Olympus rolls out E-420 DSLR

Olympus announces the E-420, world's thinnest, smallest digital SLR camera. It is comes with 10-megapixel sensor and a 2.7-inch LCD with Live View. This camera is equipped with On-Screen Autofocus, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology and Perfect Shot Preview. It measures 5.1 x 3.6 x 4.6 inch and weighs 13.4 ounces. The Olympus E-420 DSLR is available at $600.

PRESS SUMMARY
Olympus announces ultra compact E-420 digital SLR - digital camera and photography newsUser-friendly Olympus E-420 marries an exceptionally compact design with professional quality

The latest addition to the Olympus E-System, the E-420, represents a winning formula for both seasoned photographers and entrants to the D-SLR domain alike. Users benefit from the remarkable quality only D-SLR photography can deliver, yet also enjoy the ease of use usually only associated with a compact camera. This includes Live View depictions on the LCD, which can significantly simplify image composition. In addition, as one of the world's smallest and lightest D-SLRs, mobility is hardly an issue. The E-420 will fit just about anywhere – from a small daypack to a lady's handbag. This makes it a perfect companion for journalists, travelers or other adventurers who appreciate the one-of-a-kind portability, performance and value for money it delivers. The easy-to-use 10.0-Megapixel E-420 features 28 shooting modes to suit a multitude of photographic situations and is ready to use straight out of the box. It will be available in stores from late April 2008.

More performance, more ease of use
With the E-420, Olympus proves that high performance D-SLR photography can be enjoyed by everyone. Despite packing even more potential than its predecessor, this new E-System model boasts extreme user-friendliness in an amazingly light and compact take-anywhere form. Whatever the photographer's level of experience, high-quality images are quite literally for the taking. 28 shooting modes, including automatic, semi-automatic and manual shooting options, ensure complete versatility – while retaining both ease of use and the distinct D-SLR quality advantages.

A powerful 10.0-Megapixel Live MOS sensor provides plentiful resolution for crisp, detailed shots. This is supported by the incorporation of the TruePic III image processor which enables the implementation of Shadow Adjustment Technology (SAT). It guarantees exceptionally true-to-life image reproduction while reducing noise and enhancing processing speed. Sequential shooting at up to 3.5fps in full Megapixels mode is possible with up to eight images in RAW buffer.

For state-of-the-art protection against the threat of dust, Olympus' own Supersonic Wave Filter is the E-System's native dust reduction system – and has positioned itself as the world's leading solution against dust on the image sensor.

Purely intuitive
The E-420 brings even the most advanced features into a natural framework that enables virtually anyone to achieve high-level photography. With continuous Live View, users can frame compositions on the camera's generous 2.7”/6.9cm HyperCrystal II LCD, which provides 100% coverage of scenes with the on-screen contrast, brightness and color of depictions all being easily adjustable. Thanks to Perfect Shot Preview, the effects of exposure compensation and white balance can also be monitored in real-time directly on the LCD. Furthermore, professional depth of field previewing is possible and users can see the effects of Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology in action. In addition, the LCD enables the magnification of subjects by a factor of 7 or 10 while framing. This makes manual focusing during macro shooting, for example, considerably easier and more accurate.

Autofocus performance has also been enhanced to boost user friendliness. On top of the phase detection AF system, the E-420 now also features a contrast AF system*. It allows subjects to be focused upon more conveniently as the mirror does not need to move to the down position for measurements to be taken. And as a major additional benefit for photographers, implementation of the contrast AF system lets the effect of autofocus be seen on the Live View LCD immediately.

A built-in flash adds to this model's flexibility. More shooting versatility is also provided due to the option of wireless flash control in up to three groups. Using the Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R flash units, multiple flash set-ups which can be controlled remotely – significantly extend lighting options. And thanks to the availability of sensitivities ranging from ISO 100 to 1600, the E-420 remains a versatile companion, even in less-than-perfect lighting conditions and in situations when a flash is not desired.

With 38 languages available, the E-420 enables ease-of-use no matter the user's native tongue. A USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) interface guarantees fast data transfer, and with its long-life rechargeable battery, shooting sessions can easily go into overtime.

Part of the E-System family
The E-420 is compatible with virtually all Olympus E-System accessories. Adhering to the Four Thirds Standard, these various accessories open the door to an amazing range of photographic options – without compromising quality. All Four Thirds lenses, for example, feature near-telecentric construction ensuring edge-to-edge sharpness. Furthermore, the Four Thirds System enables the design of smaller camera bodies and lenses to allow for much more compact photographic set-ups. This advantage is perfectly embodied in the go-anywhere E-420, one of the world's smallest and lightest D-SLRs. And to accentuate this fact further, a new so-called pancake lens is also being introduced. Featuring an extremely short-barreled, lightweight design, the ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 (equivalent to 50mm on a 35mm camera) represents the perfect accompaniment for the E-420. With its overall compactness, the set-up is reminiscent of the legendary improvement to mobility that the famous Olympus OM series provided.

