News Release
| February 27, 2006 |
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Olympus
Corporation
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic) |
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Olympus
and Panasonic Announce Four Thirds System Digital SLR Cameras
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Olympus
Corporation (Olympus) and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic)
have been engaged in joint development of cameras that comply with the
Four Thirds System standard for interchangeable-lens-type digital SLR
cameras, and will display the fruit of their labors at the PMA 2006 International
Convention and Trade Show that starts today, February 26, in Orlando,
Florida. Olympus will exhibit the E-330, a recently introduced product
that incorporates jointly developed technologies, and Panasonic will
announce development of the DMC-L1, its first digital SLR camera. A prototype
of the DMC-L1 will also be exhibited.
The
two cameras are the result of an agreement announced on January 13, 2005,
under which Olympus and Panasonic agreed to jointly develop underlying
technologies and key components, and promote the introduction of digital
SLR camera products that take full advantage of the significant user
benefits offered by the Four Thirds System standard.
The
jointly developed mirror box unit and Live MOS sensor used in the two
new cameras have significant implications for SLR performance, and have
made it possible to develop products with capabilities that go far beyond
digital SLR cameras of the past.
The
mirror box unit integrates a quick-return mirror, viewfinder, and AE
sensor, and effectively functions as the heart of the SLR camera. It
was specifically designed and developed so that it could be used in both
Olympus and Panasonic products.
The
Live MOS sensor is a new-generation sensor that offers the high image
quality of a CCD sensor and the low power consumption of a CMOS sensor,
thereby making it possible to display Live View images on a digital SLR
camera for an extended period of time. In addition, because the sensor
features simplified circuitry, the distance from the microlenses to the
photodiodes is short, ensuring improved response and higher image quality
when light strikes the sensor at an angle.
Utilizing
these advanced new devices, Olympus and Panasonic will continue to develop
products according to their respective product strategies.
Olympus
has already utilized these jointly developed components in the recently
introduced E-330, which is the first interchangeable-lens-type digital
SLR in the world to offer full-time Live View framing via a rear-mounted
LCD monitor - a feat that until now was thought to be difficult to achieve.
With its Live View capability, the E-330 is an epoch-making product that
makes it possible for users to enjoy an entirely new style of digital
SLR shooting.
As
its first digital SLR camera, Panasonic has developed the DMC-L1, which
combines the operating feel of an analog camera with Live View shooting
and other ease-of-use features that are unique to digital cameras. By
using the Live MOS sensor and proprietary Venus Engine III image-processing
LSI, Panasonic has maximized the performance potential of both devices
and successfully achieved the high image quality and high processing
speeds that are critical to SLR camera performance. Following additional
development efforts, Panasonic plans to introduce the DMC-L1 later this
year.
By
teaming Olympus's industry-leading SLR camera technology with Panasonic's
advanced digital AV technology to offer Four Thirds System digital SLR
cameras and a wide lens lineup, the two companies plan to offer camera
enthusiasts a level of creativity and satisfaction have never experienced
before.
For
reference, market size forecasts for digital SLR cameras are shown below.
(Source: CIPA; 2005 results and 2006~2008 forecasts for number of units
shipped by manufacturers)
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About
the Four Thirds System Standard
The
Four Thirds System standard defines design and development standards
for digital SLR camera systems that fully realize the performance potential
of digital imaging technology. Four Thirds System cameras use a 4/3-type
image sensor that makes it possible to achieve the high image quality
and high mobility demanded of SLR camera systems. In addition, the Four
Thirds System defines an open standard for lenses and lens mounts that
assures compatibility between bodies and lenses produced by various manufacturers
participating in the standard.
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*The company names and product names specified in this release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of each company.
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