Pre-Photokina 2008: Last but by no means least comes another entry-level digital compact camera, the Olympus FE-20, which joins the two FE- series cameras (the FE-360 and FE-370) announced last week. The 8MP FE-20 sports a 2.5” LCD and 3x zoom lens (36-108mm equiv) and includes features features digital (high ISO ) ‘Image stabilization’ and Face Detection.

Press Material:

Latest Olympus FE series models: Compact size, powerful optics

London, 25 August 2008 –The latest Olympus FE series cameras continue to impress for their user-friendliness, attractive pricing, and great image results. Like all Olympus cameras, they pack superior optical performance into compact dimensions. Boasting up to 5x optical zoom, these FE cameras allow users to get up close and personal with their subjects.

The high-grade optics matched with 8 Megapixels ensure premium image quality and precise picture details. In addition to internal memory, photos can be stored to xD-Picture Card or – thanks to a bundled attachment – on microSD Card. Find the newest Olympus FE cameras at a store near you this September for an approximate value of £119.99 for the FE-20, £129.99 for the FE-360, and £179.99 for the FE-370. Each model is also available in a choice of colours

The Olympus FE-20 unites strength and simplicity. The power of its 3x optical zoom and 8 Megapixels is always at your fingertips with this sleek and compact camera measuring just 21.5mm in depth. But don’t let its looks and features fool you – the FE-20 is fun and easy to use. Face Detection Technology makes it simple to capture your friends and family with optimal focus and exposure settings. And with Digital Image Stabilisation, ISO values of up to 1000 help prevent blur, so you can always be sure that your pictures will come out crisp and clear.

This stylish, powerful camera comes in silver or black, and its large 6.4cm/2.5” LCD makes framing and reviewing your shots a cinch. All of the latest FE series cameras follow a “one button, one function” design principle. Also on board are a help function and a multilingual menu for easy navigation and operation. The included Olympus Master Software also makes for easy photo handling on the computer. Internal memory is just one option for storing photos. Results can also be saved to xD-Picture Card or – thanks to the bundled attachment – on microSD Card too.

The newest additions to Olympus’ FE series – the FE-370, FE-360 and FE-20 – will hit the shelves in September 2008.

Main features: FE-20

• Miniature 3x optical zoom (36-108mm*) in slim body to capture everything from great scenes to stunning portraits
• Digital Image Stabilisation (up to ISO 1000) for less blur
• See and share images more easily on the 6.4cm/2.5" LCD
  (154,000 dots)
• Perfectly focused and exposed faces even in tricky situations thanks to Face Detection Technology
• 16 scene modes (e.g. Night Scene with Portrait and Candle) ensure the camera has the right settings for different situations
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound
  (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)

*     Equivalent to a 35mm camera
microSD is a trademark of SD Card Association.

• 8.5 million total pixels
• 8 million effective pixels
• Primary colour filter (RGB)

Image sizes • 8M 3264 x 2448
• 5M 2560 x 1920
• 3M 2048 x 1536
• 2M 1600 x 1200
• 1M 1280 x 960
• VGA 640 x 480
• 16:9 1920 x 1080 Movie clips • 640 x 480 / 15 fps Recording time: 10 sec
• 320 x 240 / 15 fps Recording time: 29 min File formats • JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
• AVI Motion JPEG
• WAV audio Lens • 3x
• 4 Aspherical glass elements
• Focal length 6.3 – 18.9mm
• Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 36 – 108mm
• 6 lenses/5 groups
• Aperture 3.1 – 5.9 • 3x
• 4 Aspherical glass elements
• Focal length 6.3 – 18.9mm
• Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 36 – 108mm
• 6 lenses/5 groups
• Aperture 3.1 – 5.9 • 5x
• 4 Aspherical glass elements
• Focal length6.3 – 31.5mm
• Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 36 – 180mm
• 8 lenses/6 groups
• Aperture 3.5 – 5.6 Image stabilization No Conversion lenses No Digital zoom Yes 4x Focus

• TTL iESP auto focus with contrast detection
• Face Detection AF
• Spot
• Standard
• Macro
• Super-Macro

