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• History of Cameras
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• Olympus History Top

With its amazing image quality, the C-1400L had a major impact on the digital single-lens reflex camera market. Olympus made this camera the starting point for the development of a series of fixed-lens digital single-lens reflex cameras with high-performance zoom lenses. In 2003, it moved into the exchangeable-lens digital single-lens reflex market. While competing manufacturers remained bound to their existing 35mm single-lens reflex cameras, Olympus began to develop compact, high-performance lens systems designed specifically for digital cameras and based on the Four Thirds System. For its cameras, it introduced full-frame CCDs with wide dynamic ranges and enhanced gradation. This approach led to the creation of high-quality exchangeable-lens single-lens reflex cameras that would impress even professional photographers. Olympus also introduced a dust reduction system to solve the problem of specks in images caused when the CCD image sensors are contaminated by dust and other foreign material entering the camera during lens changes. This innovation has been warmly welcomed by the market as an excellent answer to a problem that was previously seen as a fatal flaw in digital single-lens reflex cameras with exchangeable lenses.

CAMEDIA C-1400L

CAMEDIA C-2500L

CAMEDIA E-10

E-1

E-300

E-500

E-330

CAMEDIA C-1400L   (1997) The CAMEDIA C-1400L was launched in 1997. This fixed-lens digital single-lens reflex camera was equipped with a high-performance optical 3x zoom lens. It was the first affordable digital camera to feature a 1.41-megapixel primary color progressive CCD, which provided superb color reproduction. With its amazing image quality, 1.41-megapixel resolution and ¥128,000 yen price tag, the C-1400L sent shock waves through the market and won numerous awards. Olympus was able to set the price at such an affordable level thanks to relentless cost-cutting efforts, led by development staff and production engineers.

CAMEDIA C-2500L   (1999) The CAMEDIA C-2500L went on sale in 1999 as an enhanced version of the popular C-1400L. This fixed-lens single-lens reflex camera was equipped with a 2.5 megapixel progressive primary color CCD.

CAMEDIA E-10   (2000) Launched in 2000, the CAMEDIA E-10 was a real all-in-one digital single-lens reflex camera specified for professional use. It had a 4-megapixel CCD and large-aperture 4x zoom lens. It subsequently evolved into the E-20, which featured a 5-megapixel CCD and the world's first hybrid scanning system (switchable between interlaced and progressive scanning).

3D View

E-1   (2003) The E-1 was launched in 2003 as the first Olympus digital single-lens reflex camera with support for exchangeable lenses. Olympus perfected a single-lens reflex camera system the highest quality, with features that included a new range of Zuiko exchangeable lenses designed specifically for digital cameras, a full-frame CCD based on the Four Thirds System, dust and moisture protection, and a dust reduction system.

E-300   (2004) The E-300 went on sale in 2004 as an affordable digital single-lens reflex camera with an 8-megapixel CCD based on the Four Thirds System. It also featured the same highly acclaimed dust reduction system used on the E-1. With a zoom lens as a standard feature, the camera was priced below ¥100,000 yen. This bold pricing strategy triggered a price war around the ¥100,000 yen level in the market for digital single-lens reflex cameras.

E-500   (2005) At just 435g, the E-500 was the world's lightest interchangeable lens SLR body at the time of its launch in 2005. Equipped with an 8-megapixel CCD, it also gained an excellent reputation for its dust reduction system. With 25 photographic modes, including 15 selectable scene modes, the camera ensured optimal exposure in all situations.

E-330   (2006) The E-330 was launched in 2006 as the world's first digital interchangeable lens SLR camera with Live View. This feature allows the photographer to set up the composition and angle of each shot while viewing the image in the LCD monitor on the back of the camera. The movable LCD monitor can be raised up to 90° or lowered up to 45°, allowing high-angle and low-angle shots to be taken from a comfortable position.

* Other products can be viewed on the product line-up page.

* The information shown is based on information in initial product announcements.

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