NEW CAMERA

Olympus

Perfect for everyday adventures, the new µ TOUGH-3000 is the latest addition to Olympus’ school of hard knocks. With new features such as an HD movie function and [ib] software, the wallet-friendly model aims to please. It inherits the award-winning µ TOUGH-8000 3.6x wide optical zoom, and has been fitted with everything from Dual Image Stabilisation to Magic Filters. Waterproof to 3m*3, shockproof to 1.5m*2, and freezeproof to -10°C, the 12 Megapixel model will be available from March 2010 for a retail price of £199.99.

Whether it’s being flung into a backpack or passed around at a family party, you’ll never have to worry about getting the µ TOUGH-3000 back in one piece. But the model isn’t just sturdy – it has a number of new features to boot:

* HD movie recording and HDMI interface
* 1 GB internal memory and SD card slot
* Photo Surfing
* [ib] software
* USB charging

Chronicle all the action in an HD movie and show your friends on a TV connected via HDMI or flip through images easily on the spot with Photo Surfing. Thanks to Olympus’ new [ib] software, you can quickly locate those particular events, people and locations tagged using GPS, Face Detection, or the date. Group portraits as well as shots of a favourite band rocking-out on stage come out just as you imagined with the versatile 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm*). Also a plus: you’ll never be left wanting for space or caught with a dead battery with the convenient 1GB of internal memory, an additional SD card slot and a practical USB charger.

Besides all that, the µ TOUGH-3000’s In-Camera Manual is on hand whenever you need help or some tricks. And just like with the rest of the TOUGH family, a variety of trusted Olympus features from Beauty Mode and i-Auto, AF Tracking to Dual Image Stabilisation make taking great shots easy.

The shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof µ TOUGH-3000 is an affordable solution to capture all of life’s surprises. It will be available in Oxide Red, Turquoise Blue, Hot Pink and Emerald Green from March 2010.

The Olympus µ TOUGH-3000 – main features:

* Shockproof to 1.5m*2, waterproof to 3m*3, freezeproof to -10°C and scratchproof
* 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm*1)
* Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabilisation)
* HD movie recording and HDMI technology
* 12 Megapixels
* 1GB internal memory and SD*4 Card compatible
* Photo Surfing and [ib] software
* 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal III LCD (230,000 dots)
* Advanced Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology
* Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) and AF Tracking
* Magic Filters
* In-Camera Manual
* USB charging

*1 Equivalent to a 35mm camera
*2 Equivalent to MIL Standard (Olympus test conditions)
*3 According to IEC standard publication 529 IPX8
*4 SD is a trademark of SD Card Association
Appendix

Advanced Face Detection Technology
A technology that searches for faces in a composition and recognises them as the main subject. It then automatically puts them in focus and optimally adjusts exposure to create an image that’s sharp in the right places and ideally exposed. Advanced Face Detection Technology can detect up to 16 faces.

AF tracking
This system tracks the moving subject automatically and keeps it continually in focus for pictures that are optimally focused and exposed. It also memorises subject data even when the subject goes out of frame and resumes tracking when it reappears.

Beauty Mode
Beauty mode touches up the appearance of subjects even while the shot is being taken. This feature recognises faces and automatically makes skin on the face and adjacent areas appear smoother, brighter and more youthful.

Dual Image Stabilisation
Providing two-fold protection, this special function helps to avoid image blur caused by camera shake or fast-moving subjects. It combines high ISO values with a CCD-based mechanical image stabiliser, where a built-in gyro sensor detects camera movement and adjusts the CCD accordingly.

i-Auto Mode
This “intelligent-Auto” mode uses advanced automatic detection technology to allow the camera to recognise the five most commonly used scenes automatically. They enable the capture of perfect photos without any need for manual settings.

[ib] software
Olympus now offers [ib], an integrated photo browsing and organising software. Images can be organised by person with a new face recognition technology, by place with a GPS-based mapping function or by event. The information tagged in each photo allows selected pictures to be viewed on a TV, PC, or the camera’s LCD (with Photo Surfing or Slideshow).

