- 10.1-megapixel image sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints.
- 3x optical zoom; wew Tap Control feature for quick, easy programming and results.
- Waterproof, shockproof, crushproof design.
- Face Detection and Smile ; Perfect Preview and Shadow Adjustment Technology.
- Stores images on xD Picture Cards or microSD cards (not included).
From the Manufacturer
---------------------
While other digital cameras may use touch screens to access
settings, the new Stylus 1050 SW has a shockproof, waterproof and
freezeproof body that is sensitive to touch all over. So getting
to the most common menu settings in situations where pushing
buttons takes time or is difficult is now as fast and easy as a
tap on the top, back or sides of the camera.
The rugged 10.1-megapixel Stylus 1050 SW is designed to take the
hard knocks that everyday life--particularly those with kids--can
throw its way, so you know that the memories it captures will be
protected. It can handle five-foot drops to the hard ground,
operate in freezing snowstorms, and swim with the fishes --
lethal conditions for most other digital cameras. Additionally,
the sleek, lens-protecting faceplate slides down, turning the
camera on and revealing the lens in an instant to capture the
moment.
Stylus 1050SW Highlights
Tap Control
The Stylus 1050 SW camera can be controlled with a simple tap on
its top, back or sides, which is made possible thanks to the new
cameras 3D accelerometer that detects the direction of the force
on the cameras body. For example, to turn on the flash or Shadow
Adjustment Technology, tap the cameras side twice. In adverse
climates, where the Stylus 1050 SW thrives, the new Tap Control
ensures fast results so you get the , even if you are
adjusting settings while fighting frostbite with large gloves
that would make traditional buttons nearly impossible to
maneuver.
Shockproof design for worry-free fun
The shock-absorbing technology designed into the Stylus 1050 SW
minimizes the impact delivered to the lens and circuitry when the
camera is dropped from heights up to 5 feet. Whether the camera
slips out of a backpack or a toddler drops it down a staircase,
the Stylus 1050 SW can take a licking and keep on clicking.
Waterproof for underwater adventures
The Stylus 1050 SW performs as well under water as it does on
land because its lightweight, aluminum exterior is matched with
interior rubber kets and O-rings to seal out the elements. It
can take photos while being fully submerged to depths of
approximately 10 feet (3 meters). The inclusion of a preset
underwater scene mode makes the Stylus 1050 SW perfect for
snorkeling or a day in the pool. It also features a
water-repellant lens coating to prevent water droplets from
forming on the lens to get crystal-clear s no matter how wet
the shooting environment.
Freezeproof for icy conditions
Unlike other point-and-shoot cameras that freeze up in frosty
weather, the Stylus 1050 SW still performs when the temperature
dips well below freezing (down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit; -10
degrees Celsius) so it is ready when you are to make a snowman or
hit the slopes.
Face Detection and Smile
Face Detection tracks up to 16 faces within the frame and
automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure
(Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portraits and group
s. The Stylus 1050 SW also features Smile , which tracks
your subjects face to detect a smile and automatically fires off
three consecutive s so you never miss that perfect smile.
This feature is great for parents hoping to capture
hard-to-predict baby smiles.
In-camera panorama
In-camera panorama mode captures three images and stitches them
together to create one amazing panoramic picture. Simply press
the shutter button and slowly pan across a panoramic scene. The
second and third images will be captured automatically and
stitched together with the first image right in the camera --
resulting in one seamless panorama-size picture ready for
printing. To create the ultimate panoramic picture, consumers can
use the Olympus Master Software 2 to stitch up to 10 images
together.
Shadow Adjustment Technology
Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of
the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright
sunlit areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the
nuances between dark and light and all the details in between,
image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive.
Shadow Adjustment Technology compensates for extreme contrast
where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail.
With this technology, users can preview and capture images with
the same contrast as the naked eye.
Perfect Preview
The Stylus 1050 SW features Perfect Preview mode that
enables users to preview and select various photographic effects
on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the . This
feature enables users to see precisely what the image will look
like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the
exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to
learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such
as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering.
Perfect Fix in-camera editing
The Stylus 1050 SW offers Red-Eye Fix and Shadow Adjustment
Edit, in-camera editing features such as resizing, frames, text
options and saturation adjustments, enabling users to edit photos
right in the camera. With the Perfect Fix function, multiple
editing features can be applied at once.
TruePic III Image Processor
Olympus enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces
crystal-clear photos using all the pixel information for each
image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate
colors, true-to-life tones and faster processing speeds.
TruePic III also captures sharp images at high ISO settings,
which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or
producing grainy photos.
LED Illuminator
An LED Illuminator works like a mini-flashlight on the front of
the camera to enhance focus and exposure for macro shooting --
great for underwater close-up s where light is ce.
