News Release

December 11, 2003

Olympus Introduces 'Designed For Digital'
Zuiko Digital 11-22mm F2.8-3.5 Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
for Olympus E-System SLR Cameras

ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm F2.8-3.5

The information contained in this news release applies only to the Japanese market.

Summary

Olympus Corporation (President:Tsuyoshi Kikukawa) is pleased to announce the introduction of the ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm (22-44mm) F2.8-3.5 interchangeable lens for the Olympus E-System, which complies with the new Four Thirds System standard.

The new ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm (22-44mm) F2.8-3.5 is an interchangeable wide-angle zoom lens for the digital SLR Olympus E-System based on the Four Thirds System Standard. It joins the Olympus E-System line-up that was introduced in October 2003, which includes the E-1 professional-use SLR camera body and four interchangeable lenses: the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm (28-108mm) F2.8-3.5, ZUIKO DIGITAL ED50-200mm (100-400mm) F2.8-3.5, ZUIKO DIGITAL ED50mm (100mm) F2.0 Macro, and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED300mm (600mm) F2.8. Now, the introduction of this new lens adds 11mm (22mm) ultra-wide-angle shooting at F2.8 to the Olympus E-System's already impressive capabilities.

Note:

Figures in parentheses ( ) indicate equivalent focal length for a 35mm film camera lens.

Main Features

Dedicated Digital Design Ensures Excellent Quality Even at Image Periphery

Thanks to the lens' wide-angle dedicated digital design, light strikes every sensor element of the camera's CCD at a near perpendicular angle, ensuring that quality is as high at the periphery as it is at the center of the image.

Bright, F2.8-3.5 High-Performance Zoom

A large, F2.8 aperture ensures class-leading brightness even when taking ultra-wide-angle photos at 11mm.

Two Glass Aspherical Lens Elements for Outstanding Sharpness

A large-diameter glass aspherical lens element helps correct distortion, while a glass element that is aspherical on both surfaces significantly reduces spherical aberration and coma aberration for sharp imaging.

New Multi-coating Reduces Ghosting and Flaring

The ghosting and flaring that can occur with wide-angle lenses are minimized by a new type of multi-coating that reduces reflection at a wide range of wavelengths.

Advanced New 'Floating' Mechanism

A newly developed 'floating' mechanism is incorporated into the focusing system to allow close-up shooting from a distance of 28cm at any zoom setting. In addition, lens action is also exceptionally smooth across the entire focusing range.

Dust and Water Droplet Resistance for Enhanced Reliability

Special seals shut out dust and water droplets, assuring the high reliability under adverse shooting conditions that professional photographers demand.

Specifications of ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm F2.8-3.5

Focal Length		11 mm - 22mm Zoom (equivalent to 22-44mm on a 35mm film camera)
Lens construction		12 Elements in 10 Groups, including 2 Aspherical Lens Elements
Angle of View		53 to 89 Degree
Closest Focusing Distance		0.28m
Maximum Image Magnification		0.13x
Number of Blades		7
Maximum Aperture		f 2.8 (11mm)Wide - f 3.5(22mm) Telephoto
Minimum Aperture		f 22
Filter Size		72mm
Dimension		Diameter 75.0 x 92.5mm
Weight		485g
Lens Hood		LH-75
Lens Cap		LC-72 (72mm)
Lens Case		LSC-0918


	*	EC-14 Teleconverter can be used. EX-25 Extension Tube cannot be used.