New Olympus cameras

Olympus today debuted several new cameras as well as updated others, including a new 8 megapixel Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom, an updated all-weather Stylus 410, a new point-and-shoot D-580 Zoom, two new Ultra Zoom (C-770 and C-765) cameras with 10x zoom and lower-end refreshed D-540. The entire camera line features Olympus TruePic TURBO Image Processor for improved image quality, faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback, and pixel "micro-smoothing" that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos.

• The updated all-weather adds an all-weather microphone and speaker as well as a faster processor and computer-free printing support. The 4.0 megapixel "ultra-compact" camera measures 3.9" x 2.2" x 1.3", weighs just 5.6 ounces, features a 3x optical zoom and xD-Picture Card support. It will be available in February 2004 for $380 with a 32MB xD-Picture Card, rechargeable battery and remote.


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  Two new 4.0-megapixel, 10x optical zoom digital cameras: the new C-770 Ultra Zoom and C-765 Ultra Zoom. The C-770 captures video with audio in MPEG4 Movie format. Both cameras weigh 10.6 ounces and are housed in a sleek 4.3" W x 3.0" H x 3.0" D body with a silvery finish. The C-770 features a metal body and a hot-shoe for adding external flash. They are due in April for $600 (C-770) and $500 (C-765) with a rechargeable battery, a 16MB xD-Picture Card, and remote.


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  The new D-580 Zoom is a compact point-and-shoot digital camera with a stylish design, 12x zoom (3x optical/4x digital), a 4.0-megapixel sensor, support for PictBridge technology, and a built in microphone. It features a durable polycarbonate body with an attractive metallic accent on its sliding protective clamshell lens barrier. The D-580 Zoom will ship later this month for $30 (with a 16MB xD-Picture Card and two AA alkaline batteries).


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  The new Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom offers accelerated start-up and shot-to-shot recycling time along with 8 megapixel resolution, a f2.4 wide angle all-glass lens with 3 aspherical extra-dispersion, and a 5x optical zoom. It has a rugged, black, ergonomic magnesium alloy body that measures 4.9" x 3.3" x 3.9" and weighs 23.3 ounces (without the battery or media). It supports both xD-Picture Card and Compact Flash Type I/II media (including microdrives) simultaneously, a multi-position 1.8" LCD, USB 2.0 connectivity, and support for the new B-HLD30 Power Battery Holder ($200), which holds a maximum of two Lithium ion BLM-1 rechargeable batteries. It is due later this month for $1000 with a 32MB xD-Picture Card, rechargeable battery, and remote.


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  The D-540 is designed for first-time digital camera buyers, featuring a 3x optical zoom lens, a 3.2-megapixel sensor, and PictBridge technology for direct printing. The D-540 Zoom has a durable silver-toned polycarbonate body with a shutter style lens barrier. It measures 4.0" x 2.2" x 1.5" and weighs 5.3 ounces. It is due in March for $200 (with a 16MB xD-Picture Card and two AA alkaline batteries).

by MacNN Staff