DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS

The innovative Olympus E-330 digital SLR available in a choice of six kits for specific applications

Hamburg, March 2006 – Whether for travel, medical, macro, nature, architectural or underwater photography – and just about anything in between – Olympus will introduce six kits to accompany the sales start of the E-330 digital SLR, and thereby provide customised, professional solutions for virtually any photographic situation. Key element in each of the kits is, of course, the Olympus E-330 body – a remarkable feat of technology. It is the world’s first digital SLR to provide continuous Live Previews. Now, instead of being forced to frame compositions by looking through the viewfinder, photographers have the freedom of framing while looking at the Live Preview on the camera’s large 6.4cm HyperCrystal LCD. Extending usability even further, the screen can be tilted up 90° and down 45° to provide unparalleled shooting and framing ease. Image quality, speed and sensitivity are second to none thanks to the incorporation of a latest-generation Live MOS sensor with 7.5 million pixels. Naturally, as with all cameras in the Olympus E-System range, the E-330 is equipped with the Olympus-exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter which eliminates the danger of dust entering the camera body and settling on the image sensor. Compatibility with the full range of E-System accessories makes the E-330 ideal for a multitude of applications. And the availability of these six new kits makes this surprisingly affordable.

Olympus E-330 Pro Kit
Comprising the Olympus E-330 body, ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 lens, FL-50 external flash unit plus the protective SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact, the Pro Kit includes only premium equipment and gives photographers everything they need for a professional start into digital SLR photography. The high-quality wide-angle standard zoom lens provides a focal range of 14-54mm (equivalent to 28-108mm on a 35mm camera) and delivers crisp images thanks to three aspherical lens elements. Topping off the kit is the FL-50 external flash, which enables exact control and delivers extraordinary power with an impressive Guide Number of 50.

Olympus E-330 Travelling Pro Kit
Looking for extensive photographic versatility with the guarantee of high quality results while on the move but not sold on the bulk of conventional systems? Then the Travelling Pro Kit is just the shot. It contains the E-330 body, ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm 1:2.8-3.5 splash proof lens, ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 18-180mm 1:3.5-6.3 lens, FL-36 external flash plus SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact for protection while travelling. Covering a mammoth focal range of 11-180mm with just two lenses (equivalent to 22-360mm on a 35mm camera), photographers will enjoy incredible flexibility without the burden of needing to lug around a whole suitcase of lenses. Moreover, due to the E-330’s large, multi-angle 6.4cm LCD and Live Preview function, users such as photojournalists have the freedom to keep an eye on the surroundings while framing and shooting – so to be sure not to miss the next photo opportunity.

Olympus E-330 Medical & Macro Pro Kit
Specially created for the particular needs of medical and dental practitioners, the Medical & Macro Pro Kit comes with the E-330 body, the splash proof ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro lenses, SRF-11 Ring Flash set with FR-1 flash adapter ring and SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact. As well as for general photo purposes using the 14-54mm lens (equivalent to 28-108mm on a 35mm camera), users can be assured of stunningly true-to-life macro shots captured by the 50mm Macro lens (equivalent to 100mm on a 35mm camera). It offers a magnification of 1:2 (half life-size), which is equivalent to life size (1:1) in a 35mm film photo. The Ring Flash ensures perfect, homogeneous illumination at close range, so that shots of teeth, skin or other subjects are faithfully reproduced – even in low lighting. And thanks to the revolutionary Live Preview capabilities of the E-330 on the 6.4cm LCD, practitioners using this kit will also benefit from continuous and direct eye contact with the patient while photos are being taken – as they now can be framed without needing to look through the viewfinder.

Olympus E-330 Architecture Pro Kit
The special photographic demands of architects represent a particularly tough challenge for photo equipment. But with the Architecture Pro Kit, these are perfectly met – in professional quality. The kit includes the E-330 body, the splash proof ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm 1:4.0 and ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 lenses, FL-50 external flash and SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact. With an angle of view right up to 114°, and a minimum working distance of merely 10cm, the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 14-28mm) deserves special mention in this setup. It offers architects extraordinary freedom to capture their subjects with a bright 1:4.0 fixed aperture and also allows for exaggerated perspectives. This is capped-off with the E-330’s Live Preview capabilities and multi-angle LCD which lets compositions be easily framed from low on the ground or above the head, for example, without the photographer needing to contort the body to look through the viewfinder. The second zoom lens assures a greater shooting range and the FL-50 external flash provides pro-level power with a Guide Number of 50, ensuring that lighting is never in short supply.

