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Olympus Mju 1050 SW

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By Alexandra Savvides
Oct 21, 2008

If you think pressing buttons and/or tapping on touchscreens are the only ways to control a camera, think again. Olympus has come up with an innovative method to navigate camera menus and change settings on its latest tough camera, the Mju 1050 SW. Tapping the sides of the shooter will call up various functions and menus, so skiers with gloved hands will find this extremely useful. However, it is not as rugged as its sibling, the Mju 1030 SW, though those looking for something stylish that can survive more than the usual knocks and falls should give the Mju 1050 SW a second glance.

Editors' note:

This review is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.com.au. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the product, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published. References made to some other products in this review may not be available or applicable in Asia.

Design

While it may not be as garish as the previous tough models in the series (notably the 850 SW), the 1050 SW probably won't turn many heads with its boxy exterior. This Olympus is custom-built for surf and snow first and foremost, encased in a tough, brushed metal finish on the front, with silver chrome accents on either side--an unfortunate magnet for fingerprints.

It's top heavy, given the hefty sliding flap that covers the lens and flash. Shutter and power-on buttons are at the top of the unit, whereas menu controls are located on the back of the camera, next to the 2.7-inch LCD screen.

Shooting modes are all accessed from a rotating dial on the back. It's a little fiddly, especially when we tried to operate the camera underwater, but it did the job nonetheless. All the buttons are finished in silver, a classy look that tries to bridge the gap between an adventure camera and a standard point-and-shoot. However, they are very small and large fingers will probably have trouble pressing a single button.

 
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