Olympus Stylus 720 SW
October 3, 2006
Looking for a great digital camera that you can put in your pocket and take almost anywhere? Check out the Olympus Stylus 720 SW. I’ve had the opportunity to test one the last few weeks, and my only disappointment is that I have to send it back at the end of the evaluation period.
Image quality is excellent for a pocket camera. Like any other camera of its size, the close proximity of the flash to the lens can result in red-eye, but it’s easy to touch out in Photoshop. The 7.1 MP sensor easily keeps up with any pocket size camera I have used.
The 720 is waterproof (to 10 feet) and shock resistant. Olympus also sells an inexpensive silicone cover to further protect the camera’s metal body. The cover has cutouts for the lens, flash, and LCD, so it does not have to be removed for use. I’ve handled a lot of cameras, and this is the first that I could confidently put into my briefcase, backpack, or pocket without a case.
During testing I took it camping in the rain, carried it around in my briefcase, and let my three year old play with it in the bathtub. While I didn’t intentionally subject it to any shocks, it is obviously a sturdy, well designed camera.
The bottom line: Looks great, nice images, small enough to fit in your pocket, and tough enough to take almost anywhere.
