Powerful 22x wide zoom for big performance in a go-anywhere compact
New all-in-one ultra zoom SP-610UZ compact marks ten years of groundbreaking SP Series
Hamburg, 6 January 2011 – Olympus announces the launch of a striking new addition to the powerful and versatile ultra zoom compacts of the SP Series: the SP-610UZ. This sophisticated camera is packed with quality specs and makes the perfect companion for anyone who wants to take challenging, high precision images. Although it’s compact in size, Olympus hasn’t compromised on the optical zoom that stretches to a remarkable 22x (28mm-616mm*). The SP-610UZ stays true to the SP pedigree – compact cameras that offer ultra-powerful zoom performance and impressive image quality, now enhanced by 3D shooting and wireless Eye-Fi card compatibility. The price is uncompromisingly competitive, too. The SP-610UZ is available in black for around Ł170 from February 2011.
The benchmark in ultra zoom compacts
Olympus continues to set the standard for all-in-one compacts and the new SP-610UZ is no different, delivering the SP Series’ celebrated strength: sophisticated, long-zoom, go-anywhere photography. The SP-610UZ packs fun features and superb image quality into its compact body – with Eye-Fi card compatibility (for automatic wireless photo transfer and sharing via a PC or website), one-touch HD movie recording and eight Magic Filters, including new Watercolour and Sparkle. Most of the filters are available for both movies and stills – a first in this category. With optional 3D shooting giving images a striking sense of depth, from macros to landscapes, it all adds up to an unusually versatile camera.
Extreme close-ups, wide-angle panoramas
The SP-610UZ leaves the competition in its wake with advanced features and specifications that deliver superlative image quality and a variety of special effects. The 22x wide optical zoom means users can put more into the frame and get closer to the action. Olympus’ TruePic III+ image processor, 14 Megapixels and Dual Image Stabilisation ensure high-resolution, virtually blur-free images with ideal colour and low noise.
In-Camera Panorama, Pet Detection, Advanced Face Detection and
AF Tracking are just some of the automatic features that make it easy to capture images and movies hassle-free. And with the three inch LCD, framing and reviewing shots is likewise a breeze.
Uncompromised quality, affordable price
Given that the SP-610UZ also features a built-in flash, In-camera manual, [ib] software, Photo Surfing and SD card compatibility**, just as remarkable as the 22x zoom is its price tag. It is available for €189, from February 2011.
SP-610UP outstanding features:
Image Quality:
• 22x wide angle optical zoom (28-616mm*) for superb close-ups and group shots
• TruePic III+ image processor for ideal colour reproduction and low noise
• 720p HD Movie with sound for capturing movies in excellent quality
• 14 Megapixels for high-quality full-size movies, stills and prints
• Dual Image Stabilisation for reducing blur with fast-moving shots
Usability:
• Eye-Fi Card compatibility for automatic wireless uploading of images to a website or PC
• 3” 230,000 dot colour LCD for easily framing, reviewing and sharing shots
• Pet Detection Mode for automatically capturing dog’s or cat’s faces when they look at the camera
• Advanced Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology for capturing people’s faces just as you want them
• Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) and AF Tracking for easy setting and focussing
• Beauty Mode for hiding unwanted blemishes
• Scene Mode for automatic settings that suit specific conditions
(e.g., Landscape, Night)
• Easy-to-use Live Wheel feature menu for quick selection of modes and settings
Creativity & Flexibility:
• 3D photo shooting mode and stills
• Magic Filters for adding creative effects to HD movies and/or stills:
Punk, Pop Art, Pin Hole, Drawing, Fish Eye (photos only),
Soft Focus, plus new Sparkle (photos only) and Watercolour
Other key features
• Photo surfing and [ib] software for browsing, organising and viewing images by person, place, location or event
• HDMI TV interface for easy camera operation during playback via the TV remote
• In-camera Panorama for quick and easy panorama shots
• SDHC and SDXC memory card compatible**
• Built-in flash
• In-camera manual
• USB charging
* 35mm camera equivalent.
