I Bought my wife the 1010 a few weeks ago. We had the original Stylus (400) - a fine compact unit.
Stylus 1010 BLOWS the old one away!!
Better (newer) technology means a MUCH better photo - with up to a 7 times optical zoom to boot! Not to mention a choice of colors (time for a sarcastic Whoopie) available.

We had been using a FUJI S5200 for night/fireworks photos.
Stylus 1010 far superior in all aspects. Using manual controls of ISO, etc. in low light means have to do some post photo editing for noise, BUT much less than previously needed with other digital cameras. Image stabilization makes snaps of action scenes almost fool proof (with pre-focus).
A variety of special scene settings are available thru selection knob - for everything from underwater (with optional housing) to night scenes with close ups and landscapes combined.
Highest quality video over 10 seconds IS possible - download software patch from Olympus.
Camera even has ability to use MICRO SD card (not just XD)-with attachment. Great since that's the memory type in my phone (and it's cheaper than XD card).
Saturation of colors, sharpness excellent throughout lower ISO. A variety of manual settings are available - BUT not too easy to get to thru menus. However you can set up a couple of USER settings which camera will keep for future use.
The Optical zoom is EXCELLENT thru entire range. It is a LITTLE difficult to get a good Auto focus at extreme zoom if in LOW LIGHT; use of proper scene select mode saves time and effort if this occurs. Noise is acceptable up to about 800 ISO. With tripod long exposures are marvelous. Found that the DIGITAL zoom - which I usually turn off due to degradation of quality - is VERY good in bright light situations. A very pleasant surprise when taking landscape shots.

Physically the camera is much smaller than older Stylus models but very well balanced for one hand use. Buttons are VERY well placed and logically set up.
Camera fits my wife's small hands and my much bigger hand very well.
There is NO optical viewfinder, but screen is OK in bright light.
Stylus 1010 uses a proprietary Olympus battery. Battery life is excellent - initial use got about 350 shots with some short video and flash in about 30% of photos. Additional battery a must. Charger is VERY compact - great to travel with.

Only two minor items of complaint:
1. Write time to card is a BIT longer than older unit - especially with larger capacity cards. Makes sense given larger size file for each photo. Shot to shot time still very good.
2. Unit is NOT waterproof. Solid construction BUT not as rugged as older unit (Stylus 400)which we have smacked around and generally abused with only surface scratches and dings to show for it.
IF you don't want a 7 times zoom but you want rock solid digital camera- suggest Stylus 1030 - Lens does not extend from body, fully sealed unit works under WATER, even supposed to be drop proof!

All in all we find the stylus 1010 an excellent compact camera. It's easy to use for a novice BUT has a bunch of more advanced features available for more advanced user in a VERY compact unit.



Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 250
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts