Release Issued by Olympus:
Highly illuminating Eight million pixels in a stylish metal body, the new Olympus µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 will light up your life
London, 12th May 2005 Olympus is set to redefine low-light photography with the launch of their latest model, the µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800. Olympus’ new Bright Capture technology will enable photographers to achieve excellent results in dark situations, and provide trouble free night time and indoor photography in conditions that were previously unheard of.
Come rain or shine, night or day, the compact and weatherproof µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 allows you to keep on shooting. Its eight million pixel resolution coupled with Bright Capture technology and an array of additional image capturing options, means the µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 is a welcome addition to the growing range of mju cameras. Finished in a dark blue or silver metal body with a 3x optical zoom the camera will be available from July 2005 and will have an estimated street price of Ł350
The Olympus µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 – main features:
• 8.0 million pixels
• Weatherproof metal body with glossy surface in dark blue or silver
• Bright 3x zoom lens (38-114mm equivalent), 1:2.8-4.9
• Bright Capture Technology for superior performance under low light conditions
• Extra-large 6.4cm HyperCrystal LCD (with ultra-wide 160° horizontal and vertical viewing angles)
• 19 Scene Programmes plus Programme Auto, Aperture priority and Shutter priority
• Blur protection to guard against the effects of camera shake
• High-speed sequential shooting
• Movie function with sound (in VGA quality)
• Macro and Super Macro shooting (from as close as 3cm in Super Macro mode)
• TruePic TURBO image processor
• Calendar function
• PictBridge compatible
• Multilingual menu (more languages can be downloaded using the Olympus Master software)
• Shipped with rechargeable Li-Ion battery and charger, USB cable, AV cable and Olympus Master software
Turning Night into Day
Bright Capture technology gives the µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 unique capabilities and contains a whole host of new functions to improve shooting performance when photographing in minimal light. For example, in Night Mode the camera automatically increases sensitivity, without using the flash, whilst at the same time reducing the image resolution, thus preventing previous problems with noise. On the other hand, by selecting Indoor Mode the camera couples this setting with the flash to guarantee even the furthest corner of a room is properly and fully exposed.
In addition, Bright Capture gives the photographer extra protection against blurring their shots when shooting fast moving action in low light levels. By making better use of available light faster shutter speeds can be used thereby significantly reducing the potential negative effects of camera shake. For extra-low light situations Bright Capture comes into its own. By radically brightening the image displayed in the LCD it makes framing shots possible in lighting conditions that have a mere 1/5th of the luminosity previously required.
Advanced LCD technology
The Bright Capture technology built into the µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 is coupled with a 6.4cm Olympus HyperCrystal LCD. In addition to providing extraordinary viewing angles of up to 160°, HyperCrystal offers the photographer three times the contrast of an ordinary LCD, returning clear pictures and minimising screen glare in just about any situation. Furthermore, HyperCrystal ensures a minimal colour variation right across all of its 215,000 pixels, with the special cell construction virtually eradicating any blur or afterimages.
Sharp shooting
The image resolution of the µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 is second to none with eight million pixels ensuring extremely high-definition shots of razor-sharp clarity. To make the best of such tremendous imaging performance and Bright Capture technology, Olympus has equipped the µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 with a bright, 3x zoom all-glass lens system. This system incorporates a newly developed, high-refractive-index aspherical lens element that captures images in true-to-life detail with virtually no distortion. The integrated TruePic TURBO image processor further optimises image quality by boosting contrast and colour while also increasing the cameras processing speed.
Highly versatile and extremely user-friendly
The µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 offers photographers a huge choice for getting their compositions just right and in most cases there is little need to consult the user’s manual. The new, in-built Guide Function shows you the recommended use of the various camera functions directly onto the LCD, perfect for the keen amateur wanting to get that little extra piece of advice on how to compose the best image. Besides fully automatic shooting in Programme Auto mode, 19 individual scene programmes are on hand to provide optimal settings for a broad range of situations from capturing sunsets in the great outdoors to taking holiday snaps at the beach or in the snow.
Users can also satisfy their more demanding creative urges using the Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, which give added control over image results. Macro and Super Macro modes provide plenty of opportunities for capturing subjects in fine detail from as little as only 3cm away. Naturally, the camera is also equipped with a movie recording function that can capture action, with sound, in VGA quality.
A 19MB internal memory allows images to be saved even when there is no memory card inserted. By using an Olympus xD-Picture Card (now available in various sizes up to a capacity of 1GB) photographers need never be caught short of storage space. The Calendar Function makes image viewing a breeze, it stores images in date order and provides a monthly view of small thumbnail image icons. When it comes to printing the µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 is PictBridge compatible meaning that the camera can be directly connected to any PictBridge enabled printer without the need for a PC.
For more information and where to buy Olympus products please go to
www.olympus.co.uk
Specifications
| Model | µ DIGITAL 800
|
| Type | Digital camera with 6.4 cm/2.5” HyperCrystal LCD monitor.
|
| Colours | Silver, dark blue.
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| Image sensor
|
| Image sensor | 1/1.8’’ CCD with 8.3 million pixels.
|
| Effective pixel number | 8.0 million pixels (the actual number of pixels used in image
processing).
|
| Filter array | Primary colour filter (RGB).
|
| Media
|
| Storage media type | 19 MB internal storage . Removable xD-Picture Card (16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512MB and 1GB).
