High Performance of a Digital SLR is Taken to a New Level with Camera Body, Lenses and Flash Reaching Depths of Up to 180 Feet in Heavy-Duty Housings

Melville, New York, February 17, 2005 – Olympus today announced the PT-E01 Underwater Housing for the EVOLT E-300 Digital SLR, as well as a series of housings ports for several E-System Zuiko Digital Specific™ Lenses and the FL-36 Flash. Specifically designed for the EVOLT E-300 camera and the Zuiko Digital Lenses, these durable housings enable underwater imaging aficionados to explore digital photography in the beauty of the undersea world.

“Olympus underwater housings for our EVOLT Digital SLR and Zuiko Lenses will take advantage of the expandability and versatility that a SLR camera offers both on land and at sea,” said John Knaur, senior product manager for Digital SLR at Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The ability to use a wide angle lens is extremely desirable for underwater photography. With the PPO-E02 for the 11-22mm lens, for example, underwater photographers will have the advantage of the wider angle to capture super diving images from a closer or a more distant range.”

Fast Action Digital SLR Ideal for Underwater Use
Aquatic life doesn’t stop to pose for anyone. That’s why users of the EVOLT will appreciate that Olympus’ quick shutter release and TruePic TURBO Image Processor that enhances processing speed for more responsive camera operation. More than just speeding up image data processing for the large image files generated by this 8.0-megapixel digital camera, TruePic TURBO also improves overall camera responsiveness and operating ease. The EVOLT has an image memory buffer of 64MB and separate working memory for the camera control. And the EVOLT can capture fast-paced action, shooting at 2.5 frames per second up to 4 frames in either TIFF or RAW at full resolution. JPEG resolutions are also available when even more shots are required for that “must have” photo.

Variety of Lenses Deliver More Options
Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses are designed specifically for digital capture with superior edge-to-edge sharpness and smart technology to reduce distortion and shading. The lenses are designed to perfectly match the imager so light strikes the sensor directly, ensuring rich, accurate colors, sharp contrasts and bright images even at the edges. Zuiko Digital Lenses and the E-System deliver the best digital image with ease and accuracy in any condition from the mountains to the beach, and now even under the seas.

Housings Custom Designed for Lenses and Flash
The housings for three Zuiko lenses are built of durable die-cast aluminum and quality glass to go the distance. Olympus has the PPO-E01 for its 14-45mm Lens, the PPO-E02 for the 11-22mm or 14-54mm Lens, and the PPO-E03 for the 50mm Macro Lens.

The exceptional wide-angle capabilities of the Zuiko Digital 11-22mm f2.8-3.5 wide-angle zoom lens (equivalent to 22-44mm on a 35mm film camera) will expand the creative possibilities for professional photographers because of its great light gathering power that permits shooting with a wide range of shutter speeds in low light conditions. Shooting in low light conditions is of even more importance at the dark depths 180 feet below the surface of the water.

The Zuiko Digital 50mm f2.0 1:2 Macro Lens (100mm equivalent) delivers the close ups that really make photos of fish and coral pop with vibrant color and breathtaking detail. The Zuiko Digital 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 (28-90mm equivalent) and 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 (28-108mm equivalent) lenses are specifically created for the Olympus E-System. They are standard digital zoom lenses that can be used in conjunction with other Zuiko lenses to cover a wide range of focal lengths and zoom ranges. In addition, all of these “designed for digital” lenses offer superb quality suitable for everyday use by advanced photographers as well as by newcomers to digital SLR products.

To deliver more flash options under water an external FL-36 flash can be placed inside the PFL-01 Underwater Housing and supported by the PTBK-E01 flash bracket also available for the EVOLT.

Durable Housings Designed to Protect and Perform
The PT-E01 underwater housing is made of durable transparent polycarbonate with grips and levers fashioned out of durable polycarbonate. The transparent nature of the housings ensures that users can view their shots with ease, as well as show off the stylish bodies of their cameras. To reduce glare caused by sunlight on a digital camera LCD, the housing features an LCD hood located on the outside back of the housing that makes viewing the LCD easier above and below water.

Olympus has thought of everything to keep digital cameras safe and dry within the housings. O-ring seals, special rubber rings engineered to fit perfectly within corresponding grooves, expand under water pressure to tighten the seal when the shells of the housings are locked. Furthermore, safety locks on all of the housings prevent accidental opening.

The housings’ stainless steel nickel-plated brass mechanical control buttons, also sealed with silicon O-rings, allow full access to the cameras’ functions and menus. With the touch of levers, zoom and shutter are easily operated. For crystal clear shots, the integrated flash diffuser panel cuts down on glare from particles suspended in the water that otherwise would create a haze in the image.

U.S. Pricing & Availability
Availability and pricing to be determined at a later date.

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
• Digital Music Players
• Personal Photo Printers
• Digital Print Kiosks
• Digital Video Projectors
• Digital Media
• Binoculars

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

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