The Olympus 790 SW and 850 SW were created for consumers looking for a lightweight, easy-to-carry digital camera. The pocket-sized cameras are very similar, but they also have traits that set them apart.
Megapixels
The Olympus 790 SW takes pictures at 7.1-megapixel resolution, while the 850 SW has 8-megapixel resolution. While the difference in megapixels isn't great, you could start to see a difference in quality between the two cameras when it comes to cropping pictures or making large prints.
Optical Zoom
Both the Olympus 790 SW and 850 SW offer users a 3x optical zoom for taking pictures. The optical zoom uses the lens to get you closer to your subject. A 3x zoom is fairly standard for cameras of this size.
Durability
Both models are designed to handle the elements, making either a great choice to take on vacation or anywhere else your camera might be exposed to extreme weather. Both cameras are shockproof up to 5 feet, waterproof up to 10 feet and can handle temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
Continuous Shooting
The 790 SW and 850 SW both offer a continuous shooting mode, which allows users to hold down the shutter button and take a series of pictures in succession. The 790 SW can take pictures at 3.5 frames per second; the 850 SW can take pictures at 6.9 frames per second.
Storage
Both cameras can save photos to XD memory cards. The 850 SW also has the option of saving pictures to SD (secure digital) or micro SD cards. XD cards are only used in Olympus cameras; SD cards are more widely available and are typically cheaper to purchase than XDs.
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