Olympus Shows All-Weather Digicams

LAS VEGAS -- Olympus has unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show here a pair of cameras to join its popular Stylus line, but they differ from their predecessors: They're the first digital cameras to carry the Stylus label.

The 3-megapixel Stylus 300 is scheduled to ship in March priced at $399, followed by the 4-megapixel Stylus 400 in April with a price tag of $499, just $100 more.

Rugged for a Digicam

The digicams share a number of characteristics of the Olympus Stylus family. These point-and-shoot models have the rounded, brushed-silver metal bodies and sliding lens covers that marks Canon's Stylus line.

They are the first digital cameras from Olympus to have its All-Weather designation, a feature that has been available in its 35mm film versions for a number of years. The cameras' controls, lenses, and battery compartments are all sealed with rubber gaskets, making these Styluses safe to use in foul weather. They are not suitable for use underwater, however.

Familiar Features

The newest members of the Stylus family have another, far more practical improvement: a fast boot-up operation. It takes only about two seconds from the time you slide back the lens cover (turning on the camera) until it is ready to shoot pictures.

Beyond the weatherproofing, the Stylus 300 and 400 have the typical features of mid-range point-and-shoot cameras. Both provide 3X optical zoom lens, five scene modes, and a 320-by-240 movie mode. Both cameras come with 16MB xD-Picture Card media and a rechargeable lithium ion battery.