» Olympus EVOLT E-520 Digital Camera Review
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 The EVOLT E-520 is the center of Olympus' three-pronged approach to the digital SLR market. Flanked by the cheaper and more restricted E-420 on one side and the professional-level E-3 on the other, the E-520 is designed to compete with most entry-level SLRs, like the Nikon D60, Canon Rebel XSi and Sony Alpha 200. It is physically almost identical to its predecessor, the E-510, though beneath the familiar exterior are a number of new functions, such as auto focus for Live View and face detection. It also aims to bridge the gap for point-and-shoot users by incorporating a large number of automatic and preset modes, while still allowing in-depth tweaking for those who desire manual control. It’s a camera that feels good in the hand, with a comforting solidness and a good-sized grip. However, all the new features and excellent construction are mitigated by shortcomings revealed during performance testing. While the E-520 achieved good color and resolution scores, it tested very poorly in white balance and low light performance, and producing high noise levels in a variety of conditions. This is unfortunate because, apart from these low test scores, the E-520 is a solid camera, with great features, powerful controls, and the best Live View available in this price range. The camera retails for $699.99 with a 14-42mm Zuiko lens. You can read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» Olympus and Panasonic Announce Micro Four Thirds Format
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 In an attempt to attract compact camera owners hesitant to buy relatively bulky SLRs, Olympus and Panasonic today announced the Micro Four Thirds format, a more compact variant of the existing Four Thirds format, which will enable smaller, lighter camera designs. The new design offers a flangeback distance (the lens mount to sensor distance) approximately half as long as current Four Thirds format cameras. The lens mount diameter also shrinks by 6mm, and the number of electrical contacts in the lens mount increases from 9 to 11. These additional contacts will support unspecified “new features and increased system functionality” in the future. In the meantime, existing Four Thirds system lenses will work with new Micro Four Thirds system camera using an adapter.
While the new format was announced, no specific camera or lens announcements were made. We expect to see these at Photokina, the massive photo industry trade show held in Germany in September, and will bring you updates as they’re available. Read the whole article here
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» Olympus SP-570 UZ Review
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 The new SP-570 UZ is the latest in a long line of super-zoom cameras from Olympus. In the distant digital past, Olympus was one of the first manufacturers to market a superzoom camera, and their C-2100UZ model, fondly referred to as the 'UZI' by its owners, quickly achieved something of a cult status. This camera was followed by an entire range of UZ models, but none of them had the image stabilisation feature that contributed so much to the success of the C-2100UZ. In consequence, Olympus lost much of its share of the superzoom segment to the likes of Canon and Panasonic. This all changed last year with the introduction of the SP-550UZ, which offered sensor-shift IS and leapfrogged the competition with a record-breaking 18x zoom lens. That camera was quickly followed by the slightly higher-resolution SP-560UZ, and now we have the 10-megapixel Olympus SP-570UZ, which boasts an entirely new 20x zoom lens, the biggest zoom lens on any compact digital camera. To counteract the inevitable effects of camera-shake, Olympus have wisely included a Dual Image Stabilisation system, plus there's an extensive ISO range of 64-6400. Other standout features include a 10 megapixel sensor, 2.7 inch LCD screen, macro mode of 1cm and full range of creative exposure modes (P/A/S/M). Zoltan Arva-Toth found out if the Olympus SP-570 UZ can live up to its proud heritage. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» Olympus SP-570 UZ review
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 With an almost unlimited choice of compacts and DSLR cameras on offer today, you could easily forget that there is another category of cameras out there that appears to be quite popular with a certain user group. So much so that manufacturers keep updating these models with new and innovative functions every year. These ultra-zooms or bridge cameras feature DSLR like performance and sophistication but do not have interchangeable lenses. One such model is the Olympus SP-570UZ, the most recent successor to the 8-megapixel SP-560UZ of last year.
The SP-570UZ has a phenomenal 20x zoom range from 26mm wide angle to 520mm tele (35mm eq.) and with this range at hand it can truly be called a superzoom. Its resolution has been upped to 10-megapixels and it comes with built-in Dual Image Stabilisation and sequential shooting of up to 15 frames per second. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» Olympus Mju 1030 SW Review
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 Also known as the Olympus Tough, the new Olympus Mju 1030 SW is one of the few digital cameras around that can survive more than a few knocks. The 10 megapixel 1030 SW can withstand pressures of up to 100kg without being crushed, survive a dive to a depth of 10 metres, can be dropped from a height of up to two metres, and is even freeze proof down to -10 degrees celcius. Of course there’s a price premium to pay for all that protective technology - GBP320 / $399 to be precise, which is a substantial outlay for a compact point-and-shoot digital camera. Gavin Stoker found out if the Olympus Mju 1030 SW is worth it in our 230th product review… Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» Olympus E-3 Digital SLR review
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It's taken Olympus over 4 years to update its professional model the E-1 and release the E-3, which is a long time in digital camera terms. Although Olympus and Panasonic were the pioneers of Live View systems, the feature is now almost a standard fixture, even on pro models, so there's no surprise to see the same system here. What is quite surprising is Olympus' decision to only go with 10MP on the E-3, especially considering other manufacturers recent reliance on higher pixel counts at this price point (and below). However Nikon kept the D3 at just 13MP, and considering the smaller sensor size of the E-3, perhaps Olympus are just being wise. More pixels, at smaller sizes are a sure fire way of potentially adding image noise after all. Read the whole review here.
