OLYMPUS STYLUS TOUGH SERIES CAMERAS
DARE THE WORLD TO BRING IT ON!
Stability Meets Durability: Shakeproof Dual Image Stabilization
Added to
Shockproof, Waterproof and Freezeproof Design of
STYLUS TOUGH-8000 and STYLUS TOUGH-6000 Cameras
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 7, 2009 – There’s
really only one word to describe the new shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof,
crushproof and shakeproof cameras from Olympus: Tough! Built to withstand some
of the harshest environments on earth, the Stylus Tough series builds on the
impressive specifications of the renowned Stylus SW Series by adding Dual Image
Stabilization. Now, when the STYLUS TOUGH-8000 and STYLUS TOUGH-6000 arrive
at the windy mountain peak or dive into choppy waves, they stay steady and
ready to capture blur-free images in virtually any condition.
“Olympus designed the new Stylus Tough series to go places other point-and-shoot
cameras wouldn’t dare to go, and by adding Dual Image Stabilization we
ensure that adventurers will come home with crisp, clear images of their travels,” said
Nadine Clark, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “After all,
when you make cameras that can be dropped, submerged and frozen you expect
the terrain where you use them to get a little rocky along the way, and you
want stability as well as durability.”
The STYLUS TOUGH-8000, designed for active and adventurous people, features
an impressive 12 million pixels of image resolution for poster-sized prints
and can survive a 6.6-foot drop, venture 33 feet underwater, withstand 220
pounds of crushing pressure, and laugh at freezing temperatures. The 10-megapixel
STYLUS TOUGH-6000 is made for life’s everyday adventures – especially
those with kids. From the kitchen to a waterslide park and the bunny slopes,
the STYLUS TOUGH-6000 can take a drop from 5 feet, dive to 10 feet below the
surface, and beat the freezing cold. Both Stylus Tough series cameras feature
Tap Control to make it easy for skiers, divers and snowmen makers to control
key settings without removing their gloves. It can also just be fun for those
who enjoy new modern technology.
Winning the Battle of the Blur with Dual Image Stabilization
For the first time, Dual Image Stabilization will be offered on Olympus’ cameras
in the tough category. In the cold climates where the Olympus STYLUS TOUGH-8000
and STYLUS TOUGH-6000 thrive, you may shiver, but the cameras perform sure
and steady even in shaking hands. 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 internal image sensor
to compensate for camera movement, even in low-light conditions when shutter
speeds are slower. Additionally, Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action
with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blurry images
often caused by a moving subject.
Nothing Can Shock These Tough Cameras
Afraid the mountain wind might sweep a camera out of your hands and dash it
on the rocks below? Never fear, the STYLUS TOUGH-6000, available in trendy
yellow, white or blue tones, can withstand a 5-foot drop thanks to the Stylus
Tough series’ shock-absorbing technology, which minimizes the impact
on the lens and circuitry. The STYLUS TOUGH-8000, available in stylish blue,
black or silver, can withstand a 6.6-foot drop and features a crushproof
body that can withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure.
Point-Dunk-and-Shoot Cameras
Stylus Tough series cameras perform as well underwater as they do on land because
their lightweight, stainless steel and aluminum exteriors are matched with
interior rubber gaskets and O-rings to seal out the elements. The STYLUS
TOUGH-8000 can be fully submerged to capture beautiful images down to 33
feet (10 meters) underwater, and features a built-in manometer, making it
ideal for more serious underwater adventurers who want to know the depth
of where their images were taken. The STYLUS TOUGH-6000 can be submerged
up to 10 feet underwater. The inclusion of four preset underwater scene modes
makes these cameras perfect for taking photos while scuba diving, snorkeling
or simply having worry-free fun in the pool. Additionally, movies can be
captured on both cameras and colors are more vibrant using the underwater
movie mode on the STYLUS TOUGH-8000. The cameras also feature a water-repellant
lens coating to prevent water droplets from forming on the lens to get crystal-clear
shots no matter how wet the shooting environment.
Freezeproof for Arctic Adventures
Whether you’re in the arctic tundra
or building a snowman in your backyard, the STYLUS TOUGH-8000 and STYLUS TOUGH-6000
cameras still perform when the temperature dips well below freezing (14 degrees
Fahrenheit; -10 degrees Celsius). Stylus Tough series cameras continue to allow
you to take great images in freezing situations where most traditional cameras
would fail.
Olympus Recommended Button
The new “OR” button makes it easy to activate Olympus’ unique
features, including In-Camera Panorama, Shadow Adjustment and Perfect Shot
Preview. Simply press the new OR button to easily access these commonly used
features.
New Beauty Mode: Supermodels Watch out!
Taking beautiful portraits in the
pool or on the slopes is easy with the new Beauty Mode. It enables you to soften
shadows and smooth wrinkles or blemishes on your subject’s face – all in the camera and as you capture the
image! Additionally, subtle edits can be made post-capture using the Beauty
Fix mode. Choose “Clear Skin” to smooth a person’s complexion, “Dramatic
Eye” to slightly emphasize the eyes, and “Sparkle Eye” to
brighten and enhance the contrast of the iris and pupils. You can also apply
all three edits at once. Have fun customizing your brilliant images without
a PC and costly image editing software.
Hit Them with Your Best Shot: Tap Control
The Stylus Tough series cameras can be controlled with a simple tap on their
top, back or sides, which is made possible thanks to their internal 3D accelerometer
that detects the direction of the force on the camera’s body. To turn
on the flash or Shadow Adjustment Technology, all that is required is a couple
of taps on the camera’s sides and top. In adverse climates Tap Control
ensures fast adjustment of settings even if you are fighting frostbite wearing
large gloves that make pressing traditional buttons nearly impossible.
Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Captures it All
The STYLUS TOUGH-8000 and STYLUS TOUGH-6000
feature a 3.6x wide-angle optical zoom (28-102mm equivalent in 35mm photography,
f3.5-5.0) so that even more of the subject makes it into each shot – perfect
for underwater photography. The lens does not protrude from its body so it
is further protected from harsh conditions.
Versatile Memory
All Olympus digital point-and-shoot cameras accept xD-Picture
CardTM media. Starting with products available in August 2008, they also accept
microSD memory cards to capture images. The new Stylus Tough cameras offer
the flexibility to use either xD-Picture Card or microSD memory cards, which
is just one more advantage of Olympus point-and-shoot cameras.
Advanced HyperCrystalTM III LCD
The next generation of Olympus’ LCD technology – HyperCrystal III – displays
twice as bright as previous versions so that you can see the details more clearly,
even in direct sunlight. The new technology is offered on the STYLUS TOUGH-8000
and STYLUS TOUGH-6000 in a 2.7-inch LCD.
Can’t Hide with Face Detection!
Portrait and group shots make family reunions live beyond the short event,
and with Face Detection you’ll capture even the shyest relatives. The
STYLUS TOUGH-8000 detects up to three faces and the STYLUS TOUGH-6000 detects
up to 16 faces within the frame and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure
to capture sharp, brilliant portraits and group shots. Thanks to the unrivaled
durability of the Stylus Tough series cameras, you’ll capture amazing
photos even if your next family reunion is at a National Park, a water park
or a ski slope!
Intelligent Auto Thinks for You
Skating at night? You won’t be the last one on the ice thanks to Intelligent
Auto Mode. It automatically identifies what you are shooting (i.e. Portrait,
Night + Portrait, Landscape, Macro and Sports) and adjusts the camera’s
settings to capture the best quality results. First-time users can jump into
this quick and hassle-free feature that does the thinking for them and produces
incredible images.
Broaden Your Horizons with In-Camera Panorama
The places you can take Stylus Tough series cameras – the Grand Canyon
or the volcanic sand beaches of Hawaii – are locations where you want
to capture as much of the scene as you can. In-Camera Panorama mode makes it
possible by capturing three images and stitching 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 Master Software™ 2 to stitch up to 10 images together.
Shadow Adjustment Technology
Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast
between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlit 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 Tough series addresses this challenge head-on with Shadow Adjustment
Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas
are underexposed and lack visible detail. With this technology, users can
preview and capture images with the same contrast as the naked eye.
Perfect Shot Preview
The Stylus Tough series features a Perfect Shot Preview
mode that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects
on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. Perfect Shot Preview
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 Tough series offers Red-Eye Fix and Shadow Adjustment Edit, in-camera
editing features such as resizing, and saturation adjustments, enabling users
to edit photos right in the camera. With the Perfect Fix function, multiple
editing features can be applied at once.
LED Illuminator
An LED Illuminator on the Stylus Tough series cameras works like a mini-flashlight
on the front of the camera to enhance focus and exposure for macro shooting – great
for underwater close-ups where light is scarce. The LED also works in conjunction
with Bright Capture to help illuminate your subject when taking low-light
portraits.
TruePic™ III Image Processor
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 captures sharp images at high ISO settings, minimizing
image noise or grainy photos traditionally associated with shooting with high
ISO.
Smart Charging for Active Lifestyles
For the first time, the new STYLUS TOUGH-8000
offers internal charging. Using an AC adapter, the camera plugs directly into
a power outlet and charges the battery like a traditional mobile phone. It
minimizes the need to open the battery compartment door, and helps to maintain
the watertight gaskets that keep your camera tough.
Fashionable and Practical Accessories
Olympus offers a number of optional accessories, specifically designed for
the Stylus Tough series cameras. For users looking to capture their underwater
adventures deeper than 33 feet (10 meters), Olympus offers the PT-045 underwater
housing for the STYLUS TOUGH-8000, which enables users to take pictures as
deep as 130 feet (40 meters). A highly visible floating wrist strap frees
users’ hands when swimming or chasing the next big wave. Stylish silicone
skins protect the camera from scratches.
Additionally, new carabineer straps available in blue and black attach directly
to the camera and can be hooked to a bag, swimming suit or hiking shorts. Durable,
sporty neoprene cases are also perfect for active or outdoor expeditions. Olympus
Stylus Tough series cameras continue to make smooth transitions from outdoor
adventures to cocktail parties. Rinse the camera and place it in an Olympus
premium case for added sophistication. The premium cases are available in a
variety of colors, including red, black and brown leather as well as various
patterns.
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. A direct link makes uploading
your images and videos to YouTube™ easier
than ever. Additionally, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal,
images can be touched up before printing or emailing. 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.
Additionally, create scrapbooks, greeting cards and other fun prints using
the optional ArcSoft® Print Creations plug-in.
Availability
The STYLUS TOUGH-8000 will be available in February 2009, and the STYLUS TOUGH-6000
will be available in January 2009. They will include: a wrist strap, camera
WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, LI-50B Li-Ion rechargeable battery,
F-1AC charger for the STYLUS TOUGH-8000 and the LI-50C charger for the STYUS
TOUGH-6000, MASD-1 (microSD Adapter), manual, warranty card and OLYMPUS Master
2 software (CD-ROM).
U.S. Pricing
STYLUS TOUGH-8000 Estimated Street Price: $399.99 (U.S.)
STYLUS TOUGH-6000 Estimated Street Price: $299.99 (U.S.)