| Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo) is pleased to announce the introduction of the fourth digital SLR camera in the designed-for-digital Olympus E-System. Called the E-330, it is the first interchangeable-lens-type AF digital SLR in the world to offer full-time subject framing via a rear-mounted LCD monitor. The E-330 is scheduled to go on sale in Japan at the end of February, 2006. |
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| Summary |
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. World's first* AF digital SLR with a full-time "Live View" LCD monitor
. World's first* variable-angle, 2.5-inch, high-definition HyperCrystal LCD monitor
. Newly developed, 4/3-type, 7.5-megapixel Live MOS sensor |
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| The E-330 is the first interchangeable-lens-type AF digital SLR in the world to offer full-time, "Live View" subject framing via a rear-mounted LCD monitor. This feat, which has until now been thought difficult to achieve, was made possible by mounting a dedicated CCD sensor for LCD display, separate from the taking sensor, in the optical path of a porro mirror viewfinder like the one used on the Olympus E-300. In addition, we employed the class-leading, 2.5-inch, HyperCrystal monitor for which the Olympus E-500 has been praised, and equipped it with a variable-angle mechanism that allows the monitor to be tilted on the vertical axis to maximize the shooting freedom that Live View framing offers. And to ensure Live View capability for macro shooting, we employed a newly developed, 4/3-type, 7.5-megapixel Live MOS sensor as the taking sensor. |
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| The E-330 offers the outstanding mobility, operating ease, reliability, and image quality of an SLR camera while allowing users to frame their subjects in either the viewfinder or LCD monitor. In addition, the camera's revolutionary design makes it easy for users to capture low-angle and high-angle shots that are extremely difficult to take when looking through a viewfinder. |
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| Pricing & Launch Date |
| Product Name |
MSRP |
Launch Date |
| OLYMPUS E-330 body |
open pricing |
The end of February, 2006 |
OLYMPUS E-330 lens kit
with ZUIKO DIGITAL 14~45mm F3.5~5.6 lens |
open pricing |
|
|
| * |
Among interchangeable-lens-type Full-time
Live View AF digital SLR cameras. |
|
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| Development Background |
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| In 2002, in a clean break from the conventional approach of basing digital SLR cameras on existing 35mm SLR camera systems, Olympus proposed the Four Thirds System, an entirely new designed-for-digital SLR system that was conceived to fully realize the image quality and performance potential that digital SLR cameras offer. In October 2003, we introduced the first-generation E-1 for professional users, and in December 2004, the E-300 for consumers and photo-enthusiasts. In November 2005 we introduced the world's lightest digital SLR camera body, the E-500. During this time we further consolidated the Olympus E-System and realized our development objectives by introducing 14 designed-for-digital Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses. |
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| The E-330 was developed for the wide range of users who want to more easily enjoy the "shoot what you see, and see what you shoot" advantages inherent to SLR cameras. As such, our development goal was to combine the accurate framing and focusing benefits of an SLR camera with the convenience and ease of use of a compact digital camera. For compact digital camera users who have never used a digital SLR before, the inability of a digital SLR to display a live view on its rear-mounted LCD monitor can be confusing. But until now, the position of the main mirror in front of the taking sensor has made it difficult to achieve live view shooting with conventional digital SLR cameras. |
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| To overcome this problem and allow users to frame their subject on a rear-mounted, variable-angle Live View LCD monitor, we employed the porro mirror viewfinder system used on the E-300, and incorporated a separate CCD sensor dedicated to LCD display in the viewfinder's optical path. As a result, the E-330 meets the needs of both entry-level digital SLR users who want to be able to take SLR-quality pictures with the rear-mounted LCD framing ease of a compact camera, and more experienced users who not only like to use a viewfinder for framing, but who also want to be able to take high-angle shots with both hands extended over their head, low-angle shots from near ground level, and macro shots where camera position can make it difficult to confirm composition and focus. The E-330 is a truly revolutionary digital SLR camera that maximizes the inherent advantages of digital photography, and opens the door to a whole new style of SLR shooting. |
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| Details of Main Features |
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| World's First* AF Digital SLR Camera with
a Live View System Full-Time Live View (Mode A) |
|
| Although some models have offered a 30-second
black-and-white view or an enlarged view of just the central
portion of the frame, the position of the main mirror in front
of the taking sensor has made it inherently difficult for digital
SLR cameras to offer live view framing like that found on compact
digital cameras. |
|
| The E-330, however, is the first AF digital SLR in the world
to allow full-time live view framing via a rear-mounted LCD
monitor. This feat was made possible by incorporating a CCD
dedicated to full-time live view in the optical path of a porro
mirror system like the one used on the E-300. By displaying
signals from this dedicated CCD on the LCD monitor, the system
allows the simultaneous realization of autofocusing and live
view, something that has been considered difficult to achieve
with conventional roof-prism type SLR cameras. |
|
| * |
Among interchangeable-lens-type Full-time
Live View AF digital SLR cameras. |
|
|
 |
 |
| |
| Live View
Mechanism Schematic Diagram (Mode A) |
(Mode B) |
|
|
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| Macro Live View (Mode B) |
|
| When shooting macro photos, the extremely shallow
depth of field at close focusing distances has always made it very
difficult for photographers to focus accurately on the area of
the composition they want. As a result, it has been necessary to
take multiple frames at different focus settings to ensure that
the desired image is captured. With the E-330's Mode B Live View,
however, the main mirror swings out of the way, and the image from
the taking sensor is sent directly to the rear-mounted LCD monitor.
