Olympus Stylus 400 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
By: Olympus Average Rating: 3.5 Total Reviews: 42
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 On: 2007-05-06
I love my Olympus Stylus 400 for daylight photos, but no matter what I do, pictures taken at night (whether in nighttime mode or not) come out EXTREMELY blurry. This has been a great disappointment; however, I have no complaints about indoor flash or daylight outdoor pictures. They always come out great!
 On: 2007-01-18
I bought this camera about 3.5 years ago and took thousands of pictures with it. It was my first digital camera and I loved the convenience of digital photography and the small size of this camera. We got a lot of great shots on hikes, some pretty good pictures while diving (using underwater case), and treasured family photos including our new baby. I did eventually learn how to work around some of the idiosyncrasies - for instance, pre-focusing at the halfway-down shutter detent position really helps to get clear pictures. The low light performance is marginal, and the flash is next to useless. Over the past couple of months it started to flake out - started recording pictures with bad timestamps and the sliding front panel switch became so sensitive that the camera kept turning itself off while I tried to take pictures. I took the front panel off to clean out some lint and when I put it back together it didnt work any more. (So dont do that!) I am replacing this camera with the Canon PowerShot SD900 because I really liked my friends SD550 and my Moms SD800.
On: 2007-01-17
I bought this camera about 3.5 years ago and took thousands of pictures with it. It was my first digital camera and I loved the convenience of digital photography and the small size of this camera. We got a lot of great shots on hikes, some pretty good pictures while diving (using underwater case), and treasured family photos including our new baby. I did eventually learn how to work around some of the idiosyncrasies - for instance, pre-focusing at the halfway-down shutter detent position really helps to get clear pictures. The low light performance is marginal, and the flash is next to useless. Over the past couple of months it started to flake out - started recording pictures with bad timestamps and the sliding front panel switch became so sensitive that the camera kept turning itself off while I tried to take pictures. I took the front panel off to clean out some lint and when I put it back together it didnt work any more. (So dont do that!) I am replacing this camera with the Canon PowerShot SD900 because I really liked my friends SD550 and my Moms SD800.
 On: 2006-10-15
DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA WARNING!!!!!!!The front door that is used to turn the power on to take pictures breaks too easily--Olympus customer service will do nothing to help. If you look on the web multiple people say they have the same problem which equals a design flaw and they will not help. The $300 plus I paid is in the garbage and Olympus wants $$$$ to fix it and will do nothing to keep a customer. As far as I am concerned I am running the camera over with my car and NEVER BUYING AN OLYPUS AGAIN.
On: 2006-09-18
Ive had my Olympus Stylus 400 since Christmas of 2003 and take it everywhere I go. Its compact size allows me to stick it in my pocket if I want to. It has been a rugged little camera. I do a lot of camping and hiking and have dropped it on rocks before and it keeps on taking great pictures. I originally bought it for the fact that you could buy an optional waterproof case. I wanted that feature so I could use it while participating in water sports, it worked great in those situations too. The outdoor picture quality is exceptional for a point and shoot camera. I use another camera for serious photography but this camera takes extremely good photos for someone looking for a simple to use camera. The XD memory cards were expensive at first but they have gone up in capacity and down in price.
The battery life is very good between charges. I always have at least two batteries for my cameras. Ive found that the battery will last through a three day weekend with a lot of picture taking without a need for the back up battery.
One very cool feature that no one here has mentioned is that this camera came with a remote control. This is great for setting the camera up on a tripod and having the ability to get in the shot without having to set the timer and run in front of the camera to get in the picture. You can take as many pictures with the remote and never have to reset the camera. I dont know of another camera that has a remote like this.
Drawbacks: The first drawback I noticed was its small size and flat shape. I know Im getting a little contrary here but the same small size that allows you to put it in you pocket also makes this a camera that is hard to grip with your hand. I have dropped mine several times and learned early on to always use the wrist strap that comes with it. It would be nice if this camera had a little shape to it that allowed you to grip it.
Ive had some problems with the sliding on/off door that also acts as a lens guard. This can be annoying at times and youll be getting ready to snap a shot and it will suddenly shut off because the door has slid just a little toward the off position. This can be avoided with a little pressure on the door while using the camera. I think some of the problems with the door has been due to my rough treatment of this otherwise durable camera.
