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From: John Waddington <jwaddington_at_cogeco.ca>
subject: [Paddlewise] Olympus 790sw camera
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:18:28 -0400
I haven't paid much attention to the camera thread, unfortunately, but a 
store has the Olympus 790sw on sale. It is listed as good to 10 feet 
underwater. I know in the past several have complained about camera not 
being about to take being hit by waves or having the battery 
compartments invaded by water.

Does anyone have any experience with this particular camera?

John
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From: <rcgibbert_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Olympus 790sw camera
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:42:28 -0400
I have the 770SW. It is rated to 33 feet and shockproof to a drop of 5 feet. It sits in a pouch strapped to my life jacket. It has been eaten along with me in several family room sized holes and even bigger waves. I'm surprised it is not dead. One annoying little problem is that the metal lens cover tends to trap water behind it so do check that before you take the shot.

Cheers,

Rob G?
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From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Olympus 790sw camera
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:43:13 -0700
I picked up the Pentax OptioW30 7.1. The local "experts" at Lens and Shutter 
weren't as helpful as I thought they would be in information about the 
differences with the Olympus units. The 770SW was $100.00. Yes more 
waterproof and more pixels with a wide angle function. But for me, these are 
still point and shoot cameras, so why spend money for such dinky little lens 
arrangements. The 770SW had a nice solid heft to it, was flatter if a bit 
wider or taller, looked less "toyish" and had the shutter cover, as did the 
cheaper Olympus sister. I figured the Pentax was easier to clean the lens of 
water (less recessed) and wasn't subject to mechanical failure with a lens 
cover like the Olympus models. Unlike the Pentax, the Olympus units might be 
prone to impinging with sand. I already got enough dang problems with my new 
skeg clogging. Who wants more frustration. Mechanical failure would provoke 
a bit of frustration on a once-in-a-lifetime trip I'd think if I missed out 
on picture taking. The Pentax slips easily in the front pocket of my new 
Astral rescue vest which is lined with a had warmer which should keep the 
lens from scratching. The camera is tethered, but I still added a silicone 
skin so it stays in the side pocket a little more securely and doesn't slip 
out of cold hands. Did I mention we had cold hands at Pender this weekend?

I figure 7.1 should be enough for technical pictures for articles. Anything 
esle, including blow-up, one might consider something more SLRish, in a 
waterproof box. I'm more into paddling than photography.

Doug L

-----

>I have the 770SW. It is rated to 33 feet and shockproof to a drop of 5 
>feet. It sits in a pouch strapped to my life jacket. It has been eaten 
>along with me in several family room sized holes and even bigger waves. I'm 
>surprised it is not dead. One annoying little problem is that the metal 
>lens cover tends to trap water behind it so do check that before you take 
>the shot.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rob G?
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From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Olympus 790sw camera
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:45:08 -0700
Should read  "The 770SW was $100.00 more."


>I picked up the Pentax OptioW30 7.1. The local "experts" at Lens and 
>Shutter weren't as helpful as I thought they would be in information about 
>the differences with the Olympus units. The 770SW was $100.00. Yes more 
>waterproof and more pixels with a wide angle function. But for me, these 
>are still point and shoot cameras, so why spend money for such dinky little 
>lens arrangements. The 770SW had a nice solid heft to it, was flatter if a 
>bit wider or taller, looked less "toyish" and had the shutter cover, as did 
>the cheaper Olympus sister. I figured the Pentax was easier to clean the 
>lens of water (less recessed) and wasn't subject to mechanical failure with 
>a lens cover like the Olympus models. Unlike the Pentax, the Olympus units 
>might be prone to impinging with sand. I already got enough dang problems 
>with my new skeg clogging. Who wants more frustration. Mechanical failure 
>would provoke a bit of frustration on a once-in-a-lifetime trip I'd think 
>if I missed out on picture taking. The Pentax slips easily in the front 
>pocket of my new Astral rescue vest which is lined with a had warmer which 
>should keep the lens from scratching. The camera is tethered, but I still 
>added a silicone skin so it stays in the side pocket a little more securely 
>and doesn't slip out of cold hands. Did I mention we had cold hands at 
>Pender this weekend?
>
> I figure 7.1 should be enough for technical pictures for articles. 
> Anything esle, including blow-up, one might consider something more 
> SLRish, in a waterproof box. I'm more into paddling than photography.
>
> Doug L
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