OLYMPUS EXPANDS ULTRA ZOOM LINE WITH TWO NEW 10X OPTICAL ZOOM, 4.0-MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL CAMERAS

Large LCD Display, Faster Processing Speed and Computer-Free Printing Distinguish New Ultra Zoom Camera Design

Melville, New York, February 12, 2004 – Olympus raised the bar on consumer electronics innovation today with the launch of two ultra-compact 4.0-megapixel, 10x optical zoom digital cameras: the new C-770 Ultra Zoom™ and C-765 Ultra Zoom™. Olympus introduced the first-ever Ultra Zoom digital camera four years ago, and has since become the category leader by producing increasingly robust and feature-rich models. The incredibly compact size of the latest models – the smallest Olympus has produced to date – makes them ideal traveling companions to take anywhere and bring the action closer at a sporting event, on the red carpet, in the great outdoors and everywhere in between.

"Olympus introduced our first Ultra Zoom digital camera to the world in 2000, and since then we've taken all our knowledge and design experience to make the Ultra Zoom line even more compact and powerful," said T.J. Dickson, Product Manager of Digital, Olympus America Inc. "As a result, these cameras are some of the smallest of their kind and the lens features a similar focal range typically found on much larger cameras. Increased processing speed for a fast start-up time and continuous shooting, a vivid LCD, an easy-to-use menu and high resolution complete the total package."

Innovative

The C-770 and C-765 Ultra Zoom digital cameras have also been enhanced with an improved image processor called TruePic TURBO™ that significantly improves image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO captures information from all 4.0 million pixels with pixel "micro-smoothing" that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos up to poster-size and larger.

For the first time on an Ultra Zoom model, the C-770 Ultra Zoom captures video with audio in MPEG4 Movie format, the next-generation multimedia standard with more efficient file compression so users can create high quality short movies, download them quickly to a PC or Mac, and send them over the Internet to co-workers, friends and family.

Stylish

Size does matter when it comes to Ultra Zoom cameras. Just because the cameras offer incredible zoom lenses doesn't mean that they have to be big and clunky. In fact, the C-770 and C-765 each weighs just 10.6 ounces without batteries and xD-Picture Card, making them the smallest and lightest Olympus 10x Ultra Zoom digital cameras ever. The cameras are a sleek 4.3" W x 3.0" H x 3.0" D in size with a silvery body, and their trim figures mean they can comfortably fit into a pocket, purse or backpack for travel. The physical difference between the cameras is that the C-770 has a metal body and a hot-shoe for adding external flash.

Exciting

Whether they are being used at Olympus Fashion Week in New York City's Bryant Park to shoot a model walking down the runway, or capturing the Olympus-sponsored Ferrari Formula One racecar on the track in Montreal, the new Ultra Zooms prove themselves essential for capturing fast-paced action at a distance. Shooting from high up in the stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the Olympus-sponsored U.S. Open, or from the bleachers at the local high school football game, the Ultra Zooms can capture a forehand smash in all its glory. These cameras are where the action is because they're the best tools to get the job done.

Intelligent

When photographers look through the electronic viewfinder (EVF) of the cameras and see super-clear images that rival the clarity of optical viewfinders, it's because the electronic viewfinder has been fine-tuned to a super-high resolution of 240,000 pixels. This full information viewfinder has the added advantage of allowing users to view all of their camera's settings without using the LCD. The LCD on the back of the camera is a bright, easy-to-view 1.8 inches offering 118,000 pixels of resolution for composing and reviewing shots.

Powerful

Thanks to years of experience crafting Ultra Zoom digital cameras, Olympus is able to deliver a designed-to-be-digital lens that offers superior performance. The very bright (f2.8/3.7 – 8.0) high quality optical system is comprised of eleven elements arranged in seven groups and includes two aspherical lenses plus an extra-dispersion (ED) glass element, normally found in pro-level SLR cameras.

Both the C-765 Ultra Zoom and C-770 Ultra Zoom feature a seamless zoom lens (10x optical + 4x digital). The optical zoom lens on both cameras is 38mm – 380mm equivalent in 35mm photography. Or, take the optical zoom even further with the new Super Zoom feature. Super Zoom allows users to extend to an amazing 14x optical zoom and close the gap between photographer and subject. Images in the Super Zoom mode are captured at 1600 x 1200 pixel resolution, ideal for 4" x 6" and 5" x 7" prints.

Approachable

The new Olympus Ultra Zoom digital cameras offer a menu architecture that's easy to navigate, with up to 12 selectable shooting modes to get the right settings fast. In fully Programmed Auto mode, the camera offers basic point-and-shoot simplicity for flawless picture taking in typical situations. The 6 easy-to-use Scene Program on the mode dial provides fully automatic exposure adjustments for the photographer who wants optimum results in a wide variety of settings: Portrait, Self Portrait, Landscape-Portrait, Sports, Night Scene and Landscape photography. The 4 customizable "My Mode" settings saves time by allowing users to assign frequently used settings to the mode dial for quick access.

The cameras also provide advanced settings including controls for aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual operation and are ideal for experienced photographers who want to take control. And transferring images to the computer has never been easier with the supplied Auto-Connect USB feature that does not require software drivers for hassle-free image downloads. Images may also be viewed on a television with the supplied video cable.

Because the cameras utilize PictBridge™ technology, they can print images quickly and easily to any PictBridge-enabled printer, like the Olympus P-10 Digital Photo Printer, without using a personal computer. Simply plug the USB cable into the camera and plug the other end of the cable into the printer to begin printing – it's that easy.

Availability

The Olympus C-770 Ultra Zoom and C-765 Ultra Zoom digital cameras will be available in April 2004. They include an Li-10B lithium ion rechargeable battery and charger, Auto-Connect USB cable, Audio/Video Out cable, carrying strap, lens cap with retainer cord, a 16MB xD-Picture Card™, Olympus CAMEDIA Master Software, RM-2 Remote Control, user manual and Quick Start guide.

U.S. Pricing

C-770 Ultra Zoom Street Price: $ 599.00 (U.S.)
C-770 Ultra Zoom MSRP: $699.00 (U.S.)
C-765 Ultra Zoom Street Price: $ 499.00 (U.S.)
C-765 Ultra Zoom MSRP: $599.00 (U.S.)