September 24, 2002

4.3-MEGAPIXEL CAMEDIA X-1 AND 5.0-MEGAPIXEL CAMEDIA X-2 ULTRA-COMPACT HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL CAMERAS

Ultra-high image quality in an ultra-compact body xD-Picture CardTM memory media

CAMEDIA X-1 FRONT		CAMEDIA X-2 FRONT
CAMEDIA X-1 CAMEDIA X-2 BACK

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

Summary

Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (President: Tsuyoshi Kikukawa) is pleased to introduce the CAMEDIA X-1 and CAMEDIA X-2 ultra-compact, high-resolution digital cameras, both of which utilize recently developed xD-Picture CardTM memory media. The CAMEDIA X-1 features a 4.3-megapixel CCD, while the CAMEDIA X-2 features a 5.0-megapixel CCD.

The 4.3-megapixel CAMEDIA X-1 and 5.0-megapixel CAMEDIA X-2 boast ultra-high image quality and feature a newly developed compact lens design that makes it possible to fit an outstanding level of performance in an ultra-compact body. Reduction in body size was also aided by the use of ultra-compact xD-Picture Cardmedia and a new dedicated lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Despite the exceptionally compact size of these cameras, they also offer an uncompromising level of handling and operating ease. The body itself is constructed of metal for long-lasting performance and a rich, high-quality feel. A special surface treatment adds luster to the finish and emphasizes the camera's overall quality and style. The cameras' feature set is outstanding, with six Scene Program modes, a customizable My Mode setting, and a range of other features that make it easy for users to obtain beautiful results in virtually any situation. In addition, a full range of manual settings is provided to allow more advanced users to exercise their creativity. Developed to offer a level of image quality, design excellence, and shooting ease that will satisfy the most demanding user, the CAMEDIA X-1 and CAMEDIA X-2 are ultra-compact digital cameras that are truly "a cut above" the rest.

Top Features

Ultra-high 4.3/5.0-megapixel image quality in an ultra-compact body thanks to newly developed compact lens design and xD-Picture Card Stylish, high-quality metal body and outstanding operating ease Advanced features for superior performance in virtually any shooting situation

Development Background

In today's digital camera market, "compactness" is drawing increased attention. In responding to this trend, Olympus engineers set out not simply to create a digital camera that was ultra-compact, but one that would deliver best-of-class image quality, with the elegance and style that are hallmarks of Olympus design. To achieve their goal, they first developed a new high-precision zoom lens with exceptionally high resolving power. This was then combined with a high-resolution CCD and exclusive Olympus image processing technology to achieve a level of image quality that is unprecedented in an ultra-compact camera. In addition, a high-quality metal body was developed to reflect the resulting camera's outstanding imaging and performance capabilities. The result is the CAMEDIA X-1 and CAMEDIA X-2. With the addition of these two models to the CAMEDIA line, Olympus stands ready to lead the industry in the growing market for ultra-compact, ultra-high-quality digital cameras.

Main Features

ULTRA-HIGH IMAGE QUALITY IN AN ULTRA-COMPACT BODY The CAMEDIA X-1 and CAMEDIA X-2's newly developed 7-element, 6-group, 3x zoom lens incorporates a high-polarity concave glass element and a high-precision mold element, making it aspherical on both sides. This concave meniscus glass mold lens, which was once extremely difficult to produce because of its thin glass center and thick outer area, has numerous advantages. The most significant advantage is that it allows volume production of extremely compact lenses with the high resolving power needed to meet the demands of today's multi-megapixel CCDs. In addition, further reductions in camera size were made possible by the use of newly developed xD-Picture Card media and a dedicated lithium-ion rechargeable battery. As a result, the CAMEDIA X-1 and CAMEDIA X-2 measure only 41.5mm ( D ) x 99.5mm ( W ) x 58.5mm ( H ), and weigh only 194g. Image quality is also enhanced by the use of Olympus's original TruePic image processing and high performance 3x zoom lens, which utilize the full range of image data from the 4.3/5.0-megapixel CCD even when the final output is scaled to a smaller size.

HIGH-QUALITY METAL BODY AND OUTSTANDING EASE OF USE The durable and stylish metal body features a special surface finish that enhances the camera's visual and tactile appeal. Ease of use was also a top design priority, ensuring superb handling, balance, and operating ease despite the cameras' exceptionally compact size.

