The Olympus Stylus XZ-2 iHS® Takes The Compact Camera Category to the X-Treme
Point. Shoot. Be Amazed with an Ultra-Bright Lens, Ultra-Easy Operation and Ultra-High Image Quality, Making It the Powerhouse Compact for Serious Photographers
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., September 17, 2012 – Olympus
pushes the compact digital camera to a new X-treme with the introduction
of the Olympus STYLUS XZ-2, its game-changing, flagship
high-performance point-and-shoot. The STYLUS XZ-2 is a hybrid that
combines optical brilliance, the manual controls of a DSLR and the
unbeatable convenience of a lightweight compact in a body every imaging
enthusiast should love. Inheriting the 4x optical / 4x Digital zoom
iZUIKO® DIGITAL f1.8-2.5 large-diameter lens found on its predecessor,
the award-winning Olympus XZ-1®, the Olympus STYLUS XZ-2 builds on its
low-light performance with new features: the world's first hybrid
control ring, customizing controls so ambitious photographers easily
capture the shot; a new fast, touch-sensitive tilt screen; the powerful
TruePic VI image processor; Full HD movie recording and FlashAir®
compatibility to share images immediately on social networks.
The digital lens of the Olympus XZ-2 (iZUIKO f1.8-2.5 (28-112mm*),
a 4x compact version of legendary ZUIKO Digital lenses, is designed for
clear, high-quality photographic performance, whether set at its
maximum f1.8 aperture for amazing wide-angle shots, or at f2.5 for 112mm*
telephoto images. The result is expressive background defocusing and
sophisticated bokeh, plus the flexibility to use short, blur-free
exposure times in low light. The camera’s iHS technology and the
large-aperture lens work together to deliver high-sensitivity, low noise
and blazing auto-focus performance that translates to the highest image
quality of any Olympus compact camera.
The newly developed 12.0 megapixel, 1/1.7" high-sensitivity back-lit
CMOS sensor, working with the TruePic VI processor, the same processor
used in the Olympus OM-D E-M5™ system camera, provides faster recovery
time and shutter release to capture images with true-to-life colors,
rich details and low noise. To complement the speed of the f1.8 lens,
the camera’s low-light mode automatically adjusts the ISO sensitivity up
to ISO 12,800 to take sharp, full-resolution photos in dim conditions,
and an easily accessible built-in pop-up flash and AF illuminator
brightens low-lit subjects, reduces red-eye and fills in dark areas.
The Olympus XZ-2 is equipped with the world's first hybrid control
ring, built around the lens, which allows users to easily assign
function settings to their preferences as well as switch between analog
and digital operation of the ring. The digital operation provides a
solid click on controls, whereas the analog operation offers a smooth,
gliding feeling. When the Fn 2 lever next to the lens is placed
downward, the ring around the lens switches to analog control so it can
be used as a focus or a zoom ring. If the lever is placed at an angle,
the ring around the lens switches to digital control to change
exposure-related settings quickly and easily. This feature enables
fine-tuning of the focus in macro, composition selection when shooting,
and exposure adjustment all without looking away from subjects.
Basic operations and settings of the Olympus XZ-2, starting with
touch controls and Live Guide, as well as a new graphic user interface
will be familiar to Olympus PEN® and OM-D shooters. Instantly activate
the Touch AF Shutter function to select the subject you want to focus on
and activate the shutter simply by touching the swivel 3.0 inch,
920,000 dot LCD screen. The XZ-2 design is enhanced with a removable
grip that offers the option for a sleek style grip, and metal is used
throughout the body for a strong and sharp look.
The Olympus STYLUS XZ-2 is packed with additional technologies
including DUAL IS, which combines with high-sensitivity shooting to
reduce camera shake and subject blur, providing double image
stabilization. HDR backlit correction captures multiple images with a
single shot at different exposures and automatically merges them into
one image, and Super Resolution technology expands zoom power up to
eight times with minimal image degradation. iAuto mode automatically
identifies up to 30 different scenes. The XZ-2 also features 11 Art
Filters and 5 Art Effects that easily bring artistic visions to life.
In addition to superior still image quality, the 1080p Full HD Movie
capability with stereo sound captures movies in the best quality
currently available in compact cameras. Multi-Motion Movie IS image
stabilization corrects for the common gradual camera shake that occurs
when shooting on the move, delivering more stable, higher-quality
movies. Beautiful movies can be shot even longer with a 1920 x 1080
High-Definition size and MOV/H.264 movie compression that has an
excellent compatibility with computers.
The Olympus XZ-2 is also
designed to make sharing your amazing images even easier. Using the
smartphone connection function, simply set up a compatible Toshiba
FlashAir SDHC card with an internal wireless LAN to make a Wi-Fi
connection. With the Olympus Image Share smartphone application (to be
released in September), easy image upload onto a smartphone via a
thumbnail index, adding Art Filters to images on a smartphone, and
sharing images on various social networking services is possible.
A wide range of creative and practical accessories is available to
adapt the Olympus XZ-2 for specific needs, including three alternative
grips in a variety of colors (red, beige and purple), a body jacket and
underwater housing. There’s also a sleek, matching black LC-63A lens cap
that opens and closes automatically whenever you activate the camera.
To expand the camera’s versatility, the XZ-2 includes an accessory port
for compatibility with a growing range of Micro Four Thirds®
accessories.
*35mm equivalent.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Olympus STYLUS
XZ-2 will be available in November 2012, and ships with a USB Cable,
Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack, Li-Ion Battery Charger, Shoulder
Strap, OLYMPUS ib® software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.
Estimated Street Price: $599.99 (Available in black)
For a complete list of specifications, visit the Olympus website:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1627&page=specs
