DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS

Olympus Stylus SP-320 Introduction: 7.1-Megapixels, 2.5" LCD, and Full Manual Controls

Olympus Announces New SP-320 Digital Camera Designed To Deliver Powerful Optics And Creative Versatility

New SP-320 Offers Precision-Crafted Zoom Lens, Full Manual and Automatic Controls, 31 Shooting Modes, and a 2.5-Inch Premium Size LCD

Melville, New York, January 26, 2006 - The new 7.1 megapixel SP-320 digital camera from Olympus introduces state-of-the-art features that enable photographers of all skill levels to express their creative visions. With the convenience of over 30 shooting modes or the option of using manual settings for more creative control, the SP-320 is a highly versatile camera with superb ergonomic design, powerful enough for advanced user yet simple enough for a beginner to capture incredible images. Available add-on accessory lenses, flashes, and an underwater housing further expand the photographic options of the SP-320.

"The new SP-320 digital camera offers a unique combination of power and versatility for users of all skill levels," said Michael Barnett, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. "This full-featured camera allows advanced users to produce professional-quality results, and beginners are assured amazing images with the SP-320's convenient automatic settings."

7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor for Superior Image Quality
The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor inside the SP-320 delivers high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints – up to poster sizes as large as 16 x 20 inches.

High Quality Olympus Lens Elements
Olympus photos are known worldwide for sharp, vibrant image quality. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus' high-refractive-index aspherical lens elements, designed specifically for digital cameras. The lens provides the equivalent of 38 to 114 mm focal length, f2.8 - f 4.9 in 35mm photography, with 15x combined total zoom (3x optical and 5x digital) to bring the action closer, and a Super Macro Mode that captures the most subtle details from as close as 0.8" (2cm) .

Large 2.5-Inch LCD
Composing and reviewing images is far easier when you don't have to strain. The 115,000-pixel anti-glare LCD enables you to view images in large and vivid detail. Now you don't have to download and print images each time you want to share them - you can treat your friends and family to a slide show right on the back of your camera.

Full Manual & Automatic Control
The Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes give users versatility and control for optimal performance in any situation. Users can express their creative vision - adjusting the f-stop for detailed portraits with softened backgrounds, or slowing the exposure speed to create the blurred effect of motion, or just sit back and let the camera do the work with the automatic settings.

Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The SP-320 features Digital Image Stabilization Mode for capturing crisp, clear pictures - free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects - with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed.

Selectable Shooting Modes
The SP-320 makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations with 31 pre-programmed shooting modes, such as Night Scene, Indoor, Portrait, Beach, Snow, or Auction. And with its QuickTime® Movie Mode, the camera can record VGA-quality movies of any length.

Accessory Lenses & Flashes for Expanded Capabilities
Olympus' SP-series cameras feature a threaded barrel, which enables easy attachment of add-on wide-angle or telephoto conversion lenses for even more creative control. Compatible accessory lenses include the WCON-07F wide angle lens, which enables a wider field of view (26.6mm equivalent) for shooting skylines, landscapes or group shots, and the TCON-17F telephoto conversion lens, which extends the camera's magnification capability by 1.7 times (196mm equivalent) for bringing subjects dramatically closer, great for shooting sports events, concerts or wildlife.

TruePic TURBO for High-Speed Response
Olympus' exclusive TruePic TURBO^TM Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO enable the cameras to capture information with pixel "micro-smoothing" that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. The fast startup of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you are always ready to take great pictures.

PictBridge Enabled - No Computer Necessary!
The power of PictBridge^TM technology enables photos to be printed directly from the camera to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. And the new one-touch printing button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!

In-Camera Editing
With in-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix, resizing, color, brightness and saturation adjustments, and adding frames and titles, users can edit photos right in their camera. Simple image touch-ups are quick and easy without the hassle of a PC.

Style and Ergonomics
With the new SP-series cameras, Olympus returns to the traditional compact appearance of its range-finder cameras. At a compact size of just 3.9 " W x 2.6" H x 1.4" D and weighing less than 7 ounces, the SP-320 tucks away easily into a pocket or backpack. And the ergonomic grip makes it easy to hold and steady the camera with one hand for fast and easy shooting.

Underwater Photography
The PT-030 underwater housing is created specially for the SP-series camera - so you can take your camera with you on your underwater excursions. The large 2.5-inch premium size LCD, compact body size, and three underwater scene modes make it the perfect camera to take along diving.

Easy USB Auto-Connect
Connecting the camera to a computer is easy with the USB Auto-Connect feature, which connects directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software.

OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. And 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.

Availability
The SP-320 will be available in March 2006. It includes: Wrist Strap, Camera WIN/Mac USB Cable, Video cable, 2 AA batteries, Quick Start Guide, Basic Manual, Warranty Card, CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master Software, and Advanced Manual.

Pricing

SP-320 Estimated Street Price: $299.99 (U.S.)

HOT DEALS

 

Adorama Mini Soft Box Diffuser for Shoe Mount Flashes

New Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V/B with HD, GPS & Compass

Joby Professional Gorillapod Focus, Flexible Aluminum SLR Tripod

Canon EOS Rebel T2i DSLR with 1080p HD Video

Pentax Optio I-10 Compact Digital Camera Classic

Nikon SB-600 Speedlight

Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head

Blazing Fast A-DATA 533x Turbo 32 GB CompactFlash Memory Card