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» DIWA Gold Award for Olympus E-3
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The Olympus E-3 DSLR camera has won a coveted DIWA Gold Award. Kai Thon, DIWA’s test manager commented: “The long overdue E-3 was well worth the wait. Olympus enthusiasts can finally make use of their highly admired Zuiko Digital lenses on a top specified body with professional capabilities. The E-3 and its compact E-System handles and performs like a pro, making it an exciting alternative for photographers who wish to travel light.” The Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) is a fast growing group of independent Web-based specialist publications dedicated to digital imaging. Read the whole article here
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» Olympus E-3 review
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 In 2003 Olympus introduced the first model of the FourThirds System: the E-1, aiming at the professional photographer and equipped with various innovations. Four years later Olympus have come up with the successor to the E1. There had been some rumour about the name; P-1, P3 and E-3 were mentioned and the latter was chosen. Although the Olympus E-3 may be considered the successor to the E-1, it differs considerably from its predecessor. Among other things; its price tag. The Olympus E-3 finds itself more or less in the category of the EOS 40D and the D300, a heavy competition. Read the whole review here.
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» Olympus E-3 DSLR with Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-f/3.5 review
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The Olympus E-3 retains the universal 4/3rds system. There's a whole host of lenses to chose from to add some serious icing to your existing Olympus E3 cake. This compatibility is not just limited to Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses however - take your pick from recent additions from Panasonic (via the LUMIX DMC-L10 DSLR), amid a range of Sigma glass.
The particular Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm (28-108mm equiv) f/2.8-f/3.5 lens that comes with this kit is a real joy. Focusing isn't at record-breaking speeds, but from lens to image the quality is held superbly. Hats off to Olympus, as many manufacturer's kit lenses really don't bring the full potential of the camera body out. In fairness, this is a 'High Grade' or 'Pro' lens ; there's and a 'Super High Grade' or 'Top Pro' 14-35 f/2 and a 'Standard' grade 14-42 f/3.5-5.6 covering roughly the same zoom range. Read the whole article here
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» Olympus Stylus 790SW camera review
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| | Point-and-shoot digital camera makers make many claims about their products, but few boast about the toughness of their snappers as Olympus does about its 7.1 megapixel Stylus 790SW ($239-$350). What sets this byteshooter apart from others in its class is its "take me into harm's way" attitude. It's shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof. With those kinds of features, you'd think the unit would look the part, but it doesn't. In fact, its demeanor is quite ordinary--more Chevy Aveo than Hummer. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here |
» Olympus E-420 Hands On
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Olympus made a name for itself by pioneering the downsized SLR. The new E-420 ($500, estimated street, body only; $700 with 25mm f/2.8 Zuiko Digital lens) continues the tradition of tiny cameras packed with big innovations.
Billed as the world's smallest and lightest DSLR (3 ounces lighter than the next-smallest, the Nikon D40x), the E-420 combines 10MP capture, live view, and clever picture fixes. In keeping with the small-is-better theme, Olympus is pairing the camera with a new 25mm f/2.8 pancake lens that protrudes less than an inch. (With the Four Thirds system's 2X lens factor, it's a 50mm equivalent.). Read the whole article here. You can pre-order the camera here
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» Olympus launches Limited Edition mju 1020 with skins
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 Olympus Europe launches a Limited Edition of the mju 1020 digital camera with skins by Matei Apostolescu. Born in Bucharest in 1983, Matei Apostolescu realized his affinity for drawing at an early age. "With photography being an exciting art form in its own right and a major component of today's digital art, I was fascinated by the idea of designing pieces where the 'canvas' would ultimately be an instrument that can be used to create art itself", he explains. The 10 Megapixel, 7x optical zoom Limited Edition mju 1020 is now available... Read the whole article here
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» Olympus Mju 1020 camera review
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Packed inside the stylish black metal body of the Mju 1020 is a 10-megapixel CCD imager that is only marginally larger than the sensors in the 8-megapixel Mju 840 and Mju 850 SW models, although we don't have its actual dimensions. While the difference in maximum output file sizes between the Mju 1020 and its 'sisters' is relatively small (3648 x 2736 pixels in the 1020 vs 3248 x 2436 pixels in the other models) Olympus is asking a lot from this tiny imaging chip.
The Mju 1020 is claimed as the smallest compact camera with 7x optical zoom and its body weighs only 135 grams and measures only 25.2 mm thick. Its lens tucks into the camera body and has a focal length range of 6.6mm to 46.2 mm, which equates to 37-260mm in 35mm format. Its maximum aperture is f/3.5 at the wide setting and f/5.3 at the tele end, which isn't particularly fast. A Dual Super Aspherical (DSA) lens element allows such a small lens to cover such a long zoom range. Read the whole review here.