Adding to this model's cool elegance, an attractive, retro-styled camera case that attaches to the base of the camera is also being introduced. Made entirely of leather, it will be available in a choice of white, brown or black.

The newest addition to the E-System family, the E-420 will hit stores from late April 2008.

The Olympus E-420 digital SLR – main features:
Extremely easy operation – use it straight out of the box
One of the world's smallest and lightest D-SLRs providing the ultimate in portability
10-Megapixel Live MOS sensor
Live View for easier compositions
Perfect Shot Preview for improved depiction of camera adjustments directly on the Live View LCD
Improved Live View with contrast AF, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology & phase detection AF system*
TruePic III image processor
High-contrast 2.7”/6.9cm HyperCrystal II LCD with 176° viewing angles
The original Supersonic Wave Filter for dust protection
28 automatic, semi-automatic and manual shooting options (including 5 exposure, 5 creative & 18 scene select modes)
Built-in pop-up flash (GN 10)
Wireless flash control in up to 3 groups
3.5fps with up to eight images in RAW buffer
One-touch white balance
AE/AF-lock functionality
ISO 100 to 1600
Depth of field preview function
49-segment digital ESP
Bracketing function (Exposure, White Balance, Focus)
Beginner and Advanced information screens
Detailed info screen with histogram
Based on Four Thirds System
Dual memory card slots (for xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash)

The Olympus E-420 is available in the following configurations:
Olympus E-420 Lens Kit
(E-420 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens)
Olympus E-420 Double Zoom Kit
(E-420 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 lenses)
Olympus E-420 Pancake Lens Kit
(E-420 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 lens)
Olympus E-420 (body only)

Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd

The Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd is being promoted as one of the world's smallest 12x zoom digital camera.

Measuring 102.0 x 73.0 x 67.8mm and weighing just 325 grams this 12x optical zoom camera has 10 megapixels and a focal range equivalent to 33-396mm.

It has a CCD sensor, 2.7 inch LCD screen, face detection and red eye removal.

Expect to see the Fuji FinePix S1000fd in stores in April 2008 with a retail price of $249.99 USD..

Fujifilm Unveils World's Smallest* 12x Optical Zoom Digital Camera

SLR-Style FinePix S1000fd Extends Range and Feature Set With Longer Zoom, Larger LCD and New Panorama Shooting Mode

FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today announced the successor to the wildly popular SLR-styled FinePix S700 with the introduction of the world’s smallest digital camera with a 12x optical zoom, the FinePix S1000fd.

Perfect for advanced amateur photographers who want an affordable, step-up digital camera, the 10-MegaPixel FinePix S1000fd builds on the legacy of the FinePix S700 with the addition of a Fujinon 12x optical zoom (33mm-396mm equivalent) for greater range and flexibility, Fujifilm’s proprietary Face Detection Technology with Automatic Red Eye Removal, and a brand new Panoramic Shooting mode.

Face Detection with Automatic Red Eye Removal
Face Detection operates by identifying and prioritizing up to 6 faces in a framed scene, and then adjusting the focus and exposure accordingly to ensure the sharpness and clarity of human subjects in the picture, regardless of background. After a shot is captured each detected face is instantly checked for red eye; if it is found, it is corrected automatically, saving the time-consuming process of fixing it later.

Panorama Shooting Mode
For catching beautiful scenery or very large groups, the new Panorama Shooting mode makes it easy to create impressive panoramic photos. This mode captures and combines a maximum of three consecutive shots at 3 MegaPixel resolution each, which are saved to the memory card as a panoramic picture.

Rounding out the FinePix S1000fd’s powerful feature set is a large 2.7” high-resolution (230k pixel) LCD plus electronic viewfinder (EVF) and ISO levels of up to ISO 1600 at full resolution and ISO 3200 at 3 MegaPixel resolution.

Fujifilm’s new FinePix S1000fd also offers the following useful features:

* Picture Stabilization mode: A selectable mode, Picture Stabilization uses the heightened sensitivity of the FinePix S1000fd and high-speed shutter settings to reduce blur caused by hand-shake or subject movement. It allows the camera to automatically choose the correct light sensitivity and optimal shutter speed to produce clear, blur-free images.
* Full Manual Photographic Control: Photo enthusiasts and advanced photographers have total control with manual adjustment options for various camera settings including resolution, ISO, aperture, shutter speed and more.
* High Speed Shooting: Capture the action with the High Speed Shooting mode: 7.5 fps @ 2MP for 15 shots; 3.3 fps @ 5MP for 6 shots; and 1.4 fps @ 10MP for 3 shots.
* Movie Recording: VGA quality at 30 frames per second with sound.
* 14 Pre-programmed Scene Modes: The FinePix S1000fd features 14 pre-programmed scene modes that offer a one-touch setting for almost any situation, including: Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, Text.
* xD / SD / SD-HC Compatible slot: The FinePix S1000fd features an “xD/SD Compatible slot” which accepts not only Fujifilm’s traditional xD-Picture Cards but also Secure Digital (SD) and SD-High Capacity/SD-HC cards too.
* Operates on 4xAA Batteries: The ultimate in convenience and accessibility, using AA batteries means in a pinch, more batteries are just moments away.

