High-Resolution, All-Weather Stylus 1000 Features Digital Image Stabilization and Bright Capture Technology to Provide Superior Image Quality

Center Valley, Pa, August 23, 2006 – Olympus announces its first compact, 10-megapixel digital camera, the Stylus 1000. The 10-megapixel CCD image sensor provides superior resolution for great pictures even when printed in formats 16 x 20 inches or larger. This elegant, slim, yet durable, All-Weather camera is packed with features, including:

• A 10-megapixel image sensor, which is coupled with Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO™ image processor, produces crisp, high-quality photos even when printed in large-size formats;
• Digital Image Stabilization Mode and Digital Image Stabilization Edit ensures crisp, sharp images both before and after a photo is taken;
• A large 2.5-inch LCD and Bright Capture Technology guarantees clear, bright composition, capture and review of images even in low-light situations;
• An All-Weather body design is resistant to rain, snow and dust.

“As Olympus celebrates 10 years of digital innovation, we continue to deliver digital imaging technologies that enable consumers of all levels to expand their creativity and photography skills,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “With the launch of the new Stylus 1000, users can capture images with amazing resolution while enjoying the convenience of an ultra-compact, point-and-shoot camera.”

10-Megapixel Image Sensor for Superior Image Quality
The Stylus 1000 offers the highest resolution in a compact digital camera resulting in superior quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even when printed in large formats – up to poster sizes of 16 x 20 inches or larger.

Digital Image Stabilization Mode & Edit
The Stylus 1000 includes a Digital Image Stabilization Mode, which boosts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed for capturing crisp, clear pictures – free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects – in virtually any shooting
situation. For unanticipated blurry images, Digital Image Stabilization Edit presents an easy solution for retouching a blurry image right in the camera after the image has already been captured. An electro-gyro sensor embedded in the camera tracks the vertical and horizontal movement of the camera, and then uses this information to revert the image back to its original position to sharpen and reduce blurs in the image.

All-Weather Durability
Typically, moisture and photography are a bad combination, limiting outdoor photography options when rain, snow or sleet are involved. However, the compact, All-Weather Stylus 1000 can go virtually anywhere. The metal body construction is durable and lightweight with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, snow or dust won’t get in the way of great photos.

Bright Capture Technology for Easy Low-Light Photography
There are times when you want to photograph subjects in low light without having to use a flash, for example, when trying to capture the softness and warmth of a candlelit dinner or natural skin tones in subdued lighting. Olympus’ Bright Capture Technology makes it possible to clearly compose subjects on the LCD in low light. The versatile manual ISO settings and specific scene modes enable users to increase the ISO sensitivity up to 6400. Also, with rapid auto-focus, even fast-action photos can be captured under low levels of available light. Plus, Bright Capture Movie enables users to record the moments in the dark even after the candles are blown out!

High Quality Olympus Lens Elements
Olympus lenses are known worldwide for sharp, vibrant image quality. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus’ super high-refractive-index lens elements and exclusive optical designs. The Stylus 1000 features a bright f2.8 speed lens and a 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 35 - 105mm focal length, f2.8 – f4.7 in 35mm photography) plus a 5x digital zoom for a total seamless zoom of 15x. In addition, the Super Macro Mode captures details from as close as 3.9 inches.

Large 2.5-Inch LCD
The large, bright 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 high-resolution pixels makes it easy to see images clearly both when shooting and sharing photos with friends without having to download to a computer.

TruePic TURBO™ for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO™ Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid start-up, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enables the Stylus 1000 to capture information from all 10.0 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos. The fast start-up of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so the camera is always ready to take great pictures.

24 Selectable Shooting Modes
With 20 pre-programmed scene modes such as Sport, Available Light Portrait, Sunset, Cuisine and Candle Light, the Stylus 1000 makes it easy to capture beautiful images in a variety of lighting and shooting situations. Plus, with QuickTime® Movie Mode, the camera can also record VGA-quality videos with sound.

Perfect Fix for Perfect Photos
Olympus’ new Perfect Fix feature offers quick solutions for unanticipated image quality issues caused by several adverse conditions occurring at once: Digital Image Stabilization Edit can be used to reduce the effects of blur; Lighting Fix can be used to adjust underexposed areas; and Red-Eye Fix can be used to reduce the effects of red-eye sometimes caused by direct flash. Additional in-camera editing functions can be quickly accessed right in the camera with the touch of a button: features such as resizing, trimming, frames, text options, color brightness and saturation adjustments.

Built-In Help Guide
Each feature is easily accessible, even to novice users, thanks to the Built-In Help Guide function. By simply holding down the Guide button on the back of the camera, users can access brief descriptions of each of the camera’s functions and scene modes. An improved auto-set Shooting Guide provides users with an explanation of which features to use in a given situation, and then sets the camera automatically for the selected feature in the Guide.

One-Touch EASY Print – No Computer Necessary!
The power of PictBridge? technology enables photos to be printed directly from the camera to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. The one-touch “Print” button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!

OLYMPUS Master™ Software
OLYMPUS Master™ Software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading images to your computer quick and simple; and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. Also, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away.

Availability
The Stylus 1000 will be available in September 2006. The camera ships with: a wrist strap, WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, LI-12B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, quick start guide, basic instruction manual, warranty card, (2) CD-ROM’s with OLYMPUS Master software and an advanced manual.

U.S. Pricing
Stylus 1000 Estimated Street Price: $399.99 (U.S.)

ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances peoples’ lives every day. These include:

• Digital and film cameras
• Professional SLR Imaging Systems
• Digital and Microcassette recorders
• Personal Photo Printers
• Digital Media
• Binoculars

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com.

*Specifications and design are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holder.
© 2006 Olympus Imaging America Inc.
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