Here's the full version.
Andrew Fildes
afildes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Olympus Announces World’s Thinnest, Smallest[1]
E-420 Digital SLR Camera
Advanced AF function for more comfortable “Live View” photography
5 March 2008: Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo)
today announced the upcoming launch of the world’s thinnest,
smallest1 interchangeable lens digital SLR camera, the E-420. The
camera is scheduled for launch in May 2008. Pricing is yet to be
announced.
Key features:
·

World’s thinnest, smallest1 camera body. Ideal for traveling.
· AF Live View function that makes shooting as easy as using
a compact digital camera.
· Face Detect and Shadow Adjust Technology optimises auto
focus and auto exposure on faces and the background simultaneously.
· New 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD monitor with improved
visibility in Live View shooting and picture playback.
The E-420 is a substantially upgraded series successor to the compact
E-410 digital SLR camera (released in April 2007), with numerous ease-
of-use and picture quality enhancements. It features a new AF Live
View function that improves on the conventional Live View, enabling
auto focusing based on contrast detection. The E-420 is as easy to
focus as a compact digital camera. Face Detect and Shadow Adjust
Technology optimise exposure of human faces and the background
simultaneously. The face detection function is capable of detecting
up to eight different faces, assuring crystal clear portraits and
group shots even against strong backlight. In keeping with its slim
design, grip size has been minimized to fit more securely in the
hand. Combining the world’s thinnest, smallest1 body with
outstanding picture quality, this camera makes it easy for anyone to
enjoy the power of digital SLR performance and capture and preserve
the activities and memories of everyday life.
With its outstanding picture quality, advanced functionality and
convenient portability, the E-420 is not only an ideal choice for
beginners who want to experience the world of digital SLR
photography, it is also the perfect choice for experienced
photographers looking for a handy, reliable, go-anywhere digital SLR.
To complement the E-420, Olympus has launched the Olympus Zuiko
Digital 25mm f2.8 ES-2528. The new ultra slim snapshot lens is
optimised for the E-420’s slim design.
Setting a new Digital SLR Development Philosophy
After extensive research and development to continue the pursuit of
imaging excellence through technological innovation, Olympus entered
the next evolution of the Olympus E-System in 2007 with the release
of the E-410, E-510 and the flagship E-3. Designed exclusively for
digital, the E-System continues to set new benchmarks for
professional image quality, performance, mobility, and reliability.
This is testament to compact, lightweight designs supported by
innovative industry first features such as the advanced Dust
Reduction System, a feature now indispensable for any digital SLR.
The E-410 was the world’s thinnest, smallest, lightest digital SLR1
and the E-510 represented new breakthroughs in effective image
stabilisation provided by an in-body solution. Both models set the
stage for the flagship E-3 with the world’s fastest AF[2]. With
each boasting its own unique features, these three models have
achieved an outstanding reputation worldwide.
The E-420 represents the next evolution in the Olympus E-400 series
of digital SLRs. While maintaining the same super-slim, highly
portable design of the E-410, made possible by exploiting the
miniaturisation capabilities of the Four Thirds System standard, the
E-420 incorporates an impressive array of powerful new technologies.
“Auto Focus Live View”, Face Detection and “Shadow Adjust
Technology” makes it easy even for absolute beginners to obtain
beautiful, natural-looking pictures.
In terms of its imaging capability, the E-420 is built upon similar
imaging principles as those of the E-3. The E-420 offers the ideal
combination of high quality, easy operation, and maximum versatility,
bringing outstanding picture quality of digital SLRs to photographers
that are new to digital SLR.
The E-420 also offers:
· Highly reliable Dust Reduction System
· Fast 3.5 frames-per-second sequential shooting
· Built-in flash with wireless flash control
· New 10 megapixel Live MOS Sensor and improved TruePic III
image processing engine
· “Perfect Shot Preview” function to compare the results
of various effects before actual shooting
· Super Control Panel with excellent visibility and operability
World’s thinnest, smallest[3] camera body — ideal for traveling
The E-420 represents the ultimate in compact design, boasting the
worlds thinnest, smallest3 digital SLR camera body. Olympus has
achieved this by reducing grip size, choosing the ideal component
designs and materials, and optimising the layout. To ensure the
highest level of resistance to shock and damage, the circuit boards
feature a flexible structure while the chassis is constructed with
high-strength engineering resin and thick metallic frame. Despite its
smaller size, the improved grip design allows the user to hold the
camera comfortably and securely.
