| September 27, 2005 | ||
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| E-500(Left: Black /Right:Silver)
*ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 mounted |
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| 「E-500」(Black / Backside) | |
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| The information contained in this news release applies only to the Japanese market. |
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| Summary |
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| Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo) is pleased to announce the introduction of the 3rd “Olympus E-System” digital SLR camera, “E-500”.“E-500” is scheduled to go on sale in Japan on November 11, 2005. |
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| The original “E-1” and consumer-oriented “E-300”, Olympus E-System digital SLR cameras, have earned wide acclaim in the marketplace for their dedicated “Designed for Digital” and unique Dust Reduction System that eliminates the problem of CCD dust contamination. “E-500” is a new consumer-oriented digital SLR that incorporates both of these highly acclaimed features. It also features compact and world’s lightest weight body with 435g, an 8-Mega-Pixel full frame transfer type CCD that offers class-leading image quality, and a 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD monitor that offers class-leading display quality. it is a camera that combines high mobility, high image quality, and easy image reviewing. |
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| “E-500” offers the high mobility that general consumers demand. The size of the body is compact (W 129.5 x H 94.5 x D 66.0mm) with world’s lightest weight (435g). Its light & compact body is exceptionally easy to handle and features a fiberglass-reinforced, engineering-grade plastic shell and a lightweight stainless-steel hybrid chassis for outstanding rigidity. The body is available with either a black or silver high-grade finish. |
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| “E-500”’s 8-Mega-Pixel full frame transfer type CCD offers the wide dynamic range and rich tonal expression that have been widely acclaimed on “E-300”. When combined with designed-for-digital ZUIKO DIGITAL interchangeable lenses, it offers superb resolution for truly stunning image quality. “E-500” newly incorporates a Noise Filter at high ISO speed in order to reduce noise. |
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| “E-500”’s 2.5-inch LCD monitor is the largest currently available on a consumer-oriented digital SLR camera. The monitor’s Hyper Crystal LCD panel offers a wide field of view and excellent visibility even in bright light, making it easy to for users to review images on the spot. The monitor also 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. |
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| “E-500” also allows 2.5 frame-per-second continuous shooting up to the limit of available memory card, and features dual memory card slots (CompactFlash and xD-Picture Card media). In addition, it has a newly developed 49-point light metering system and 15 kinds of Scene Mode, which allows amateurs to easily take impressive pictures, and spot metering highlight/shadow control function and full featured monochrome shooting, which satisfies also advanced amateurs. |
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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 designed to fully realize the image quality and performance potential that digital SLR cameras offer. In October 2003, Olympus introduced the 1st “Four-Thirds System” camera, the Olympus E-System “E-1” digital SLR, which was aimed at professional users. Then, in December 2004, it introduced “E-300” digital SLR, which was aimed at consumers and photo-enthusiasts. It has also consolidated the performance capabilities of the Olympus E-System by developing and introducing 10 new “Designed-for-Digital” Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses. |
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| New “E-500” incorporates the Olympus Dust Reduction System that has received high praise from professional users and general consumers, and is a consumer-oriented digital SLR that combines excellent mobility, high image quality and easy viewing. |
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| “E-500” not only makes it easy for first-time users to capture distinctively impressive scenic views and special family moments simply by framing their subject and pressing the shutter button, it also offers more advanced users the features they need to obtain the precise results they want. It’s a camera that will appeal to a wide range of users, and will free them from ever worrying about the problem of dust contamination. |
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| Main Features |
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| 1. | Compact and world’s lightest weight Body |
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| The size of the body is compact (W 129.5 x H 94.5 x D 66.0mm) with world’s lightest weight (435g) in digital SLR camera with interchangeable lens system. “E-500” offers the mobility that general consumers demand, and In addition to being compact, it is exceptionally easy to handle and features a fiberglass-reinforced, engineering-grade plastic shell and a lightweight stainless-steel hybrid chassis that assure low weight and outstanding rigidity. | |
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| 2. | 8-Mega-Pixel Full Frame Transfer CCD for Class-Leading Image Quality |
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| The 8-Mega-Pixel full frame transfer CCD, which was widely acclaimed on “E-300”, offers a wide dynamic range and rich tonal expression. When teamed with our Designed-for-Digital “ZUIKO DIGITAL” high-performance lenses, it offers class-leading resolution and superb image quality. And a Noise Filter at high ISO speed is newly incorporated in order to reduce noise. It makes the noise level at high ISO speed half * of the last model.
