Camera Weathers the Elements

Alan Stafford

Most digital cameras are best used on dry sunny days or indoors, protected from the elements. But Olympus's new water-resistant models allow you to keep shooting even when the weather turns foul.

Both the $399, 3-megapixel Stylus 300 Digital and the $499, 4-megapixel Stylus 400 Digital use rubber gaskets around the battery compartment, connectors, and buttons to seal out water and dust. O-rings inside the 3X optical zoom lens squeeze out moisture when you turn the camera's power off.

Be aware, however, that these cameras are water resistant, not waterproof. According to Olympus, each can handle up to a liter of splattered water over a 5-minute period--in other words, probably more than the amount of rain, snow, or baby drool you're likely to encounter during normal use. Subject it to a carnival dunk tank, however, and all bets on its survival are off.

The preproduction Stylus 300 I tested offers an automatic mode, five scene modes, and a movie mode (without sound). It lacks a low-light focusing aid, but I took fully automatic shots with flash in dark settings and still got pretty good images. Well-lit shots looked better, and the camera's zoom lens is fast.

The Stylus 300 competes well with comparable models from other vendors. Its all-weather housing makes it even more desirable, especially for outdoorsy types.

Buying Information

Olympus Stylus 300 Digital Preproduction unit, not rated A peppy point-and-shoot camera built for any weather. Street: $399