Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (President: Tsuyoshi Kikukawa) is pleased to introduce the CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM, an all-new, ultra-high-resolution, 4-megapixel-class compact digital camera with a 2.8x optical zoom lens. Thanks to its ultra-high resolution, the CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM delivers truly stunning image quality. It is the smallest and lightest ultra-high-resolution digital camera* in the world.
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In the digital camera market, smaller, more compact models have been in the spotlight recently. As a manufacturer that places top priority on image quality, Olympus has responded with a camera that combines ultra-compact size with ultra-high image quality and outstanding ease of use.
The CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM is specifically designed for personal use. It features a wealth of user-customizable settings, including a new My Mode setting that gives users the quick access to their most frequently used camera settings.
The "tablet-type" body design is simple, elegant, and uniquely Olympus. It reflects the camera's exceptionally high image quality and performance standards, and assures easy handling and operation.
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| Top Features |
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World's smallest and lightest, 4-megapixel class digital camera (as of August 2001). |
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Ultra-high, 4-megapixel class image quality coupled with compact size and outstanding portability. |
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10-Position Mode Dial that allows users of all levels to easily obtain superb image quality. |
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My Mode setting that can be programmed to provide the quick access to frequently used custom camera settings. |
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Noise Reduction, Optimum Image Enlargement, and other advanced functions that provide versatile shooting capabilities. |
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Saturation, Contrast, Sharpness, and other controls that allow in-camera image adjustment. |
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| Development Background |
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The development goal defined for the CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM was "to create a digital camera that meets the demands of independent-minded consumers who place a high value on product quality and design." In achieving this goal, Olympus has developed a camera that offers ultra-high image quality, portability, originality, and is so easy to operate that virtually anyone can obtain superior results.
The first step was to achieve 4-megapixel image quality in a stylish, "tablet-type" body, and make the CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM the smallest and lightest camera in its class. The second step was to make it a highly original and "personal" camera with a variety of user-customizable features. These include My Mode for storing custom camera settings, and the ability to set an image of the user's choosing for use as "opening/ending screen" on the built-in LCD monitor when the camera is switched on or off. The third step was to give the camera a 10 Mode Dial and other features that make it easy for users of all levels to obtain extremely high-quality images.
The CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM is a new type of digital camera that offers uncompromising image quality, originality, and ease of use in an exceptionally compact body. It is designed to appeal to, and be enjoyed by, users of all levels of expertise.
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| Main Features |
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World's Smallest, Lightest 4-Megapixel Class Digital Camera
The CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM features an F2.8 - F4.8, 7.25 - 20.3mm high-performance 2.8x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 35 - 98mm zoom on a conventional 35mm film camera). Despite offering 4-megapixel class image quality, it is the smallest and lightest camera* in its class with dimensions of only 43.5mm(D) x 87mm(W) x 68.5mm(H), and a weight of just 190g. Thanks to its 4-megapixel-class imaging, definition and detail on scenic and group photos is superb. The flat, simple body has few protrusions, and although exceptionally compact, provides a firm grip that helps eliminate camera shake and user input errors. Portability and ease of operation are both outstanding.
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User-Customizable Settings
The CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM is equipped with a My Mode feature that allows users to store custom camera settings, and access them at any time simply by turning the 10 Mode Dial to the My Mode position. It also allows users to set an image of their choosing for use as "opening/ending screen" on the built-in LCD monitor when the camera is switched on or off. Start-up and shutdown sounds are selectable.
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10 Mode Dial
A Mode Dial with 10 mode settings allows users of all levels to obtain excellent results in virtually any shooting conditions. Full Auto, Program Auto, Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Speed-Priority, Manual, Motion JPEG and versatile Scene program mode like Portrait, Commemorative, Landscape, Night Scene, and Self-Portrait modes are offered. The large Mode Dial is located on the back of the camera for easy operation. Users simply turn the dial to the desired scene program mode, and the camera automatically fine-tunes the program curve, contrast, sharpness, color balance, and other settings to suit the type of scene being photographed. As a result, even beginners can easily take beautiful photographs.
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Noise Reduction & Optimum Image Enlargement
An advanced new noise reduction system suppresses noise during long exposures, assuring beautiful results when shooting night scenes, astronomical subjects, or fireworks. In addition, the Optimum Image Enlargement mode can be used to produce data output equivalent to 7.68 million pixels, enough to meet professional printing needs.
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Saturation, Contrast, and Sharpness Controls
Image sharpness and contrast can each be adjusted in 11 steps, and white balance can be adjusted in 15 steps. In addition, the CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM is the first CAMEDIA camera to offer 11-step saturation controls. As a result, expert-level control can be exercised at any time.
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| Versatile Imaging Features |
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Focusing Modes
The CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM features an advanced iESP* autofocus system that prevents the focusing errors that can be caused by poor background color contrast or off-center subject positioning. In addition, it has a Spot AF mode (linked to Spot metering mode) that gives users the creative freedom to focus on specific points within the frame. A new focus optimization algorithm also provides 50% faster focusing when shooting in Sequence mode. Manual focus is also available from 0.1m - infinity in at most 128-step increments.
