Product Description

The Stylus 840 is a perfect camera for users looking for a compact digital camera with advanced features. An attractive package of features including a 5x Optical Zoom and Digital Image Stabilization helps users capture clear, crisp memories.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15426 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Olympus
• Model: 226250
• Released on: 2008-02-11
• Dimensions: 2.22" h x .94" w x 3.80" l, .29 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• 8.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• 5x image-stabilized optical zoom; Face Detection
• 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD
• Perfect Fix in-camera editing; includes Olympus Master 2 software
• Stores images on xD Picture Cards (not included)

Manufacturer Description

The 8-megapixel Stylus 840 features Dual Image Stabilization to prevent blurry images caused by a shaky hand or moving subjects, a brilliant 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD to view everything in amazing clarity, and Perfect Shot Preview to see the effects of the specific settings before pressing the shutter.

Olympus Stylus 840 Highlights

Blur-free photos two ways Dual Image Stabilization combines two technologies -- mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization -- to provide one powerful anti-blur solution for capturing great images whether the photographer or the subject is moving. Olympus' mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the CCD image sensor to compensate for camera movement, which often occurs in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blurry images often caused by a moving subject. By combining the two technologies, users of the Stylus 840 can take crystal-clear images in any shooting situation.

Get close to the action with 5x optical zoom

Large zoom in a small package Great images begin with great optics, and the new Stylus line-up offers amazing optics with stunning design flourishes. The new Stylus 840 has a 5x optical zoom (36-180mm equivalent in 35mm photography, f3.3-5.0), which consists of an ultra-compact lens made from precision-crafted glass.

2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD The Stylus 840 is equipped with a large, high-resolution 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen with high contrast and anti-glare technology for clear visibility, even when pictures are composed in bright sunlight. The HyperCrystal LCDs also offer a wide-viewing angle, greater than 140 degrees in every direction, enabling photos to be composed from a range of angles and viewed by several people at once.

Millions of pixels for superior image quality The 8-megapixel Stylus 840 enables photographers to achieve consistently sharp and vivid images when producing large-format prints or cropping/enlarging a portion of an image.

Face Detection Face Detection tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Even if your subject is moving, the camera continuously tracks your subject's face without having to press the shutter button.

Shadow Adjustment Technology Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlight areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. The Stylus cameras address this challenge head-on with a new Shadow Adjustment Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With the new technology, users can preview and capture images that have the same contrast as seen with the naked eye.

Perfect Shot Preview The new Stylus cameras feature Perfect Shot Preview that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. This feature enables users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering.

Perfect Fix in-camera editing The Stylus 840 offers Red-Eye Fix and Shadow Adjustment Edit, in-camera editing features such as resizing, frames, text options, and saturation adjustments, enabling users to edit photos right in the camera.

In-camera panorama In-Camera Panorama mode captures three images and stitches them together to create one amazing panoramic picture. Simply press the shutter button and slowly pan across a panoramic scene. The second and third images will be captured automatically and stitched together with the first image -- resulting in one seamless panorama-size picture. To create the ultimate panoramic picture, consumers can use the Olympus Master 2 software to stitch up to 10 images together.

TruePic III image processor The Stylus cameras feature Olympus’ exclusive TruePic III image processor developed for the demanding performance of digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras. Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures crisp, clear images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.

Olympus Master 2 software Olympus Master 2 software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are easily organized by folders or albums and searchable by date in Calendar view. Additionally, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee Theater Pack to create professional quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.

What's in the box

Stylus 840 digital camera, wrist strap, WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, LI-42B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger (Stylus 840), manual, warranty card and a CD-ROM with Olympus Master 2 Software.

Customer Reviews

Olympus Stylus 840
I too, paid full blown retail at BB. I knew the price would drop soon, but I wanted the camera at the time. No regrets.

This camera is actually a darker shade of (cobalt)blue than the photo shows. IMHO it is a much nicer shade. I get a lot of comments on it's good looks.

BTW, this camera DOES take SD memory, the Micro kind. I returned the weird Olympus memory once I found out the camera takes a MicroSD chip. I bought a 2GIG for 15 dollars. The nice thing about the MicroSD is that you do not need to tote your camera to an internet cafe to DL pictures when you are on vacation.

Just slap the chip (with the supplied adapter)into a Kingston Data Traveler Reader (20 dollars, and it is a stand alone 2GIG thumb as well!). No need for any software. Just use Windows. Microsoft has a cool free (and small)utility called Power Toys Image Resizer that installs on any PC with XP. Just right click on any image (or hold shift key and click for a series) and "Bob's Your Uncle", all your pix are resized to email to friends or blogs.