A good buy for the money.
On: 2006-07-29
This may be OK for taking snapshots of your friends or kids around a birthday cake, but it does not perform well in most situations.
1) The cameras sensor is not very sensitive to light, so photographing indoors out of the flashs range is impossible (blurry images).
2) The video mode has no sound AND does not allow you to zoom in at all. Even if you zoom-in all the way, as soon as you put the camera in video mode it zooms back out.
3) Even if you are unconcerned with shutter speeds, apertures, and ISO levels, you should still look for a camera that has a way to have a bit of control over these things. For instance, many consumer cameras have a "sports" mode for fast moving subjects. This mode sets the shutter speed to be fast, and therefore eliminates motion blur. THIS CAMERA made blurry pictures of Moneen onstage at the Warped Tour even though they were in full sunlight. With a setting like the one described above, I could have had some great visual memories of the show.
 On: 2006-04-05
This is a great Camera! We bought this camera for a family wedding noy knowing if we would be happy since it was our first Digital. It is so easy to use and the quality of the pictures is fantastic! We havent looked back and only regret not getting a digital sooner. The battery life is fantastic! We bought a second battery just in case but have had to use it only once when we were assigned to be photographers at my parents 50th wedding anniversary. We took pictures all night long and also took posed pictures of everyone with my parents. The 256 MB XD Card will hold approximately 250+ high resolution photos!
The Camera is durable, well made, and weather resistant. Every opening has ruberized gaskets to keep water out! The display is a good size, easy to view even outdoors, and the buttons are easy to access. It is easy to use, and you can learn how to use this camera in about 5 minutes just by fiddling with it!
It has a great panoraramic mode! The XD memory card is about the size of a stamp, and its small size helps conserve battery life. You can get an adapter for the card to make it compatable with other formats.
My wife was interested in buying a cannon SLR but after using this she is no longer interested. She uses it to take pictures of nature and Extreme Close-Ups of flowers, for example. The Quality, Detail and Bright Colors are absolutely Awesome!
You wont be disappointed!
On: 2006-02-24
I used this camera for about 20 months, taking thousands of photos. It was my first digital camera and I really enjoyed using it. It survived some falls as well as taking pictures in light rain.
Some room for improvement:
Indoor and shaded photos require the flash or a tripod.
Macro mode couldnt focus on red items (flowers).
Viewfinder was off center when using extreme digital zoom.
On: 2005-06-09
When I first bought this camera, I loved all the simple-to-follow features. It was lightweight, took clear pictures and was very simple to download. Everything someone looks for in a digital camera, right?. . . Wrong! After approx. 2 years of owning this camera, the sliding on/off "door" started to act up. When you open the "door"/turn it on and go to take a picture, it will retract and shut off on its own. After a while it constantely did it to the point where taking pictures was a hastle. Now, I am seaching once again for a new digital camera and the $300 I paid for this camera (at the time) is wasted and thrown away. They should test cameras more thoroughly before putting them on the market for hard working buyers to select from.
My next camera, being that the expensive memory cards only are compatibale to Olympus and Fuji, may be the Olympus Stylus 500 5MP. It seems to have gotten very good reviews and Im willing to give them a second chance but I am doing a bit more studying this time before spending my hard earned money!
On: 2005-06-03
My Husband and I found this camera to be great. It is also great for transferring into computer. I have been able to make a photostory with the pictures and download it to a CD, for the purposes of entertaining our family. The pictures are great and it is easy to understand how to operate. Im not too good in understanding electronic gadgets, but I certainly picked this one up pretty fast. Sometimes, my husband will ask me how to operate the camera. Now, thats a switch :). He usually is the expert in cameras. I bought it for him for Fathers day, in 2004, and its been a fantastic camera. People have asked us where did we get it from. I let them know, we ordered it through amazon.com. I would recommmend this to all who are looking for a great digital camera.
On: 2005-01-06
I love this camera and have had it for a little over a year. My only complaint is that pictures taken by looking through the view finder come out slightly off center (while the monitor is accurate). I encountered this problem immediately after receiving the camera as a gift. After returning it, I encountered the same problem with the new camera. I wrote to Olympus and received no reply, which made the situation twice as aggravating. I love my camera and consider this problem a minor flaw, however I have likely made my last Olympus purchase.
