Olympus Unveils C-5000 Zoom Digital Camera

<i>- 5.0 Megapixel Camera Brings Increased Functionality and New Look

to the Compact Digital Camera Category</i>

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<i>Melville, NY, August 29, 2003</i> - Olympus America introduces the

<a

href="http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_product_lobbypage.asp?l=1&p=16&bc=2&product=934">C-5000

Zoom digital camera</a> with an innovative, bold design offering great

functionality, 5.0 Megapixels, and a world-class Olympus® 3x

Optical Zoom lens (38mm - 114mm, f2.8-f4.8) for outstanding picture

quality. This camera is the ideal photographic tool for digital

enthusiasts looking for a compact, stylish camera with enough

functionality to match their growing skills. With a unique ergonomic

design, and a hot shoe for more flash options, the C-5000 Zoom

provides great value in a compact form.

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"The C-5000 Zoom is the successor to the best-selling camera in its

class during the 2002 holiday season, the C-4000 Zoom," said Jason

Bortzfield, Product Manager, Digital, Olympus America Inc. "The C-5000

Zoom has significant enhancements such as a 5.0 Megapixel CCD sensor

for producing images of great size and clarity, a body that's more

than 20% smaller, and a hot shoe for adding more flash capability -

something new for a camera of this caliber."

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<b>Innovative</b><br>

 

The essence of the C-5000 Zoom is its versatility. With a hot shoe for

adding an optional Olympus FL-50 or FL-20 Flash, and a wide range of

other optional accessories such as an assortment of lenses and an

included Lithium-Ion battery and charger, it is the perfect choice for

the photographer who wants a complete camera system at a price that

won't break the bank. Developing photographers will appreciate the

ease of use provided by Automatic and Scene Program modes, while the

C-5000 Zoom's full manual control offers advanced photographers a

highly precise photographic tool.

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<b>Stylish</b><br>

The newest addition to the Olympus C-Series, the C-5000 Zoom has a

striking look unlike any previous Olympus digital camera. Both elegant

and ergonomically designed, its smooth, contoured body with an

attractive silver finish is comfortable, lightweight and easy to work

with, even during extensive shooting sessions.

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<b>Intelligent</b><br>

Olympus photos are known worldwide for their exceptionally vibrant,

sharp and super-realistic photo image quality. This quality comes from

the latest optical technologies such as the C-5000 Zoom's precision

Olympus all-glass 38mm - 114mm, f2.8-f4.8 lens, which is matched to a

5.0 Megapixel CCD. The C-5000Z's Noise Reduction mode facilitates

noise-free photos during long exposures. All together, these features

allow users to produce consistently crisp, high-quality prints up to

11" x 14".

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<b>Approachable</b><br>

The C-5000 Zoom is extremely easy to use. Standard Program Auto mode

allows photographers to take flawless pictures in typical situations

using basic point-and-shoot techniques. Users can easily access six

different Scene Program Modes with the mode dial, including settings

for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene and Sports photography. The "My

Mode" feature allows users to create a separate user-customizable

setting for even more creative options when shooting under specific

conditions. The menu also features three shortcut buttons that save

menu navigation time by letting the user assign the most frequently

used menu categories to these three buttons.

<p>

The programmable "Custom Button" allows users to assign one button on

the back of the camera for Auto Exposure Lock, variable Drive

settings, different ISO ratings, and remote control operation. The

Custom Button allows users to have immediate access to these

specialized functions.

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A dedicated "Quick View" button on the back of the camera allows users

to instantly review their photographs, and then quickly return to

shooting by pressing the shutter button. It is also possible to

configure the camera to "sleep" after a set period of non-operation

time. This helps to prolong the camera's battery life.

 

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For easy, software-free photo downloads, the C-5000 Zoom features

Olympus' USB Auto-Connect capabilities so images can be downloaded

quickly and easily in all current Mac® and Windows® operating

systems. The supplied CAMEDIA Master Editing software gives

photographers everything they need to edit, print and share their photos.

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<b>Exciting Features for the Most Realistic Digital Images</b><br>

Experienced photographers will appreciate the C-5000 Zoom's manual

settings with individual controls for aperture priority, shutter

priority, and full manual operation with manual shutter speeds ranging

from 16 to 1/1,000 of a second. Multi-Point Metering enables up to 8

separate points in the image area to be averaged for proper exposures

in the most difficult lighting conditions - a feature not typically

found on cameras at this price point. Dynamic histograms are visible

on the LCD in both shoot and review modes to accurately display the

photo's brightness across the image area. Other advanced controls

include: Selectable AF Point, moveable with the menu navigation arrow

pad and Super Macro mode for photographing subjects as close as one

inch. An External TTL Flash Terminal is provided for the FL-50 or

FL-20 Flash or for syncing to studio strobes. Adjustable White Balance

and One Touch White Balance provide maximum shooting versatility.

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<b>New C-5000 Zoom Key Features:</b>

<ul>

<li>5.0 Megapixel CCD

<li>3x Optical Zoom + 4x Digital for total 12x Seamless Zoom

<li>Built in Hot Shoe flash design

 

<li>Ability to add on lenses or filters - Threaded ring built into

body around lens (adapter required)

<li>New Compact Body

<li>USB Auto-Connect for easy connectivity

<li>Auto and Manual Controls + 6 Creative Scene Modes

<li>TruePic^TM Technology

<li>Long Life Lithium-Ion Battery & Charger included

</ul>

<b>Availability</b><br>

The C-5000 Zoom will be available in October 2003 for $499 MSRP. It

comes supplied with a 32MB xD-Picture Card^TM, Li-10B Li-Ion

rechargeable battery and charger, USB Computer Connection Cable, Video

Cable, Carrying Strap/Lens Cap, RM-2 Wireless Remote Control,

QuickStart Guide and Printed Basic Manual, and Limited Warranty Card.

The included CD ROM contains CAMEDIA Master Editing software and User

"Reference" manual.

<p>

 

<b>U.S. Pricing:</b><br>

C-5000 Zoom Street Price: $499.00 (U.S.) <br>

C-5000 Zoom MSRP: $599.95 (U.S.)

<p>

<b>Canadian Pricing: </b>

C-5000 Zoom Street Price: $749.00 (Canada)<br>

C-5000 Zoom MSRP: TBD (Canada)

<p>

 

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SOURCE: <a

href="http://www.olympusamerica.com/oai_HeadlinesDetails.asp?pressNo=256">Olympus

press release</a>

Personally I don't like the loss of the 1.8 lens that graced their other models for years, and the "slick" styling looks slick enough to slip right out of ones grip.

It's one for the masses, straight out of the big boxes (BestBuy, Circuit City, etc.)

They even did away with the ability to use easy-to-find AA batteries.

OK, it's not perfect, but it's another point on the curve. A reasonably priced digital compact with a decent feature set is getting closer.