Olympus Introduces Two New Ultra-Compact And Lightweight M.ZUIKO Digital ED Lenses

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Designed for Any Micro Four Thirds Camera, Including the New PEN E-PL1 Announced Today

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 3, 2010 –Olympus today announces two new additions to its Micro Four Thirds™ System lens lineup: the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 (35mm equivalent 18–36mm) and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 (35mm equivalent 28–300mm). Designed to maximize the performance advantages of the Micro Four Thirds System, the new lenses are significantly lighter and more compact – easily fitting in a jacket pocket.

The new lenses, made with ED (extra-low dispersion) glass for superior image quality, complement the design of the PEN® cameras, including the powerfully simple E-PL1, also announced today, making it the all-in-one package for consumers with any skill level, including those who are new to photography.

The Micro Four Thirds System standard meets the telecentric requirements of dedicated digital design. Light rays strike the imaging element nearly head-on for optimum edge-to-edge image reproduction. It also enables much more compact design than the Four Thirds System standard (or other interchangeable lens systems) because it reduces the outer diameter of the lens mount by 6mm, and the distance from the lens mount to the sensor (the flange back distance) by approximately half. As a result, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL Micro Four Thirds System lenses offer uncompromising professional quality for capturing both still-images and High-Definition (HD) videos, and the lenses are exceptionally compact to make capturing your life more fun.

The super wide-angle M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9–18mm F4.0–5.6 zoom lens (35mm equivalent 18–36mm) offers a 100 percent angle of view, and overturns the rule that super wide-angle zooms have to be big and heavy. With a length of just 49mm and a weight of just 155g, it is less than half the size and 60 percent of the weight of the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9–18mm F4.0–5.6. With its wide angle of view, including background scenery in group photos is a snap, and it can be used to create unique images with a sense of dramatically exaggerated perspective.

The high-power wide-angle to telephoto M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14–150mm F4.0–5.6 zoom lens is 65 percent smaller and 70 percent lighter than the comparable 10x ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 18–180mm F3.5–6.3, making it ideal for everything from portraits and indoor scenes to sports and landscape photography.

By maximizing the advantages of the Micro Four Thirds System design, compact size, low weight and amazing image quality, the two new lenses significantly expand the photographic potential of the system. The inner focusing mechanism uses a light, compact, single-element unit to enable exceptionally fast, quiet autofocusing for smooth, superior operating ease during still and video capture. The manual focusing mechanism is designed to offer a responsive feel and precise operation, enabling you an affordable, high-quality means to capture your life in stills or HD videos.

Both lenses offer quieter and more responsive AF performance, and provide professional image quality for capturing amazing still images and videos. They are compatible with all Micro Four Thirds System Olympus PEN cameras, and all other current and future cameras that comply with the Micro Four Thirds System standard. When mounted on an Olympus PEN camera, the lenses are stabilized thanks to the camera’s in-body Image Stabilization system and offer effective shake compensation at all focal lengths.

AVAILABILITY

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9–18mm F4.0–5.6 will be available in early May, and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14–150mm F4.0–5.6 will be available in early June 2010.

U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9–18mm F4.0–5.6 Estimated Street Price: $699.99
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14–150mm F4.0–5.6 Estimated Street Price: $599.99

Journalists interested in more information, review units, product specifications and high-resolution images of the new Stylus Tough cameras should contact Jeff Hluchyj, Mullen Public Relations, 617-226-9939 orjeff.hluchyj@mullen.com, or Jennifer Lyons, Olympus Imaging America Inc., 3500 Corporate Parkway, Center Valley, PA 18034, ph: (484) 896-5350 / (800) 622-6372 or the Olympus Web site: www.getolympus.com.

ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances people’s lives every day. These include:

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit:www.olympusamerica.com.

*Specifications and design are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holder.

©2010 Olympus Imaging America Inc.

Company Contact:
Olympus Imaging America Inc.
Jennifer Lyons
(484) 896-5350

jennifer.lyons@olympus.com

Agency Contact:
Mullen Public Relations
Jeff Hluchyj
(617) 226-9939

jeff.hluchyj@mullen.com

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