D-380 is a User-Friendly Digital Camera that Delivers Photo Quality 8 x 10 Prints

Melville, NY, March 18, 2002 -- Olympus America Inc. today announced the Olympus D-380, the lowest priced Olympus point and shoot 2 Megapixel camera for only $199. With simple controls, the D-380 is easy to use and provides the high image quality that consumers expect from Olympus. A simplified menu system; USB Auto-Connect for fast/easy downloads without additional software; and built-in long-life battery circuitry for extended battery life are key to the value and quality of the D-380. The self-portrait and image resizing mode; as well as the ability to merge two shots into one image deliver consumers new exciting features never before offered in an Olympus digital camera at this low price.

Designed for consumers demanding a high quality, easy-to-use digital camera at an affordable price, the D-380 comes with the Olympus high-quality all-glass 4.5mm f4 lens (35mm equivalent in 35mm format) for superior images that are sharp, colorful and vibrant.

Ease-of-Use
The D-380 is easy for anyone to use. Its fully automatic features allow everyone to be a pro the first time they photograph with the camera. Multi-mode flash, auto white balance and digital ESP metering ensure beautiful pictures at the touch of a button. Very fast shutter release times with virtually no shutter lag time also compliment the product. Close up Macro photography is possible at distances as close as 9.8 inches.

No additional software or docking station is needed to quickly download and view photos on your computer. The Olympus USB Auto-Connect feature allows users to plug the camera directly into almost any USB-equipped computer for easy access to their images. Compatible operating systems include Windows® XP, 2000, Me and 98 and Mac OS 8.6 - OSX (OS 9.2). Bundled with the D-380 is the new Olympus Camedia Master 4.0 software for image editing, saving photos in albums, creating calendars, postcards, and printing photos.

Stylish Design
The D-380 looks great in your hand and fits comfortably in your pocket so there's never a reason not to bring it along. The D-380 is lightweight at 6.7 ounces and compact with dimensions of 4.9 W" x 2.6 H" x 1.6 D". The protective lens barrier protects the precision lens when the camera is not in use, and also functions as the power on/off switch. Simply slide it open and the camera is ready to shoot in about 1 second.

Built-in and Removable Memory
The D-380 comes with an 8MB SmartMedia card. In addition, 1MB of internal memory is also built into the camera for processing and saving images in case you run out of space on your SmartMedia card while shooting. The memory backup feature allows images captured on the internal memory to be copied to the SmartMedia card. For more photo storage, extra SmartMedia cards from 8MB to 128MB can also be used. Optional Olympus SmartMedia cards can be reused thousands of times, as images can be erased and the cards reused.

Uses Common AA Batteries
The D-380 doesn't require any proprietary or other expensive batteries to operate. Almost any AA batteries will do, including rechargeable batteries. And because of the built-in long-life battery circuitry, consumers can expect to get hundreds of shots with even the lowest-cost alkaline batteries. When Olympus' long-life LB01 (CR3V) batteries are used, battery-life is extended even more (by about 3 times) for more of your favorite photos.

The D-380 will be available April 2002. It includes the Olympus CAMEDIA Master Software 4.0 for photo manipulation and management, an 8MB SmartMedia Card, USB cable, strap, 4 AA Alkaline batteries, manual, and warranty card.

D-380 Street Price: $199
D-380 Suggested Retail Price: $249

For more information, contact 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.

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ABOUT OLYMPUS - Nothing's Impossible
Based in Melville, New York, Olympus America distributes a wide range of products for consumer, scientific, health care, commercial and industrial markets. These include film cameras that provide the ultimate combination of performance and style, and digital cameras that deliver your most realistic digital images yet. Microcassette and digital voice recorders, binoculars, personal photo printers, medical and industrial endoscopes, biological and metallurgical microscopes and measuring instruments, clinical analyzers, and other high technology products. Olympus America is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.