On: 2005-01-02
the small peg on the media door
cant handle the "press to open"
action & (on my camera) broke after
maybe a dozen presses.
On: 2004-11-30
In our quest for the perfect digicam, we bought the Stylus 400 in February of 2004. The camera had a lot going for it: small, lightweight, quick start up time, short shot-to-shot lag time. The "weatherproof" feature was also big for us, were tough on our stuff. We liked the all-metal body for durability, too.
After 10 months of using the camera, these features all lived up as advertised. It survived being dropped and wet or sandy conditions very well.
We purchased a spare battery and charger, and swapped them out every day so we always had a full charge on the camera. We NEVER ran out of charge on a battery.
The driverless USB connection allowed us to unload pictures FAST and very very easily.
Having a camera that could survive the abuse we heaped on it was important, but when it comes right down to it, if the pictures are NO GOOD, then whats the point? And on this the Stylus 400 REALLY disappointed us. Pictures taken without the flash were blurry, (unless under bright bright outdoor light). Pictures taken with the flash were blown out and the colors completely unnatural. And the flash is no good at all beyond about 6 feet.
Olympus is on the right track. Maybe someday theyll combine their quality optics with this sexy, sturdy camera body and they will have the PERFECT camera. But for what we paid (nearly $400 for camera, extra battery, charger, and 64M xD memory chip) it would have been nice to actually get decent pictures.
I dont buy the "if you want good pictures, spend more." Ive had cheaper digital cameras that took MUCH better pictures. But they would break the first time I dropped them, then Id have to duct tape the battery compartment closed or whatever. Or the shot lag was intolerable. Or theyd burn through AA batteries like candy. Good image quality does NOT have to be expensive. It is a darn shame that we cant get it all in one package.
On: 2004-11-29
In our quest for the perfect digicam, we bought the Stylus 400 in February of 2004. The camera had a lot going for it: small, lightweight, quick start up time, short shot-to-shot lag time. The "weatherproof" feature was also big for us, were tough on our stuff. We liked the all-metal body for durability, too.
After 10 months of using the camera, these features all lived up as advertised. It survived being dropped and wet or sandy conditions very well.
We purchased a spare battery and charger, and swapped them out every day so we always had a full charge on the camera. We NEVER ran out of charge on a battery.
The driverless USB connection allowed us to unload pictures FAST and very very easily.
Having a camera that could survive the abuse we heaped on it was important, but when it comes right down to it, if the pictures are NO GOOD, then whats the point? And on this the Stylus 400 REALLY disappointed us. Pictures taken without the flash were blurry, (unless under bright bright outdoor light). Pictures taken with the flash were blown out and the colors completely unnatural. And the flash is no good at all beyond about 6 feet.
Olympus is on the right track. Maybe someday theyll combine their quality optics with this sexy, sturdy camera body and they will have the PERFECT camera. But for what we paid (nearly $400 for camera, extra battery, charger, and 64M xD memory chip) it would have been nice to actually get decent pictures.
I dont buy the "if you want good pictures, spend more." Ive had cheaper digital cameras that took MUCH better pictures. But they would break the first time I dropped them, then Id have to duct tape the battery compartment closed or whatever. Or the shot lag was intolerable. Or theyd burn through AA batteries like candy. Good image quality does NOT have to be expensive. It is a darn shame that we cant get it all in one package.
On: 2004-10-08
I am seriously disappointed with the durability of this product. For a product whose primary feature is its water resistance, youd expect more outdoor ruggedness. The clasp failed after a couple months light use and now water can freely enter the media ports.
Also dissapointed with the .mov video format. Would have preferred the choice to record .mpg or .avi. (anything that doesnt use a proprietary codec)
On: 2004-10-07
I am seriously disappointed with the durability of this product. For a product whose primary feature is its water resistance, youd expect more outdoor ruggedness. The clasp failed after a couple months light use and now water can freely enter the media ports.
