Olympus Announces Launch Of New Sp-series Digital Cameras Designed To Deliver Performance And Creative Control

Olympus Press Release, – August 29, 2005 – With the release of two new SP-series digital cameras, the 7.0-megapixel SP-310 and the 8.o-megapixel SP-350, Olympus introduces state-of-the-art specialized features that enable photographers of all skill levels to express their creative vision. Both cameras offer the option of either manual settings for creative control or 30 selectable shooting modes for convenience and ease-of-use, along with optional add-on accessory lenses, an optional underwater housing, and a large, easy-to-view 2.5-inch premium size LCD. The SP-310 and SP-350 are highly versatile cameras, powerful enough to satisfy the creative needs of the advanced user, and expansive enough to grow as users develop their talent.

“With the new SP-series digital cameras, Olympus offers a selection of cameras that are specifically designed for users with a variety of needs and photography skills,” said John McGuire, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The SP-310 and SP-350 each offer users the versatility of an advanced fully-featured camera and an easy-to-use point-and-shoot in one compact unit.”

High Resolution Image Sensor for Large-Format Prints
The SP-310 features a high resolution 7.0-megapixel CCD image sensor, and the SP-350 features an even higher resolution 8.0-megapixel CCD, to deliver super high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints.

2.5-Inch Premium Size LCD
Composing and reviewing images is far easier when you don’t have to squint. The 115,000-pixel anti-glare LCD enables you to view images in large and vivid detail. What’s more, you don’t have to download and print images each time you want to share them – you can treat your friends and family to a slide show right on the back of your camera. With the large 2.5-inch LCD, the SP-310 and SP-350 are veritable walking photo albums!

PictBridge Enabled – No Computer Necessary!
The power of PictBridge technology enables photos to be printed directly from the camera to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. And the new one-touch printing button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!

Manual Settings for Added Creative Control
The addition of manual Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority 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.

30 Selectable Shooting Modes
The SP-310 and SP-350 make it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations with 24 pre-programmed scene modes, such as Night Scene, Indoor Portrait or Cuisine Mode. And with its QuickTime® Movie Mode, the cameras can record movies of any length, limited only by the size of the internal memory or xD-Picture Card in the camera.

Accessory Lenses & Flashes for Expanded Capabilities
Olympus’ SP-series cameras feature a threaded barrel, which enables easy attachment of add-on wide angle or telephoto conversion lenses for even more creative control. Compatible accessory lenses include the WCON-07F wide angle lens, which enables a wider field of view for shooting skylines, landscapes or group shots, and the TCON-17F telephoto conversion lens, which extends the camera’s magnification capability by 1.7 times for bringing subjects dramatically closer, great for shooting sports events, concerts or wildlife.

The SP-350 also has a hot shoe for external flashes, providing additional versatility for more advanced shots when difficult lighting is an issue.

TruePic TURBO™ for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO™ Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enable the cameras to capture information with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. 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.

High Quality Olympus Lens Elements
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 2 cm.

In-camera Editing
With in-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix, color brightness and saturation adjustments, users can edit photos on the fly – no longer do you have to tool around with computers and editing software for simple image touch-ups!

Style and Ergonomics
With the new SP-series cameras, Olympus returns to the traditional, compact appearance of its traditional range-finder cameras. At a compact size of just 3.9" W x 2.6" H x 1.4" D and less than 7 ounces, tucks away easily into a pocket or backpack. The addition of an ergonomic grip makes it easy to hold with one hand, for capturing those photo ops when you are, literally, on the run.

Underwater Photography
The new PT-030 underwater housing is created specially for the SP-310/SP-350 cameras – so you can take your camera with you on your underwater excursions. The large 2.5-inch premium size LCD, compact body size and three underwater scene modes make it the perfect camera to take along diving.

Easy USB Auto-Connect
Connecting the camera to a computer is easy with the USB Auto-Connect feature, which connects directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software.

OLYMPUS Master™ Software
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 SP-310 and SP-350 will be available in October 2005. Each includes: Wrist Strap, Camera WIN/Mac USB Cable, Video cable, 2 AA batteries, Quick Start Guide, Basic Instruction Manual, Warranty Card, CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master Software, and Camera Advanced manual.

U.S. Pricing
SP-310 Estimated Street Price: $349.99 (U.S.)
SP-350 Estimated Street Price: $399.99 (U.S.)