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» Olympus E-420 compared to E-410 and E-510
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The Olympus E-420 is the successor to one of our favourite DSLRs of 2007. The earlier E-410 was a very stylish camera with dimensions which allowed it to squeeze into bags and pockets that would be out of the question for most DSLRs. And despite its retro looks and entry-level price, the E-410 featured Live View before many rivals and came supplied with one of the best kit lenses around.
The new E-420 doesn’t mess too much with a winning formula. Externally, the screen has been slightly enlarged to a 2.7in model with superior colour and tonal reproduction, and the grip made a tad deeper for a more comfortable hold.
Most of the changes however take place internally although sadly there’s still no built-in anti-shake facilities. The resolution also remains 10 Megapixels, although Olympus claims to have improved the dynamic range of the sensor to a level that’s close to the flagship E-3. Read the whole comparison test here.
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» Olympus Announces Evolt-E420, 'World's Smallest and Lightest' DSLR
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 March 5, 2008 – Olympus today announced what it calls the “world’s smallest and lightest DSLR,” the Evolt-E420. This 10-megapixel entry-level DSLR updates last year’s Evolt-E420 with a number of new features and upgrades, including improved dynamic range, white balance, and face detection technology. The E-420 will retail for $499.99 for the body only, $599.99 with the ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens, and $699.99 with the ED 25mm f/2.8 Zuiko Digital Lens. The camera will be available in May.
The Evolt E-420 measures 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 inches and weighs 13.4 ounces. This is slightly smaller and lighter than the next smallest DSLR, Canon’s recently-released Rebel XSi. The new Rebel measures 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.4 inches and weighs 16.8 ounces. The Evolt E-420 is designed with the amateur in mind – the features and easy-to-use approach is aimed at users looking to upgrade from their first or second point-and-shoot digital cameras. Read the whole article here
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» Olympus Stylus 790SW review
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The Olympus Stylus 790 SW features a design ensuring wherever you go - regardless of environment - your camera will go right along with you.
The "SW" in the name hints at two of the camera's more unusual features - both shock- and water-proofing. As with past models, the Olympus 790SW is shockproof to the MIL-STD-810F standard - meaning that the camera can withstand drops of up to 5 feet from any angle without harm. The Olympus 790 is also waterproof to a depth of three meters. Despite the array of waterproof seals and shock absorption technology needed to achieve all this, the 790 SW remains pocket-friendly and relatively lightweight. Read the whole review here & you can buy the camera here
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» Olympus E-3 review
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Four years is a very long time in the digital camera market, and four years in the digital SLR market is virtually a lifetime. In the four-odd years between the launch of the Olympus E-1 - the camera that heralded the first all-new SLR system for over a decade - and its successor the E-3, the DSLR landscape has changed beyond recognition, with prices dropping and capabilities soaring. The world moved on whilst the Olympus professional system stood still, looking more and more irrelevant and less and less like a serious contender to the long-standing Canon/Nikon duopoly in the pro market.
Of course the Olympus range itself wasn't standing still, and after a few false starts (mainly caused by the almost suicidal tendency for Olympus industrial designers to produce cameras that didn't look like cameras) and some flashes of inspired innovation (bringing live view, kicking and screaming, to the SLR market, for example) the E-series started to be taken a lot more seriously. Read the whole article here
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» Purported shots, specs of Olympus E-430 turn up online
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You'll have to take this one with the usual grain of salt, but if a poster on Photo-Forum.net is to be believed, what you're looking at above is Olympus's yet-to-be-announced E-430 digital camera, seemingly a follow-up to the company's E-330 DSLR. According to that same poster, this one is supposedly a 12-megapixel number, and packs a live-view, flip-out 2.5-inch LCD, a wired remote option, and a slightly higher continuous shooting frame rate and larger raw buffer than its predecessor. Of course, the real stand-out feature is that design, which almost seems so out there that it has to be real, though we'd still recommend waiting for some official word before getting your hopes up too much. via engadget.com
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» Olympus Stylus 1030SW First Impressions Review
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 Olympus has introduced another tough digital camera with its Stylus 1030SW. They claim it can handle a drop from 6.6 feet, a dunk in water 33 feet deep, temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and crushing weight of up to 220 pounds. The 10.1-megapixel 1030SW improves upon its predecessor, the 770SW, with increased shock absorption capabilities, more resolution, a slightly larger LCD screen, and a longer 3.6x optical zoom lens. It will retail for $399 when it goes to market in March or April. Read the whole preview here |
» Olympus SP-570UZ First Impressions Review
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The megapixel war may be raging onward elsewhere, but the Olympus SP-570UZ is claiming a victory among the competition in the ultra-zoom digital camera market. Its 20x optical zoom lens is the longest on a compact digital camera. The resolution isn’t a slouch either at 10 megapixels. The new SP-570 is redesigned to look more like a DSLR and less like a compact camera with its retro zoom ring, more designated buttons, and sturdier body. The Olympus SP-570UZ will retail for $499, the same initial price of its predecessor, the SP-560UZ. Read the whole article here
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