Cameras Reach Depths of Up to 130 Feet Thanks to Heavy-Duty Housing Construction, LCD Hood Cuts Down Glare for Viewing and Shooting Images

Melville, New York, February 17, 2005 – Olympus today introduced the PT-026 Underwater Housing designed for use with its Stylus 500 digital camera, and the PT-027 Underwater Housing for the C-7070 Wide Zoom. These stylish and durable transparent polycarbonate housings support underwater digital imaging enthusiasts and are also ideal for use during activities that call for ultimate protection from the elements such as snowboarding, fishing, kayaking, or even in certain industrial situations.

“Olympus underwater housings offer more versatility to users of Olympus digital cameras. With the ability to bring a digital camera underwater, they will experience a whole new dimension to their photography,” said Glenn Schwartz, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Moreover, because Olympus designs underwater housings specifically for its cameras, our housings are the ideal equipment to experience the thrill of underwater photography.”

Featuring an impressive 2.5-inch HyperCrystal™ LCD that is as bright as it is big, 5.0-megapixels of image resolution, and a compact, durable, all-weather body, the Stylus 500 demonstrates that power and elegance can co-exist in a stylish package that delivers brilliant images. On land it resists rain, sleet, snow and sand, and now with the PT-026 it can do even more.

The new C-7070 Wide Zoom from Olympus unites high-performance features and an incredible wide-angle lens in a rugged, magnesium body. The camera’s wide-angle zoom lens lets underwater photographers frame more aquatic life into their compositions, and with the high-resolution 7.1-megapixel CCD they can produce larger than life prints with amazing vividness. Two new underwater settings – Underwater Wide and Underwater Macro – make the C-7070 an ideal camera for divers.

Stylish
Both the PT-026 and PT-027 underwater housings are made of durable transparent polycarbonate with grips and levers fashioned out of distinctive red-colored 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.

Innovative
The housings feature fluorite (FL) glass lens windows for greater clarity when shooting photos underwater. To reduce glare caused by sunlight on a digital camera LCD, the housings feature an LCD hood located on the outside back of the housing that makes viewing the LCD easier above and below water. The external FL-20 flash placed inside the PFL-01 Underwater Housing and supported by the PTBK-01 flash bracket is also available for the C-7070 Wide Zoom to deliver more flash options under water.

Intelligent
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.

Approachable
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.

Availability
The PT-026 and PT-027 will be available in the summer of 2005.

Contents of the package:

• Case body
• O-Ring
• O-Ring pic for removal
• Silicone grease
• Silica gel (defogging agent)
• Hand strap
• LCD hood and strap
• Balance weight
• Instruction Manual
• Warranty Card

U.S. Pricing
PT-026 Underwater Housing for Stylus 500 Estimated Street Price: $179.99 (US)
PT-027 Underwater Housing for C-7070 Wide Zoom Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (US)

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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