AF Live View function that makes shooting as easy as using a compact
digital camera
The E-420’s new AF Live View function is an improved version of
Olympus’ original breakthrough Live View Technology. With AF Live
View, autofocusing based on contrast detection is available for the
first time in our line of digital SLR cameras. The new “High Speed
Imager AF[4]” system is activated when the shutter button is pressed
halfway down in Live View shooting. Then, contrast values are
detected at the image sensor and focusing is adjusted at the peak
contrast position. AF in our previous Live View modes used a phase-
difference detection system in which the mirror was moved down
temporarily, but with our new AF Live View, users can shoot in the
same way as they would with a compact digital camera4, making Live
View shooting easier and more convenient than ever.
Face Detect and Shadow Adjust Technology optimises auto focus and
auto exposure on faces and the background simultaneously
The E-420’s face detection function detects up to eight faces at a
time and automatically adjusts focus to ensure that faces are
accurately focused even in group photos. This works in conjunction
with Face Detect and Shadow Adjust Technology, which optimises
exposure for the faces in the foreground and the scenery in the
background, assuring sharp, clear, more natural-looking pictures.
Even when shooting against the light, faces can be optimally exposed
without over-exposing the background.
New 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD monitor with improved visibility in
Live View shooting and picture playback
The E-420 uses a new 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD monitor with even
better visibility than our previous LCD monitors. The new LCD monitor
has improved viewing contrast and features an expanded colour
reproduction gamut to enable more accurate image preview in Live View
shooting and picture playback. With a viewing angle of 176° in all
directions, viewing the monitor image is easy from any angle. Image
reproduction in Live View shooting and picture playback is further
improved by an anti-reflection multi-coating and easy-to-use colour
temperature adjustment that works the same way as a traditional
brightness adjustment control.
Other features
· Highly Reliable Dust Reduction System
Dust and dirt — whether it gets inside when the lens is changed or
is produced by friction inside the camera when the shutter is opened
and closed repeatedly — is the digital SLR photographer’s biggest
challenge. Once dust gets on the low-pass filter or the image sensor,
even tiny specks will show up in your photographs, spoiling what
would otherwise be a great shot. Olympus has always viewed dust as a
critical issue in digital SLR cameras and solved it by incorporating
a Super-Sonic Wave Filter (SSWF) unit that literally blasts the dust
loose so it can be collected with a dust absorber. Activated whenever
the camera is powered on or when the camera is switched to Live View,
the SSWF unit vibrates at supersonic speeds, removing dirt and dust
that cannot be removed simply by moving the image sensor up and down.
This system can even remove fine dust attached by intermolecular
force that cannot be removed by static electric discharge.
· Fast 3.5 frames-per-second sequential shooting
Sequential shooting performance has been improved to 3.5 frames per
second. Now it is easier to capture the best moment from fast moving
subjects or human expressions that constantly change from one instant
to the next.
· Built-in flash with wireless flash control
The powerful built-in flash incorporates a commander function for
combined operation with wireless flashes, a feature already proven on
Olympus’ flagship digital SLR, the E-3. When the FL-50R and/or
FL-36R external flashes are used, multiple flashes can be controlled
without either connection cables or an external commander. Settings
(including flash mode and intensity) for up to 3 groups of remote
flashes can be adjusted on the LCD panel on the back of the camera.
· New 10 megapixel Live MOS Sensor and improved TruePic III
image processing engine
The E-420 uses a powerful new 10-megapixel Live MOS Sensor for image
capture that enables accurate reproduction of details with natural,
vivid colours. The new sensor features an improved dynamic range and
lower noise levels to ensure richer, more subtle gradations, giving
images a natural, true-to-life appearance.
The improved TruePic III image processing engine features an advanced
processing algorithm to improve imaging performance, gradation
expression and colour reproduction.
· Perfect Shot Preview function to compare the results of
various effects before actual shooting
Before actually taking a picture, Perfect Shot Preview displays four
images with different compensation/adjustment settings on the LCD
monitor. The user can then select the preferred image from among
them. The three settings that can be previewed are exposure
compensation, white balance and picture mode. Being able to check and
compare the effects of various settings in advance make it much
easier for users to obtain precisely the image they want.
· Super Control Panel with excellent visibility and operability
The Super Control Panel displays shooting and setting data on the LCD
and features a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for quick, intuitive
operation using cross-cursor and OK buttons. Settings are easy to
make and easy to check, minimising mistakes and confusion.
==============================================
List usage info: http://www.zuikoholic.com
List nannies: olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
==============================================
|