Olympus Stylus Verve 4MP Digital Camera with 2x Optical Zoom (Black)

Rating:
Summary: In responce to "Digital Photographer"
Review: First, Olympus as a company does not sell any of the verves cameras at a seprate price structure. The Prices venders pay for the cameras are exactly the same, so if you see different prices for different colors then the vendor is setting those prices. Just look at Amazon every color is the same price. As far as bad picture issues my Verve is great! The pictures are awesome and look really good on the LCD screen. Compaired to some of these small LCD screen cameras, I can see everything in great detail. I really dont se how you could take a bad picture with this camera. Plus, as far as awkwardness, I find the camera very easy to use. I can take a picture and zoom in and out and switch between movie picture and play back modes with one hand! Im again dont understand how it could be awkward when everything is so easy.

Rating:
Summary: What a piece of junk!
Review: I guess "made in China" is now synonomous with crap, I got a red Stylus Verve for Xmas and within two days the lens cover that flips over the lens when the camera is turned off had jammed in the open position leaving the lens exposed to the world. Sure, it is a cute camera but for (...)plus the cost of the memory card one would think that the life span would exceed 2 days.I have an Olympus XA that is over 20 years old and still works, my how the quality has deteriorated within a brand. I guess this is symptomatic of a global economy where companies use virtual slave labor in China so corporate CEOs might pay themselves $35 million dollar bonuses each year, the consumer like the worker get the shaft. I'll stick with film from now on.

Rating:
Summary: Like the features, but not very impressed
Review: I wanted this camera badly because of the size & the features (love the soft focus & love the ability to edit after you've taken the picture using the camera itself). I've had it for a little less than a month and used it at a couple family parties. I'd have to say that I'm not very pleased with the quality of the pictures. I keep it on the highest resolution setting and I always make sure the AutoFocus lamp is lit before shooting, but my pictures still come out blurry and grainy when I hook it up to view them my computer. Maybe I haven't quite figured out the best setting to get the best pictures, but I'd have to say I'm quite disappointed for the amount I paid ($350). For some reason only objects that are fairly close (from my experience, approximately 6 feet - that would be a guess) to the camera come out clear. If I'm going to pay that much for a camera, it better work well!!! I can't return it to Circuit City anymore since it's been more than 14 days, so I'm stuck with it.

Rating:
Summary: After Three Days Its All Over
Review: Olympus has a good reputation, sooo, I decided to buy the Verve, should have been a bit more alert, why Olympus changes the price so drastically because of color is beyond me. The difference between a silver one and a colored one is substantial, looks like 30 to 40 dollars, go figure that one out.
I now have it 3 days, it is terribly awkward to use, the shutter release is too stiff, photo results were erratic, about half somewhat out of focus, and half very good.
There are many pluses to the camera, unfortunately there is no point in writing them, today went to Thanksgiving dinner with my family. When I turned the camera on all I saw was bright blurs in the screen, it was finished in 3 days and got no photos of family or friends.
To say that I am angry is just too simple, I would love to prefix the word angry with some other adjectives but will not do it here as I would like this warning letter published for others to see.
I am returning this camera tomorrow, that is if I can control myself from throwing it out a window, shame on you Olympus.
My rating on this product is zero stars. not 1, cannot get this on with zero stars, Olympus, get your act together.

Very Angry Customer

Rating:
Summary: coolest camera ever!
Review: There are a lot of great digital cameras on the market, and when comparing features and functions they all start to look pretty much the same. Unless you're a hardcore photographer you probably won't even use half of the functions on your camera anyway. As far as technical specs, the Verve is comparable to a lot of other cameras in it's price range, but what makes it so cool is the way it feels in your hand. I know that sounds silly, but it's true. You have to actually see and touch this camera to get the full effect. It's about the size of a cell phone, so I can fit it in my jeans pocket (which makes such a big difference in terms of how often I actually USE a camera), yet it doesn't have the chintzy plastic feel of so many other cameras. It feels really solid and has lots of nifty dials and buttons. Okay, so these probably aren't the qualities you buy a digital camera for, but they are the qualities that make you LOVE your digital camera. Because it also takes great pictures, and it's extremely easy to use. I highly recommend the Verve.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good....So far.
Review: This is my second camera, first Olympus, and I got it because it's teeny and adorable. I wanted something that I could stick in my purse...and I got it. It is cute... and small...and easy to carry. But after having a camera that used regular AA batteries, adjusting to this one is a bit difficult. With my old camera, I always knew that I could use regular AA's in a bind which are readily accessable just about any where (even thought I bought special rechargeable ones). With this one, I always have to know when I'm going to need my camera, and make sure the battery is charged. I always forget to keep mine charged because I always have it in my purse. And it's annoying when I want to use it, but I have no power. So, it's probably a good but pricey idea to buy extras.
Other than that, the pictures are sharp but you may want to adjust the shutter speed because unless you have steady hands like a surgeon...or carry a tripod in your back pocket, your pictures come out blurry sometimes.
You have to buy more memory. The card it comes with was only able to hold 10 pictures.
One last thing. It does not come with a carrying case. And I cannot find one that is made especially for it. I was only able to find cases for Olympus Stylus Verve...which is just a big, black generic case for all the cameras in the stylus series. That is SO annoying because even though I don't want my camera to get damaged during transport, I did buy this camera for a reason. And putting it in a huge case...is the same thing as having a big camera.
Still, I love my camera (so cute)--for snap shots. But I think I could be happier. This is definitley not for the serious photographer.

Rating:
Summary: Good camera, slick look, but some problems
Review: This is my third digital camera I have owned, and my first Olympus digital camera. To start off with the pros, the camera looks really slick, especially when you get it in a color other than silver. The camera is small and lightweight and carrys with it plenty of functions for those that aren't very photography-inclined. The photos that this camera takes are superb for being its size and the battery life is excellent. With a 512mb xD picture card I can take 523 pictures on High-Quality (2nd from best setting) and 180 on Super-High-Quality (the best setting). I don't see much of a difference between the HQ and SHQ as I am not a photo-junkie, so taking 523 pictures on HQ is plenty enough for me.

The only problems I have with the camera, however, is that you cannot charge the battery inside the camera, and every time you take the battery out to charge it (or swap it with another) the settings clear and you have to set the camera back up and set the date all over again. One would at least think that a digital camera nowadays would have battery-backup on the memory. Guess not. Also, the camera does not come with very much storage. Although most cameras do not either, most others come with 32mb, while the Sylus Verve comes with only 16mb, so if you're getting one of these cameras, be sure to purchase another xD picture card.

All in all, however, I feel that the pros outweigh the cons with this little camera. The camera is perfect for those of us who are not totally obsessed with digital photography. If, however, you are really into digital photography and want a camera, might I suggest looking elsewhere. But if you're looking for your first digital camera, or just something to replace your old one, and you only want it for family vacations and whatnot, then this camera is good for you. Just be sure to pick up another xD card!