Olympus offers stylish, waterproof 10.1 megapixel camera

The new Olympus Stylus 1030 SW 10.1 megapixels pocket digital camera is a shockproof, waterproof, freeze-proof, crush-proof and dust-proof. With all that, it’s made for anyone wanting to take photos in rain, snow, sleet or hail or about any other condition. The waterproof feature (up to 33 feet) is what sells the camera for me. Since it’s made with waterproof gaskets and seals, taking the camera in a pool or even the ocean is simple. The camera captures great still images underwater as well as AVI motion movies.

A metal body surrounds the camera, which includes shock-absorbing construction enabling it to withstand a 6-foot-6-inch fall. While Olympus advertised this as a feature, I chose not to test this on the loaner to keep my reputation in tact with the company (even though I had confidence it would hold up.)

Freezing weather is not an issue since the camera is winterized to function at below-freezing temperatures (14°F). The crushproof features help the camera withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure. So how did the camera work? My main area of interest was using it underwater and it performed great. The camera has 29 shooting modes (sports, night, fireworks, underwater, etc) and like a typical user, I chose to not use any. I just charged up the battery, inserted an xD-Picture Card to store my images (I’m still not thrilled that Olympus won’t switch to the more standard SD cards) and dove in the water. (NOTE: I did make sure all the doors of the camera for the battery, card and USB cable were secured tightly.)

Once in the water, images were as easy to capture as on land with the 3.6X optical 28-102mm f/3.5-5.0 zoom. The wide angle lens is very useful underwater; hopefully, future models will only get wider. Back on land, images were fine during daylight hours, but were pretty grainy at night, even after messing around with the scene settings.

Other features include shutter speeds 1/1000 sec. –1/2 sec. and up to 4 sec. in Night Scene mode, ISO setting range from auto and a range of auto, 80 to 1600.

Panorama images can be made with up to 10 frames automatically stitchable with Olympus Master software, while using Olympus brand xD-Picture Card.

A Li-ion Rechargeable Battery is included and should provide approximately 260 shots per charge (based on CIPA battery life measurement standards). Information: www.olympusamerica.com., MSRP $399.99

Nikon has announced some new digital cameras, including the FX-format D700 Digital SLR, the SB-900 Speedlight Flash, and the 45mm and 85mm PC-E lenses. Highlights for these products include: The D700 D-SLR is a 12.1 megapixel, Digital SLR that delivers all of the high-quality image in low-light performance, and speed of the Nikon D3 in a smaller, lighter camera body. Other features include Live View, automatic sensor cleaning, Active D-Lighting, weather sealing against dirt and moisture and the 51 point AF system. Expect availability in late July, with an estimated selling price of $2999.95

Nikon’s newest PC-E lenses, the PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D, give photographers control over tilt and shift to adjust perspective and linear distortion. They also provide excellent depth of field control, making them ideal for shooting buildings or product photography. Expect them out in August with selling prices for the 45mm at $1,799.95 and 85mm for $1,739.95

The SB-900 Speedlight has a zoom range of 17-200 feet, and includes Nikon’s wireless capabilities; the intelligent and versatile SB-900 Speedlight takes its place as the new Speedlight flagship. It will be available in August with an estimated selling price of $499.95. Information: www.nikonusa.com.

Verizon Wireless and Rhapsody have teamed up to launch V CAST Music with Rhapsody with unlimited subscription music for $15 a month. This delivers unlimited access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. All this for about the cost of a single CD.

Users of V CAST Music with Rhapsody can still purchase songs over-the-air within the V CAST coverage area for $1.99 and get two copies of the song. The first is for their phones, the second for their PCs in the DRM-free MP3 format. Information: www.Rhapsody.com. or www.Verizonwireless.com.

Gregg Ellman (817-390-7717) is the Star-Telegram’s photo director/technology. His gadgets column appears weekly.