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The Olympus Stylus 740 is yet another all-weather point and shoot camera to be announced by Olympus today. It features a 7.1 megapixel sensor, 5x Optical Zoom lens (36-180mm equivalent) with digital image stabilization, 2.5 inch LCD screen and TruePic Turbo image processor.
The Olympus Stylus 740 has 27 selectable shooting modes, in camera editing, USB 2.0, 15 frames per second video (VGA quality) and 17 megabytes of internal memory.
The Olympus Stylus 740 will retail for $349.99 (USD) and should be in stores in September.
Compare prices on the Olympus Stylus 740 and get the latest price on the Olympus Stylus 740
Ultra-Compact 5x Optical Zoom, All-Weather Camera Packed with 7.1-Megapixel CCD, Digital Image Stabilization and Bright Capture Technology
The new Olympus Stylus 740 digital camera delivers the long distance image capture benefits of a 5x optical zoom lens tucked inside a streamlined, All-Weather body design. The camera’s ultra-slim form contains a wealth of features not typically found on a camera in such a compact size, including:
• A 5x powerful zoom lens that combines with Digital Image Stabilization to ensure crisp, sharp images in any situation – group shots of friends and family, landscape vistas or zooming in on the action at a sporting event;
• A large 2.5-inch LCD and Bright Capture Technology that makes composition, capture and review of images in all lighting situations a snap; and
• Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor, which renders brilliant blue skies and accurate flesh tones, is coupled with a 7.1 megapixel image sensor to produce crisp, high-quality, large-format prints.
“With the Stylus-series digital cameras, the convenience of compact portability is matched by premium styling and innovative technologies that optimize image quality even in the most challenging shooting conditions,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The addition of a 5x optical zoom makes the Stylus 740 among the most versatile cameras on the market, ideal for active lifestyles.”
5x Optical Zoom
Olympus incorporates new lens technology into the Stylus 740 that enables the 5x optical zoom lens (36mm – 180mm, f3.3 – f 5.0 equivalent in 35mm photography) to bring the action five times closer in an ultra-slim body design. Olympus’ lenses are known worldwide for producing sharp, vibrant, high-quality images. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus’ high-refractive-index lens elements and dual super aspherical lens elements, designed specifically for digital cameras.
Stylish, Ergonomic Design
The Stylus 740 is defined by high-performance, durability and style. In addition to the All-Weather construction that made the Stylus famous, the Stylus 740 features a metal body, clean lines and smooth, rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold and easy to handle. In an ultra-slim size that’s less than one inch thick – 3.8 inch (W) x 2.1 inch (H) x 0.96 inch (D) – the camera fits snuggly into a pocket and won’t crowd a purse or briefcase.
Digital Image Stabilization
The Stylus 740 includes a Digital Image Stabilization Mode, which boosts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed for capturing crisp, clear pictures – free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects in virtually any shooting situation.
All-Weather Durability
Typically, water and photography are a bad combination, limiting outdoor photography options when rain, sleet or snow are involved. The compact, All-Weather Stylus 740 can brave the elements and go virtually anywhere. The metal body construction is durable and lightweight with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, snow and dust won’t get in the way of great photos.
Bright Capture Technology for Easy Low-Light Photography
There are times when you want to photograph subjects in low light without having to use a flash, for example, trying to capture the softness and warmth of a candlelit dinner or natural skin tones in subdued lighting. Olympus’ revolutionary Bright Capture Technology makes it possible to clearly compose subjects on the LCD. With specific scene modes for high sensitivity settings (up to ISO 2500) and rapid auto-focus, even fast-action photos can be captured under low levels of light. Plus, Bright Capture Movie lets enables users to record the moments in the dark even after the candles are blown out!
7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor for Superior Image Quality
The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor inside the Stylus 740 delivers high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even when printed in large formats – up to poster sizes as large as 16 x 20 inches.
