Olympus History

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The concept for the μ[mju:] (Stylus) Series called for a compact, lightweight caseless camera with an attractive and stylish design. The result was a series of cameras characterized by softly curved surfaces and excellent holdability. The cameras became major hit products, acclaimed both for their beautiful designs, and for their superb photographic performance. The μ[mju:] (Stylus) Series has continued to evolve with the addition of zoom lenses and new features, as well as further miniaturization. Cumulative production is now in excess of 25 million units and still growing.

μ[mju:] (Stylus)

μ[mju:] PANORAMA (Stylus)

μ[mju:] Zoom (Stylus)

μ[mju:] ZOOM140 (Stylus)

μ[mju:]-II (Stylus)

μ[mju:]-II ZOOM (Stylus)

μ[mju:]-II 170VF (Stylus)

μ[mju:] METAL (Stylus)

μ[mju:]-III WIDE100 (Stylus)

μ[mju:]-III 150 (Stylus)

μ[mju:] (Stylus)   (1991) The first camera in the stylish μ[mju:] (Stylus) range went on sale in 1991. Ergonomically designed to fit perfectly into one hand, the ultra-compact body contained an extensive array of features to enhance photographic results, including 100-step AF and a wide range of flash modes. The μ[mju:] (Stylus) became a best-seller, and over 5 million were made.

μ[mju:] PANORAMA (Stylus)   (1992) Launched in 1992, the μ PANORAMA featured enhanced panorama functions. An external switch allowed the user to switch between standard and panorama modes within the same roll of film. A sophisticated mechanism based on powerful miniature magnets allowed Olympus to incorporate this function without changing the design or size of the body.

μ[mju:] Zoom (Stylus)   (1993) Launched in 1993, the μ[mju:] Zoom added a 2x zoom lens to the basic μ[mju:] design. This fully automatic camera was the lightest in its class. Other features included weatherproofing and a pop-up flash system linked to the slide barrier.

μ[mju:] ZOOM140 (Stylus)   (1998) The μ ZOOM 140 combined advanced technology with the stylish compact body of the μ Series. It went on sale in 1998. Though equipped with a high-power 3.7x zoom lens with a 38-140mm range, it was only 46mm thick. Features included a newly developed view-finder and a photographic lens system with an aspherical lens. The camera also offered passive AF, and a powerful flash that could be used for 140mm telephotography. This camera embodied all of the latest technology available at the time.

μ[mju:]-II (Stylus)   (1997) The μ[mju:]-II went on sale in 1997 as a more evolved version of the original μ[mju:]. Olympus made the stylish body of this camera even more compact than its predecessor and added an F2.8 large-aperture lens. This fully automatic ultra-compact camera offered a versatile range of flash modes, the newly developed auto-color balance flash technology, and weatherproofing. The μ[mju:]-II became a best-seller and super-long-seller, and over 3.8 million were produced.

μ[mju:]-II ZOOM (Stylus)   (1998) The μ[mju:]-II Zoom was launched in 1998 as an ultra-compact camera in the μ[mju:]-II Series. Though equipped with a zoom lens with a 38-80mm range (more than 2x), it was the smallest and lightest camera in the world in its class, at the time of its lanch in 1988 thanks to innovations that included a shaft drive mechanism. Olympus has since launched numerous other models in this series.

μ[mju:]-II 170VF (Stylus)   (2001) Launched in 2001, the μ-II 170VF encapsulated the full power of Olympus technology. Features included a high-power 4.5x zoom lens with a 38-170mm range, and a dual-mode focus system designed to switch automatically between passive and active AF according to the status of the subject. There was also a "Visual Finder" system that provided visible confirmation of shutter release in the view-finder as an aid when shooting in extremely noisy environments.

μ[mju:] METAL (Stylus)   (2002) Developed with the accent on true elegance, the μ METAL was launched in 2002 as the flagship model in the μ Series. The smooth metal body combined elegance and strength and was also weatherproof. In 2002 it set a new record as the world's smallest camera with a 3x zoom lens.

μ[mju:]-III WIDE100 (Stylus)   (2002) With the μ-III, Olympus took the μ concept to a new stage of evolution. Its compact body featured a refined modern design. The μ [mju:]-III WIDE 100 was launched in 2002 as the first in the series, offering a high-performance wide-angle 3.6x zoom lens with a 28-100mm range. The multi-wide AF system minimized loss of central focus, and the "3-Way AE" feature used three types of optical sensors to ensure optimal exposure in all situations.

μ[mju:]-III 150 (Stylus)   (2003) Launched in 2003, the μ-III 150 was the last μ Series camera sold in Japan. It had a built-in 4x zoom lens with a 37.5-150mm range. Features included the "Skin Tone" mode, which calculated the optimal exposure for the skin of the subject to enhance the beauty of human skin tones. Note: The last μ Series camera produced was the μ-III 80, but it was not sold in Japan.

* 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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