Olympus 770SW Review

[scubadobadoo]

I don't think I would take mine down 30 feet, I don't think I would intentionally dunk it in saltwater. The idea of a rugged, water proof, shock proof, temperature tolerent digi camera is way over due. I and my wife go through cell phones and digi cameras and even a lap top due to small drops of water geting on them. This little camera is a huge compromise in some areas but it is a huge leap forward in "electroniclivibility" to coin a word--it can live in the real world.

As to lens size I am not sure how far technology can compensate for physics. Small lenses are terribly inefficient. No lens can suck light into it, the light available to a lens is a function of the size of the glass and relation to the rear lens opening and CCD/film plane. Big glass has more area upon which for light to strike and thus reach the film/CCD. I may not be choosing the best words but there is no way that little lens can equal a 3 pound piece of Nikkor optics and it never will. N

I agree with all you said Nemrod. Good points.

Still, major compromise in picture quality isn't something that I personally want to deal with in the $400 price range. I don't care how water proof or shock proof it is. I just expect this small lens camera to take pics "almost" as well as the ones taken with other small lens cameras like a canon sd700/800 or even the other small olympus cameras, but is doesn't do as well in less than ideal conditions compared to its small brothers in the same price range. It's a $100 digital camera in a $300 body.

 

[Nemrod]

What the world needs is a digi camera that looks like a Nikonos III, feels like a Nikonos III, has removalble lenses like a Nikonos III and is rugged and constructed of metal like a Nikonis III but is of course digital. I still kick myself for selling my Nikonos III outfit years ago and have never found anything equal to it even today. The huge bulky SLR housing are like carrying an elephant around, the Nikonos III could slip into a stylish leather case and go for a walk in the park--try that with an Ikelite housed Digi-SLR.

Why cannot they give us that? Why?

N

 

[Reef Man]

I have the 720SW myself and was contemplating the housing. Do you recommend it or would the additional couple of hundred bucks be best spent on an entirely new dedicated underwater camera?



amajamar

I would go for it if you don't want to spring for a whole new set up...I think it takes on a scale of 1-10 about a 6 quality of pics... I have had some great shots with it and the vids are very good about a 7 compared to some of the other ones I have used...but I agree with what others are saying about this camera here, and I also hope that the technology continues to improve...I will wait on that before I spring for a whole new system....

 

[alcina]

This thread about the Oly 770sw added to Sticky - thanks, Guys!

 

[carolrose]

About how much is it for that strobe/housing/lens setup? It looks very impressive and I'm very tempted to this camera in general, but trying to decide if the higher price is worth it.

 

[alcina]

Hmmm, I just read the first review by the OP...I don't understand how a camera with stated focus problems, even shown in one of the example photos, can get a 7.8/10? And a theoretical 8.5/10 if they'd fix the movie mode access? Focus seems to be a non-negotiable to me.

Just curious.

FWIW I have an earlier model of the Oly and like it for taking to the beach and as a kick around camera. It is frustrating as even photos taken on land on sunny days can miss focus, however. I don't use it to shoot anything I really must have. My dive buddy just bought the 770 for the same reasons, so I'll be able to compare them in the near future, but I'm not expecting much improvement as it looks like Oly have decided to concentrate more on depth than performance. Its low light performance for both focus and noise isn't good and there's no way I'd pay this much for a new one (mine was an impulse buy by hubby ).

It is a fun play camera - slips in a pocket, I can stick it over the marlin board and shoot snorkellers etc without taking my big rig or even getting in the water myself. I wouldn't probably even take it snorkeling myself as that slow/missed focus thing is just too frustrating. My Canon A series work well for that and for times when I want something small but good.

One of my Instructors has one with the housing and I'm still underwhelmed by her images - often out of focus, blurry, etc - but she has fun and ultimately that's all that matters

Shot from the marlin board while I stayed dry:

 

[Snorkelingdotinfo]

Hmmm, I just read the first review by the OP...I don't understand how a camera with stated focus problems, even shown in one of the example photos, can get a 7.8/10? And a theoretical 8.5/10 if they'd fix the movie mode access? Focus seems to be a non-negotiable to me.

Good questions

This is my first foray into underwater photography, so the "coolness factor" of being able to take a normal camera underwater may have made me a bit more excited than others would be. For $315 I still recommend this camera to people with similar needs to mine...

Also - which of the sample pics show a focus problem? (i thought they were pretty decent!)

Thanks

 

[alcina]

Ah, yeah, the "coolness factor" - I agree, it's around a 9 for this (if you can ignore the execution)! It always gets lots of ooos and aaahhhs when I have it out.

The carp isn't really in focus...the little girl uw isn't really in focus either, but it's more "pleasing" here imho. If you look, the image I posted above isn't really in focus either but I like it

I do think you should mention your experience in your review as someone reading it is likely to jump to the conclusion that you have at least several other cameras under your belt, but that's just mho.

We need more PICTURES, everyone who's using these - new buyers like to see what these nifty little units can do!

 

[Nemrod]

It would seem to me that if you install the wide angle 105 MM or fisheye 165 MM Inon lenses focus would no longer be an issue.

I cannot speak to underwater focus but ours focuses well on land and the shutter is faster than most digi snaps I have used but still slow to the instant repsonse of a Nikon FMII or Nikons III for that matter. Is there even such a thing as a digital snapper or even digi SLR that has instant focus and instant shutter trip?

N

 

[Nemrod]

I was in the library and stopped by the magazine racks when I saw some British photo magazine with a test of the Olympus 770SW. They don't seem to agree with you guys and claimed it was quite improved in low light noise and focusing compared to the 720 and 760. It ain't no Nikon F for sure. N