Olympus E-620 SLR Camera

New 7-point Twin AF

The 7-point twin cross AF system incorporated in the Olympus E-620 provides fast and accurate focusing with the speed that rivals the E-3 AF system. 5-points act as cross sensors to assist the camera in locking focus in both the horizontal and vertical position.

Live View AF: 11-point AF

In Live View the E-620 uses the Autofocus technology of the Olympus E-30 with 11 dedicated AF points. Whether using the face detection feature or close focusing on a flower, this system is as simple as just pressing the shutter button. You no longer have to wait, Live View is now fast and simple -- no harder than a point and shoot.

The E-620’s 100 percent accurate 270 degree swivel 2.7-inch Live View HyperCrystal III LCD can be rotated freely so photographers can compose at any angle, including overhead and down low. This enables a photographer to compose a subject in the Live View LCD and see the results of the various creative features – live as they’re happening. The LCD displays in vivid color and provides a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees, which ensures images can be composed from even the most obscure angles.The E-420 uses a new 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD monitor with even higher visibility than their previous LCD monitors. The new LCD monitor has increased the contrast and expanded the color reproduction gamut to enable finer image checking in Live View shooting and picture playback.

With a viewing angle of 176° in all directions, checking the monitor image is easy from any angle. Image reproduction in Live View shooting and picture playback is further improved by an anti-reflection multi-coating and easy-to-use color temperature adjustment that works the same way as a traditional brightness adjustment control.

Olympus has always viewed dust as a critical issue in digital SLR cameras and solved it by incorporating a SSWF (Super-Sonic Wave Filter) unit that literally shakes the dust loose so it can be collected with a dust absorber. Activated whenever the camera is powered on or when Live View is in use, the SSWF unit vibrates at supersonic speeds, removing dirt and dust that might interfere with the image sensor.

The built-in flash on the E-620 incorporates a commander function for combined operation with wireless flashes. When the Olympus FL-50R and/or FL-36R external flashes are used, multiple flashes can be controlled without either connection cables or an external commander. Settings (including flash mode and intensity) for up to 3 groups of remote flashes can be adjusted on the LCD panel on the back of the camera.

Before actually taking a picture, the user can use "Perfect Shot Preview" to display four images with different compensation/adjustment settings on the LCD monitor and select the preferred image from among them. The Two settings that can be checked are exposure compensation, white balance. Being able to check and compare the effects of various settings in advance make it much easier for users to obtain exactly the image they want.

Olympus E-620 SLR Press Release

February 24, 2009 – As children, our imaginations run wild and finger-painted artistic creations are proudly displayed on our family refrigerators. But as we grow older, we learn to colour inside the lines, and have less and less time for art. We often lose touch with how satisfying it is to create something uniquely our own. Olympus delivers the new E-620 digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera to bring back that free-style experimenting and the magical feeling of being inspired by our own art.

The new camera’s easy-to-use Art Filters and Multiple Exposures (built right into the camera) are fun for consumers – whether you’ve been shooting for years or picked up your first digital camera today. Enjoy capturing creative images on the go – without being tethered to a computer and editing software! Now it is possible to easily customize your images so they’re worthy of posting on the gallery wall (or at least the family fridge).

The new camera’s freedom of expression is matched by its freedom of mobility. First, the camera travels with you to more places, thanks to its compact size and light 474 gram (16.76-ounce) body. Second, as the world’s smallest DSLR with in-body Image Stabilization, the E-620 adjusts when your body moves to remove blur caused by camera shake (with any lens attached). Finally, add Live View shooting with a swivel 2.7-inch HyperCrystal™ LCD that frees you to cover subjects from a range of angles, and this 12.3-megapixel DSLR seamlessly combines motions with emotions – proof that Olympus lets you capture it all.

If you’re hoping to get more out of your camera than simply capturing and documenting a scene, and enjoy enhancing or customizing an image to make it your own, then you will value the camera’s Art Filters. The filters, which are built into the camera, provide incredible individual artistic control over an image, and remove the need to spend time altering images on the computer with editing software.