Also dissapointed with the .mov video format. Would have preferred the choice to record .mpg or .avi. (anything that doesnt use a proprietary codec)
 On: 2004-06-28
This camera takes good pictues in well-lit, close-up situations--a good point & shoot camera. I have a major complaint with Olympus failure to honor the 1-year warranty on this product. A plastic component of the USB port broke, rendering the USB port useless. Olympus refused to honor the warranty for this repair, despite repeated requests from both me and the camera shop where I purchased the camera. Also, the "metal body" description of this camera does not apply to the media door--it is plastic, and prone to breakage. I own about 15 cameras. This was my first Olympus, and based on their failure to honor the warranty, it will be my last.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-05-15
Have used it for 1 1/2 years. Bought it here on Amazon. Have used it at parties, kid events, etc. Its been banged around and used for thousands of shots.
One thing really ruins it...The flash on this unit is abysmal. The slow lens prevents available light photography. Dont expect to light up a family group shot with it.
Otherwise, the camera has it all... The other reviews pretty much cover it.
On: 2004-04-29
I got this camera a couple of weeks ago and I have to say that it is a very good quality product. I had other digital cameras before and the main reasons I selected this one was to reuse my existing xD-Picture cards from my Fujifilm camera and the great form factor and overall style of this one.
One thing got in my way from the get-go: the battery compartment cover is positioned exactly where most people place their right thumbs when using the camera. This causes it to slide open way too frequently for my taste, sometimes causing the camera to shut down. Another problem I see is the tiny buttons that are intended to be pressed using your right thumb but prove to be too small for the thicker thumbs I have.
The flash also seems to be a little too weak for outdoor night shots and to focus on not-so-close objects indoors.
On: 2004-03-18
Look, I understand that the pictures wont bring you to tears of joy with their intense colors and riveting detail. If you want that, spend more on a camera that will be much larger and feature laden.However, if you want to throw your camera in your pocket and run out to a bar, the beach, or wherever (knowing full well that you might not even use it on said trip) it doesnt get a lot better than this. Its stupid easy to use, its light, to this point its been indestructible, and about 95% of my pictures, even from dimly lit places have been high quality. For some reason the quality suffers when you DONT use the flash, but it really doesnt make much difference. So its really all about what youre looking for. If youre in college or are a young person looking to document adventures, get this camera. If youre taking family vacations, probably you could do better. Either way, I love the thing.
On: 2004-02-15
I bought this camera to repalce a film camera. I am trying to wean my wife from film and on to digital and
I needed a camera that was as easy as the film cameras to operate. Basically just point and click. This is
what this was designed to do and it does it well. No complicated controls and no messy confusing
menus. I have been taking photographs for over 25 years, I have had one other digital camera in the past.
It was also a pHD. I did not need to go thru the manual to get this Olympus working. I have nothing to compare it
with but the start up from the off status is decent. Focusing and shutter lag is about what one would
expect. Like most things out there it is rather slow compared to a film SLR that I am used to. It gets worse underlow light since there is no focus assist. Prefocus helps reduce the lag
enormously. Photographs are excellent in terms of color. Tend to have a little barrel distortion in the
wide angle. Use in telephoto for head shots to correct the distortion. Flash is adequate. Size is perfect
since it is easy to carry around. Battery life is decent. I can take about 250+ high quality shots with
mixed use of the flash before I need to recharge. One warning, take care when closing the clamshell
since being abrupt with it can disrupt the lens mechanism. DO NOT MAKE THE CLAMSHELL HIT THE LENS WHEN CLOSING/SHUTTING OFF THE CAMERA. This is the best way to damage this camera. I did it once and knew right away that this was an achilles heel. When closing, there is a click that is encountered, hold the clamshell in that first click and allow the lens to retract before fully closing the clamshell. Otherwise, it works like a charm. I own a Macintosh and it synchs flawlessly with iphoto. All metal case seems indestructable and is very attractive. Havent really dropped it in water yet but the weather seals are reassuring. Wish it had picture bridge so that it could work with the new p-10 dye-sub printer also from olympus or some other printer with this technology. Best of all, my wife is starting to use it a lot more. She just wants to have hard copies of certain photographs and I insist on a decent small dyesub printer to go with it. A real smart pHD digital camera.