I love the camera and the extra optical zoom available. The Super Macro mode is incredible for a compact camera. Extremely close and sharp images that can be made even much closer digitally on a computer. You can zoom in a shot after it is taken on the camera to see just how well the image holds up. Amazing. Note:Beware of camera shake for macro work. The image stabilizer does not help much here.

The camera is advertised a "splash proof". This may be so for the controls, but the battery compartment has no rubber seals. Still, it was a consideration for me purchasing this camera. I vacation in Thailand where it can be wet at times. Olympus does makes a water proof/shock proof (resistant, really) camera for much more money with out all the 840's features.

The controls are intuitive for anyone in the digital age. I have not even cracked the manual open yet. I expect to read it sometime to explore all the features. But so far I have been able to access so much just on my own with the easy to navigate menu. I have not yet bothered to load the software on my PC yet. So far all my needs are being met by Windows. I'll get around to it eventually. The point I am trying to make is that you can pretty much charge the battery, take some pictures, DL them to your PC,and email them with out having to read the manual or mess with Olympus software. I like that. The camera syncs right up with windows using the supplied USB cord.

The Olympus charger takes 5 hours which is dismal. But not to worry,do a search here on Amazon and you can find DIRT cheap spare batteries and 1 hour quick chargers (even with a cigarette lighter adapter).
EDIT: They lied. The charger takes the same amount of time, but it is more compact, so not a total loss. Spare battery seems fine.

I highly recommend the type of soft case I bought. A Lowepro Rezo 20 soft case with a pocket for spare battery. It has a snap and Velcro belt loop that can be attached to any back pack strap or fanny pack as well as your belt. Very handy and inexpensive. Make sure you get the newer, improved model with the extra security of a snap as well as Velcro on the belt loop.

For the money I believe you may find a better camera image wise, but only if you intend to make huge prints. And the other cameras don't come in cool blue either! Nor do they have the combination of the Super Macro mode, 5X optical zoom, and splash resistance.

Coming out right about now, is Olympus's other Stylus cameras with 7X optical zoom. More money, slightly bigger and heavier. But worth a look.

Even though I paid about 30 dollars too much I am very happy with this camera and expect to be for some time.

This is my first review on Amazon. i hope you found it helpful.

Great Camera
I have been looking for a camera like this for a good while and have done research on top of research before I settled on the Olympus Stylus 840. I read all sorts of reviews and this camera had a 100% satisfaction in all aspects. And well it should. It takes great pictures, is so very easy to use and is just a great compact little camera. I have had 2 good Kodak cameras during my search for the perfect camera and this camera far out performs both of the Kodaks I have had, and one of them was 12 megapixels, but this Olympus with 8 megapixels takes better photos. The Kodak AA battery life is not good but the Olympus LI-42B battery lasts a long time and are rechargeable on the charger that comes with the camera. I bought an extra battery to change out when one runs down but you will find they last a good long time. I also like the Olympus XD picture cards and it will hold all the photos you will need on a long outing. I bought the 1GB card which is more than sufficient. This camera has a lot of nice features that you will like and enjoy and you will be amazed at the photos you will be taking. You can set this camera to take photos in different sizes and I like to use the 640x480 size as they are great for emailing. Also you get an instruction manual which is rare today, but truly I have scarcely used it as the camera is user friendly. The 5X optical zoom is quite sufficient as much higher than that and you can't hold a camera still to take a sharp photo without a tri-pod. This camera is small and has all the features you will want. The only thing I would like to see on it is a view finder you can hold up to your eye and look through as well as the monitor screen. But in all honesty I have had no trouble using the screen even in bright sunlight. Oh yea, wait till you take a Super Macro picture of something close up. They turn out great. Trust me, this is a great little camera. I have tried to describe this camera accurately and hope you found this review helpful.

Very pleased, sleek design
PROS: 8.1 megapixel, 5x optical zoom, neat editing features on the camera, good flash recovery
CONS: sleek (can slip out of big fingers), battery has to be charged OUTSIDE of unit

My girlfriend saw this at Best Buy and fell in love with it, which is good because she spent full blow retail on it ($250).
It takes XD memory, so we had to buy a new chip because all my other devices use SD.
So far the pictures I have been taking are excellent. It has a browse feature that lets you scan through "typical" shots (portrait, landscape, night, through glass, fireworks, and a couple others and combonations).
The action shots are good with no blurring and the colors are very vibrant, the image stabilization helps.
You can get a camera with similar qualitites for a couple bucks less, but the name and style is why you are paying a little more for this one.