This camera was made for free-style shooting, experimenting and engaging with events and subjects. Enjoy the freedom of Autofocus Live View and dramatic effects to transform your day-to-day shots into compositions that you can be proud of with the following in-camera Art Filters:

¨Pop Art: Enhances colours, making them more saturated and vivid, creating high-impact pictures that express the joyful, lighthearted feeling of the Pop Art style of the 1960s;

¨Soft Focus: Creates an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere that renders subjects in a heavenly light without obscuring details;

¨Pale & Light Colour: Encloses the foreground of an image in flat gentle light and pastel colours reminiscent of a flashback scene in a movie;

¨Light Tone: Renders shade and highlight areas softly to lend an elegant air to the subject;

¨Grainy Film: Evokes the feeling of documentary footage shot in monochrome with grainy, high-contrast film; and

¨Pin Hole: Reduces the peripheral brightness of an image as though it were shot through a pin hole, connecting the viewer intimately with the subject at the center of the picture.

Art Filters are easily activated with the mode dial on the left side of the camera body. The effects are viewable right on the new camera’s 100 per cent accurate swivel 2.7-inch Live View HyperCrystal™ III LCD when using the E-620 in Live View mode or when reviewing the captured image.

With the new camera’s Multiple Exposure function you are free to tell a visual story your way, whether in a portrait, a landscape or a combination of both. For instance, capture an image of the spring leaves on a new tree and then overlay an image of your child’s face into the leaves for a stunning image that expresses the newness of the season.

The image capture options allow you to shoot one shot, then another, or to capture both shots separately and combine them in the camera later. Or superimpose your own portrait with a starry night sky to create a photo with the impact you desire. Let your imagination lead you to new creative discoveries.

The E-620 travels with you to more places, thanks to its compact size and light 474-gram body. Capture sharp images on the go with the camera’s in-body Image Stabilization, which virtually eliminates blur with any lens attached.

Three IS modes handle any situation. The IS-1 mode is for general shooting and adjusts the sensor on both the horizontal and vertical planes to compensate for movement by the photographer so images stay sharp in low light even at slow shutter speeds.

To capture the motion of moving subjects, the E-620 offers two specialized modes: IS-2 mode is ideal for capturing a runner or cyclist traveling by in the horizontal mode, preserving the sense of motion while panning; IS-3 mode achieves the same effect when the camera is held vertically. In either mode, the artistic effects of panning enhance the shot and render the subject in sharp detail with blurred background.

The new camera’s high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate colour fidelity, and a state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to reduce noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.

Its Live MOS image sensor is complemented by Olympus’ TruePic III+ Image Processor, which produces clear and colourful photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible.

The new image processor is noted for accurate natural colour, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies, and precise tonal expression; it also lowers image noise in photos shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations.

The new camera’s 100 per cent accurate 270 degree swivel 2.7-inch Live View HyperCrystal III LCD can be rotated freely so photographers can compose at any angle, including overhead and down low, without getting bent out of shape. This enables an E-620 photographer to compose a subject in the Live View LCD and see the results of the various creative features – live as they’re happening.

When viewing the LCD in Live View, settings like white balance and exposure can also be selected, and their impact is seen instantly on the display. Real-time monitoring offers amazing versatility and creative control. The LCD displays 230,000 pixels in vivid colour and includes HyperCrystal technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors for easier viewing in both preview and playback.

It also provides a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees, which ensures images can be composed from even the most obscure angles.

The 2.7-inch LCD makes icons and text on the camera’s menu easy to view. Beyond the camera’s bright viewable LCD, the E-620 is equipped with illuminated buttons on its body that are easily viewable in low light to quickly find the settings you want.

Consumers accustomed to composing and focusing using a point-and-shoot camera’s LCD will appreciate that the E-620 offers the same easy, seamless experience (what you see on its LCD is what you get!). The E-620 delivers two fast autofocus options to quickly focus and capture the image in any situation:

¨Fast Imager Autofocus in Live View: When it comes to measuring camera speed, autofocus is a key factor. If a camera’s AF system does not meet photographers’ demands and lock focus accurately and quickly, it’s possible to miss a shot. AF Live View on the E-620 allows you to compose, focus, and capture the shot quickly and easily without ever taking your eye off the large 2.7-inch full colour LCD.

¨Phase Detection AF: When using the optical viewfinder, the technology behind the new 7-point twin cross AF system provides world-class fast and accurate focusing based on the speed of the E-3. Super sensitive Twin and Twin Cross AF target points can measure focus both vertically and horizontally, so regardless of the subject, focusing is super-simple and fast. With a dedicated Phase Detection AF sensor in the camera body, shooting moving subjects, like a runner crossing the finish line, is lightning fast.

