M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ

OLYMPUS^® INTRODUCES A NEW MICRO FOUR THIRDS^® LENS THAT DELIVERS PEN PERFORMANCE IN THE TOUGHEST CONDITIONS

Olympus’ First Micro Four Thirds Lens with an Electronic Zoom is Quiet, Versatile and Designed to Deliver a Range of Images in a Compact, Dust- and Splashproof Body

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., December 14, 2011 – Olympus adds to its powerfully simple and growing PEN family with the first fully-compatible interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lens to incorporate an electronic motorized zoom. The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ (35mm equivalent 24–100mm) delivers smooth, quiet zooming that gives you versatility, portability and maximizes the performance of the Olympus PEN^® compact system cameras.

The sophisticated new lens has a zoom ratio of approximately 4.2x, allowing photographers to capture anything from detailed, wide-angle group shots to medium telephoto-range images so you can get up close and personal for intimate portraits of children and pets – even indoors. The photographer can control the zooming speed by turning the barrel – slowly for drama, quickly for performance, or at an intermediate rate. Manual zooming is also available for those looking to take full control.

In macro mode, which can be set by pushing the zoom ring forward while depressing the macro button on the side of the lens, focusing is possible between 8 and 20 inches for close-up shooting with a maximum image magnification of 0.72X (35mm camera equivalent). The L-Fn (Lens Function) button suspends the autofocusing operation temporarily to avoid unintended focusing on obstacles that appear suddenly between the camera and the subject.

Perfect for brilliant still images and high-definition (HD) video capture, the Movie & Still Compatible (MSC) M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ has also been enhanced with a linear motor that drives smooth and quiet autofocusing for stress-free shooting.

New lens elements and glass materials ensure the clearest possible imaging performance, and the proven dust and splashproof mechanism originally featured in the Four Thirds SHG (Super High Grade) series lenses is now incorporated for the first time in a Micro Four Thirds System lens. Multiple sealing rings, fitted throughout the lens body, prevent water splashes and dust from penetrating, making the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ a versatile zoom lens for the toughest conditions.

Canadian Pricing and Availability
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ: Available Mid-January 2012
Estimated Street Price: $499.99

For a complete list of specifications, visit: http://olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1582

ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhance people’s lives every day. These include:

• Digital Cameras
• Professional and Interchangeable Lens System Cameras
• Related Underwater Products and Accessories
• Digital and Microcassette Recorders
• Digital Media
• