipment for under water using which cost the same with a camera . Also there is a lot of languges to set up and make the camera easy to use

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

Bought to make some mid-quality videos for a business web site, take shallow-water underwater pictures (also for the web site) and take photos from a kayak (instead of carrying a 5D in a housing). Result: great little camera. Rugged and waterproof. Quality is surprisingly good, though it's certainly not a DSLR (an unfair comparison anyway). Very(!) easy to use.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

Gave this to my daughter before a trip to Florida so she could take pictures in the pool and ocean. Last year we used a disposable underwater film camera which she enjoyed but the image quality was poor. These photographs were much better than those from the film camera and I would recommend it as a relatively inexpensive underwater camera. As far as point and shoot cameras go, this one is heavier and a little larger than most. The shutter lag is long compared to a DSLR but I'm not sure how it compares to other P/S cameras. The camera uses Olympus proprietary memory (XD card) although it includes an adapter to use micro SD cards. I would prefer standard SD cards instead.
Overall, a great camera for casual underwater photography but you could probably do better with another P/S if you don't plan to take it in the water.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

I bought as a gift for my photographer nephew for his trip with his family to Disney World. He is totally amazed at the camera's capability and brought back some amazing shots. GREAT purchase for no more $$ than it costs!

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

I had the previous version of this camera but it was lost. I really like the new version. Very easy to navigate the menu. Takes great pictures and I never have to worry about it getting wet or banged up. Takes very good macro pictures. The only drawback is that it is a ltittle heavier and bulkier than the older version.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

This is a great camera for any hyperactive young man not yet ready for indoor living.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

Lots of options for such a small camera. My main reason for this camera was the ability to photograph underwater, but that feature is a little disappointing. Although I was sceptical about it being water tight, it was. My disappointment is in the quality of the underwater photos. Very poor photo quality, I have received much better photos from disposable underwater cameras.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

I bought the camera primarily for underwater use, prior to going to the Caribbean. Ended up using it for taking most of my vacation shots.

The camera is easily compact enough to carry around in your pocket. The quality of the pictures was comparable to other compact cameras I have had.

First picture, and lag times are quite impressive.

The optical zoom is limited, however the sturdiness and imperviousness to the weather quickly made this a favorite.

The optics seem to quickly shed water, allowing the camera to quickly go from sea to land. The lens protector is the only moving part, making it a great on the beach. A quick rinse gets any sand or debris off the camera.

The only difficulty I ran into, was the brightness of the display underwater, at off angles. I think this is most likely a function of being underwater rather than a problem with the camera. On land the LCD brightness is quite good.

Once you have learned how to use the menu, it is easy to navigate single handedly , even underwater. the floating strap is a definite must underwater. The cameras heft will quickly sink it if dropped.

I looked at the Pentax line of underwater cameras, and found the Olympus to have a much sturdier feel, the Olympus also has better depth, and shock ratings.

Time will tell how reliable the camera will prove to be. A camera like this tends to invite rough use. If it is as sturdy as it seems this should be no problem.

I am looking forward to taking this camera skiing, and using it on the boat this summer.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

Just returned from Galapagos / Machu Picchu. This camera does it all. Great underwater photos of turtles, sea lions, penguins. From there, took it up to 12,000 feet in Peru. The built in altimeter was a nice touch as well as panoramas that were out of this world. Tricky back lite pics are a snap. My favorite all around picture taker, and that saying something since my other cam is an SLR Nikon D300.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

I can take my camera everywhere,snorkeling on the beach, family get togethers, weddings, you name it.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

Thin enough for pocket- rugged- looks elegant- Great for everything: Short videos- lots of photos for fun, travel, portraits . . . I plan to buy one for my sister!

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

This makes a days fishing even more fun, you do not have to worry about the rain and surf while using it, I wish I had a camera like this years ago.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

great for the person who wants to take a camera outdoors without worring about dropping it getting it wet or exposing it to the elements. I just bought it about a month ago and have taken great quality pictures on the auto mode (no great photographic experience required).

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

This is a camera that I had purchased before and loved even more than expected. Unfortunately, it was stolen from my car and I was anxious to re-purchase the same camera. It is light weight, waterproof and quite rugged, and it takes great pictures.

Comments about Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera (Silver):

I bought this camera from B&H a couple of months ago and I love it. The underwater features on this camera are great and takes very clear underwater movies & pics. It's a bit heavier than regular digital cameras but no big deal. It has lots of great features....I highly recommend this camera.