Olympus Stylus 850 SW / µ 850 SW Digital Camera

Pros: Durable, waterproof, compact, easy to use
Cons: Menu is still clunky, auto mode is not always reliable.

This camera was bought to replace a broken Olympus Stylus 770 SW , and I am please to note that Olympus has fixed many (but not all) of the problems found in my previous camera. Its 8 megapixels, 3x zoom, rugged ...

Pros: Water-resistant, cute
Cons: Image quality, price, Olympus proprietary lock-down

Introduction I bought this Olympus Stylus 850SW because I was looking a small camera that I could take to the lake - and even in it if I wanted. A camera that I could take out in the rain without worrying. A camera that I could hand to my ...

Pros: waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof, durable, stylish
Cons: hard to use, poor performance, general use

I recently purchased the Stylus 850SW after putting it off. I already have a point and shoot but I had planned on a lot of water activities this summer and thought a waterproof/shockproof camera would be a nice addition. I finally picked up my Stylus ...

Pros: Waterproof, shockproof, friendly user interface, easy to use
Cons: 10ft max depth, 3x optical zoom, xD Picture Card

OLYMPUS STYLUS 850SWI bought this camera for my girlfriend because she LOVES to take pictures. She's one of those people who can take forty pictures in the exact same place just in slightly different poses. She also has a tendancy to drop ...

Pros: Waterproof, Beerproof, Shock Resistant, Great Resolution
Cons: No Touch Screen Controls

I've had this camera for almost a year. I have brought it all over the world and put it through all kinds of torture. Whether its showing off its water proofing by submerging it in a pint of beer or its toughness by dropping it repeatedly this thing ...

Pros: Small
Durable
Shock proof
Waterproof
Freeze proof
Cons:

None

I am a Marine, so I lead an active lifestyle. I have destroyed a few cameras, as have friends of mine. I wanted to get a new camera, and I wanted to get something that could stand up to what I want it for, but I didn't want to give up having a quality ...

Pros: Exceeded expectations, small portable camera, can be used for everything
Cons: low light a problem. Flash in a place where my fingers want to hold.

We purchased this camera so our 5year old could also take pictures and we would not fear the camera dropping. It has exceeded our expectations in every regard. We have taken this camera to all sports events, dropped it in a pool, has had mud on it, and ...

Pros: Easy to use, lightweight, compact, durable.
Cons: NONE, this camera is wonderful

This camera is exactly what you need in a face paced, on the go society. The camera is waterproof up to 10 feet, shock proof up to 5 feet, and freeze resistant. The camera has 3x optical/5x digital/15x total zoom, which is plenty given the camera’s ...

Pros: Waterproof, Shockproof, Freezeproof, Well Priced and Easy to Use 
Cons: Battery Life

The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is a great camera for both digital pictures as well as short videos. I have had it for almost a year now and have yet to be disappointed. This camera comes with claims to be waterproof up to 10 feet, shockproof up to 5 ...

Pros: Tiny, huge screen, full video with SOUND, memory card expandable, TOUGH! waterproof! Versatile
Cons: Not the sharpest video or best sound EVER, pictures: very good but not GREAT

A great little camera that can stand up to your toddler, the pool, even being dropped! Do you fall in love with a camera, only to somehow damage it or have it stop working? This is the camera for YOU. We replaced our semi-waterproof Olympus Stylus AND ...

Pros: Macro setting, durable, high quality photos, lots of options and settings
Cons: zoom is weak

This camera has been everything I hoped it would be. I admit, I don't particularly have a need for a waterproof camera, but I thought for those few occasions I would need it it would be fun. I do have a need for a shock proof, dust proof, and generally ...

Pros: waterproof, freeze proof, durable for the outdoors, solid look and feel
Cons: picture quality/focus, slow processing, macro modes, too heavy, large battery, poor design (dials)

This camera is nice for being so rugged and durable - I doubt I would ever need to have it repaired, or break something on it. Aside from that, I am overall disappointed with it. First, it does not focus well or quickly. After an 8 hour mt. bike ride ...

Pros: waterproof, shockproof
Cons: special memory card needed for VGAx30 fps video, audio quality at beginning of video clips

Here's what I discovered about the video only after using the camera: * Unless you get a special memory card, you are limited to 10 seconds of video at VGA resolution and 30 fps. So budget the expense of a special memory card into your cost. I ...

Pros: Durable, good battery life
Cons: Poor quality, horrible flash, slow

I have owned this camera for almost a year now and use it almost daily. This is a great little camera if you have kids and are worried about them breaking or destroying your camera. It has withstood being under water and drops from at least 5 feet. It does not, however, take good pictures. The joy of digital cameras is that you can take lots of pictures and pick one or two good ones. With this camera, you will have to take at least 30 to get one good one. We have tried to adjust the settings to get good pictures, but unless you're in perfectly ideal circumstances (excellent sunlight, no shadows, limited movement) you're going to be very disappointed with the picture quality.



In short, I don't believe the durability of the camera makes up for the picture quality. I would definitely choose a camera that takes good pictures, like a Canon or Sony, over this one. We will, however, be using this for when we are outdoors, like at the beach.

Pros: Tough! Lots of scene options!
Cons: Function selection wheel is awkward, no push button for pic review.

Up to now every digital camera I have owned has been Canon. Besides a couple of the Rebels I have owned 5 of the Elph line.

I bought the SW850 to try with my kids since they love taking pictures, going to the pool, and dropping & breaking cameras.

The camera durability is better than rated. I've thrown it, left it in the Jacuzzi for a long time, and in general beat it up pretty good.

I don't know what kind of material the finish is but the camera is not even scratched!

Picture quality is excellent. Scene selections make a big difference and are very well tuned. Even without the durability benefits the camera's pictures are top notch.

I can see all camera going forward getting tougher as the popularity of this camera line continues to gain momentum.

In the meantime I highly recommend it!