Olympus updates Stylus/mju line with three new models

In addition to rolling out its E-330 DSLR today, Olympus also announced an overhaul of its popular Stylus line (known as mju outside of the US). The Stylus 710 is a lightweight compact with a 7.1 megapixel imager, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, and -- at least according to Olympus -- the ability to take sharp, flash-free pictures under low light at speeds as high as ISO 2500. The Stylus 710 is expected to sell for about $349. The Stylus 720SW (above, left) matches the 710's features, and adds a raft of its own, including image stabilization, a ruggedized casing that Olympus says can withstand 5-foot drops, and a waterproof housing that allows underwater shooting in depths of up to 10 feet. Pricing is estimated at $399. Finally, the Stylus 810 (above, right) bumps the sensor up to 8 megapixels, and the ISO up to 3200, and includes image stabilization, VGA movie mode and a weatherproof (but not waterproof) housing, for an expected price of about $429. All models are expected to be available in February.

[Dissent @ Jan 26th 2006 11:52AM]

Im liking that 720SW.

Is it waterproof beyond 10 feet, and you just cant take pictures with it (pressing a button might let water through a seal or something)? Or will water just start leaking in beyond 10 fett?

Because if im in a pool taking pictures, itd suck if it slipped outta my hand and dropped to the 12 ft bottom.

[Michael Bourne @ Jan 27th 2006 9:34AM]

The above article on the new Stylus Series cameras from Olympus is incorrect in reporting about the Stylus 720 SW, stating that the camera has "a waterproof housing that allows underwater shooting in depths of up to 10 feet."

In fact, the camera does NOT require a separate underwater housing, but is itself waterproof to 10 feet because of the ruggedized design of the camera's own body. Because of this, it has advantages over other digital cameras that require a separate housing in order to be submerged.

[John Hughes @ Apr 10th 2006 8:55PM]

This does not have 30 frames per second, only 15?