Olympus Mju 1050SW Digital Camera – Midnight Black (10.1MP, 3x Optical Zoom) 2.7″ LCD Featuring the all-new “TAP Control Mode”, a unique interface that lets users access a range of camera functions by simply tapping on the camera body, guarantying unprecedented ease of use. This shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof model is the ideal choice for todayʼs active and fashion-conscious photo-taker. Whether dropped from a table, left in a puddle of mud or thrust into a snow bank, the Olympus μ 1050 SW keeps on going. Sporting a chic new exterior in Dolphin Grey, Champagne Gold, Pacific Blue, Misty Rose or Midnight Black. The included microSD attachment lends users more storage options than ever.
Helpful consumer’s review
This camera has many good features, and whilst away last Christmas snowboarding, it withstood many a wipeout and quite happily got plastered in snow and still worked. (The main problem with cameras and snow is freezing due to temperature, but the 1050sw held up fine in my experience). I do agree with other reviews that if you are shooting pictures of people and objects against snow, prepare for some very dark and often illegible shots. Scenery quality is great however, especially with the panoramic function.
However. On a recent 4 month traveling experience in Asia, my temper was tested. On the first day of my 4 month trip, whilst snorkeling (easily within limits stated by Olympus) the camera chamber flooded and instantly rendered the camera unusable. I was forced to buy (at greatly inflated cost) the same camera again, as i had bought it specifically for its underwater capabilities and other features and had all the accessories for it.
The camera broke under the same circumstances once more, just a day later. The same problem – flooded chamber and the LCD screen became fogged up shortly before the camera died completely. It wasn’t for another month that I once more repurchased the same camera. It has held up much better over the last 2 months and seen my return to the UK.
I now have three of these cameras, and my final opinion will rest with Olympus’ customer services relating to the two cameras i have no need for and the many great photo opportunities i missed whilst without a camera, and the financial burden it put on my trip (having forked out nearly £400 to buy two whilst away).
All in all, the camera had great potential, does have some great features, on paper outclasses any other camera within it’s price-range. I just hope you are luckier than my experience and i have to say, when my (third) 1050sw finally packs in (sooner rather than later?) i won’t be tempted to buy this again, or Olympus for that matter. Sorry, but this camera disappointed and frustrated me.
