In addition to its 8-megapixel Evolt E-300 Digital SLR and 4-megapixel point-and-shoot AZ-2 Zoom cameras, Olympus announces another point-and-shoot--the 4-megapixel D-590 Zoom--as well as a 1GB XD Picture Card, three new lenses, and the FL-36 flash. The AZ-2 Zoom features ten shooting modes, including a QuickTime movie mode; PictBridge technology for direct printing to printers that support it; a rechargeable lithium ion battery; 3X optical and 4X digital zoom; and five preset white-balance options. When it ships next month for $299.99, it will come with a battery charger, USB and audio/video out cables, and a 16MB XD Picture Card.
By the first quarter of 2005, Olympus expects photographers with XD Picture Card-compatible cameras to be able to store up to 1GB of images and videos on its newest storage card. The company noted that this equates to 43 images in TIFF format, or 660 in the highest-quality setting when the card is used in the Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom camera, for example. Olympus did not announce a price, and it had not updated its Web site with information about the new storage card at press time.
New SLR Lenses
SLR camera owners also have new options with the addition of three lenses to the company's lineup: the Zuiko 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 Digital Zoom Interchangeable Lenses and the ultrawide Zuiko ED 7-14mm f4.0. All three are digital-specific lenses designed for use with Olympus's E-series of digital SLR cameras: the 14-45mm f3.5-5.6, which is standard in the new Evolt E-300, features 3.2X zoom and 12 lens elements in 10 groups; the 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 offers 3.8X zoom and 13 lens elements in 10 groups; and the 7-14mm f4.0 includes a 114-degree angle of view. The first two lenses are available now, while the third will ship in the first quarter of 2005.
Finally, the FL-36 flash, priced at $249.99, is an E-series-compatible peripheral designed with an 1/8-step illumination control for more precise lighting while minimizing illumination reduction. It operates on two AA batteries or one CR-3 volt lithium and features a lockable bounce-and-swivel mechanism. You'll be able to find it on store shelves in November.
For more information, go to Olympus news.