Digital Image Stabilization
This camera features Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) to
capture crisp, clear pictures. By boosting the cameras ISO
sensitivity and shutter speed, DIS freezes the action and
captures virtually blur-free images, even when you or your
subject is moving.
Large HyperCrystal II LCD
The Stylus 1050 SW boasts an advanced HyperCrystal II LCD, which
is Olympus next generation of LCD technology. It reproduces true
colors with a dynamic contrast ratio of more than 180 percent and
a color reproduction performance of more than 160 percent
compared to HyperCrystal LCD, providing a preview that is more
true to the final image.
Stylish Design and Colors
The Stylus 1050 SW is available in four stunning colors to suit
your individual taste: blue, champagne, silver and black. Its
newly designed body has a lens protecting component that slides
in front of the cameras lens to further protect it from extreme
conditions.
Versatile Memory
All Olympus digital point-and-shoot cameras accept xD-Picture
Card media. The Stylus 1050 SW will also come equipped with an
adapter, which will enable microSD memory cards to be used when
capturing images. The microSD cards are emerging in consumer
electronic devices, including mobile phones and PDAs. Users can
also easily display photos on their HDTVs.
Olympus Master 2 software
Olympus Master 2 software provides the ultimate in digital
imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading
to a computer quick and simple. Images are easily organized by
folders or albums and are searchable by date in the
View. With one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal,
images can be touched up before printing or emailing. Online
support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are
just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee Theater Pack to
create professional-quality slide shows and DVDs from your
pictures using any of several built-in templates.
Review from Wired.com
---------------------
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at Wired.com
( http://www.wired.com/reviews/productlisting/cameras ) Stout
Olympus Cam Takes a Licking and Keeps On Clicking
Are you the schlemiel who's always dropping his cellphone or
camera at parties? Or maybe you're the schlemazel who always gets
the drink spilled on him? Either way, if you're looking for a
camera to fit a clumsy or accident-prone lifestyle, the
shockproof, waterproof, and cold-resistant Stylus 1050 SW can
take the beating from fumbles, faces or full-speed ces,
and still keep clicking. Add in some unique features, and you
have a tough camera that's good for, well, just about anyone.
But if you thought that the SW's resistance to gravity, moisture
and cold were all it had up its sleeve, you'd be hideously wrong.
With skiing and snorkeling in mind, Olympus equipped the 1050
with an accelerometer letting you tinker with settings by tapping
on the top and the sides. This lets you do useful stuff like turn
the flash on and off with a gloved mitt or preview pictures with
one hand while you fend off a tiger shark with the other. On the
other hand, Olympus misses the rtunity to enhance the camera
further by using the accelerometer for dynamically rotating the
images in review mode.
Another cool feature? Perfect Preview, a program that shows
you what different settings--such as exposure--will look like in
the finished picture through a side-by-side comparison on the LCD
screen. We also dug the view in the playback, where you
can sort photos by the date they were taken. The SW also offers
in-camera panorama st, which sounds useful but doesn't
really look so great.
And there are some disappointments with the SW, too. First off,
the cover that protects the lens and powers the thing on glides
open a little too easily; it kept sliding agape while in-pocket,
leaving the lens open to scratches and annihilating battery life.
The 3x zoom makes the Olympus no good for wildlife photography,
unless you're really good at sneaking up on birds and alligators.
And the autofocus often had trouble locking onto a subject,
making for long shutter lag at times. Oh yeah, the macro function
is also weak; regular macro has a minimum focal length of 7.9
inches, and super macro is 2.8--not so super.
Most photos looked pretty decent if you discounted the
occasional autofocus flub or the macro issue. We were certainly
stoked that you can shoot video until you run out of space on
your card. Olympus also includes a microSD adapter with the
camera, so you have greater media versatility, and if you have a
microSD-to-SD adapter, you can slap a card into most current
s, which lack xD readers.
About the size and shape as a pack of smokes, the Olympus won't
take up any more space than a box of Camel Lights, but without
all that pesky cancer. The 1050 SW's flaws are easier to forgive
when you take into account its ability to tough out the cold,
handle a hit or take a plunge. See if a pack of Parliaments can
survive that.
RATING: 7 out of 10
WIRED: Shockproof to 5 feet and waterproof 10 means you can bang
it on the edge of the pool as you fall in with no harm done. Tap
feature lets you change settings without futzing with buttons,
and the camera can handle alpine frigidity with omb. Comes
with a microSD adapter for greater media versatility.
TIRED: Lens cover slides more easily than Ricky Henderson. The
battery is easily inserted backwards, making you think it's dead
or the camera is malfunctioning. Weak zoom and poor macro
ability; this camera could use a bifocal upgrade.
* Read more digital camera reviews at Wired.com
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