Service Allows Photographers Instant Access to the Latest Developments in the All-Digital SLR System

Melville, New York, January 20, 2004 -- Olympus America Inc. is introducing free on-line firmware update service for the Olympus E-System's camera bodies, lenses, and flash units. The Olympus E-1 is the world's first 100% all-digital interchangeable lens SLR. The firmware update service gives E-1 users fast and convenient access to the latest digital technologies that are an integral part of the Olympus E-System.

"Olympus is committed to serving the needs of the professional photographer," said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, professional markets, Olympus America Inc. "We have designed our new firmware update service in direct response to these needs. The service is accessible through the Internet, allowing the E-1 user to easily upgrade the entire E-System."

The service begins on January 28, 2004. E-System users can update their camera bodies, lenses and flash units through the Olympus Viewer software included with the E-1 cameras or the Olympus Studio software. The whole process takes less than five minutes.

To access the service the photographer must:

� Connect the camera body to an Internet-enabled computer using the cable included with the camera.

� Start the Olympus Viewer or Olympus Studio program and select "Firmware Update" from the program's Help menu.

� The program will automatically download and install the appropriate update via the Internet.

The photographer must have version 1.1 of Olympus Viewer or Olympus Studio software. To update previous versions, users must start the program and select "Software Update" from the program's Help menu. The browser software will automatically start. The E-1 user can then download version 1.1

The system requirements are: Windows® 98SE/Me/2000/XP, USB 1.1/USB 2.0/IEEE1394 MacOS 9.1/9.2 or MacOS X 10.1.3~10.2/10.2.7/10.3, USB 1.1/USB 2.0/FireWire

Users without Internet access should contact their local Olympus service center.

The Olympus E-System: Digital From the Ground Up

The Olympus Digital SLR System with Digital Specific LensesTM (www.olympusamerica.com/E-1), based on the new Four Thirds open standard for digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses, is the world's first 100 percent all-digital interchangeable SLR System. The Olympus system provides professional photographers with powerful advantages in terms of edge-to-edge image quality, camera and lens size, durability, and speed.

The first camera in the Olympus E-System, the E-1 digital SLR has won a succession of recent awards for its innovative design and superior performance from Popular Science, Professional Photographer,Electronic Publishing, Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) and the PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA).

The E-System currently includes the E-1 digital SLR and five Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses: 14-54mm f2.8-3.5; 50-200mm f2.8-3.5; 50mm f2.0 1:2 Macro; 300mm f2.8 Super Telephoto; and TC14 1.4X Teleconverter. Also available are the FL-50 Flash and Accessories and the Power Battery Holder Set. The 11-22mm F2.8-3.5 wide-angle zoom lens, the latest Zuiko Digital Specific Lens designed for the Olympus E-System, will be available in early February 2004.