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.
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“Waterproof to ten feet”. I assume that is like most digital watches which are waterproof as long as you don’t push any of the buttons while under water. Or can it be operated under water, too?
Yes, you can operate it under water. I assure you that my 3.5 year old did not refrain from pushing buttons in the bath
However, since you’re a diver, keep in mind that this is *not* a diving camera. If you want a little diving camera check out the Nikon Coolpix S3 and the optional waterproof housing. I have one, but the camera itself is much more fragile than the Olympus.