WIDE RANGE OF SHOOTING MODES In addition to Program Auto, Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Speed-Priority, Manual, and JPEG Motion-Video shooting modes, six Scene Program mode are offered ( Portrait, Self-Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Night Scene, Landscape-Portrait ). As a result, even entry-level users will find it easy to obtain beautiful results in virtually any shooting situation. There's also a digital zoom mode that can be used in tandem with the 3x optical zoom to achieve a maximum of 12x zoom power, and a special My Mode that allows users to store their favorite combination of settings for instant access at any time.

Other Features

Versatile White Balance Settings In addition to an auto white balance mode that assures faithful reproduction of skin tones, four preset white balance settings are provided (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Fluorescent light). Two Light Metering Modes Two light metering modes are offered: digital ESP metering, which ensures natural-looking exposures even when shooting in backlight or high-contrast situations, and spot metering, which allows users to take a reading from a particular area of the composition to get the precise results they want. Exposure Compensation and Auto-Bracketing Exposure compensation of up to +-2EV can be set in 1/3EV-step increments. With auto-bracketing activated, the camera automatically 'brackets' a picture taken at standard exposure settings with two others taken at slightly higher and lower exposure settings. Versatile Flash Mode Settings In addition to Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-In, and Off modes, the flash has a Slow-Synchronization mode with first-curtain synchronization and first-curtain synchronization effect with red-eye reduction. Sharpness and Contrast Control Users are offered a choice of Hard, Normal and Soft image sharpness settings, as well as High, Normal and Low image contrast settings. Easy-to-Use In-Camera Image Editing Functions A number of still-image editing operations can be performed directly in the camera, eliminating the need to download images to a personal computer for editing. Because the edited version is automatically stored in a separate area of memory, there is no need to worry that the original image will be overwritten. Crop and Merge (2-in-1) Function When this feature is activated, the camera will automatically combine the next two pictures taken into a single split-screen image. Monochrome & Sepia Modes Monochrome or sepia-tone versions of photos taken in color can be saved separately at the touch of a button. Resize Function The Resize function saves a smaller-sized duplicate of the original image, and is a great way to create photo e-mail attachments without using complicated image-editing software. All-in-One Package for Image Viewing, Downloading and Editing All-in-one packaging includes everything necessary for viewing, downloading and editing images, allowing entry-level users to quickly and easily experience the fun of digital photography. Longlife Batteries To meet the demands of high-resolution 4.3/5.0-megapixel image capture, a newly developed dedicated lithium-ion rechargeable battery provides power for approximately 150 shots under normal operating conditions. *  Test conditions for normal operation: repeated 2-shot shutter release followed by 10 minutes of rest, HQ mode, LCD monitor on when shooting, flash used on 50% of shots, zooming for each shoot, no image display or file downloading. QuickTime Motion - JPEG Shooting QuickTime Motion-JPEG movies with a frame advance speed of 15 frames-per-second can also be recorded with the CAMEDIA X-1 and CAMEDIA X-2. Up to approx. 16 seconds can be recorded at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, and up to approx. 70 seconds can be recorded at a resolution of 160 x 120 pixels.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Water Protector The PT-014 Water Protector allows the CAMEDIA X-1 and CAMEDIA X-2 to be used for underwater photography to a depth of 40 meters. Camera Case and Neck Strap A variety of cases and neck straps that match the CAMEDIA X-1 and CAMEDIA X-2's high design standards are also available.   Carrying Cases CSCH-05 Genuine leather, black CSCH-06GY Soft case, gray CSCH-06BL Soft case, blue CSCH-06PK Soft case, pink   Storage Case CSCH-04 Aluminum, silver Neck Straps CNS-01SV Metal, silver CNS-01BL Metal, blue xD-Picture Card Media and Devices CF Card Adapter The MACF-10 CF Card Adapter allows xD-Picture Cards to be used in the CompactFlash memory card slot and in printers that use CompactFlash memory media. USB Reader/Writer & PC Card Adapter The MAUSB-10 USB Reader/Writer and the MAPC-10 PC Card Adapter make it easy to download xD-Picture Card data to a PC.

Specifications