Large 2.5-Inch LCD
With a bright 2.5-inch LCD, the Stylus 740 easily doubles as a portable digital photo album. The larger LCD makes it easier to view images clearly both when shooting and sharing photos with friends without having to download images to a computer.
TruePic TURBO for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor enhances image quality for brilliant blue skies and accurate flesh tones and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid start-up, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enables the Stylus 740 to capture information from all 7.1 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos. The fast start-up of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so the camera is always ready to take great pictures.
27 Selectable Shooting Modes
With 23 pre-programmed scene modes, such as Beach & Snow, Available Light Portrait, Sunset, and even Under Water Macro, the Stylus 740 makes it easy to capture beautiful images in a variety of lighting and shooting situations. Plus, with QuickTime® Movie Mode, the camera can also record VGA-quality videos with sound, limited only by the size of the internal memory or xD-Picture Card in the camera.
Built-In Help Guide
With the Help Guide function, each of the camera’s features is easily accessible even to novice users. By simply holding down the Guide button on the back of the camera, users can access brief descriptions of each of the camera’s functions and scene modes. An improved auto-set Shooting Guide provides users with an explanation of which features to use in a given situation and then sets the camera automatically for the selected feature in the Guide.
One-Touch EASY Print – No Computer Necessary!
The power of PictBridge? technology enables photos to be printed directly from the camera to any PictBridge?-enabled printer without using a computer. The one-touch “Print” button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!
In-camera Editing
Users can edit photos anywhere with ease by utilizing in-camera editing features, which include red-eye fix, resizing, adding frames around images, inserting text such as “Happy Birthday,” and adjusting color brightness and saturation.
Underwater Photography
The large 2.5-inch LCD, 5x optical zoom, compact body size and three underwater scene modes make the Stylus 740 the perfect camera to take along diving. The new PT-034 underwater housing is constructed of transparent polycarbonate with safety-locked o-ring seals, enabling the Stylus 740 to safely travel down to 40 meters below the surface. Large red grips, a responsive shutter button and a precision zoom lever make it easy to operate even when wearing diving gloves. Plus, with Bright Capture Technology, images can be easily previewed on the LCD even in the darkest waters.
OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master Software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading images to a computer quick and simple; and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. Also, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away.
Availability
The Stylus 740 will be available in September 2006. The camera ships with: a wrist strap, WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, LI-42B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, instruction manual, warranty card, and a CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master Software.
U.S. Pricing
Stylus 740 Estimated Street Price: $349.99 (U.S.)
PT-034 Underwater Housing Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (U.S.)
Digicam Review has reviewed the Olympus Mju Stylus 740 where they give it a rating of 'above average' and write - "The Olympus Stylus / Mju 740 has a lot going for it, particularly the 5x optical zoom lens and ultra compact weather proof body. The camera would be especially suited to someone who wants to take their camera with them in all weathers. The solid build of this camera is likely to make it last well, and makes it good value for money. Image quality was generally good, although slightly under-saturated for some people's tastes, and images can be slightly soft. Noise was quite well controlled although worse indoors. The camera is very easy to use and there are a lot of features built in to help get better results, such as the digital image stabilisation and numerous scene modes."
Imaging Resource have a review of the Olympus Stylus 740 Digital Camera where they write - 'Like its stable mate Stylus 750, the Olympus Stylus 740 has stunningly good looks, but I was disappointed in its performance. Color just seemed unnatural and I came home with far too many blurry images for a camera that has image stabilization. I really wondered if the review unit was just malfunctioning. But it wasn't a mechanical issue. The thumbnails were very blurred, even when the image itself was not. Our laboratory test shots reveal terrible problems with focus across the frame, so it wasn't just me. The Olympus Stylus 740 shows some of the worst lens performance we've seen in a modern digicam.'
Compare prices on the Olympus Stylus 740 and get the latest price on the Olympus Stylus 740
Posted by Darren in our Olympus category on August 23, 2006