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Bottom line - the Stylus 770 SW is a good digicam for the active user needing a weather resistant/water proof camera,while Olympus claims it is also “Shock Proof” up to 5 feet, we opted not to test this feature. The 770’s 7-megapixel SHQ images have plenty of resolution to create high-quality prints up to 13x19 inches or larger, however we had some issues with the poor position of the lens and the below average results of its VGA movie mode. With an MSRP of $379.99, it offers a good value for a 7-megapixel underwater capable digicam. 

As a sports shooter, the SP-550 UZ is a bit of an enigma, hampered by its slow autofocus performance and poor image quality in its 2 high speed drive modes. But no other consumer digicam can come close to its high speed capture rate and the pre-capture mode that renders anticipating the decisive moment a moot point. The SP-550’s high-quality lens can’t be matched either, offering a versatile focal length range that is equally at home in tight interiors and athletic playing fields. Combine that with its very good image quality in standard drive modes, and the SP-550 UZ represents a good value at its $499 MSRP. 

If you’re looking for a completely indestructible camera to suit your adrenaline-junkie lifestyle, the Olympus mju SW series is still the only game in town, and the 770 SW is the most everything-proof one yet. It’s able to survive anything short of an atomic bomb, but it is slightly lacking in the picture quality department. Still, the fact that it can take any kind of picture at all 10m deep in freezing water while being crushed is remarkable enough.

Despite having the dust cleaning system run at startup, the E-410 is still able to fire off its first shot in just over one second. Yes, some of the competition is faster, but most of them don’t have dust removal. Autofocus speeds will vary depending on what lens you have attached to the camera. Using the new 14 - 42 mm lens I found that the camera typically focused in less than 0.3 seconds, even if it had to use the flash as an AF-assist lamp. While I can’t quantify it, it sure feels like the E-410 focuses faster than the E-330 or E-500. Too bad there’s only three focus points, though.

Bottom line - the Stylus 730 is an attractive competitor in the 7-megapixel class of consumer digicams. It is stylish, weather-resistant, light weight and easy to use, while having enough resolution to make high-quality prints of 13x19 inches or larger. With a street price of about $250 at the time of this review (March 2007), it offers a good value for a 7-megapixel all-weather digicam.

Olympus today announced the Stylus 780, a 7.1-megapixel digital compact camera with technologies from Olympus’ next-generation digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera for taking crisp, clear photographs in a variety of active situations.