On: 2004-02-06
Being a fan of Olympus I had high expectations for this camera. So I was just astounded by how horrible this camera was. I owned a 3.2 megapixel Olympus C-3020, which broke, and I decided to replace it with this sleeker, smaller, and sportier model with a slightly higher megapixel count. Big mistake.The pictures out of this camera were blurred, colors were completely washed out, and the flash didnt reach that far indoors. Outdoor pictures were slightly better, but colors still appeared dulled and had no vibrancy. This was especially shocking, since I have taken extraordinary photos with my C-3020, which has a lower megapixel count than the Stylus. My father has the SRL Olympus E-20 N which is also an remarkable camera. I assumed that all Olympus products were created equal. Alas, they are not. Because of its compact size, I kept opening the cameras battery compartment door while handling it, and the camera actually felt too small and cramped in my hands. After less than a week, I packed it up and returned it, deciding Id rather spend the money to have my beloved C-3020 repaired. Since then, Ive had the opportunity to try out the C-5000, which is an updated, sleeker version of my C-3020. Its as good as the C-3020 and boasts 5 megapixels. If youre looking to buy a good Olympus camera, stick with the C-series and stay away from the Stylus!
On: 2004-02-05
Looking for a great, compact, high quality digital camera? Look no further, the Olympus 400 is tough to beat. Im no photography pro but if you are looking for a great camera to take pictures for the web or to use while on vacation, this is a great selection. Its been to the slopes in Colorado, Utah & South America in (kept in a jacket pocket) snow, sleet & rain. Its taken phenomenal pictures and produced beautiful printouts. The 16 meg memory card it comes with is a joke; it just doesnt hold anything. If you plan to buy this camera, plan on an extra $150.00 or so for a larger membery card or two. I got a 512 mb card which holds nearly 600 photos that print at high quality as 8x10s. It holds more than enough pictures for an extended vaction but with the 512 mb card it takes a while for the camera to ready itself to take a picture. A 256 mb card is probably the ideal balance of storage space and speed. The camera is easy to use, looks nice and is comparable to the 35mm stylus series from Olympus that was fantastic as far as 35mm cameras go for the casual photographer. Bottm line, give this camera serious consideration when shoping for a digital camera and plan on picking up at least 1 256 or 512 meg memory chip if you buy it.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-02-05
Just got mine last week. Took it to work and took some great shots of people in my work group. Used the florescent mode flash and the photos turned out very true to color and printed out beautifully. The download with the usb connection was a snap to use (a no brainer) and was so FAST! The camera is very simple to understand and use - had it all figured out in one evening. Very easy instructions and the icons are user friendly.
Nice compact and rich looking body. Perfect for travel and the new and casual digital camera user. Looking forward to playing with it more.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-01-28
A word of caution to those considering a digital camera. Pay close attention to the size of the monitor. When its really small, as in this Olympus camera, framing the shot is more difficult so you have to pay very close attention to whats in the shot. The users manual is the worst Ive ever seen for ANY product. It leaves the user guessing how to utilize the cameras many features. Example: The page on downloading pictures to a computer was of absolutely no help. I spent an hour of trial and error to figure it out!
by: Anonymous On: 2004-01-03
I dont know why people complain about this. It really works great for us. I was a little bit worried about indoor shot after read all the reviews because i mostly use this one in indoor for my baby(our house is not that bright with the natural light). However after I got this one, my all worry is gone. The picture quality is great and this carmera is really easy to use. (even the software..)Im not really good at the all those function expecially in the electric gadgets. but this is really make me relieve.
also its small enough to carry everywhere and very steady with metal body.
There is only two things Im a little concern about this.
one is i wish it has a sound in the movie mode..
well.. anyhow we are going to have a camcorder, so.. its not going to be big deal.
sencond one is i hope I can charge the battery without discard from the camera. however fortunately once you charge the battery it stays really really long.. which make me hesitate to buy extra battery.. Anyhow so far so good. I highy recommend this one to anybody.
On: 2003-12-30
The Olympus Stylus 400 is a nice camera for outside, well lit shots. What is missing is the Olympus milestone 1.8 Super Bright lense. That lense is on the Olympus C-5050 that they are discontinuing, and replacing it with the C-5060. Unlike the 5050, the 5060 has a darker lense. The Stylus 400 has one of the darkest, with a 3.1 to 5 aperture range. That is why their is so many complaints about the inside shots.
What the 1.8 super bright lense means is that it lets in more light, with a larger opening. More light means faster shutter speeds, which means non blurry shots. It is even more important for indoor shots with low light.
