Improved Image Viewing and Capture in Low Light and Bright Light Situations

Melville, New York, May 12, 2005 – Olympus once again demonstrates that digital camera design is about more than just the number of pixels and the size of the LCD – it’s about functionality. The Stylus 800 delivers power, performance and enhanced usability with an array of innovative technologies: Bright Capture Technology for low-light photography; a HyperCrystal™ LCD for high-contrast viewing; metal, all-weather construction for protection against the elements; manual exposure and aperture settings for creative control and versatility; as well as an 8.0-megapixel image sensor for stunningly high-resolution prints.

“All-weather durability and stylish ergonomic design made the Stylus film cameras the best selling point-and-shoot camera series in history,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The Stylus digital cameras carry on this tradition, and in the latest iteration – the Stylus 800 – new technology such as Bright Capture and manual exposure control make it uniquely powerful and versatile in its category.”

Designed to Do More
There are times when you want to photograph subjects in low light without having to use a flash – such as when trying to capture the softness and warmth of a candlelit dinner, or natural skin tones in subdued lighting. Olympus’ new Bright Capture Technology makes it possible to clearly compose subjects on the LCD, and with high sensitivity options (up to ISO 1600) and an enhanced auto-focus, even action photos can be captured in low levels of ambient light.

Viewing images under the glare of sunlight is also improved thanks to Olympus’ exclusive HyperCrystal™ LCD technology. The HyperCrystal technology enables clear, high-contrast images – even when composing subjects with the sun at your back. Images are viewable on the 2.5-inch LCD from 160-degrees, so photos can be composed from a range of angles and viewed by several people at once.

Power, Performance and Creative Control
The Stylus 800 combines an 8.0-megapixel CCD image sensor with Olympus’ exclusive image processor, TruePic TURBO™, which significantly enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO enables the Stylus 800 to capture information from all 8.0 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. The result is superb high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints. The fast startup of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you are always ready to take great pictures.

The addition of manual Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes, combined with 19 fully automatic pre-set scene modes, gives users versatility and control for optimal performance in any situation. Users can express their creative vision – adjusting the f-stop for detailed portraits with softened backgrounds, or slowing the exposure speed to create the blurred effect of motion – or simply select the appropriate scene mode from 19 choices for point-and-shoot simplicity. In-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix, Sepia and Black & White give users the ability to edit photos on the fly.

Delivering Style & Durability
The Stylus 800 is defined by high-performance, durability and style. In addition to the all-weather construction that made the Stylus famous, the Stylus 800 features a glossy finish, clean lines and smooth, rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold and easy to handle. At a compact size of 4.1” (W) x 2.3” (H) x 1.3” (D) the camera fits snugly into a pocket and won’t crowd a backpack. The circular lens barrier tucks away inside the camera body with a snap when powered on, and protects the lens with an impenetrable seal when closed, leaving the camera face smooth and flat.

The compact, all-weather Stylus 800 can go virtually anywhere you can. The body is constructed of durable, lightweight metal with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, sleet, snow won’t get in the way of great photos. And with its new optimized battery design, the Stylus 800 can take hundreds of shots between charges.

Intelligent Design
Olympus photos are known worldwide for sharp, vibrant image quality. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus’ new high-refractive-index aspherical lens elements, designed specifically for digital cameras. The lens provides the equivalent of 38 to 114mm focal length, f2.8 – f4.9 in 35mm photography, with 15x combined total zoom (3x optical and 5x digital) to bring the action closer, and a Super Macro Mode that captures details as nuanced as the iridescent petals of a flower, from as close as 1.2 inches.

The Stylus 800 also features an all-weather speaker and microphone, enabling users to narrate images with personalized audio captions. With its QuickTime® Movie Mode, the Stylus 800 can record movies of any length, limited only by the size of the internal memory or xD Picture Card in the camera.

Designed to be Approachable
With a new Help GUIDE function, the Stylus 800 makes every last one of its features accessible, even to novice users. By simply pressing the GUIDE button on the back of the camera, users can access images and brief descriptions of each of the camera’s functions and scene modes. And the new Shooting Guide serves as a quick reference, walking users through the camera settings with explanations of which features should be used for the situation, along with instructions for how to make the necessary adjustments.

Connecting the Stylus 800 to a computer is easy with the USB Auto Connect feature, which connects directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software. Or, if you prefer, forget the computer altogether. The power of PictBridge technology enables photos to be printed directly from the Stylus 800 to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. Printing and sharing images has never been easier.

OLYMPUS Master™ software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. And with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye reduction, images can be touched up before printing or emailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away.

Availability
The Stylus 800 will be available in July 2005. It includes: Wrist Strap, Camera WIN/Mac USB Cable, Audio/Video cable, Li-12B Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery and Charger, Quick Start Guide, Basic Instruction Manual, Warranty Card, CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master Software, and Camera Advanced manual.

U.S. Pricing
Stylus 800 Estimated Street Price: $449.99 (U.S.)

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.

*Specifications and design are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holder . ©2005 Olympus America Inc.