Users can then select the area of the frame they want to focus
on and magnify it by 10x, thereby making it very easy to focus
on the subject manually. |
|
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| Live Preview Function |
|
The preview function allows users to visually
confirm depth of field at the currently applied aperture
setting. When shooting at smaller apertures with a conventional
SLR camera, however, the depth of field can be difficult
to confirm because the lens admits little light, and the
image in the viewfinder is quite dim. The E-330's Live
View system overcomes this problem with a new Live Preview
function that automatically increases the brightness of
the LCD monitor display as needed, thereby making it easy
to confirm depth of field at any aperture setting.
(The preview function is offered as
a Drive button custom setting. A 'Mode
B' preview setting is also available when using Mode B Macro Live View.) |
|
|
| World's First* Variable-Angle, 2.5-Inch,
High-Definition HyperCrystal LCD Monitor |
|
| The E-330 is equipped with the same class-leading,
2.5-inch, 215,000-pixel HyperCrystal LCD monitor for which
the E-500 has been widely praised. In addition to offering
a wide viewing angle and excellent visibility in bright light,
it boasts photo-quality image display. To enable photographers
to easily and comfortably take high/low-angle photos without
assuming an awkward position, the monitor features a variable-angle
mechanism that allows it to be tilted downward by up to 45°,
or upward by up to 90°. In addition, it offers improved
visibility when shooting outdoors in bright daylight. |
|
| * |
Among interchangeable-lens-type
Full-time Live View AF digital SLR cameras. |
|
|
|
| Newly Developed 4/3-Type, 7.5-Megapixel
Live MOS Sensor |
|
| To enable Live View shooting, the E-330 uses
a newly developed 4/3-type, 7.5-megapixel Live MOS sensor
image sensor instead of a dedicated still-image, full frame
transfer CCD like the sensors used in the E-1, E-300, and
E-500. Boasting a photo-sensitive surface area that is approximately
1.4 times larger (in-house estimate) than that of a conventional CMOS sensor,
the new sensor has a wide dynamic range that makes it capable
of capturing subtle tonal gradations, and uses approximately
50% less power than a full frame transfer CCD. |
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| In addition, a 5V low-voltage dedicated processing
technology assures low noise, and the sensor photodiodes are
deeply embedded in silicon to isolate them from noise-causing
elements on the chip surface. As a result, users can obtain
clear images with reduced graininess and white noise when
shooting in low light. |
|
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| Other Features |
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| Proven Olympus E-System Dust Reduction
System and Dedicated Digital Design |
|
| The E-330 incorporates the Dust Reduction
System that has earned the acclaim and trust of professional
users and general consumers for its proven performance on
the first-generation E-1, the second-generation E-300, and
the third-generation E-500. Using an exclusive Supersonic
Wave Filter, the Dust Reduction System solves the problems
of CCD dust contamination and image deterioration that have
been an issue ever since the first interchangeable-lens-type
digital SLRs were introduced. Thanks to this advanced system,
users can take full advantage of the lens interchangeability
that digital SLRs offer, without worrying that dust specks
will appear in their images. In combination with designed-for-digital
ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses, it assures high image quality, high
performance, and user peace-of-mind. |
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| 31 Shooting Modes - More Than Any Other Digital SLR |
|
| The Scene Select modes featured on the E-500, which allow users to simply select the type of scene they are shooting and have the camera automatically apply optimum exposure and shooting parameters, have been further strengthened on the E-330. New Scene Select modes include: |
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Underwater Macro Mode - Boosts color saturation and heightens the blue color tones of the water when shooting underwater close-ups. |
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Underwater Wide Mode - Automatically switches to center-weighted average metering and optimizes image settings to ensure vivid color and richer blue tones when shooting underwater scenic views. |
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Image Stabilization Mode - Automatically boosts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed to reduce blurring caused by camera shake or subject motion. |
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Nature Macro Mode - Heightens contrast and saturation and optimizes sharpness when shooting macro photos. |
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Panorama Mode (exclusively for Olympus xD-Picture card) - Enables users to enjoy Live View panorama shooting of up to 10 consecutive frames.
