Olympus Stylus 780

Reviewed August 2007

Interface & Software

Interface

The interface of the Stylus 780 depends entirely on the 2.5 inch monitor. Various levels of information can be selected to display, include the most informative which includes a real-time histogram, but the monitor is never so cluttered as to make it difficult to frame a shot. Most noticeable is that the image on the monitor remains visible at all times, even when sunlight directly strikes it, when although it loses some contrast, it remains sufficiently clear to frame a shot. In this area, we only have one regret: the camera's selection of shutter speed and aperture is never shown, whatever the shooting mode.

With the menus, however, a certain amount of time is needed to get somewhat familiar with them, and often, the way they function made us feel they are too complex. For instance, selecting the image size and quality requires pressing the MENU button, then the up arrow to select the appropriate option, then press the OK/FUNC. button to confirm that selection. Moreover, with some image sizes it is necessary to access further sub-options. It seems to us that a more straightforward way to select for the image size/quality would have been in the Function menu where there is plenty of space for it, particularly since the compression level is associated to the format SHQ, HQ, SQ1 and SQ2.

While the menu system of the Stylus 780 is graphically similar to other Olympus cameras, it differs in its organization. This one has no shortcuts and the options presented when the MENU button is first pressed are independent sections. Still, irrespective of the mode, there is always an access to the Setup menu. The Setup menu controls the basic settings of the camera, and extends over four screens:

• Format: serves to format the memory card, or the internal memory.
• Backup: serves to copy all data located in the internal memory to a memory card.

• Language decides the interface language, which on this North American version of the camera are: English, French, Spanish or Portuguese. Other languages can be added using Olympus Master (see further) while the camera is connected to a computer via USB.
• PW On Setup: decides if an image is shown on the monitor when the camera starts (the Olympus logo, an image captured with the camera, or nothing), and if a sound is played simultaneously (two options or none).

• Menu Theme: allows selecting the background colour for menus (normal, blue, black, pink) or the use of favourite image.
• Beep: offers a choice of 2 sounds and two volume settings or none for the sounds produced by the camera when it is operated.
• : serves to adjust the volume of camera warning sounds (Low, High or Off).
• Shutter Sound: offers a choice of 2 sounds and two volume settings or none for the sounds produced by the camera when the shutter release is pressed.
• Volume: serves to adjust the Playback volume over 5 steps.
• Rec View: decides whether or not an image is displayed briefly post-capture or not.

• File Name: decides whether files are numbered consecutively, or restart at 1 when a new memory card is used or the card/internal memory is formatted.
• Pixel Mapping: a function that verifies the operation of the CCD and the image processor. This function should be used once a year.
• Monitor Brightness: serves to adjust the monitor brightness over ±6 levels.
• Date and Time: serves to set the internal clock and calendar of the camera, and select the format of the date.

• Dual Time: serves to set home and destination time zones when traveling.
• Alarm Clock: controls the camera's built-in alarm clock. Can be set to operate once or daily. The alarm time can be set (up to 7 times every 5 minutes), as well as the alarm sound and the volume.
• Video Out: NTSC or PAL.
• Power Save: when active this option turns off the monitor after being idle for 10 seconds to conserve power.

The Stylus 780 is supplied with a very succinct manual printer in English, French and Spanish. The manual only provides basic information and goes not go into any detail.

Software

The Stylus 780 is supplied with a single CD containing Olympus Master 2 (for Windows and Macintosh) and a trial version of Olympus Muvee TheaterPack (only for Windows).

Olympus Master opens on an image browser window that presents the computer's folders on the left side of the screen, and thumbnails (whose size can be adjusted) of the images contained in the currently selected folder on the right.

The program allows displaying all the EXIF data (capture parameters for an image) in a third column, as well as a histogram for the image currently highlighted.

At the top of the program's window, a tool bar provides tools to import images, see photos as a slide show, e-mail images, print, and access the editing window or the RAW development window.

When a JPEG image is opened in the Editing window, editing tools are presented on the right side of the window in a column. These tools make it possible to resize, crop (trim), and insert text. In addition, it is possible to adjust the image's brightness, contrast, colour balance, or even to tweak its hue, and gamma, or automatically correct tint, saturation, etc.

The original image can be displayed on the left of the screen, while a copy of it on the right of the screen shows the effect of the correction.

Muvee TheaterPack, enclosed with the disc, is designed to create slide shows that include a variety of transition effects and background music, and then burn the creation onto a CD or DVD.

The version of Muvee TheaterPack enclosed is a trial version, and only operates for fifteen days. After which, if desired, the full version can be purchased online.