I have an Olympus C-2040 which has the super bright 1.8 lense, and was Consumer Reports number one rated camera a couple of years back. It actually outperformed even the 5 megapixel cameras in printed picture results, and in the follow up review, it rivaled the 5s.
When I am indoors, I purposely turn off the flash, and take pictures with just the normal existing light in the room. That way you get warm natural skin tones. With a darker lense, you are totally dependent on a flash, which eats up your battery life, and gives you washed out bright area shots.
Right now with the C-5050 going for less money as a clearance to make way for the 5060, which is also 5 megapixels, but with the darker lense, makes me want to suggest the 5050 is the one to have.
Myself personally, I am keeping my 2040 because of the great results I am getting. I can print out an 8 1/2" x 11" on photo glossy paper, and you cant tell it from a 35mm photograph.
I like the entire Olympus line, but their caveat is that super bright lense. Normally you have to sacrifice some of that to get an increased zoom beyond the normal 3x. In the Stylus 400 you dont even get the additional zoom, while sporting the darkest lense. If you are outside, in sunlit conditions, that is fine. I dont know about you, but I take most of my pictures indoors. That is where the super bright lense shines.
Im sure the 400 is a great little camera, but I thought the aperture range should be brought to the forefront. A lot of years ago, I bought a 35mm Nikon with a 1.4 50mm lense. It was more money than the smaller ones, and they also had a 1.2 that was all glass in the front, and very expensive. The same rule applies here. Get the 1.8 instead of a 3 plus if you are doing some indoor shots. Nobody knows what is best for everybody, but I hope this helps.
On: 2003-12-30
The Olympus Stylus 400 is a very good camera. It is one of the tiniest I have seen, and the body design feels sturdy. It is the ONLY camera that is all weather, and the menu system is fairly easy. The picture quality is just OK, and I would not recommend this camera for anyone who is a serious photographer. It is a very good point-and-shoot camera for a novice to intermediate photographer.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-12-09
This little camera has everything you need. Ive been dealing with digital cameras since they started comming out with them for my work.For most of us, we only need a camera with a very simple operation and that it not so hard to navigate.This little camera does everything you need it to, unless you plan on producing profesional pictures.I have learned with these cameras over the years the simpler the better.This camera is very small and great for traveling.Takes a matter of a couple of hours to work this camera RIGHT.READ THE MANUAL and this camera will take good quality pics anywhere inside or out with a little adjusting.
On: 2003-11-24
After purchasing this camera I found out how poorly it shoots indoors or close-ups. When not using the flash, all images are blurry, even when mounted on a stable surface. For those photographers that do rely on manual controls this camera is not right for you. Im still upset that I spent this much money on a camera that cant take decent pictures.
On: 2003-11-02
I PURCHASED THE 400 JUST PRIOR TO A CRUISE TO ALASKA, I TOOK ABOUT 80 PICTURES AND HAD THEM PRINTED ABOARD SHIP.AFTER LOOKING AT HALF I WANTED TO THROW THE CAMERA IN THE OCEAN.[THEY WERE THAT BAD] I THOUGHT I HAD MADE A REAL BAD PURCHASE. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I SENT MEMORY CARD TO PHOTO-WORKS WHO I HAVE USED FOR YEARS.THE DIFFERENCE WAS NITE AND DAY,6 OF WHICH I HAVE BLOWN UP TO 8X10 AND THEY ARE JUST GREAT.IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A POINT AND SHOOT DIGITAL AND TIRED OF CARRYING THAT LARGE 35MM YOU WILL LOVE THIS CAMERA
On: 2003-09-30
I bought this camera based on the quality of Olympus. I really love the size. I usually dont us the 4meg setting since it uses alot of the memory, but it is good for snapshots. I personally think that a 35mm point and shoot gives better pics, but if the person blinks you dont know until 2wks later. The Digital Camera give you an instant view. The computer jpegs look better than my prints off the printer, but it maybe my printer. The focus on the stylus is alittle slow, but good camera. Update 1.5 years later it broke had to buy new camera since motor went out until then was working good and printing the pics at photo center came out great. xd card kinda expensive, too
On: 2003-09-27
I purchased this camera new from Ebay for $350 with a 64MB card. I have been very pleased with the camera. It is exceptionally compact and takes very good pictures. The camera is easy to operate for someone who isnt big on reading manuals. If you have Windows XP, the camera requires no software to transfer pictures to your PC. In fact, I have used the camera to act as a removable drive and used it to transport MS Word files between computers (I copied the files to the camera using Windows Explorer). So far I have printed out photo quality pictures up to 8.5 x 11 inches using the second highest 4megapixel setting (about 1 mb per pic). One criticism I have is regarding the included memory card. 16MB is really too small to do much with. The highest resolution consumes about 2 megabytes per shot and the second highest takes 1 mb per shot. You really need at least a 64MB card and preferably a 128 or 256MB card or you will be forced to use the lower resolution. Overall, I have been very happy with the camera and it is small enough that we have it with us most the time. And when our new 256MB Card arrives, I can take 250 pictures between downloads!
