Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
August 23, 2006 – In a complete makeover of the Stylus product line, Olympus Imaging America, Inc. announced today the launch of the Stylus 750, 740, and 730. The 7.1 megapixel cameras with high ISO sensitivity retail for $350-$400 and will be available in September.
Announced in the new fall line-up featuring a total of nine cameras, Olympus introduced the new Stylus cameras along with its new flagship point-and-shoot Stylus 1000.
The new Stylus 750 and 740 share most of the same features. With only a $50 price difference between the two cameras, the Stylus 750 carries dual image stabilization modes compared to the 740's single stabilization mode. Both cameras have a digital image stabilization mode, but the 750 possesses a CCD-shift mechanical image stabilization for added shake and blur reduction.
The Olympus Stylus 750 and 740 share the same 7.1 megapixel count and ultra compact 5x optical zoom. Measuring less than an inch (0.96-inch), each of these sliding lens system cameras 'beats the competition in size,' according to today's Olympus press release.
Geared towards repeat buyers and vacationers, both the Olympus 750 and 740 carry an above the standard LCD as well as ISO range. Both are fitted with a 2.5-inch LCD with 215,000 pixel monitor resolution, which is above the standard 115,000 pixels. The cameras tote a high ISO sensitivity with a range up to 2500; the Stylus 720SW had a max ISO of 1600.
Stylus 750
*
Stylus 740*
The retail price of the Olympus Stylus 750 is $399.99 and $349.99 for the Stylus 740.
The Olympus Stylus 730 shares similar features with the 750 and the 740. As a 7.1 megapixel camera, the 730 carries digital image stabilization, Bright Capture movie mode, and an all-weather casing as do the other new Stylus cameras. Unlike the 750 and 740, the Stylus 730 possesses a high ISO range up to 5000. This is among the highest ISO sensitivity that Olympus offers, with the exception of the brand new Stylus 1000’s max ISO of 6400. The Olympus Stylus 730 also features a 3-inch LCD, the largest monitor in the Olympus category. The camera, however, carries a shorter optical zoom of 3x.
The Stylus 730 is the 'perfect 1st digital camera,' stated today's release. With the tag line "Avoid Technology Overload," the Stylus 730 is geared towards beginning users who prefer little text and simplified menus. The camera has a dedicated function switch button to oscillate between normal mode and simple mode. The simple mode displays basic on/off text for macro, flash, exposure compensation, and self-timer. In place of extended menus are enlarged text and icons for easy reading, according to the release.
To make things even easier, the camera comes with a Perfect Fix mode, as the feature is named in the Olympus release. Perfect Fix is a post-capture, built-in function to correct exposure, red-eye effects, and blur.
The suggested retail price of the Olympus Stylus 730 is $399.99.
The Stylus 750, 740, and 730 are all equipped with Olympus’ Bright Capture technology for stills and movies. Bright Capture enables users to activate high ISO ranges to capture details in dimly lit situations to "record the moments even after the candles are blown out," states the release.
All three Stylus cameras possess all-weather protective seals to withstand rain, according to the release. For extended underwater submergence, the Olympus Stylus 750 and 740 are compatible with the 40m (132ft.) Underwater Housing PT-034 and 3m (10ft.) Underwater Case CWPC-04. All of the Olympus digital cameras are compatible with xD memory cards.