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Cologne, 27 September
2004 The eight million pixel
Olympus E-300 digital SLR immediately stands out from the crowd.
Its much more lean and
unconventional form, for an SLR, is the result of replacing the
penta prism with a TTL Optical Porro Finder. Combined with full
SLR performance, perfect handling and a very tempting price, this
model is the ideal everyday companion for ambitious users. Based
on the TIPA Award-winning FourThirds Standard, the Olympus E-300
incorporates a Supersonic Wave Filter that ensures dust and other
foreign particles do not interfere with the captured image. So
photographers have the full freedom to explore every creative
avenue, this compact SLR model is compatible with a complete range
of system accessories, including high-precision lenses. The optics
feature a nearly telecentric construction to draw maximum
performance from the cameras Full Frame Transfer CCD. The TruePic
TURBO image processor further boosts picture quality and the
processing speed. Compact, powerful, versatile and user-friendly,
the Olympus E-300 comes in a kit with a 1445mm ZUIKO DIGITAL
zoom. Complemented with its great affordability, the Olympus E-300
is assured a large following of both newcomers and existing
enthusiasts.
Olympus has demonstrated
its talent for radically opening up the world of SLR photography
before. That was in 1972 when it launched the OM-1, which back
then was the worlds smallest SLR and a milestone in photographic
history. Now, the company is set to bring digital SLR photography
to a wider audience with its eight million pixel Olympus E-300.
The size and unusual SLR
shape is the first thing everyone will notice about the new model.
And the benefits can be seen immediately as well. Avid users who
always like to have a camera with them, such as on a hike or city
visit, will certainly welcome the lighter, more compact load. The
dimensions could be reduced by replacing the penta prism which
is so characteristic of many SLRs with a TTL Optical Porro
Finder. The subsequent redesign of the housing above the lens
meant there was even space for a built-in flash within its
ergonomic body.
The Olympus E-300 brings
the advantages of the FourThirds Standard, previously only
available in professional systems, to many more photographers.
FourThirds was jointly developed by Olympus and Kodak especially
for digital capture and sets standards on three levels
mechanical, optical and communication to maximise the
performance of camera body, image sensor and lenses.
Dust entering SLRs when
swapping lenses is virtually impossible to prevent. Even very
minute particles can ruin shots if they land on the CCD. To save
users the time and cost of cleaning the chip, the camera offers an
ingenious solution. Developed by Olympus, the Supersonic Wave
Filter generates ultra-high-speed vibrations to shake off dust
and/or other particles, which are then captured on a special
adhesive part. This function is invoked at each start-up of the
camera but may also be manually effected.
With a full combination
of photographic functions plus the user-friendly menu and
controls, the Olympus E-300 lets serious amateurs give full
expression to their artistic vision. For example, selecting
between single AF, continuous AF and manual focus or the different
exposure modes is effortless. Compatibility with a vast range of
system accessories, including all Olympus E-System lenses, extends
the creative possibilities even further. There are currently nine
interchangeable lenses available for this model. All are based on
the FourThirds Standard and feature the nearly telecentric
construction required by digital image sensors for perfect colour,
clarity and brightness from the centre to the periphery of the
frame.
The Full Frame
Transfer CCD (FFT CCD) ensures the maximum amount of image
data is recorded. In comparison to its Interline Transfer
counterparts, which are found in the majority of digital models,
the FFT CCD has a larger pixel area, with bigger photodiodes and
transfer channels. This means more electrons can be captured. A
high signal/noise ratio can therefore be achieved together with a
wider dynamic range. The end results benefit from more exposure
latitude, greater detail and less noise. The TruePic TURBO image
processor further contributes to picture quality and helps speed
up the image recording process.
Affordable; compact and
light enough for everyday use; equipped for full creative
expression and sensational results: this is the Olympus E-300.
Besides the 1445mm ZUIKO DIGITAL lens (which is included in the
Kit), new lenses including the 40150mm ZUIKO DIGITAL are also
available, as well as the external flash unit FL-36 and power
battery holder HLD-3. All are
planned for release at the end of
2004. The camera is further compatible with the majority of
professional photography equipment in the Olympus E-System range.
The Olympus E-300
digital SLR main features:
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8.0 million pixels
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Compact design (penta
prism replaced by TTL Optical Porro Finder)
·
Based on TIPA
Award-winning FourThirds Standard and uses high-precision
interchangeable lenses with nearly telecentric design
·
Supersonic Wave Filter
for dust protection
·
Full Frame Transfer CCD
·
TruePic TURBO image
processor
·
User-friendly menu plus
full manual operation
·
Single AF, continuous
AF and manual focusing
·
Digital ESP,
centre-weighted average and spot exposure metering
·
Scene programme and
scene select programme modes
·
Sliding pop-up built-in
flash
·
Records to CompactFlash
cards and Microdrives
·
Olympus E-300 Kit
includes ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-45mm (28-90mm)* lens f3.5-5.6
·
Compatible with the
complete range of Olympus E-System lenses and new accessories
including ZUIKO DIGITAL 40-150mm (80-300mm)* lens f3.5-4.5, FL-36
external flash and HLD-3 power battery holder
·
Full list of compatible
lenses*:
·
NEW!
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm (14-28mm) f4.0
(available from Spring 2005)
·
NEW!
ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-45mm (28-90mm) f3.5-5.6
(available from November 2004)
·
ZUIKO
DIGITAL 14-54mm (28-108mm) f2.8-3.5
·
NEW!
ZUIKO DIGITAL 40-150mm (80-300mm) f3.5-4.5
(available from November 2004)
·
ZUIKO
DIGITAL ED 50-200mm (100-400mm) f2.8-3.5
·
ZUIKO
DIGITAL ED 50mm (100mm) f2.0 Macro
·
ZUIKO
DIGITAL ED 300mm (600mm) f2.8
·
ZUIKO
DIGITAL 11-22mm (22-44mm) f2.8-3.5
·
NEW! ZUIKO
DIGITAL ED 150mm (300mm) f2.0
(available from October 2004)
·
FL-36 external flash
and HLD-3 power battery holder optionally available
·
An underwater case
PT-E01
waterproof to a water pressure
equivalent up to 60 metres depth will be available from spring of
2005
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