Olympus' semi-rugged Stylus series bumped to 12 megapixels

If ruggedness is your primary consideration when buying a camera then by all means, look no further than Olympus' latest lineup of Stylus (AKA, Mju outside the US) shooters. The $300 Stylus 790SW is the most like, totally extreme of the bunch dude, offering waterproofing up to 3-meters and shockproofiness from a height of 5 feet. Oh, and it also just happens to include a 7.1 megapixel sensor, 3x non-protruding zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD, a 30fps VGA video mode, and ISO sensitivity up to 1600. Olympus also rolled out a trio of less rugged, "weatherproof" cameras: the 12 megapixel Stylus 1200 ($350); the 8 megapixel, image-stabilized Stylus 830 ($350), and 8 megapixel Stylus 820 ($300) with 5x zoom. All loose on the mean retail streets starting in September and October.

Gallery: Olympus' rugged Stylus series bumped to 12 megapixels

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Read -- 790 SW
Read -- 1200, 830, 820

[Peter Unold @ Aug 23rd 2007 6:53AM]

Funny that the "old" mju 770sw was safe down to 10m while this new 790 model is only safe to 3 meters.

[Jeff @ Aug 23rd 2007 11:18AM]

Hey, at least the 790 offers 30 fps! The 770 only does 15 fps (what a deal-breaker!). 3 meters may not be enough for diving, but it's plenty of most other water sports (like windsurfing)!

[Gerard @ Aug 23rd 2007 8:54AM]

The new ones look funky though, compared to the old one:
http://www.pixideal.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=2615&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=66

[Yoshi @ Aug 23rd 2007 9:31AM]

To utilise 12 megapixel image censor, the lens needs to have
1000 lines per mm resolution.
Even in the case of far more ridged structured 35 mm SLR lens,
manufacturer is struggling to achieve 100 lines per mm resolution.
Can anybody believe, a flimsy made and wobbly supported lens
(for easy movement of zoom and focus)can keep such ultra high
resolution.
Don't make me laughing.

[Mark @ Aug 23rd 2007 11:46AM]

The Olympus Stylus 770 SW is also crush proof up to 220 Lbs and has a built in manometer.

[Kal-El @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:46PM]

Sure its durable, but will it blend?

[David @ Aug 23rd 2007 2:27PM]

That will be an interesting to watch

[Photo-John @ Aug 24th 2007 12:24PM]

The new Stylus SW model isn't made to be an upgrade for the 770 SW. It's more of a restyled, lower-priced Stylus 720 SW. I really liked the 720 SW - including the design. I think the new camera was created more to appeal to a younger, hipper market than the 720 / 770 SW, which are obviously target at outdoor people and gear geeks.