Three New Stylish Models Launch with Dual Image Stabilization,
Large 2.7-Inch LCDs, and Perfect Shot Preview
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 22, 2008 — Olympus today takes the Stylus series to new heights with the 10-megapixel Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020, boasting an ultra-compact 7x optical zoom lens that brings the red carpet celebrity or homeplate slugger seven times closer! A 7x lens (37mm-260mm equivalent in 35mm photography) that fits in camera bodies less than one inch thick is a marvel of modern design. Moreover, all three of the new Stylus cameras being announced today (Stylus 840, Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020) feature Dual Image Stabilization to prevent blurry images caused by a shaky hand or moving subjects, brilliant 2.7-inch HyperCrystalTM LCDs to view everything in amazing clarity, and Perfect Shot Preview to see the effects of the specific settings before pressing the shutter. The Stylus cameras do it all in fashion with a rainbow of colors to choose from that suit your personal tastes.
“The Stylus series of premium point-and-shoots now has Dual Image Stabilization, large 2.7-inch LCD screens and Perfect Shot Preview in every model for an incredible photography experience,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “We’ve also broken the zoom barrier in ultra-slim bodies with the powerful 7x optical zoom of the Stylus 1010 and 1020. The Stylus cameras are more than just attractive fashion accessories to see and be seen with, they are the seamless blending of innovative features and stunning form.”
Large Zoom in a Small Package
Great images begin with great optics, and the new Stylus line-up offers amazing optics with stunning design flourishes. The Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 feature new lens technology that enables the 7x optical zoom lens (37mm-260mm equivalent in 35mm photography, f3.3-5.3) to magnify the subject by seven times, and then tuck away into a compact body just one inch thick. The new Stylus 840 has a 5x optical zoom (36-180mm equivalent in 35mm photography, f3.3-5.0), which consists of an ultra-compact lens made from precision-crafted glass.
Blur-Free Photos Two Ways
Dual Image Stabilization combines two technologies — mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization — to provide one powerful anti-blur solution for capturing great images whether the photographer or the subject is moving. Olympus’ mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the CCD image sensor to compensate for camera movement, which often occurs in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blurry images often caused by a moving subject. By combining the two technologies, users of the Stylus 840, Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 are able to take crystal clear images in any shooting situation.
Large 2.7-Inch HyperCrystalTM LCD
The Stylus 840 and Stylus 1010 cameras are equipped with large, high-resolution 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD screens with high contrast and anti-glare technology for clear visibility, even when pictures are composed in bright sunlight. The HyperCrystal LCDs also offer a wide-viewing angle, greater than 140 degrees in every direction, enabling photos to be composed from a range of angles and viewed by several people at once. Additionally, the Stylus 1020 — the flagship of the Stylus line — boasts an advanced HyperCrystal II LCD, which is Olympus’ next generation of LCD technology. This new technology increases the LCD’s dynamic contrast ratio and color reproduction performance, ultimately providing users with more precise image displays.
Millions of Pixels for Superior Image Quality
The 10.1-megapixel Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 as well as the 8.0-megapixel Stylus 840 enable consumers to achieve consistently sharp and vivid images when producing large-format prints or cropping/enlarging a portion of an image.
A Rainbow of Colors in All Designs
Feeling blue today? How about pretty in pink? Glossy black goes with everything, surely. The new Stylus line-up offers colors for every mood (and outfit!). The Stylus 840 will be available in silver, black, blue and pink; the Stylus 1010 will be available in silver, black, blue and purple; and the Stylus 1020 will come in blue, pink, black and silver. The exterior of the Stylus 1020 has a premium glossy finish that gives it an ultra-modern look and feel. All three new Stylus cameras feature illuminated button icons for ease of use and savvy style.
Face Detection
Face Detection tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Even if your subject is moving, the camera continuously tracks your subject’s face without having to press the shutter button.
Shadow Adjustment Technology
Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlight areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. The Stylus cameras address this challenge head-on with a new Shadow Adjustment Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With the new technology, users can preview and capture images that have the same contrast as seen with the naked eye.
Perfect Shot Preview
The new Stylus cameras feature Perfect Shot Preview that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. This feature enables users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering.
Perfect Fix In-Camera Editing
The Stylus cameras offer Red-Eye Fix and Shadow Adjustment Edit, in-camera editing features such as resizing, frames, text options, and saturation adjustments, enabling users to edit photos right in the camera.
In-Camera Panorama
In-Camera Panorama mode captures three images and stitches them together to create one amazing panoramic picture. Simply press the shutter button and slowly pan across a panoramic scene. The second and third images will be captured automatically and stitched together with the first image — resulting in one seamless panorama-size picture. To create the ultimate panoramic picture, consumers can use the Olympus MasterTM Software 2 to stitch up to 10 images together.
TruePic III Image Processor
The Stylus cameras feature Olympus’ exclusive TruePic III image processor developed for the demanding performance of digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras. Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures crisp, clear images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.
Memory
All Olympus digital point-and-shoot cameras accept xD-Picture Card media. The Stylus 840, Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 will also come equipped with an adapter, which will enable microSD memory cards to be used when capturing images. The microSD cards are emerging in consumer electronic devices, including mobile phones and PDAs. Users can also easily display photos on their HDTVs.
OLYMPUS Master 2 Software
OLYMPUS Master 2 Software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are easily organized by folders or albums and searchable by date in Calendar view. Additionally, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee Theater Pack to create professional quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.
Underwater Photography
Capturing brilliant images underwater is a snap with Stylus cameras when paired with their respective underwater housing. The new PT-042 housing fits the Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020, enabling users to take images down to the recreational scuba depth of 130 feet (40 meters). Underwater scene modes offered in the two cameras help users to capture brilliant images of their underwater adventures.
Olympus Premium Cases
Olympus also offers premium cases in a variety of new designs, including cream plaid, gray plaid and a brown leather, which offers a masculine wallet-like look. Premium cases are also available in black, pink and red leather. A new olive neoprene case is perfect for active or outdoor situations. The sporty neoprene case is also available in black.
New Powerful Battery
The Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 include the new LI-50B Li-Ion battery, which charges 2.5 times faster (two hours instead of five) than its predecessor. The new 925-mAh battery boasts a 25 percent increase in power.
Availability
The Stylus 840 will be available in January 2008, and the Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020 will be available in March 2008. The cameras ship with: a wrist strap, WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, LI-42B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger (Stylus 840), the new LI-50B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger (Stylus 1010 and Stylus 1020), manual, warranty card and a CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master 2 Software.
U.S. Pricing
Stylus 840 Estimated Street Price: $249.99. (U.S.)
Stylus 1010 Estimated Street Price: $299.99. (U.S.)
Stylus 1020 Estimated Street Price: $349.99. (U.S.)
For more information, review units, product specifications and high-resolution images of the Stylus cameras, contact Althea Haigh, Mullen Public Relations, 212-885-3803 or althea.haigh@mullen.com, or Jennifer Lyons, public relations manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc., 3500 Corporate Parkway, Center Valley, PA 18034, ph: (484) 896-5350 / (800) 622-6372 or the Olympus Web site: http://www.olympusamerica.com.
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.