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| Lens
|
| | Optical zoom | 3x.
|
| | Structure | 6 lenses in 5 groups, 3 aspherical lenses.
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| | Focal length | 8.0 – 24mm (equivalent to 38 – 114mm lens in 35mm format).
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| | Maximum aperture | 1:2.8 (wide) – 4.9 (tele).
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| Digital zoom | 5x (15x seamless zoom when combined with optical zoom).
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| LCD monitor | 6.4cm/2.5” HyperCrystal TFT LCD monitor with 215,000 pixels, Bright Capture Technology (with improved live view).
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| Focusing
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| System | TTL autofocus with contrast detection.
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| Mode | Auto | iESP autofocus, spot autofocus, AF lock.
|
Standard mode | 0.5m – infinity.
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| Working range |
Macro mode | 0.2m (Wide) / 0.3m (Tele) – 0.5m. |
Super Macro mode | From as close as 3cm.
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| Light metering
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| Mode | Digital ESP metering, spot metering.
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| Function | Histogram in shooting and playback mode.
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| Exposure
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| Exposure control | Programme AE, Aperture priority AE, Shutter priority AE.
Scene programmes (Portrait, Landscape with Portrait , Landscape, Sports, Night Scene, Night Scene with Portrait, Night Shoot, Cuisine, Beach and Snow, Self Portrait, Self Portrait and Self Timer, Indoor, Behind Glass, Document, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Shoot & Select 1, Shoot & Select 2).
|
| Function | Image stabilized shooting mode.
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| Shutter speed | ˝ – 1/2000 sec (night scene 4 sec).
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| Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 EV with 1/3 EV steps.
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| Sensitivity
|
| Auto | ISO 64 – 400 (ISO 800 and 1600 for Indoor and Night shot mode).
|
| Manual | ISO 64, 100, 200, 400 (800 and 1600 with Bright Capture Technology).
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| White balance
|
| Mode | Auto | Full-auto TTL ESP. |
Pre-set | Tungsten, overcast, sunlight, fluorescent light 1,2,3.
| | Flash | Modes | Auto (automatic activation in low and backlight), red-eye reduction, fill-in (forced activation), off (no flash).
|
| Built-in flash |
Working range | Up to 3.5 m (Tele) / 6.5 m (Wide) in Auto Mode.
Up to 7.2 m (Tele) / 12.8 m (Wide) with ISO 1600.
|
| Guide number | 10.
|
| Sequence shooting | High speed mode: up to 4 frames/sec. up to 10 images ( in SQ1 ).
|
| Processing
|
| Image processing | TruePic TURBO, pixel mapping, noise reduction.
|
| Function shooting | 2 in 1 function, panorama function (only with optional Olympus xD-picture Card).
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| Editing
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| Still image edit | Re-size, rotation, black & white, sepia, Red-eye reduction.
|
| Motion picture edit | Index.
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| Recording system
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| Still image | JPEG (DCF: “Design rule for Camera File system”), Exif 2.2 support, DPS, Print Image Matching III support, DPOF support.
|
| Motion picture | QuickTime Motion JPEG®* with sound.
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| Voice recording | WAVE format.
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| Number of storable frames (approx., with 19 MB internal memory)
|
| Still picture mode | 3,264 x 2,448 | SHQ: 4 |
HQ: 9 |
2,560 x 1,920 | SQ1: 15 |
2,272 x 1,704 | SQ1: 19 |
2,048 x 1,536 | SQ1: 24 |
1,600 x 1,200 | SQ2: 29 |
1,280 x 960 | SQ2: 46 |
1,024 x 768 | SQ2: 70 |
640 x 480 | SQ2: 114
|
| Motion picture mode | Up to memory card capacity (15 frames/sec). With internal memory:
IN SHQ ( 640 x 480 pixels): 15 sec.
In HQ (320 x 240 pixels ): 50 sec.
In SQ (160 x 120 pixels): 2 min. 5 sec.
|
| Power supply
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| Rechargeable battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery LI-12B.
|
| AC adapter | Optional AC adapter: D-7AC.
AC 100V – 240V, 50 – 60Hz; DC 4.8V.
|
| Interface | DC input terminal,
USB and audio/video multi terminal.
|
| Other features
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| DPOF setting | Single-frame print reservation, all print reservation, number of prints, date/time display.
|
| Direct printing (DPS) | PictBridge support allows direct printing with compatible printers.
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| Multilingual menu | English / French / German / Spanish / TBD. Additonal languages can be downloaded through OLYMPUS Master software from the Internet.
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| Weatherproof body | Camera is not damaged by water spray from any direction.
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| Self-timer | Yes.
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| Remote Control | Optional infrared remote control available.
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| Date/time/calendar system | Up to year 2099 with alarm clock.
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| Size
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| Dimensions | 103x 57.5 x 33mm.
|
| Weight | 181.5g (without battery and card).
|
| Box contents | Strap, USB cable, audio/video cable, rechargeable battery, charger, OLYMPUS Master.
|
Specifications and design are subject to change without notice.
* QuickTime Motion JPEG is a registered trademark of Apple Computer.
![1792: Olympus' new µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800](images/1792.jpg)