Olympus E-330 Nature Pro Kit
To capture the wonder of nature in all of its diversity, nature photographers require equipment that covers the gamut of situations and encounters – from the fascination of a budding tiger lily up close to the spectacle of a distant volcano eruption. To make the most of every situation, the Nature Pro Kit boasts a host of premium equipment. In addition to the Olympus E-330 body, it includes: ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm 1:4.0 lens, ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 lens, ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm 1:2.8-3.5 lens, ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro lens and EC-14 1.4x teleconverter – all of which are splash proof, making them ideal for outdoor assignments. In addition, the kit includes the E-System Bag to ensure comfortable carrying and secure protection. Together, the components of the Nature Pro Kit cover the whole spectrum from 7mm extreme wide-angles (equivalent to 14mm on a 35mm camera) to 280mm (560mm equivalent). On top of that, the Macro lens allows for stunning close-ups. Furthermore, thanks to the B Mode in the Live Preview function of the E-330 – which allows users to choose a section of the composition and magnify this 10x so that manual focusing can be accurately carried out – photographers are assured uncompromisingly high quality results. Another advantage for nature photographers is that the Live Preview on the 6.4cm LCD frees them of the need to keep looking through the viewfinder when waiting for that special moment to hit the shutter release. They therefore can always have the surrounding area in sight and won’t miss out on any shooting opportunity.

Olympus E-330 Underwater Pro Kit
With its Live Preview technology, the E-330 has brought about a revolution in the way SLR photography can be carried out. Instead of needing to look through the viewfinder to compose shots, photographers can now use the LCD. For underwater photography this is of special consequence as the difficulty of framing a shot using the eyepiece while wearing a diving mask has become a thing of the past. Now, with the Underwater Pro Kit, ambitious photographers wanting to capture the world below the water’s surface have the comfort of framing shots using the LCD – previously only possible with a compact digital camera – yet with the versatility and superior quality only an SLR can deliver. All they need for magnificent underwater shots is available in one convenient package. It comprises the E-330 body, ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-45mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens, ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro lens, FL-36 external flash plus the corresponding underwater cases, ports and bracket (PT-E02, PPO-E01, PPO-E03, PFL-E01, PTSA-01 and PTBK-E01) – making first-class photography possible in depths of up to 60m. The kit provides for versatility from wide-angle to mid-telephoto needs (28-100mm equivalent on a 35mm camera) in addition to including a bright macro lens for stunning close-ups of marine life. The flash unit supports photographers’ creativity and ensures illumination even in dark depths.

Specially designed for individual photographic requirements, these six kits for the Olympus E-330 open up new avenues for creative and qualitative digital SLR photography. Each provides users with the power and versatility they need to execute their task at hand – building on the unique Live Preview capabilities of the E-330 and the high image quality and ergonomic handling of the Olympus E-System. The kits will be available from mid-March 2006, the Underwater Pro Kit from mid-April.

Overview of Olympus E-330 Kit Contents:

Pro Kit

• Olympus E-330 body
• ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 (28-108mm)
• FL-50 external flash unit
• SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact

Travelling Pro Kit

• Olympus E-330 body
• ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm 1:2.8-3.5 (22-44mm)
• ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 18-180mm 1:3.5-6.3 (36-360mm)
• FL-36 external flash
• SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact

Medical & Macro Pro Kit

• Olympus E-330 body
• ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 (28-108mm)
• ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro (100mm)
• SRF-11 Ring Flash set with FR-1 flash adapter ring
• SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact

Architecture Pro Kit

• Olympus E-330 body
• ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm 1:4.0 (14-28mm)
• ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 (28-108mm)
• FL-50 external flash
• SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact

Nature Pro Kit

• Olympus E-330 body
• ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm 1:4.0 (14-28mm)
• ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 (28-108mm)
• ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm 1:2.8-3.5 (100-400mm)
• ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro (100mm)
• EC-14 teleconverter (1.4x)
• E-System Bag

Underwater Pro Kit

• Olympus E-330 body
• ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-45mm 1:3.5-5.6 (28-90mm)
• ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 Macro (100mm)
• FL-36 external flash
• Underwater cases, ports and bracket: PT-E02, PO-E01, PPO-E03, PFL-E01, PTSA-01 and PTBK-E01