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iESP: Intelligent Electro Selective Pattern |
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Light Metering Modes
Both digital ESP and Spot metering modes are offered. Proprietary digital ESP metering assures outstanding results even when shooting in backlight or high-contrast situations. Spot mode allows users to take readings from specific areas of the composition to ensure they get the precise results they want.
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Exposure Modes
Program AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter-Speed-Priority AE, and Manual exposure modes are offered. In Manual exposure mode, shutter speeds of up to 16 seconds can be set.
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White Balance Modes
Proprietary iESP auto white balance technology assures natural colors and skin tones under a wide range of lighting conditions. In addition, pre-set white balance settings are provided for daylight, overcast, tungsten light and fluorescent light. As a result, users can obtain correct color balance even if lighting conditions are too complex to be handled by the Auto White Balance function. There is also a One-Touch White Balance function that allows current white balance settings to be stored for later use, ensuring that color values remain constant even if the lighting changes.
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Exposure Compensation & Auto-Bracketing
Exposure compensation of up to +-2EV can be set in 1/2-step increments. In addition, a convenient Auto-Bracketing mode is provided. In this mode, the camera automatically takes two additional exposures when the shutter is pressed, ensuring that a perfectly exposed image is obtained by "bracketing" the original image taken at standard exposure settings with images taken at higher and lower exposure settings.
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Flash Modes
In addition to Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Off and Fill-In flash modes, a Slow Shutter Synchronization mode (with Red-Eye Reduction, first- and second-curtain effects) is offered. As a result, users can capture natural-looking images of people with a darkened room or city lights in the background, as well as 'trails' created by moving lights or other subjects.
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2 Frames/Sec. High-Speed Sequence Mode
Sequence mode provides frame advance speeds of up to 2 frames per second in HQ (2272 x 1704) mode, eliminating worries about missed shots. For moving subjects, there is also a convenient AF Sequence Mode that refocuses between each shot.
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ISO Sensitivity Settings
CCD sensitivity can be set to Auto or any of three fixed settings. The fixed settings are approximately equivalent to ISO 100, 200, and 400, and can be used to facilitate flash-free indoor photography or suppress blurriness caused by camera shake on zoom telephoto shots.
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| Other Features |
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Easy Motion-JPEG Movies
QuickTime Motion-JPEG* movie clips can also be created with the CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM. Using the 16MB SmartMediaTM card included with the camera, users can record up to approx. 130 seconds of 15fps full-motion video with sound in SQ mode (160 x 120 pixels), or up to approx. 32 seconds in HQ mode (320 x 240 pixels).
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QuickTime Motion JPEG is a registered trademark of Apple Computer of the United States. |
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Built-In Speaker for Motion-JPEG Audio Playback
A built-in speaker allows users to hear QuickTime Motion-JPEG and sound memo audio clips.
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Front/Rear Remote Control Sensors
An infrared remote control is included as standard equipment, allowing users to operate the camera's zoom and shutter release from a distance. In addition to the usual front-mounted infrared sensor, the CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM features a second sensor on the back of the camera that allows the remote control to be used like a release cable.
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Special Shooting Modes
In addition to regular color images, the CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM can be used to take sepia and monochrome photos. There are also special White Board and Black Board modes that automatically ensure maximum legibility when photographing text written on a white board or black board.
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Digital Zoom Mode
With Digital Zoom mode activated, the 2.8x optical zoom is supplemented by seamless 2.5x digital zooming, offering a maximum of 7x magnification.
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Storage-Class* USB Interface
A storage-class USB interface and USB cable are provided for fast, easy downloading of large image files. In addition, image files in the camera can be manipulated using Windows Explorer(R) or other third-party software applications.
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Supported operating systems: Windows(R) 98/Windows 98SE (using included driver software); Windows 2000 Professional; Windows Me(R); Mac OS 9.0-9.1. |
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114,000 pixels. TFT Color LCD Monitor
A bright, easy-to-view, 1.5-inch TFT color LCD monitor is built-in. It makes it easy to check an image during or immediately after shooting. In addition, viewed images can be enlarged up to four times.
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| Optional Accessories |
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Dust & Water Protector
A new optional PT-012 dust and water protector (scheduled to be available from Olympus ProMarketing Inc. in early November) allows user to enjoy totally worry-free digital photography - even at the ocean or in the mountains, or at construction sites and in other environmentally demanding business situations. The body is constructed of tough polycarbonate resin and shock-absorbing rubber for maximum durability and impact resistance, and is equipped with waterproof seals that allow underwater shooting to a depth of 40m.
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Camera Case
A special metallic-finish case made of real leather is available from Olympus ProMarketing Inc. Its high quality and attractive design are a perfect match for the CAMEDIA C-40ZOOM.
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*Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. was changed to OLYMPUS CORPORATION as of October 1, 2003.