“With the FinePix S1000fd, Fujifilm is offering advanced amateur photographers an affordable, step-up digital camera,” said David Troy, senior product manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. “Fitted with a Fujinon 12x optical zoom for greater range and flexibility and a new Panoramic Shooting mode for capturing beautiful scenic shots with ease, the FinePix S1000fd is packed full of high-end features and priced at a level consumers can afford.”

The FinePix S1000fd will debut in April 2008 at a retail price of $249.95.

Fujifilm Finepix Z20Fd

The Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd is a stylish point and shoot camera with a 10 megapixel CCD image sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens.

It features a 2.5 inch LCD (150,000 pixels), face detection technology, auto red eye removal and 45 megabytes of internal memory.

The Fuji FinePix Z20fd arrives in stores in March and will have a retail price of $199.99.

Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd News Release
Fujifilm Generation Z Style-cam Gets An Upgrade

The New 10 MP FinePix Z20fd Boasts New Colors, New Video Technology and New Dual Blog Mode

Continuing the tradition started by its stylish predecessor, the FinePix Z10fd, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today unveiled the FinePix Z20fd, a new ultra-glam digital camera packed with useful features that let you face it, beam it, blog it and now roll it with a new MPEG-4 movie recording mode for the movie-crazed Generation Z.

The 10-MegaPixel FinePix Z20fd comes in four luminous colors – Jet Black, Wasabi Green, Hot Pink and Ice Blue – an ultra-portable design, a Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5" LCD screen and packs 45MB of internal memory to give you some extra room when your memory card is full. The style-savvy FinePix Z20fd also introduces Fujifilm’s handy new Dual Blog Mode that automatically resizes any still image or movie you've captured, letting you post pictures and videos to blogs, video-sharing websites like YouTube, or e-mail to friends with ease.

As with the FinePix Z10fd, the Z20fd also allows picture takers to Face It with Fujifilm’s innovative Face Detection Technology with Automatic Red Eye Removal for capturing the ultimate group shots and Beam It with Fujifilm’s IrSimpleTM technology to share the image instantly with friends. A one-touch selectable mode that identifies up to 10 human faces in a scene, Face Detection Technology sets the correct focus for a chosen primary face and exposure for all detected faces automatically, regardless of where subjects are located within the frame. After the shot is taken, each detected face is instantly checked for red eye; if found, it is corrected automatically, saving the time consuming process of fixing it later. Fujifilm’s IrSimpleTM technology allows for fast, easy wireless image transfer to any IrSimpleTM equipped device.

Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilization Technology uses higher sensitivities -- up to ISO 1600 in the Z20fd -- and faster shutter and operational speeds, that help reduce camera shake, allowing photographers to capture the moment just as it was meant to be captured.

This high-style camera can also Roll It with an impressive Movie mode, capturing full motion MPEG4 video with the touch of a separate movie shutter button. Using the Successive Movie mode, in-camera editing allows for the creation of a 60 second movie clip, even when shooting in two or more scenes is desired. Start and restart multiple times to build a 60-second compilation, and edit the start and end points.

In addition to these innovations, the FinePix Z20fd is packed with the following extraordinary features:

* Dual Shutter Releases: One button for still capture, one for movie record, for ease of use.
* i-Flash Intelligent Flash: i-Flash detects subtle lighting differences within a scene, and then varies the flash intensity accordingly. It also leverages the high sensitivity of the Z20fd to enable the camera to use less flash, preventing that “blasted with light” effect that so many digital camera flashes leave you with. The result is pleasing, natural tones with no flash “wash-out”.
* Dual Shot Mode: In this mode, the FinePix Z20fd quickly shoots two images in succession -- one with and one without the flash -- saving both. This convenient function lets the user perform an on-the-spot picture comparison and decide whether the FinePix Z20fd produced the most pleasing photo with flash, or without.
* Special Scene Modes: The FinePix Z20fd has 16 scene positions including Fireworks, Beach and Snow, offering a one-touch setting for almost any situation.
* xD / SD / SDHC Compatible slot: A single media slot that accepts both xD Picture Card and SD/SDHC media cards.
* Stamp It: Add a little fun to your images by “stamping” a variety of fun designs to up to three detected faces in your shots!
* Battery Life: Long-life rechargeable Li-ion battery.

“Fujifilm introduced the FinePix Z10fd in 2007 to address the digital demands of a younger generation that weren’t being met. However, like any product targeted towards this fast moving demographic, it needs to adapt rapidly to the latest trends to be successful and, the FinePix Z20fd does just that.” said David Troy, senior product manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. “With new technology and features, like Dual-Blog Mode, the Z20fd provides Generation Z with a convenient all-in-one device to capture all their favorite moments in style.”

The FinePix Z20fd will debut in late March at a retail price of $199.95.