Magic Filters
Enables special artistic effects to be created directly in the camera.

* Pop Art:
Enhances colours, making them stronger and more vivid to create high-impact pictures that express the happy, light-hearted feeling of the pop art style.
* Fish-Eye:
Reproduces the dramatic effect of a fish eye lens, lending a new perspective to the whole scene with a “round” effect.
* Sketch :
Gives the impression that subjects have been sketched by an artist by transforming images into line drawings.
* Pin Hole: Reduces the peripheral brightness like an image seen through a pinhole. Added to this is a unique colour tone that results in a style that has an air of secrecy or portrays the feeling of being lost in another dimension or space.

Photo Surfing
By selecting this option in the Playback menu, users can opt to browse pictures by date, scene, person, place, or image collection.

FE Series

The high-tech and user friendly Olympus FE series is back with four new cameras. These affordable models are sure to be a hit with users who want high image quality regardless of their budget. The latest 12 Megapixel FE cameras boast up to 5x super wide optical zoom for great panorama shots or close-ups of distant subjects.

The three top models look especially striking thanks to a new Double-Layered Crystal Shell finish. In addition, they all offer a new practical AF tracking feature which ensures that moving subjects are in focus at all times. Also on board are Advanced Face Detection Technology and the new i-Auto mode, which automatically identifies five commonly-encountered types of scenes and adjusts settings accordingly.

Two of the latest FEs even offer innovative Magic Filters for a new level of creativity. All these practical features are rounded out by xD-Picture Card and microSD* compatibility. Each new camera is available in a range of attractive colours. The FE-5020, FE-4000 and FE-26 hit stores in August 2009

FE-5020
Leading the FE series is the new FE-5020. Featuring an incredible 5x super wide optical zoom (24-120mm**), it also includes a range of exciting Magic Filters to give pictures a whole new artistic feel. Your latest party will look even more chock full of colour when you apply Pop Art to your shots, for example. The other filters – Fish-Eye, Sketch, and Pin Hole – create a special atmosphere of their own. Meanwhile, framing compositions and reviewing images and video on the 6.9cm/2.7” LCD is also a breeze.

AF tracking, i-Auto mode, and Advanced Face Detection Technology, which can detect up to 16 faces, complete the technical treasure box. With its Double-Layered Crystal Shell finish, the FE-5020 is sure to turn heads. Available in Pure White, Dark Grey, Mocca Brown and Ocean Blue, it is the ideal hybrid of high-tech and user-friendliness.

FE-4000
Tucked away in a pocket or purse, the extra slim 12 Megapixel FE-4000 is always there when you need it. A 4x wide optical zoom (26-105mm**) makes taking group portraits easy. This attractive model offers AF tracking and i-Auto mode for sharp and crisp photos every time.

A range of four Magic Filters is also on hand to give images an extra creative edge. Its vibrant choice of Pure White, Dark Grey, Metal Magenta, Arctic Blue, and Tangerine Orange for the body make it a stylish eye catcher any time you start shooting.

A Double-Layered Crystal Shell finish adds to its chic look. With other great features ranging from Advanced Face Detection Technology to Digital Image Stabilisation, getting great shots and viewing or framing them on its 6.9cm/2.7” LCD is a cinch.

FE-26
With a 12 Megapixel CCD and a 3x optical zoom (36-108mm**), the FE-26 is a trusty companion for any occasion. The generous 6.9cm/2.7” display allows for convenient framing and reviewing every crucial moment.

A number of other functions such as AF tracking and i-Auto come in handy to perfectly capture life on-the-go. Standard AA battery power ensures this model will never leave you out in the dark. Also featuring Digital Image Stabilisation and Advanced Face Detection, the FE-26 comes in charming Flamingo Pink, Cornflower Blue, and Cosmic Black.

To ensure easy operation straight out of the box, the new FE models follow a ‘one button, one function’ design principle. The FE-5020, FE-4000, FE-46, and FE-26 will become available in August 2009.