News Release

September 28, 2004

Interchangeable Lens for Olympus E-system
"Designed for Digital" SLR Cameras
Olympus Announces Schedule for Introduction of
Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F4.0 2x Super Wide Angle Zoom

Zuiko Digital ED7-14mm F4.0

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 ED 7-14mm F4.0 2x Super-Wide-Angle Zoom Lens. The new lens was developed for use with the Olympus E-System digital SLR camera system, which complies with the Four Thirds System and was developed for use with "Designed for Digital" interchangeable lenses.

Like the Zuiko Digital 11-22mm (22-44mm) F2.8-3.5 Lens, which is already on sale, the Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F4.0 2x Super-Wide-Angle Zoom Lens is an exchangeable lens specified for the Four Thirds System. The introduction of this wide-angle zoom lens will further expand the range of Zuiko Digital lenses. This super-wide-angle lens offers professional-class specifications, including 2x zoom capacity from a wide-angle focal length of 7mm (14mm), and protection against dust and water droplets. The advantages of a super-wide-angle lens include its ability to emphasize perspective and enhance depth of field. To use this perspective effect fully, it is necessary to shoot from a position as close the subject as possible. This lens has a minimum working distance (NOTE) of 10cm, allowing the photographer to explore the unique expressive possibilities of wide-angle photography.

Note:	The distance from the subject
Figures in parentheses indicate equivalent focal lengths for a 35mm film camera lens.

Product Features

"Designed for Digital" Lens Based on Four Thirds System - Super-Wide-Angle 2x Zoom Performance with a Minimum Wide-Angle starting focal length of 7mm

With a minimum wide-angle starting focal length of 7mm (equivalent to 14mm on a 35mm film camera), the 114-degree picture angle provided by this product is the widest in the world (NOTE) for a zoom lens designed for use with digital cameras. As a super-wide-angle lens, it allows the photographer to create out-of-the-ordinary images by emphasizing depth of field and perspective. Because it is designed specifically for use with digital cameras, this lens ensures stable imaging quality right out the periphery of the image.

Note:	As of September 28, 2004

Working Distance (NOTE) of Just 10cm for Enhanced Photographic Possibilities

The inner focusing system features a newly developed "floating" mechanism that ensures excellent image quality at all ranges from infinity to extreme close-up. With a minimum working distance (NOTE) of just 10cm, the lens allows the photographer to work extremely close to the subject, which is essential to create images with enhanced perspective.

Note:	The distance from the subject to the edge of the lens.

Large-Aperture Aspherical Lens - World's First ED Molded Glass Aspherical Lens Elements

The new lens incorporates two molded glass aspherical lens elements for effective correction of the distortion and astigmatism commonly associated with super-wide-angle lenses. Distortion is minimal, even when shooting close to the subject, allowing the lens to produce sharp images that precisely reflect the photographer's intentions in all types of photography. Large-aperture concave lens elements that are aspherical on both sides play a particularly important role in the correction of distortion and curvature. This lens also features the world's first (NOTE) two-sided aspherical ED lens elements. In addition to color correction, these also allow the elimination of coma flare on the periphery of images.

Note:	Camera lenses, as of September 28, 2004

Dual Super ED and ED Lens Elements Used to Minimize Chromatic Aberration

Super-wide-angle lenses are prone to chromatic aberration. The Zuiko Digital ED7-14mm F4.0 incorporates two ED lens elements, and its ED lens group also includes two Super ED lens elements with color dispersion characteristics similar to those of fluorite. These allow the lens to suppress color aberrations that cannot be fully corrected with conventional optical glass. The result is optimal resolution and contrast.

New Multi-Coating Process to Reduce Ghosting and Flaring

Olympus has used a newly developed multi-coating process to minimize reflections across a wide range of wave lengths. This feature minimizes the ghosting and flaring that commonly affect wide-angle lenses.

Dust and Water Droplet Resistance for Enhanced Reliability

Exterior parts of the lens have been sealed to provide enhanced protection against dust and water droplets, ensuring reliable performance even under the tough shooting conditions experienced by professional photographers.