AF assist lamp Yes Focus distance • Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele)

• Macro mode 0.1m – (wide) / 0.6m (tele)

• Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 5 cm

• Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele)

• Macro mode 0.1m – (wide) / 0.6m (tele)

• Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 5 cm

• Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele)

• Macro mode 0.1m – (wide) / 0.6m (tele)

• Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 3 cm Metering

• ESP light metering

ISO sensitivity • Auto ISO 80 – 1000 Automatically selected
• Manual ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000 • Auto ISO 80 – 1000 Automatically selected
• Manual ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000 • Auto ISO 80 – 1600 Automatically selected
• Manual ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200*
* In reduced pixel mode Exposure compensation • +/- 2 EV
• 1/3 EV steps Shuttter speed 1 s – 1/2000 s Aperture f 3.1 – f 5.9 f 3.1 – f 5.9 f 3.5 – f 5.6 Scene modes

• Auto
• Programme Automatic
• Image Stabalisation
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene with portrait
• Sports
• Indoor
• Candle
• Self-portrait
• Sunset
• Fireworks
• Cuisine
• Behind Glass
• Documents
• Auction

• Auto
• Programme Automatic
• Image Stabalisation
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene with portrait
• Sports
• Indoor
• Candle
• Self-portrait
• Sunset
• Fireworks
• Cuisine
• Behind Glass
• Documents
• Auction
• Underwater Wide 1
• Underwater Wide 1
• Underwater Macro

• Portrait
• Landscape
• Landscape with Portrait
• Night Scene
• Night Scene with portrait
• Sports
• Indoor
• Candle
• Self-portrait
• Available Light Portrait
• Sunset
• Fireworks
• Museum
• Cuisine
• Behind Glass
• Documents
• Auction
• Shoot & Select 1
• Shoot & Select 2
• Beach and Snow
• Pre-Capturing Movie
• Underwater Snapshot
• Snow
• Smile Shot
• Intelligent Auto Mode White balance • White balance adjustment
• Sunlight
• Tungsten
• Overcast
• Flourescent 1
• Flourescent 2
• Flourescent 3 Self timer Yes Flash • Auto
• Red-eye reduction
• Fill-in
• Off LCD monitor • 2.5" / 6.4 cm LCD
• 154,000 dots • 2.5" / 6.4 cm LCD
• 154,000 dots • 2.7" / 6.4 cm LCD
• 230,000 Connectivity • DC input
• Combined A/V & USB output
• USB 2.0 compatible Storage • DCF
• EXIF 2.2
• PIM III
• PictBridge
• DPOF Power • LI-50B Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery
• D-7 AC AC Adapter (optional) Weight (no batt) 88 g 99 g 128 g Dimensions 96 x 57 x 22 mm 94 x 56 x 20.3mm 95 x 57 x 25 mm

Source: www.dpreview.com

read more from " Olympus unveils FE-20 "

Just Posted: Our review of the Olympus E-420. The E-420 was launched exactly one year after its predecessor, the E-410, and comes with only a relatively small number of modifications such a larger screen, contrast detect autofocus in live view and the Auto Gradation feature that we’ve first seen on the E3. It’s the smallest SLR on the market but can it compete with the larger and more expensive models from the competition? ..

Source: www.dpreview.com

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Vnunet has a review of the Olympus E-410 and writes, “lenses used by the Olympus system – known as Four Thirds – offer twice the focal length of their 35mm equivalents, meaning the bundled 14-42mm zoom lens is equal to a 28-84mm lens on another manufacturer’s SLR. So you get a bigger range from a physically smaller lens, even if it is just the standard 3x zoom (dividing the 42mm longest focal length by the 14mm shortest). There’s some barrel distortion – the edges of the picture curve very slightly – at maximum wide angle, but for the most part images are crisp and colour is naturalistic. To sum up, the E-410 has so many boxes ticked it’s hard to see where Olympus has made any oversights, and it represents a great camera for the first-time digital SLR user.”

read more from " Olympus E-410 Review at Vnunet "

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