(*under Olympus’s standard test condition) |
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| 3. | 2.5-inch Hyper Crystal LCD Monitor for Class-Leading Display Quality |
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| The 215,000-pixel, 2.5-inch LCD monitor is the largest currently available on a consumer-oriented digital SLR. It offers a wide field of view and features a Hyper Crystal LCD screen that assures photo-quality image display with excellent visibility even in bright light. The monitor also 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. | |
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| Proven Olympus E-System Dust Reduction System and Dedicated Designed for Digital | |
| “E-500” incorporates the Dust Reduction System that has earned the acclaim and trust of professional users and general consumers for its proven performance on the 1st-generation “E-1” and the 2nd-generation “E-300”. 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 addition, “E-500”’s dedicated digital design assures high image quality and high performance with Designed-for-Digital “ZUIKO DIGITAL” lenses | |
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| Other Features |
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| 2.5 Frames-Per-Second Continuous Shooting Up to the Limit of Available Memory | ||
| Thanks to the fast data processing speed of a TruePic TURBO image processor and the fast data transfer of a high-speed bus, “E-500” offers 2.5 frames-per-second continuous shooting up to the limit of available memory. This means that with a 256MB CompactFlash memory card installed, users can shoot at 2.5 frames per second for approximately one minute*, and can, for example, take photos of a children’s sprint race from start to finish to assure that they capture the most memorable moment. | ||
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| Dual CompactFlash and xD-Picture Card Slots |
| “E-500” accepts both xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash memory card media, and allows in-camera copying of image files from one memory card to the other. As a result, users can create backups of their favorite images on the media of their choice. |
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| Newly-Developed 49-point Metering System |
| “E-500”’s newly developed 49-segment hybrid light meter uses an active pixel system in low lighting conditions and an integral calculus amplification system in bright lighting conditions to achieve a wide light metering dynamic range across the 49-point image field, and fast, accurate light measurement. |
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| New Highlight/Shadow Spot Metering Mode |
| “E-500” features a Digital ESP metering mode that evaluates light readings from all of the light sensor’s 49 points, 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 “Olympus OM-4” SLR. With highlight spot metering, for example, you can ensure that the exposure is set to capture the brilliant white of a bride’s wedding dress, and with shadow spot metering, you can ensure that exposure is set to capture the deep, natural black of a groom’s tuxedo. |
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| 15 Easy-to-Use Easy Scene Mode |
| The Easy Scene Mode first offered on “E-300” have been further strengthened, allowing users to automatically apply optimized exposure settings and shooting parameters simply by selecting the type of scene they are shooting. “E-500” offers a total of 15 Scene modes, including a new Children mode for capturing the quick movements of children, and a new Low-Key mode for capturing dark-colored subjects. |
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| 25 Exposure Modes |
| In addition to 15 Scene Mode, “E-500” features a large mode dial for easy selection of essential SLR exposure modes such as Program AE, Shutter-Speed-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, and Manual exposure. In addition, the mode dial also provides easy access to full-auto mode and 5 Scene Program modes. With a total of 25 exposure modes, “E-500” offers the widest range of exposure modes of any currently available digital SLR camera. |
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| High-Speed, High-Performance Autofocusing |
| “E-500” is equipped with a high-speed, high-performance, 3-point, phase-difference- detecting autofocus system that displays the currently active focus point via a mark superimposed on the viewfinder. It allows users to move seamlessly from Single-Shot AF (S-AF) or Continuous AF (C-AF) to manual focusing (MF). The high-speed, high-performance auto-focusing can also be activated via either a thumb switch or the shutter release button. |
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| Versatile White Balance Modes and Easy-to-Use One-Touch White Balance Button |
| In addition to Auto white balance, “E-500” 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. Like “E-1”, “E-500” is equipped with a dedicated button for quick access to the one-touch white balance function. |
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| Wide Range of Bracket Functions |
| In addition to exposure bracket and white balance bracket, “E-500” features flash bracket that takes multiple shots at different flash brightness settings, and focus bracket that takes multiple shots at different focus settings, making it easy for users to get “the best shot” in difficult shooting situations. |
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| Wide Range of Monotone Shooting Functions |
| In addition to monochrome and sepia modes, “E-500” offers filter effects (red, orange, yellow, green) and color tone functions (sepia, blue, purple, green) that allow users to enjoy a versatile range of monotone shooting capabilities. |
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| World’s First Light Box Playback Function |
| “E-500” is the first camera in the world to incorporate the light box multi-image comparison function for which OLYMPUS Studio/Viewer digital workflow software has been highly praised. 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 one that has the sharpest focus. |
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| CR123A Lithium Camera Battery Support |
| In addition to using the included BLM-1 rechargeable lithium ion battery, users can also employ the optional LBH-1 lithium battery holder with readily available CR123A lithium camera batteries (3 batteries) to take approximately 400 shots (in-house test results). It’s the perfect solution when users have forgotten to charge the BLM-1. |
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| Optional Accessories | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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