We ended up getting the Olympus Stylus 740 and are VERY happy with it outside of the battery life! It has a rechargeable battery, taking 5 hrs. to charge fully, and it's down compeltely after maybe 2 hrs of use. (I'm guessing.) Have you Olympus lovers noticed this? It's the only downside I can find to this camera. At this rate, taking this thing on vacation would mean at least 2 batteries IMO. Of course you could recharge them at night, but seriously, I feel like it could run down in the middle of something important. Like I have to worry about the battery all the time.

Have other Olympus users found this to be true? Extra batteries are around $40, yuk. We've also never had a rechargeable, so that's new in itself. I'm a little bummed at finding something I don't like about this camera.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - 06:46 pm:

The battery life IS an issue with that camera. We have several digitals, so we almost always have another one with us. That said though, we DO have an extra battery for that camera - matter of fact, we have extra batteries for ALL of our cameras. LOL Mainly because we cruise a lot, and on shore trips, you just can't afford to lose shots because of a dead battery.

Don't let the battery issue ruin your experience with this camera. Spend the $$ and get a 2nd battery. You'll find that will work for you in just about any circumstance.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - 07:28 pm:

We're definitely getting an extra battery. We really like the camera and don't want to start looking again for a different one. It just seems like 2 won't be enough! I don't know because I haven't taken it anywhere yet, but the battery life really is ridiculous. Overall I love the camera though, just bummed about the battery. I just feel we haven't really used it that much and already need a new battery in it.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - 07:38 pm:

Well, when we *really* use ours, we charge up both batteries at the end of each day. We took it on our last cruise, and used it on shore trips which lasted all day, and between the 2 batteries, we did fine. Sorry you're bummed about it.

By Marcia on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - 10:45 pm:

I have an Olympus DSLR, and the battery life is amazing! I take pics every day, and might charge it once a week. When we were on our cruise, I recharged it every night, just in case. I took about 1000 pics, and the battery never ran out during the day trips.
I would definitely buy the second battery, just in case!

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - 08:35 am:

OMG Marcia! That would be great! Our old camera took at least 400 photos or so (plus videos) before ever getting low and it never ever ran all the way down so that the camera was un-usable. The battery went totally dead lastnight. We took a grand total of 7 videos and maybe 75 pics (just playing with it, they weren't for any reason). I'm getting another battery tomorrow asap! DH has the rest of the week off and we're planning a day at the zoo and a day at the waterpark and I want ample chance to use the new camera.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - 09:52 am:

I always make sure I have extra batteries.. After I bought my first camera and realized how fast the batteries can run down with steady use, I have made a habit of making sure I have extras.. Even for my 35mm.. I keep an extra pack in my bag.. Would hate to run out and miss pictures..

Enjoy your new camera.. I have become a picture taking fool..

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - 10:49 am:

I always have extra batteries, too, but they last 2-3mths!