On: 2003-09-11
The design of the camera, the metal case, size, weather-proofing are excellent. Its still my favorite. However the quality of pictures both indoors and outside are horrible. The camera over compensates for dark or light situations. A beautiful day with a nice blue sky is captured by either making the sky very white, or the subject (trees, house, etc) very dark. The camera is being returned because of the poor quality. Its a real bummer because I like everything else about the camera.Updated 10/21/03 -- Purchased the Canon Powershot S400 to replace. What a great camera!!!! The Canon takes excellent pictures right out of the box. About the same size, but no weatherproofing. Much better camera for the money!!
by: Anonymous On: 2003-08-25
I recently bought one of these- It was to be my third digital camera from Olympus.it seemed a perfect fit for me, since my last camera died from me getting it wet. To start with the positive:
The form factor is great, and it really feels solid. But the negative list is a bit longer: The controls are VERY basic, with only some static modes-- moreover it doesnt have a hardware switch for modes like the d-40 or 740uz. You have to use the LCD interface to do it. But the real problem with this camera was the indoor photo quality.I actually returned this camera, as I was VERY disappointed with the quality of the indoor pictures. Even self timer shots from a tripod were blurry! I got the 740UZ instead. it is WAY bigger, but at least it takes decent pictures. If you are going to buy this camera, make sure you buy it from amazon or another place with a good returns policy!
On: 2003-07-13
Good Points:
1.)Weather resistance (note- it is not waterproof, but does have a nice rubber seal under the access port for its I/O and card slot).
2.)Small Size - easily fits in front pants pocket
3.)Metal,relatively tough outer body - also more scratch "resistant" owing to anodized or matt texture to the metal surface making scratches less apparrent.
4.)integral, tough lens cap - youll never loose it.
5.)XD memory cards - expensive but very fast, hence compensating somewhat for the minimal integral frame buffer to improve shooting speed.
6.)Rechargable Lithium battery - bucks up front (get a spare), saves big in the long term.
Bad Points:
1.)Cost - cheaper cameras for the price - though none that are weather resistant.
2.)XD memory cards - Costly and "yet another USB dongle" to buy for your PC if you transfer your px by removing the card and plugging it into a card reader. At least Windows XP will recognize the camera (when connected by USB cable to PC) as a simple card reader without the installation of any additional drivers on WinXP
3.)Images - 4 megapixels are nice, but the lens is clearly a little "soft" compared to more serious cameras like the Olympus E20, Nikon 7000 etc. Abberation less apparent beyond short focus distance to my eye, consistant with others reports of better outdoor pictures. The Camera appears to try to add contrast and unsharp mask internally before saving the images.
