Olympus Stylus 1030 SW and Stylus Digital Cameras
Olympus Expands Waterproof and Weatherproof Digital Camera Lines
Olympus continues to build the most outdoor-worthy compact digital cameras available. There are two new additions to their waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof Stylus SW line – the 8-megapixel Stylus 850 SW and the 10.1-megapixel Olympus Stylus 1030 SW. I reviewed the first Stylus SW model, the 720 SW (see my Olympus Stylus 720 SW review) a couple of years ago and was very impressed. Although the Stylus 770 SW was released last year, the 1030 SW is the first significant performance leap, in my opinion. The original 720 SW had a 7.1-megapixel sensor and image quality was reasonable, but not awesome. The Olympus compact cameras I tested in 2007 had noticeably improved image quality – especially at high ISO settings. So a 10.1-megapixel Stylus SW digital camera is pretty exciting. I spend a lot of time taking pictures in the outdoors, in all conditions and the Stylus SW cameras literally have no competition when it comes to versatility and durability.
Besides increased resolution, the new Olympus Stylus 1030 SW has a wider lens, a larger and improved HyperCrystal II LCD display, and it can now survive a drop from over 6 feet instead of just 5 feet. It continues to be waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters) and includes 4 underwater scene modes for people who want to take it snorkeling or scuba diving. I like the Olympus Stylus SW line because I want a point-and-shoot camera I can take mountain biking and skiing in all conditions. Freezing temperatures, pouring rain, and blowing desert sand are all normal shooting conditions for me. So a camera that is sealed from the elements and made for dropping on rocks is very attractive. The new wide 3.6x optical zoom lens is equivalent to a 28-102mm zoom in the 35mm format. In the past, very few compact digital camera lenses have been wider than 35mm. Having a true wide-angle lens is a big improvement, in my opinion. I’m anxious to get a hold of the new Olympus Stylus 1030 SW and see how it performs and if the image quality has really improved. I am disappointed to note that Olympus still hasn’t added true (mechanical) image stabilization to the Stylus SW line.
Olympus also added three new models to their standard Stylus line of weather-resistant compact digital cameras. The Olympus Stylus 840, 1010, and 1020 digital cameras are weatherproof and have Dual-Image Stabilization to help compensate for camera shake as well as helping to freeze action. All three cameras come in a bunch of colors and the Stylus 1010 and 1020 both feature a 7x optical zoom lens and 10 megapixels of resolution.
Related Content:
Olympus Stylus 1030 SW Press Release
Olympus Stylus SW 850 Press Release
All Olympus Digital Camera Announcements
Olympus Digital Camera User Reviews
Olympus Stylus 850 SW Pachinko Video
Olympus Stylus 720 SW Pro Review
March 4th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I’m really sorry to say that the main problem with this camera is the Video Mode!! It only film 10 sec. in SHQ when in the era of videos, you tube, etc is Nothing.
I bought a 770 Sw to film ridding my Bike and I found that only films 10 sec in SHQ and in HQ only 15 frames per second
Sorry for my english but I’m from Argentina.
The camera is great, works perfect, great design but olympus needs to improve video modes!!!
March 27th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
jorge is wrong, as is the manual.
I have taken >10s clips at 640X480, 30 fps.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I have been reading a number of reviews on the 1030 SW before I purchase one. The 10 second video clip limitation was making me reconsider this purchase, as I plan on taking underwater movies extensively.
Dan do you know what version of the firmware you have? I have seen a number of people complain about the 10 second movie limitation, but it is REALLY encouraging to see your note. Have you taken 640 X 480 @ 30fps video clips in all of the movie modes over 10 seconds (for example, with audio in an underwater mode)?
I remember waiting to get a Sony DSC-S75 vs a DSC-S70 because of a 15 second movie limitation that the S70 had, but that was in 2000/1. It is sad to think that this would still be a problem with modern digital cameras, especially one that is supposedly top-of-the-line for its class (a class with no real competition from other manufacturers at that).
I still have to applaud Olympus for bringing this class of device to the mainstream market, no matter what the current limitations are.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:09 am
I have had the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW for testing for about a week now. I just tested the video function and there is indeed a 10-second limitation for video at the highest quality. You can shoot 30-minute video clips at 15 FPS and VGA (640×480) or 30 FPS and QVGA (320×240). But there is a 10-second limit as soon as you switch to 30 FPS at VGA quality.
