OLYMPUS ANNOUNCES SLEEK NEW LOOK FOR POINT-AND-SHOOT DIGITAL CAMERAS
D-Series Cameras Now Feature More Compact Design, Larger 1.8-Inch Liquid Crystal Displays for Easy Viewing of Images
Melville, New York, March 2, 2003 – Olympus America today introduced two point-and-shoot digital cameras with a stylish new design: the CAMEDIA® D-390 and D-560 Zoom. Olympus D-Series cameras are renowned for combining easy-to-use features with high-quality optics for great-looking results. The cameras’ feature a wide range of zoom choices, ultra-compact bodies, and low prices – and at only $149, the D-390 is the most affordable Olympus digital camera on the market today – making them ideal for anyone looking to experience the joy of going digital.
“With creative design engineering we’ve completely overhauled the look of our D-Series digital cameras,” said Martin Lee, vice president of marketing, Olympus America, Inc. “Now the cameras are even more compact than before and have a new streamlined design, yet still feature great zoom power and high picture resolution.”
Stylish
Both models have durable plastic bodies in attractive silver tones with sliding clamshell lens barriers. Their small size is due in part to their exclusive use of the miniature xD-Picture Card. The D-390, for example, has a body that is 15% smaller than its predecessor the D-380, making it easy to slip into a shirt pocket. The cameras each come with a 16MB xD-Picture Card.
Innovative
Composing and reviewing images with an LCD is an asset when taking digital pictures because it allows users to accurately frame their photographs and make decisions about saving or deleting them. To ensure that their shots can be easily viewed in high resolution, the D-390 and D-560 Zoom feature large 1.8-inch LCD screens.
While past D-Series models featured a pop-up flash that would be released upon sliding open the cameras’ lens barrier, the new D-Series cameras have built-in flashes that do not pop up and offer 6 settings to provide the widest range of options. Keeping the flashes in the camera bodies further compliments the cameras’ compact designs.
Intelligent
The 3.2 megapixel CCD of the D-560 Zoom and 2.0 megapixel CCD of the D-390, combined with Olympus TruePicTM technology, allows users to capture a realistic look in all their photographs at all photo sizes e-mailed or printed. The cameras’ CCD captures the detail needed for true crystal clear photo quality printing even on print sizes of 8" x 10" and larger.
Approachable
The new cameras offer a menu architecture that’s easy to navigate for fast access to the right settings with just the press of arrow buttons. In fully Programmed Auto mode, the camera offers basic point-and-shoot simplicity for flawless picture taking in typical situations. The easy-to-use Scene Program modes (viewable through the LCD menu) provide fully automatic exposure adjustments for the photographer who wants optimum results in a wide variety of settings: Portrait, Self Portrait, Landscape-Portrait, and Night Scene photography.
Transferring images to the computer has never been easier with the supplied Auto-Connect USB function that does not require software drivers for hassle-free image downloads. Images may also be viewed on a television with the supplied video cable.
Exciting Features for the Most Realistic Digital Images
These new D-Series cameras have bright optical viewfinders and auto-focus capabilities to enable photographers to accurately frame and focus their shots. The cameras also feature Olympus high-quality all-glass lenses specially designed for digital cameras and a wide range of optical and digital zoom combinations so no image is beyond capture.
The D-560 Zoom features a 3X optical zoom (35-105mm in 35mm photography), that when combined with a 3.3X digital zoom, delivers a total seamless 10X zoom. The D-390 provides a 2.5X digital telephoto that offers a 38-95mm (in 35mm photography) zoom range.
The Macro Mode allows users to take close up photographs to capture details like dewdrops on a flower petal. Other controls include Digital ESP multi-pattern and spot metering; auto white balance; multiple flash settings and exposure compensation. The cameras also capture QuickTimeTM video so users can create short movies that can be sent over the Internet to co-workers, friends and family.
Availability
The D-560 Zoom will be available in March 2003 and the D-390 will be available in April 2003.
U.S. Pricing
D-390 Street Price: $149.00 (U.S.)
D-390 SRP: $.00 (U.S.)
D-560 Zoom Street Price: $299.00 (U.S.)
D-560 Zoom SRP: $.00 (U.S.)
For more information contact Chris Sluka, public relations manager, Olympus America Inc, Consumer Products Group, Two Corporate Center Dr., Melville, NY 11747-3157, ph: (631) 844-5000 (800) 622-6372, Fax: (631) 844-5262 or the Olympus Web Site: http://www.olympusamerica.com. Review units and high-resolution images of the camera are available from Mullen Public Relations. Contact Michael Bourne, senior account executive, 978-468-8953 or [email protected].
ABOUT OLYMPUS – Nothing’s impossible.
Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., with its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a global leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing optical-digital product solutions for health care and consumer segments. The company leverages R&D investment in technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines that include:
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Digital and film cameras, and digital voice recorders; and
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Minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical endoscopes;
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Advanced clinical and research microscopes;
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Chemistry-immuno analyzers and lab automation systems.
In the U. S. and Canada, Olympus America Inc. serves health care, scientific and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial and other service offerings and is the leading brand in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. The company’s market-leading consumer camera products and services business spans North and South America. Olympus America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and parent company to develop state-of-the-art products and services that are innovative, intelligent, and easy to use. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.