4.)Lack of manual controls, plus the fact that everytime you turn it on it defaults to a relatively lower quality JPEG save mode, which wastes a few seconds while you change it to save in Best quality (Which I would recomend- get the 256MB XD card if you can)
Summary: If you like the outdoors (camping, boating, other water sports), then this really is the camera to buy while waiting for the Digital Nikonos (which will likely cost big bucks). Otherwise, look seriously at the new Cannon Elph for a small form factor.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-07-11
The Stylus 400 is attractive because of its 4 megapixel resolution, the weather resistant case, and its small size. All very attractive if you enjoy the outdoors and want your camera with you.However, be aware that the low light sensitivity means that you will often be using slow shutter speeds and will need a tripod or other support. You also might expect that a camera with this price and pixel resolution would have some more advanced features. However, this is a point and shoot camera only. Compare to the Canon S50 at a similar price.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-07-07
We already have another digital camera, but it was very bulky. So we went by the Best Buy to see what they had for our upcoming trip to Orlando. We bought it two weeks ago and it is fantastic! Takes great photographs, the battery charge lasts a long, long time, and its so small without being wimpy...like Im gonna break it. But love, love, love! My husband is a photographer with regular film, and he even thinks this takes fantastic photographs. I like the versatility of the options that I didnt have with our other digital. The xD card is very cool and small! We also purchased a 256 card because the card that came with it is sort of puny and I like to take pictures and then delete what I dont like later so I like to have a lot of room. We are quite pleased with this little camera. Its about the size of a regular point and shoot 35mm. Highly recommend!
On: 2003-07-07
I own an olympus e-20, an amazing camera. I bought this one as the accessory to the larger brother and for my wife.well its a piece of junk.
outdoor pictures were great! indoor lower than reg. lighting pictures were awful! if I wasnt within 5 feet of the subject, then the picture came out far too dim!!! couldnt even fix on my ibook. its going back within a day or so, when I have time. sorry, will try the new nikons for point and shoot and see how those rate.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-07-05
If youre considering buying any digital camera, you should check this one out. Great for travel and outdoor activities. Pros: - Excellent quality pictures
- Rugged construction/classy design - great feel.
- Reasonably waterproof - has endured being left out in the rain with no damage
- Very good battery life Cons - None at all
On: 2003-06-25
This Camera is great!!! I bought this camera right before a trip to Las Vegas and have no regrets. In fact I cant imagine my trip without it. I took over 120 pictures on High Quality resolution and still had 140 shots left with my 256 card. The Camera is so small that I went clubbing with it in my pocket and was still able to bust moves on the dance floor. The display screen is a good size and the buttons are easy to access.The features are easy to access and take about 5 minutes to learn. The different shooting modes come in handy depending on your shooting conditions. Panaramic mode is awesome! I took a great shot of the Las Vegas Strip using the panoramic mode and stitched it using the software included. You have to have an OLYMPUS BRAND MEMORY CARD to use panorama mode. Some people complain about the new Xd card, but there are so many good things about it. It is so small; about the size of a stamp. The size helps consume less battery life. I never had a problem with my battery running low; I just charged it whenever I went to bed. Also, you can get an adapter for the card to make it compatable with compact flash or smart media formats. The quality of the pictures look incredible and you can notice the most minor details when zooming in. In movie mode the movies are crisp and smooth. Length of the movies depend on the picture quality that is set. Some people complain that there is no sound in movie mode. If you want a DV camcorder that can record audio and video, then buy a DV camcorder. Otherwise movie mode is great when you want to capture those little memorable moments. When you are ready to print the photos you can set options on your camera to decide the quantity of each photo you want printed. You can also decide whether or not you want the date or time printed on the pictures. The information is saved on your memory card. When you want your pictures printed out just take your card to the photo lab and the printer will automatically know how many pics you want and if you want the date printed. I just took my card to Costco and was set to go. This camera is a little costly but definitely worth the price. If you want a nice camera that will last for at least 5 years then get the stylus 400. If you want to save money then get a 2 megapixel camera that is bulky and will be obsolete in 2 months. Again awesome camera! Did I mention that it is all weather and can take water sprayed in any direction. You dont have to worry about taking this camera to the beach and getting messed up with sand and water. The Stylus 400 is Stylin!
by: Anonymous On: 2003-06-22
I have not bought yet, but this is my primary consideration for this little beauty!
by: Anonymous On: 2003-06-11
I love that its so compact and takes great pictures. I havent run into any problems yet, but have had it only for a short time.
On: 2003-06-07
Nice design and good looking. (Although not yet stylish as Canon Elphs.) Good battery life but the extra battery costs a lot. You cant put in AA batteries in this one.Average image quality indoors. Good outdoors. Slow to focus and has annoying shutter lag. No manual features and many photos need to be tweaked in photoshop. Video mode is junk. Uses propreitary xD cards...Back to the camera, its a good attempt by Olympus but still way behind Canon, Sony, Pentax, Nikon and Minolta...
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