Expert Camera Reviews

Olympus Stylus 1000 is a compact, all-weather camera which can go anywhere anytime. It is has TruePic TURBO™ Image Processor along with a 10-megapixel image sensor which produces high-quality, curt photos. It has the additional feature of recording VGA-quality videos with sound aided with QuickTime® Movie Mode. It can be easily connected to a computer via USB cable. Digital Image Stabilization Mode allows enhancing ISO sensitivity and shuttering speed for capturing lucid pictures which are free from the blur originated from shaking of camera or moving subjects.

Strengths of the Stylus 1000 are:

• · Trendy and ultra-compact design
• · Provided with high resolution 2.5 inch LCD
• · Weather resistant with all-weather seals and gaskets
• · Menus and guide for photo editing
• · High-quality LCD resolution and superior corner sharpness
• · Built in features for red-eye, blur and under exposure editing

Weaknesses of the Stylus 1000 are:

• Inability of LCD to read outdoors
• Absence of auto focus lamp
• Affinity towards oversaturated color, poor equilibrium in highlights and shadows resulting in dark skin tones
• Auto ISO and flash are not in synchronization
• Flash is weak at telephoto
• Unclear Menus
• Short Battery Life
• Takes much time for processing

Specifications:
Megapixels – 10x
Weight (oz.) – 4.9
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 10.5 to 17.1 ft
Image stabilizer – Yes
Battery type - LI-12B Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Special features – High ISO sensitivities of 3,200, and 6,400, Digital Image Stabilization, Bright Capture technology to boost LCD brightness in dim scenes, TruePic TURBO image processor for quick start-up and fast shutter response, Perfect Fix in-camera image editing

Summary:
Although this model has 10 megapixels but this is only accessed in favorable brightness and while not using many of the other features. With high resolution the ISO cannot be enhanced and a few scene modes can only be used. This camera is highly priced with the ineptitude of accessing the complete resolution at all times.

The Olympus FE-200 features a 5x optical zoom lens with a useful 28mm to 140mm wide angle. The FE-200 couples this with a 6.0 megapixel imager and 2.5″ LCD display that has 150,000 pixels and is the only method of framing images in the absence of an optical viewfinder. Autofocus is provided via contrast detection, while ISO sensitivity ranges from 64 to 640 under automatic control. The FE-200 determines exposures with Olympus Digital ESP multi-pattern metering. The Olympus FE-200 has numerous scene presets that help you prepare the camera for different shooting conditions.

Pros:

• Excellent 28mm to 140 mm wide lens
• Automatically sets white balance and ISO

Cons:

• Settings beyond exposure compensation and image size cannot be changed
• It lacks the TruePic Turbo image processor found in less expensive models
• Very disappointing image quality at even low ISOs
• No manual exposure modes

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.0
Weight (oz.) – 5.4
Optical Zoom – 5x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 0.7 to 8.2
Image stabilizer – Yes, digital
Battery type – Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Special features – 24 MB built-in memory and xD card compatible, USB 2.0 full speed connectivity, 12 second self timer

Summary:
Since the camera has hardly anything to offer even with its low price tag, Its extremely difficult to recommend this camera when for the same price, one could find much better models with better features like the Canon Powershot A530 or the Nikon Coolpix L2. The entire Olympus FE series is directly targeted at the entry-level user who is looking for an affordable, easy to use camera.

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The Olympus SP-510 UZ is coupled with a 7.1 megapixels and a 10x optical zoom lens that’s equivalent to 38-380mm in 35mm format. The SP-510 employs Olympus Bright-Capture technology for low-light photography and image reviewing with ISO sensitivity ranging from 50 to 4000, though at ISO 2500 and above the camera’s resolution drops to 3 megapixels. The SP-510 gives some amazing features that will help to take professional quality photos in nearly any situation. In fast-motion events digital image stabilization takes away the problems of blurred images. The camera is powered by 4 AA size batteries

Pros:
• Sleek design
• Great color, good dynamic range, and respectable sharpness in images shot in low-light conditions
• Comfortable handgrip
• Digital image stabilization provides better pictures in shaky and fast motion situations.

Cons:
• Excessive noise in images shot above ISO 400
• While taking pictures and during general operations it has a sluggish performance.
• Outdated menu system
• Inadequate resolution for a 2.5 inch LCD
• Only digital image stabilization for 10x zoom which increases noise and degrades quality

Specifications:
Megapixels - 7.1
Weight (oz.) - 10.6
Optical Zoom - 10x
LCD Size - 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) - 1.2 to 14.4
Image stabilizer - Yes
Battery type - AA (x4)
Special features - 21 scene modes, xD Picture card storage, Multi-language
menu, Bright-Capture technology,

Summary:
The Olympus SP-510 UZ is packed with cool features, but a few features such as the not wide enough lens, slow performance, failure to include optical image stabilization and noisy images could be deal breakers for many consumers. The Olympus SP-510 UZ would surely appeal to amateur photographers who desire ultra zoom features with a high degree of manual controls.

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