April 1st, 2008 at 11:35 am
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April 4th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I bought a 1030 sw and took it on a trip south. The camera worked fine to 10 feet of depth but at 15-20 feet it leaked. Have sent it back to Olympus. Has anyone else tested the 33 feet claim?
April 5th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Photo-John and jorge are correct — I also have a 10 second limit at 640×480 when shooting at 30 fps.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
How is the photo quality?
Any complaints?
Has anyone been able to compare the image qulaity to the Canon SD1100 IS?
April 20th, 2008 at 6:26 am
I just bought one and I believe a firmware update is available to address video problem. Goto http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_downloads.asp?id=1363&os=w
April 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
The 10 Seconds limitation on 640 x 480 at 30fps has been eliminated via firmware upgrade that you can download via olympus software
April 30th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Olympus says that you can shoot up to 18 minutes of 30 fps VGA if you have a 2 Mb xD card and the v1.1 version of there firmware. I still can shoot over 10 seconds. Do you think they reall mean video clips at 15 FPS and VGA (640×480) or 30 FPS and QVGA (320×240)?
May 7th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Through Olympus Master 2, it says my camera is Firmware Version 1.1 but I still can’t shoot videos more than 10 seconds in VGA and 30fps. I have a 2GB MicroSD card and a 1 GB Olympus xD card, is the memory not big enough?
May 20th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I used a 1030 SW at my daughters play. It showed 38 minutes with a 2GB xD Card. I took tweleve 10M pictures and then switched to video mode and shot five minutes of video without problems other than my shaky hand.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I bought this camera for my trip to Hawaii, with the intention of snorkleing with it. The second day in the water, it leaked. From that point on, there was a stain on the lense, I could not focus it, and it would take pictures on it’s own. The good news is that Olympus’s Customer service was great. I have the camera back now, they replaced the seals / electronics and cleaned the lense. I don’t know if I will trust it underwater again, but it is still a good camera.
June 13th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I bought the 1030sw in March when it first came out in Canada.
I took it snowboarding and took some really nice shots with it.
The wide angle lens is MUCH wider than other camers, i notice when taking the same picture with my camera and others at the same time.
I just got back from a Scuba trip to Belize. Without any enclosure or protection I took the camera to somewhere between 24-30 feet scuba diving.
I forgot to set it to underwater mode and ended up taking the pictures in the auto setting but they still turned out pretty good.
I also took underwater video (I can shoot 30 minutes of 640×480 on a 2 gig card) it all turned out awesome
The built in manometer to tell you your depth is an awesome feature and the camera flashes a warning once you go past 24 feet or so.
One bad comment though, i have a friend at work who bought the same camera and took it surfing. It filled with water and stopped working almost immediately even though he says he never took it very deep. Supposedly Olympus is fixing this for him now.
Anyhoo, overall very nice camera! Well worth the 400 dollars
July 27th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I couldn’t find it mentioned any where in the user manual, but from my line of work as an oceanographer, put a thin coating of silicon grease or vasaline on all seals before you jump into the water with it. Once greased up I reckon you could easily go beyond the 10 feet. Be good if Olympus can comment on this.
July 27th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I couldn’t find it mentioned any where in the user manual, but from my line of work as an oceanographer, put a thin coating of silicon grease or vasaline on all seals before you jump in. Once greased up I reckon you could easily go beyond the 10 m. Be good if Olympus can comment on this.
July 28th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
To do greater than 10sec video on vga and 30fps, you will need the Type M+ or Type H xD card. The Type M or microSD card is the limitation, even with firmware 1.1.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:42 am
I have a 850SW since yesterday and I can confirm that there is a 10s limitation with a microSD card. With a Fujifilm 1Gb xD card Type H, I can take a 9 minutes video in 640×480 30fps
July 31st, 2008 at 8:18 am
If you have an Olympus Stylus SW camera, we welcome your comments here. But we’d also like you to post a real review in our user reviews. That’s the best place to share detailed experience with your camera. Here’s a link to the user review pages for the cameras that have been mentioned here:
Olympus Stylus 1030 SW User Reviews >>
Olympus Stylus 1030 SW User Reviews >>
All Olympus User Reviews >>
Thanks for your comments and thanks in advance for your reviews!
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I have updated with 1.1 version and the Olympus Master software is 2.05. I have Fuji XD 2gb card type H .
I still can’t shoot videos more than 10 seconds in VGA and 30fps.
Someone can help me ?
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 am
I ordered the 1030 and it should get here next week. I was almost about to pass on getting it but read reveiws on other sites that said you need a M+ card to shoot video for as long as your card can hold the data. so i made sure to order that card.