Three Winning Students and Respective Professors to Receive $5,000 Scholarship, Recognition, and Olympus E-3 Digital SLR Camera, ZUIKO Digital Lenses and Accessories

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., December 4, 2007 – Olympus today announced its inaugural “Photographers of Tomorrow” photo contest, which is specifically designed for aspiring professional photographers or photojournalists, and will enrich the resumes and portfolios of the participating students.

Starting January 14, 2008, students will submit their best work captured with the Olympus E-3 digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera in three categories: Speed, Travel and Environmental Issues. Student entries will be judged by a panel of award-winning photographers, comprised of Olympus Visionaries. The winning images will be announced in April 2008. Complete rules and regulations can be viewed at www.olympusamerica.com/e3photocontest.

Participating schools include Texas A&M University at Commerce, The University of the Arts Philadelphia, Art Institute of Colorado, Brooks Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, Hallmark Institute of Photography, University of Texas - Austin, Rockport College, and Academy of Art University San Francisco, among others.

“The Olympus competition is our way of helping the next generation of professional photographers and photojournalists to showcase their work nationally, as the winning submissions will be visible on the Olympus Web site,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR at Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The students will connect with the three distinct categories of speed, travel and environmental issues.”

Photo Submission Categories
Olympus has selected the following categories for contest submissions to inspire the budding photographers and to best represent the capabilities of the new Olympus E-3 digital SLR camera.

• Speed: Images capturing the essence of speed and movement of life;
• Travel: Images depicting exotic, exciting, or extreme journeys or adventures, showing the color and temperament of the local culture; and
• Environment Issues: Images showing the impact of man and global warming, or natural settings of landscapes, flora, and fauna.

The Prizes
The students who submit the three winning images (one for each of the three categories) will be awarded the following prizes. The three students’ respective professors will also be awarded the camera, lenses and accessories.

• $5,000 Scholarship
• Olympus E-3 Digital SLR Camera
• Two New ZUIKO Digital Lenses – the ED 12-60mm (24-120mm equivalent) f2.8-4.0 SWD and ED 50-200mm (100-400mm equivalent) f2.8-3.5 SWD
• Olympus Travel Bag and Lens Cloth

Contest Camera and Lenses
The Olympus E-3 provides the high-precision performance demanded by professional and enthusiastic photographers to capture exceptional images every time. When coupled with the ZUIKO digital 12-60mm SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) lens, the E-3 offers the fastest autofocus system in the world.[1] Body-Integrated Mechanical Image Stabilization to stabilize every lens, a 10-megapixel Live MOS image sensor, and the reliability of a high-endurance, dust-proof and splash-resistant magnesium alloy body join the impressive innovations developed for the E-3. Olympus pioneered Full-Time Live View and Dust Reduction Technologies for digital SLR cameras, leading where others have followed.

The Judges
An esteemed panel of judges, comprised of Olympus Visionaries, will evaluate the student submissions and vote for the top winner in each category. The Olympus Visionary program celebrates the work of some of the most talented still photographers of the day, who use E-System equipment for travel, news, documentary, fashion, food, people, nature and landscape, commercial and fine art photography.

ABOUT THE OLYMPUS VISIONARY PROGRAM
Established by Olympus Imaging America Inc. in partnership with some of today's most talented photographers, the Olympus Visionary program is dedicated to creating superb digital images with the help of Olympus' digital cameras and lenses. Olympus Visionaries span all fields of photography and work in a diversity of styles and subject matter, but they are united in realizing their creative vision through digital photography. The Visionaries use Olympus digital cameras in their daily assignments and personal work, participate in speaking engagements and appearances, and provide Olympus with input into equipment development. The Visionaries include several Pulitzer Prize-winning and Magnum photographers, as well as internationally-renowned photographers from the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Italy and Japan.

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 ultimate 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 as well as related Underwater Products and Accessories
• Professional Digital SLR Imaging Systems as well as related Underwater Products and Accessories
• Digital and Microcassette Recorders
• Digital Media
• Binoculars

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

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[1] The autofocus speed of the ZUIKO DIGITAL 12-60mm (24-120mm) f2.8-4.0 SWD lens combined with the E-3 was measured in-house testing by Olympus and is based on similar available lenses for digital SLR cameras as of October 17, 2007.