** SD is a trademark of SD Card Association.
Appendix
3D Mode (3D photo shooting)
Captures two shots of a scene from two different angles to create still photos that can be viewed with the added excitement and realism of 3D (on a 3D-compatible display). There are two 3D settings: Manual and Automatic. In both settings, the camera indicates when it is time to pan. In Automatic, when the camera is panned horizontally after the first shot, it automatically takes the second shot at the ideal moment. Manual is for 3D experts – the user decides when to take the second shot.
Advanced Face Detection technology
A technology that searches for faces in a composition and recognises them as the main subject. It then automatically puts them in focus and optimally adjusts exposure to create an image that’s sharp in the right places and ideally exposed. Advanced Face Detection Technology can detect up to 16 faces.
AF Tracking
This system tracks a moving subject automatically and keeps it continually in focus – for optimally focused and exposed pictures. It even memorises the subject when it goes out of frame and resumes tracking when it reappears.
Beauty Mode
Beauty Mode touches up the appearance of subjects even while the shot is being taken. This feature recognises faces and automatically makes skin on the face and adjacent areas appear smoother, brighter and more youthful.
Dual Image Stabilisation
Providing two-fold protection, this special function helps to avoid image blur caused by camera shake or fast-moving subjects. It combines high ISO values with a CCD-based mechanical image stabiliser, where a built-in gyro sensor detects camera movement and adjusts the CCD accordingly.
Eye-Fi card compatibility
Lets users insert an Eye-Fi SD storage card and set it to automatically wirelessly transfer new photos and HD movies to the sharing website and computer of their choice.
HD Movie (720p High Definition)
High Definition video (HD video) delivers a broadcast-quality movie experience when played back on an HD TV. In HD Movie Mode, the camera captures HD video using the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 movie compression format at a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.
i-Auto Mode
The “intelligent-Auto” mode uses advanced automatic detection technology that enables the camera to automatically recognise the most commonly shot scenes. This makes it possible to capture perfect photos without the need for manual settings.
[ib] software
Olympus now offers [ib], an integrated photo browsing and organising software. Images can be organised by person with a new face recognition technology, by place with a GPS-based mapping function or by event.
Magic Filters
Make it possible to create special artistic effects in still images and/or movies directly in the camera.
Fish-Eye (photos only): Simulates the dramatic effect of a fish eye lens with still photos, lending a new perspective to the whole scene with a “wrap-around” effect.
Pin Hole: Reduces peripheral brightness, like with an image seen through a pinhole. A unique colour tone results in a style that has an air of secrecy or portrays the feeling of being lost in another dimension or space.
Pop Art: Enhances colours, making them stronger and more vivid, to create high-impact pictures that express the light-hearted feeling of the pop art style.
Punk: Displays images primarily in contrasting pink and black to give them an edgy, punk-inspired feel.
Drawing: Transforms images into line drawings to give the impression that subjects have been sketched by an artist.
Soft Focus: Creates a soft tone that gives pictures an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere. It renders pictures as though they were veiled in heavenly light, without obscuring details such as hair or flower petals.
Sparkle (photos only): Adds twinkling lights to objects.
Watercolour: Another piece of artistic wizardry. This time images are turned into a watercolour painting surrounded by soft light.
Pet Detection
Automatically detects dog or cat faces (two different modes) and works together with the Auto Release to capture the photo the moment the dog or cat turns to face the camera.
Photo Surfing
By selecting this option in the Playback menu, users can opt to browse pictures by date, scene, person, place, or image collection.
Scene Mode
Offers a choice of different scenes to suit the subject being captured, for example, landscape, night, beach and snow or pet. The camera automatically adjusts a host of parameters to achieve the best possible result for the chosen scene.
Shadow Adjustment Technology (SAT)
A technology designed to improve exposure for pictures with dark areas. Using a sensor that works much like the human eye, dark parts of a composition (e.g., a shadow under a tree) are identified and the camera then adjusts the exposure settings accordingly for those areas. The result is a more realistic and detailed picture.
TruePic III+ image processor
Automatically enhances important aspects of image quality, including colour reproduction (range, saturation and brightness) and picture sharpness (reduced image noise, improved edge reproduction), as well as processing data faster. Supports the Magic Filters that enable unprecedented creative expression.