In low-light situations, this is the AF option of choice to quickly lock focus, so that a loved one’s face illuminated only by candlelight is in sharp focus.

Since photography is a form of expression that is essentially based on clipping a scene, framing is an important component of style. The E-620 provides four aspect ratios that serve as masks to frame your image to the desired proportions, including: the standard 4:3 aspect ratio that is perfectly suited for an 8 x 10-inch enlargement; the 16:9 aspect ratio that will display your images beautifully on a widescreen television; and other popular aspect ratios such as 3:2 and 6:6.

By enabling you to select the aspect ratio before shooting and easily viewing it on the LCD throughout the shoot, the Multi-Aspect function offers a new way to control your photography and express yourself.

The new camera’s Face Detection reduces the chance of blurred subjects in photography by distinguishing between people’s faces and the background. It tracks up to eight faces within the image area, even if people are moving, and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures (ideal for large family or party group photos).

Shooting scenes with both highlights and shadows can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The Olympus E-620 addresses this challenge with Shadow Adjustment Technology that adjusts for extreme light variations and maintains visible detail in both the shadow and highlight areas of the scene. Now users can see and preview the gradation on the Live View LCD and capture images showing the shadow detail they saw. This feature is also accessible in the Edit menu after the shot has been taken.

Perfect Shot Preview enables users to easily preview and select from a variety of thumbnail previews of the photographic effects of white balance and exposure compensation adjustments live on the LCD before taking the photograph. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, visually, without having to scroll through menu options.

With 28 preset scene-select modes for every imaginable shooting scenario, automatic modes and full manual controls, the Olympus E-620 offers a world of possibilities to photographers.

Wireless flashes help you cast the best light on your subjects and capture great images. For this reason, the E-620 is compatible with the Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R wireless electronic flashes that are designed exclusively for digital photography. When these flashes are used in combination with the E-620, multiple-wireless flash photography is both easy and reliable.

The E-620 can control up to three wireless flash groups independently, with multiple flash units in each group for dramatic flash effects.

Life moves too fast to spend time worrying about dust ruining the perfect image. Olympus’ proven Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter™. The patented ultrasonic technology vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor and captures it on a special adhesive membrane every time the camera is turned on. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside.

With Dust Reduction and the new creative features, Olympus continues to liberate users from the computer and editing software, and enables them to have fun capturing it all while on the go.

The new HLD-5 Power Battery Holder can hold up to two Lithium Ion BLS-1 batteries to extend the performance life of the E-620 and its existing BLS-1 battery. It also enables effortless vertical shooting with its own separate shutter button and control dial. Olympus will also offer the PT-E06 optional underwater housing for the E-620. Capable of reaching depths of 40 metres (130 feet) underwater, the housing will ensure that divers will not miss an image during their journeys to the abyss.

The Olympus E-620 DSLR will be available in May 2009. It includes E-620 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLS-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCS-1), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.

E-620 Body with ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price: $899.99

Olympus E-620 Underwater Housing – PT-E06 Estimated Street Price: $1,400 Canadian

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Olympus E-420 Digital SLR Specifications

Olympus E-620 Four Thirds Digital SLR Camera Specifications
Body material	Glassfibre reinforced plastics
Lens mount	Four Thirds mount
Type	4/3 '' Hi-Speed Live MOS sensor
Effective pixels	12.3 Megapixels
Filter array	Primary colour filter (RGB)
Aspect ratio & area	4:3 / 17.3 x 13.0 mm
Full resolution	13.1 Megapixels
Type	TruePic III+
Dust reduction filter	Supersonic Wave Filter
IR cut filter	Hybrid type
LPF filter	Fixed type
Viewfinder type	Eye-level single-lens view finder
Field of view	Approx. 95 %
Magnification	Approx. 0.96 x with a 50mm lens set to infinity at -1 dioptre
Depth of field preview	Yes Customized Fn button via viewfinder or via LCD in Live View
Eye point	18 mm at -1 dioptre from eyepiece lens
Diopter adjustment	-3.0 - +1.0 diopter / built-in type
Focusing screen	Fixed type (Neo Lumi-Micron Mat Screen)
Mirror	Quick return mirror
Viewfinder Information	Yes Shutter speed
Eye piece shutter	Eye-piece cap EPC-1 supplied
Live View Information	100% field of view, exposure adjustment preview, white balance adjustment preview, gradation setting preview (SAT), face detection preview, perfect shot preview, gridline displayable, 5x/7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, shooting information, histogramme
Live View AF type	Option between phase difference detection system and contrast detection autofocus
Image Stabiliser	Sensor shift
Modes	Two-dimensional or one-dimensional activation
Effective Compensation Range	Up to 4 EV steps
Focusing System	TTL phase difference detection system, contrast detection system (with 25mm 1:2.8, 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6, 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6, 9-18mm 1:4.0-5.6, 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 II)
Focus areas	7 points / 5 fully biaxial, automatic and manual selection
AF illuminator	Yes , Built-in flash (external flash available)
AF lock	Yes , Locked by first position of shutter release button in single AF mode, AE/AF lock button (customised)
Focus tracking	Yes , Available in continuous AF mode
Manual focus	Yes , Available by rotating focus ring, available for setting manual focus operation in AF mode (customised)
Single AF	Yes
Single AF + MF	Yes
Continuous AF	Yes , only available for TTL phase difference detection
Continuous AF + MF	Yes
Detection range	-2 - 19 EV (ISO 100)
AF fine adjust	+/- 20 steps (settings for up to 20 lenses can be registered)
Exposure compensation	+/- 5 EV / 1, 1/2, 1/3 steps
Exposure bracketing	3 frames / +/- 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 EV steps
ISO bracketing	3 frames / 1/3, 2/3, 1 EV steps
Exposure Control	Programme automatic, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual
Max. number of frames	4 frames in continuous mode
Auto gain control	Yes
Grid Frame assistance	Live View
Light Metering	TTL open aperture light metering, 49 zones Multi-pattern Sensing System
Metering range	1 - 20 EV (50mm, 1:2, ISO 100)
Metering Modes	ESP light metering, Spot metering, Centre weighted metering, Highlight Spot, Shadow Spot Metering
Art Filters	Pop Art: Emphasizes colors and creates bright, vibrant images with a pop-art tone Soft Focus: Gives images a light, ethereal look and evokes a dreamy, mystical mood Pale & Light Colour: Utilizes muted color tonalities to create a mood of reflection and nostalgia Light Tone: Subdues highlights and shadows to reflect the ambience of a perfectly illuminated scene Grainy Film: Recreates the rich, grainy look and tonality of black & white photography, imparting a dramatic feel to images Pin Hole: Reproduces the peripheral vignetting and unique color tone of photos taken with a pin hole camera
ISO Settings	Auto: ISO 200 - 3200 (customizable, default ISO 200 - 800) Manual ISO ISO 100 - 3200 in 1/3 or 1 EV ISO steps
Shutter type	Electronic focal-plane shutter
Self timer	12 s / 2 s
Anti Shock	Yes Release delay: 1 - 30 s
Shutter speed range	1/4000 - 60 s (in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps)
Bulb mode	Up to 30 minutes (selectable longest time in the menu, default: 8 minutes)
AUTO WB system	Hybrid detection system with High-speed Live MOS sensor and dedicated external sensor
Selectable steps in Kelvin	8 steps (3000 - 7500 K)
White Balance settings	Overcast, Shade, Tungsten, Sunlight, Flourescent 1, Flourescent 2, Flourescent 3
White balance adjustment	+/- 7 in each A-B / G-M axis (in Auto WB, preset WB mode & one-touch WB)
Custom WB	1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K)
One-touch white balance	1 custom settings can be registered
White balance bracketing	3 frames / +/- 2, 4, 6 mired steps
Continious Shooting Speed	Approx. 4 fps
RAW Mode continious frames	5 frames
JPEG Mode	Depends on compression ratio or number of pixels (Large Normal Mode: up to card capacity with SanDisk Extrem IV 4GB)
Colour space	sRGB / AdobeRGB
TruePic III	Yes
Sharpness + Contrast adjustment	5 levels
Black & White filter	Yellow, Orange, Red, Green
Black & White toning	Yellow, Orange, Red, Green in Black & White and Sepia mode.
Picture mode	Vivid, Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone, Custom (default setting: Natural)
Internal Flash Guide number	12 (ISO 100)
Flash compensation	+/- 3 EV / 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps
Bracketing	3 frames / 1/3, 2/3, 1 EV steps
External Flash Control X-sync speed	1/180 s / 1/4000 s
Type	TTL AUTO, AUTO, MANUAL, FP TTL AUTO, FP MANUAL
Flash Synchronisation modes	Auto, Manual, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro, 2nd curtain and slow syncro, Fill-in for exclusive flash
Flash Intensity	+/- 3 EV / 1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps
Built-in flash and wireless flash control from the camera bodyCompatible external flash	FL-50R, FL-36R
Wireless Flash Control method	Triggered and controlled by built-in flash light
Modes	TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual
Wireless Flash Setting	4 channels 3 groups
LCD type	2.7-inch HyperCrystal III LCD with 230000 dots and wide viewing angle, swivel / tilt feature
LCD Brightness adjustment	15 levels
Slide show	Yes
Image Rotation	Yes
Histogram in playback mode	Yes
Shooting information	Histogram (independent luminance / RGB available), Highlight / Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information
Erase modes	Single, All, Selected
Image protect mode	Single, Selected
Copy mode	Single, All, Selected
RAW file format	12 bit
RAW & JPEG	Yes
JPEG compression	1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 SHQ 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 HQ 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 SQ
Image Size Aspect ratio	4:3 / 3:2 / 16:9 / 6:6 / 3:4
RAW File Size	4032 x 3024 compressed / 14 MB / frame
Large file size	4032 x 3024 Super Fine / 8.2 MB / frame 4032 x 3024 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 5.7 MB / frame 4032 x 3024 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 2.7 MB / frame 4032 x 3024 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 1.8 MB / frame
Middle file size	3200 x 2400 Super Fine / 5.4 MB / frame 3200 x 2400 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 3.4 MB / frame 3200 x 2400 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 1.7 MB / frame 3200 x 2400 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 1.2 MB / frame 2560 x 1920 Super Fine / 3.2 MB / frame 2560 x 1920 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 2.2 MB / frame 2560 x 1920 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 1.1 MB / frame 2560 x 1920 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.8 MB / frame
Small file size	1600 x 1200 Super Fine / 1.3 MB / frame 1600 x 1200 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.9 MB / frame 1600 x 1200 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.5 MB / frame 1600 x 1200 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.4 MB / frame 1280 x 960 Super Fine / 0.9 MB / frame 1280 x 960 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.6 MB / frame 1280 x 960 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.3 MB / frame 1280 x 960 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.3 MB / frame 1024 x 768 Super Fine / 0.6 MB / frame 1024 x 768 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.4 MB / frame 1024 x 768 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.3 MB / frame 1024 x 768 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.2 MB / frame 640 x 480 Super Fine / 0.3 MB / frame 640 x 480 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.2 MB / frame 640 x 480 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.1 MB / frame 640 x 480 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.1 MB / frame
Red-eye reduction	Yes
Sepia filter	Yes
Black & White	Yes
Resize image	Yes
Correction of saturation	Yes
Shadow Adjustment Technology	Yes
Menu languages in camera	34 languages / 27 European languages (e.g. English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Czech, Dutch, Danish, Polish)
Illuminated buttons	Menu, Info, Playback, Liveview, Arrowpad (WB, AF, Metering, ISO), OK, Erase, IS
Fn Button	Off, one-touch WB, test picture, preview, Live View, AF home setting, MF, record format, exposure mode, My Mode
Custom preset options	2
My Mode	2 settings storable
Battery	BLS-1 Li-Ion battery (included)
Sleep mode	1, 3, 5, 10 min. and off selectable.
Finder Shooting	Approx. 450 images
Temperature	0 - 40 °C operating temperature / -20 - 60 °C storage temperature
Humidity	30 - 90 % operation humidity / 10 - 90 % storage humidity
Dimensions (W x H x D)	129.5 x 94.0 x 60.0 mm (without protrusions)
Weight	475 g (body only)
Media	Dual slot for CompactFlash card (Type I and II), Microdrive and xD picture card
USB 2.0 High Speed	Yes
Video out	Yes NTSC or PAL selectable
In the box	Body, Li-ion battery BLS-1, Li-ion battery charger BCS-1, USB/Video Multi cable, Eye piece cover EPC-1, Shoulder strap, OLYMPUS Master CD-ROM, Instruction manual, Warranty card

Olympus E-620 Four Thirds System 12.3 MP Digital SLR Camera

Olympus E-620 Digital SLR Camera Major Features

Olympus E-620 SLR Press Release

Olympus E-420 Digital SLR Specifications

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