I had this camera for a good 5 years, and ended up breaking it by jamming the lens. It went through a lot of damage and was fine for all of it! It was a great camera while it lasted. It took really neat underwater pictures and came venturing on a cruise with me! I have butter fingers so this camera was great because it can't break from falling out of your hands. I wish I still had mine. It takes good pictures too!

brynneav

USA

Got this camera after breaking several iterations of less sturdy cameras. I appreciate not having to worry about the kids or me dropping or even dunking the camera. Pros are basically that it is water and shock resistant. It can take pictures underwater. I advise that you don't overdo that and always check the battery, etc. compartments are closed and seal well. There is always the risk that the seals will deterioriate and once water gets in, its game over for the camera. It holds up well to casual drops and have not broken it after numerous drops.  Can take it fishing, to the beach, pool, etc. and not worry about it breaking. Cons include not having a viewfinder, which means on bright days it can be difficult to see the lcd viewfinder. Like any P/S camera it does not take the highest quality photos but its fine for my needs. Also it uses a proprietary battery which is good and bad. Good because its more compact than having multiple AA/AAA batteries. Bad because once the battery is done you cannot swap in with fresh AA/AAA; you need a second battery ready or must wait for recharge. I find the battery has enough power to take a reasonable number of pictures or videos for a full day as long as you're not reviewing the pictures and videos a lot. Haven't felt the need to purchase a second battery. We like it well enough to have 2 of these. One that the kids use, take to the pool, etc., and one that I use and take fishing, biking, etc. We like them. 

monteseyer

La Grange Park, IL

I've got the pink Olympus Stylus 850 SW digital camera. I was resistant to getting a new camera but my husband insisted that I get into the 21st century, so when he came home with a cute pink camera, I was sold. Silly, but true. One of the reasons he picked this camera is because it is waterproof and we take a lot of beach and pool pictures. It's been great not only to be able to take pictures of my son swimming under water, but to not have to worry if it gets all sandy because I can put it in the sink and let the water clean it. This camera has 8.0 megapixels which produce a clean bright picture. One of the first things I did with this camera was take a close up photo of every flower in my yard and made 4 collages for our family room. Now even in the winter I can see our beautiful gardens. The Olympus has a shooting guide which helps you get the best picture without really knowing what you're doing. So I just clicked on 'close up' and it allowed me to get super close to each flower. It also allows you to snap several consecutive pictures of something in movement - which is great when my son is playing sports. And it really is as simple as a few clicks to set the camera up to take the picture you want. It's easy to recharge the battery, just remove it, slip it in the recharger that's plugged into the wall, and when the light goes out, it's ready. The Olympus is lightweight, small (about 3.5 x 2.5 x less than an inch thick) and simple to use.

junglejym

Sherwood, OR

The Stylus 850 SW is designed for active people who want a tough camera that can keep up with their on-the-go lifestyles. I have found that it works great for me! It seems to be incredibly durable. It is very sleek and stylish, and it comes in five different colors: black, silver, pink, blue, and yellow. The metal body of this camara can absorb shock for up to five feet, so no worries if you are clumsy, or if you are going for an action shot! This camera is also waterproof for up to 10 feet! I've used it in swimming pools, and at the beach. It is freezeproof for up to 14 degrees, so you don't have to worry about dropping it in the snow when you're on that winter ski trip. It comes with face detection, so thatyour portraits come out great. The digital stabalization is great as well, so that if you are a little shakey, your picture does not come out blurry.   It is compatible with xD picture cards.

gettoracer

Covina, CA

This was my favorite camera of all time (I was so sad that it got stolen).  I have had other underwater cameras (Olympus and Pentax) and they just don't compare! This camera took great underwater, outdoors, and even indoor pictures!  Most other underwater cameras take terrible indoor pictures.  I have dropped this camera and even taken it white water rafting, fishing, jet skiing, etc. and have had no problems with it at all! Highly recommend it to all! 

xxlilqtbaby66xx

Miami, FL

I waited for 6 months on a waiting list at target for this camera. I absoulutly love it! I am quite clumsy and i also have kids, so the shock proof feature is a must have for my family. it comes in a great teal and siver color, with a big  very clear screen on the back. It has tons of options including an underwater function that is so fun to use at the pool or going fishing and camping.A sports function to take great no blurred shots at any game or event. Take beatiful landscapes in vibrant blues and greens. Beach and snow function that lets you get the picture you remember from any great vacaion.  Remember it's shock proof up to 5 feet!!! So drop away there's no need to worry! If your children love to take pictures this is an great easy way to let them play without it costing and arm and a leg. This was a christmas/birthday gift from my husband and i couldn't have been more pleased with the camera he chose for me. it was worth every penny!!!

elisajamies21

Blue Ball, PA

MY cousin had this camera at our family reunion and I became hooked.  Water-proof and SHOCK-proof?  It doesn't get much better for a mom of 2 rough and tumble boys.  Plus its not even that big.  I can easily stick it in a pocket or my fanny pack!  So I am finally documenting our families life again.  I hadn't been carrying around our big camera, and it seemed like I was always relying on others to take the photos. The quality of the pictures is great, too.  It zooms in pretty close and even takes short video!  That quality isn't the best, but good for when you are in a pinch and didn't bring out the video-camera. It's easy to use and understand and our new little laptop takes the memory card, which makes it ultra convenient. I love the color I got [pink] but there are also more subtle colors available, too. My sister and I both got this for Christmas last year, so that tells you how much we liked it.  And the underwater pictures are SOOOO cool!

akjane

Anchorage, AK

I received the Olympus Stylius 850 SW as a christmas gift from my best friend. The color of my camera caught my attention off the bat, it is blue but not just typical blue and I liked that. Ilike to have a different color than form anyone else. The quality and clarity of the pictures come out really good. The camera is lightweight and you can put it in your pocket and it really is not of a bother in it. I like the fact that it centers the picture so it will take it once the picture shot is centered perfect for group pictures, solo pictures etc. Even more is that the camera is shock proof and trust me I have dropped it plenty of times, I do have scratches on my caemra but that was not from the dropping it was of my own fault and carelessness. It is indeed a tough camera even from being dropped plenty of times the camera still works as good as new. The camera is waterproof! I have gotten it wet and in the rain but yet to try it underwater since we live by the ocean which is salt water and would not risk it.As of the length of time I have had it it works perfect and I have yet to see anyone with this camera which is even better for me. A really good camera I guarantee trust me, I am very picky about a lot of things especially on kind of camera I use and this one surpasses my standards.

thedazedgirl

Pharr, TX

I  love this camera... It truly feel good to be able to leave it on a table and know that it's ok if someone spills water on it... Another great thing is you can go Jet-skiing, water-skiing, waterfalls, pool, waterparks... you name it and you will be the only one that can actually take your camera with you.. Now on the bad side.... The only constant problem i have with this camera is that it takes way too long sometimes to snap a picture, and yes I know the trick of pressing it half way down first, waiting for it to focus, then snapping.. well, sometimes it doesn't even go fast enough even like that... I consider this to be a huge design flaw. Despite the warning in the manual and an additional warning (later discovered) on a light pink half sheet of paper, I'm sure a lot of people will make the same mistake. If Olympus should put a big red sticker on the camera itself. Hopefully the camera will work as promised in a view weeks when I'm on vacation. Enjoy it...

annis3062

Bowling Green, KY

Absolutely love, love, love this camera.  The Olympus Stylus 850 SW takes great pictures, has many features and best of all its waterproof.  We hit the water parks and theme parks with water rides and I'm able to catch all the great fun my famly is having.  It's the best!

ksettle

Winter Springs, FL