Olympus Stylus Digital 1020 Review

Click on the Stylus 1020 to take a QuickTime VR tour

The 10.1-megapixel Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 are two of Olympus' latest models in the Stylus line of compact point-n-shoot cameras. These models offer many high-end features, such as a 2.7-inch LCD, 7x optical zoom lens, Face Detection technology, and loads of fully automatic exposure modes. Unlike all of the past Stylus cameras, the 1010 and 1020 are Not water resistant.

Great images begin with great optics, and the new Stylus line-up offers amazing optics. The Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 feature new lens technology that enables the 7x optical zoom lens (37mm-260mm equivalent in 35mm photography, f3.3-5.3) to magnify the subject by seven times, and then tuck away into a compact body just one inch thick. 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.

The 840 and 1010 cameras are equipped with large, high-resolution 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD screens 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. Additionally, the Stylus 1020 boasts an advanced HyperCrystal II LCD, which is Olympus' next generation of LCD technology. This new technology increases the LCD's dynamic contrast ratio and color reproduction performance, ultimately providing users with more precise image displays.

The new Stylus line-up offers colors for every mood (and outfit!). The Stylus 840 will be available in silver, black, blue and pink; the Stylus 1010 in silver, black, blue and purple; and the Stylus 1020 will come in blue, pink, black and silver. The exterior of the Stylus 1020 has a premium glossy finish that gives it an ultra-modern look and feel. All three new cameras feature illuminated button icons for ease of use.

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 included Olympus Master Software 2 to stitch up to 10 images together.

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.

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.

These models also 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.

Capturing brilliant images underwater is a snap with Stylus cameras when paired with their respective underwater housing. The new PT-042 housing fits the Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020, enabling users to take images down to the recreational scuba depth of 130 feet (40 meters). Underwater scene modes offered in the two cameras help users to capture brilliant images of their underwater adventures.

All Olympus digital point-and-shoot cameras accept xD-Picture Card media. The Stylus 840, Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 will also come equipped with an adapter, which will enable microSD memory cards to be used when capturing images. The microSD cards are emerging in consumer electronic devices, including mobile phones and PDAs. Users can also easily display photos on their HDTVs.

Stylus 1020 Features:

• 10-megapixel effective CCD and 7x optical zoom lens
• Built-in Help GUIDE for easy operation.
• Digital Image Stabilization to prevent image blurring
• Bright Capture, Perfect Shot Preview, Shadow Adjustment, and Face Detection Technologies
• 27 shooting modes - 23 of which are pre-programmed Scene modes
• 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD with 230,000 pixel resolution and 5 brightness adjustments
• AVI Movies at 640x480 or 320x240 with audio, with a frame rage of 15 or 30fps
• Add voice memos to still pictures
• ISO sensitivity; Auto, 80 - 1600
• ~15MB of internal memory + xD-Picture Card slot (MicroSD with included adapter)
• Auto-Connect USB for quick and easy image transfer to computer
• Direct printing to any PictBridge compatible printer
• Lithium rechargeable battery and charger included
• Optional PT-042 underwater housing

The Stylus Digital 1020 is available now with an estimated street price of US$349.99. The camera ships with: Stylus 1020 digital camera, USB cable, Audio/Video cable, Manual, Wrist strap, Li-50B Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD- ROM, Warranty card, MASD-1 (microSD adapter).

Physical Views

The Stylus 1020 compared in size to a standard CD.

Stylus 1020 Specifications