Amazing quality photos

When I had to make inevitable step of moving into my own place I found myself without a digital camera, which I found unacceptable. So I went searching through the selection on Dell.com. I knew I wanted an Olympus, rechargeable power source and a nice camera so I ended up selecting the Stylus 730.

The package includes everything you need to get started: a battery and charger, USB/audio/video cord, guides, software and even a wrist strap.

Olympus:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1264

They say:
Freeze the beautiful moments of your life in any weather with the Stylus 730 Digital Camera from Olympus�. Equipped with an effective 7.1 MP CCD, it lets you create high-resolution prints. With its powerful 3X optical and 5X digital zoom (seamless to 15X), you can easily capture sharp close-ups with fine details. Its 3.0-inch color LCD screen makes for easy image preview and scene playback. The incorporated Bright Capture Technology lets you clearly preview and shoot pictures in low-light situations. Experience quick start-up and fast response time between shots with TruePic™ TURBO Image Processor. In addition, the Digital Image Stabilization Mode with high sensitivity options and a fast shutter speed frees pictures from the blur that is sometimes caused by a moving subject. Its offers all-weather durability so you can shoot with confidence, regardless of the conditions. You can choose to take pictures using any of 24 shooting modes including QuickTime� Movie Mode with sound. The Stylus 730 supports USB 2.0 Full-speed interface, so you can enjoy high data transfer speeds when using a USB 2.0 compatible computer. Packed with an array of features, the Stylus 730 is an excellent choice for snapshot photography.

Highlights:

* 7.1 Megapixel CCD captures subtle detail in high resolution.
Pictures are amazingly clear. Even from a distance features are clear and detailed. I have taken a lot of photos with this camera that have the same appearance of one a professional would use. Even on the lowest quality setting the quality is not reduced that much, more like the size.

*PictBridge™ compatibility makes direct printing a hassle-free process.
I personally do not use the direct printing feature, I have mine printed up in the store because I am lazy. You can purchase a compatible printer from either Olympus or from Dell.

*Large 3.0" LCD makes for easy in-camera sharing and editing.
This is one of my favorite features. In previous cameras I have used the picture on screen has seemed so much different in color and quality from what was uploaded onto my computer. With the large screen along with the zoom feature I can easily see detail, color and quality exactly how they will appear on my computer.

*Large buttons with illuminated icons enhance the camera's usability.
The buttons on the camera are well placed and labeled. They do light up which makes for ease of use in the dark. I do not fumble trying to push a button and push the wrong one, they are large enough and in sensible places on the camera.

*22 MB internal memory and xD-Picture card compatibility.
On it's own the camera holds about 30 pictures on the lowest setting and about 6 on the highest. I personally would recommend purchasing a xD-Picture card (which I did). A 1GB card will run you about $34 and is a worthy purchase. 1439 lowest quality pictures fits on this camera with a 1GB or 209 of the highest quality (what I always use). A memory card will enable you to easily take your photos to a local drug store or Walmart and get your photos printed up.

*Includes Olympus� Master Software for enhanced image editing capabilities.
I personally prefer to use Photoshop instead of the included software. I find Olympus Master to be a very slow running program and even uploading using the program is annoying. Instead of allowing me to just easily transport the images to a selected area, I must download and then transfer them. And figuring out how to use the program which seems so simple is not as easy as it looks. Making the usually quick process tedious.

*Digital Image Stabilization Mode.
Stop retaking the same blurry hard-to-get shot over and over again. Get clear, crisp shots with the super-high ISO and fast shutter speed of DIS.
I have a shaky hand and picture subjects rarely sit still. I almost never have to retake a picture because of blurry focus. Even without the flash on the pictures are amazing (I would always suggest using a tripod without flash but if you don't, they come out well still). It focuses quickly so you don't miss the perfect photo.

*Bright Capture Technology.
See it before you shoot it and capture bright images even in low-light environments. Now you can record movies in low light with enhanced Bright Capture Technology.
I'm not sure how much of a diffrence this makes with movies but the screen is clear before taking a photo so you can clearly see what you are aiming at.

*Perfect Fix.
This cool feature makes every shot a perfect shot. Brighten up dark images, reduce red-eye and eliminate blurriness - right in the camera.
Once you snap a picture you have the ability to crop, edit colours, balance, rotate, resize, frame, and also black and white or sepia a photo right in the camera.

My opinion:
I love my camera. The pictures I have taken with them are amazing ( http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w94/l0verlada/?action=view¤t=Picture148.jpg if you would like an example, image resized, without flash or tripod). One of the interesting things noted in the booklet that comes with the camera is that it is supposedly waterproof to 10 feet. I have not tested this out exactly but I have had it in heavy rain and snow and it has been fine (good for me, my electronics tend to meet water and break).

A couple of the highlights of this camera that weren't mentioned on the websites other than the large description are: the zoom and the image processor. The camera as a 3x zoom and 15x digital zoom. With cameras I have used before they have boasted an amazing zoom, but when you take a picture using them it is nothing but a giant blur no matter how long it focuses for. With the Stylus 730 the zoom is amazing. I don't usually have much use for it but when I do, the pictures come out clear. With other cameras there is usually a long delay in between photos and I can't say how many great photos I have missed because of this. Stylus 730 processes photos quickly so you can snap away in the moment. However, it does lag when the battery life is low.

I would strongly suggest purchasing an extra battery as the charge doesn't last all that long. It runs on a rechargable Li-ion battery For $37.99 you can purchase an extra through dell or $44.99 through Olympus.

The camera also takes videos, of a decent length with the memory card and it is a great feature to have in place of purchasing a camcorder.

Also there is many settings to choose from, like low-light, outdoors, indoors, candle and even moonlight. These make it easier for you to take pictures under the right setting (although I normally do not use them). There is also a simple mode for if you do not want to deal with all the extra settings. And of course there is macro mode which is something I always keep on.

All in all, I am very pleased with my camera choice and am often complimented for the quality of my pictures or how nice my camera in general is.


Update:
As of October '07 I no longer own this camera. Around September '07 my camera lens cover would no longer close. It would still operate however. I looked up the issue and found I wasn't the only one having the problem and that it was very common. After that it turned into the lens no longer operating and I sent it in for repair.

They deemed it not under warranty because there was a slight dent in the case and the lens cover wasn't working. I had only ever dropped the camera once- November 12th '06 when I first had the camera. It was in the middle of the Disney store- next to the fake alligator from Peter Pan. Why do I add this detail? Because I care enough to remember these details. I take very good care of my cameras. The dent had no issue with the problem. The lens? Was why I sent it in for repair. The customer service was horrible when I tried to speak to them on the issue. The malfunctioning part was the reason it wasn't covered under warranty? They obviously didn't read the message I had written in the form or they would have known this. They said it could be fixed for the cost of over $140.00. This camera is now discontinued and I could have purchased a new one with warranty for less than they wanted to fix my old one. I opted to let it go. With the warranty they offer to send the camera back or dispose of it themselves- I didn't even bother to have it sent back.

I learned from this not to bother with adding an expensive warranty- I had this camera under a year and a very common issue isn't even covered?