Including the five new modes above, a total of 20 Scene Select modes are offered. In addition, The large mode dial gives users direct access to four essential SLR exposure modes (Program AE, Shutter-Speed Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Manual Exposure) and seven Scene Program AE modes (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, etc.). With 31 shooting modes in all - more than any other digital SLR - the E-330 is designed to satisfy the needs of a wide range of users. |
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|
| * |
Among interchangeable-lens-type digital SLR cameras as of January 26, 2006. |
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| 49-Segment Metering System for Accurate Exposure Control |
|
| The E-330 incorporates the same 49-segment hybrid light-metering sensor that has been widely acclaimed on the E-500. It uses an active pixel system in low light and an integral calculus amplification system in bright light to offer fast, accurate metering with a wide dynamic range across the 49-segment image field. |
|
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| Spot Metering Mode with Highlight/Shadow Control |
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| The E-330 features a Digital ESP metering mode that evaluates light readings from all of the light sensor's 49 segments, a center-weighted average metering mode, and a spot metering mode. In addition, it is equipped with the same type of highlight/shadow spot metering modes originally featured on the Olympus OM-4 SLR. With highlight spot metering, for example, you can ensure the exposure is set to capture the brilliant white of a bride's wedding dress, and with shadow spot metering, you can ensure the exposure is set to capture the deep, natural black of a groom's tuxedo. |
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| 5 Picture Modes |
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| The E-330 features sRGB and Adobe RGB color space settings, and five Picture modes: Vivid (the default), Natural, Flat, Monochrome, and Sepia. In monochrome and sepia modes there are also filter effects (red, orange, yellow, green) and color tone functions (sepia, blue, purple, green) that provide users with a versatile range of monotone shooting capabilities. |
|
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| Versatile White Balance Modes and Easy-to-Use One-Touch White Balance Button |
|
| In addition to Auto white balance, the E-330 features fine-tunable white balance presets, custom white balance functions, and a one-touch white balance function that allows accurate color balance to be achieved under difficult lighting conditions. To assure even greater convenience, the Drive button can be customized to provide easy access to the one-touch white balance function. |
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| Wide Range of Bracketing Functions |
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| In addition to exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing, the E-330 features flash bracketing that takes multiple shots at different flash brightness settings, and focus bracketing that takes multiple shots at different focus settings, thereby making it easy for users to get "the best shot" in difficult shooting situations. |
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| Easy-to-View Shooting Information via the Large LCD Monitor |
|
| The large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor features a Super Control Panel that can be set to display essential camera settings in large type, or more detailed shooting information in smaller type. In addition, the Super Control Panel offers a choice of two background colors. In both of the Live View modes, a text label indicates the currently active Live View mode, and a semi-transparent Super Control Panel can be displayed by pressing the OK button. |
|
|
| Light Box Playback Function |
|
| The E-330 is equipped with the highly praised light box multi-image comparison function that was first introduced on the E-500. By using the light box function, users can compare two enlarged images side by side on the large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor screen, making it easy to select the best shot. |
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| High-Speed, High-Performance Autofocusing |
|
| A high-speed, high-performance, 3-point, phase-difference-detecting autofocus system displays the currently active focus point via a mark superimposed on the viewfinder, and allows users to move seamlessly from Single-Shot AF (S-AF) or Continuous AF (C-AF) to manual focusing (MF). Using the settings menus, users can also customize the AE-L button to allow thumb-activated autofocusing for greater high-speed, high-performance focusing freedom. |
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| Included Items |
|
| Item |
Olympus E-330 Body |
Olympus E-330 Lens Kit |
| ZUIKO DIGITAL 14~45mm F3.5~5.6 lens |
– |
● |
| BLM-1 lithium-ion battery |
● |
● |
| BCM-2 lithium-ion battery charger |
● |
● |
| Shoulder strap |
● |
● |
| USB cable |
● |
● |
| Video cable |
● |
● |
| EP-5 eyecup |
● |
● |
| OLYMPUS Master software CD-ROM |
● |
● |
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*The company names and product names specified in this release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of each company.
![[E-330]](/en/news/2006a/image/nr060126e330e.jpg)
![[E-330] (Backside)](/en/news/2006a/image/nr060126e330_02e.jpg)
