We had mixed feeling about the ergonomics of this little camera. The controls are well placed, and its menu system was easy to navigate. However, you will have to learn how to hold it as its shape in rather unique. The problem is, when holding the camera with two hands your left index finger lands right on the flash. We found the "pinch" method (left thumb and index finger) worked well. That said, its 1.8-inch LCD works great outdoors in bright sunlight or in normal room lighting, but is nearly useless in low-ambient lighting. It does not "gain up" (brighten) in dim lighting and this is not good considering it's the only viewfinder on the camera.

The Verve employs a metal exterior and durable rubber materials on the inside and around the doors to seal gaps and prevent moisture from entering the body; they can survive a downpour or a gentle sprinkle. If you're like me, your picture taking probably stops when the rain starts falling. Nobody wants their expensive camera ruined by water damage and with this camera it's not going to be a problem.

It seems the Verve is quite the little performer. From power up to first image captured measured approx. 2.1 seconds, this includes the time it takes to slide the lens cover door open and extend the lens itself. Shutter lag was less than 1/10 of a second when pre-focused and just 2/10 of a second including autofocus. Shot-to-shot delay averaged 1.7 seconds without the use of the flash and about 5 to 6 seconds with the flash. When using its continuous (burst) mode, I was able to capture 7 frames in just under 5 seconds before the buffer filled. It then took approx. 11 seconds for the camera to clear its buffer. Our tests were done using a 256MB xD card, 2272x1704 SHQ quality, Rec view off, flash off, and all other settings a default (unless otherwise noted.) Times may vary depending on lighting conditions, camera settings, media, etc.

Power is supplied by an extremely tiny 3.6V 645mAh LI-30B proprietary battery pack. You can see what I mean by looking at our Features & Controls page. Although Olympus doesn't specify battery life, we found it was average. We were able to capture about 50 sample photos and conclude some of our other tests before it had to be recharged. Exactly how many pictures you can capture is going to vary depending on how many are taken with flash, how often the lens is zoomed in or out and how frequently you change settings or review pictures on the LCD. As with all cameras that use a proprietary battery, we recommend the purchase of a second battery, especially with this camera.

We were pleased with the overall image quality in SHQ 2272x1704 mode. The majority of our outdoor samples were well-exposed, and colors are nicely saturated. We also noticed very little noise in high and low contrast areas. Its Auto white balance setting was very accurate and only under some very mixed lighting conditions did it show any problems. Indoors you will have to work within the limited range of its flash and 35mm wide angle. This will be sufficient for most indoor situations. Our indoor flash portraits showed true skin tones and its flash had plenty of power to illuminate our subject. Its autofocus system seemed to work well in low-light, but it would greatly benefit from an AF-assist lamp.

Bottom line - the Verve is a great addition to Olympus' Stylus line. We feel it will make a great vacation or outdoors camera, especially if you plan on getting a little wet! And it's not too expensive with an MSRP of $349. There are just two things you'll want to add to your purchase; A larger xD card and a second LI-30B battery. If you'd like something with more resolution and greater zoom capabilities, then check out the 7-megapixel Camedia C-7000.