OLYMPUS LAUNCHES HIGH OPTICAL ZOOM CAMERAS

Olympus Imaging Corporation has just announced that "E-3", the new flagship of Olympus E-System digital SLR cameras for professionals and serious amateurs, will be released in November 23, 2007.

Some of its main features include:

1. High-speed performance thanks to the world’s fastest AF sensoring, high-speed sequential shooting at 5 frames/sec., and high-speed shutter up to 1/8000 sec.
2. Ultrahigh image quality thanks to a built-in image stabilization mechanism with a compensation range up to 5 EV steps, an advanced 10.1-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor, and the “TruePic III” image processing engine.
3. Expanded shooting possibilities thanks to Free-Angle Live View that uses a dual-axis flexible-angle HyperCrystal LCD monitor with free horizontal/vertical swiveling.
4. High reliability thanks to a large optical viewfinder with 100% field of view and 1.15x magnification, a high-powered, always-on Dust Reduction System, dust- and splash-proof magnesium-alloy body that stands up to the most severe conditions, and a durable shutter design tested to more than 150,000 releases

The E-3 is also the first camera in its class to incorporate Olympus’s exclusive Live View function, which allows users to compose their shots on a rear-panel LCD monitor.

The package will include: E-3 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-2), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.

The following is the U.S. pricing:

• E-3 Body Estimated Street Price: $1,699
• HLD-4 Battery Holder Estimated Street Price: $199
• FL-50R Estimated Street Price: $499
• FL-36R Estimated Street Price: $299

Indian pricing is currently unknown.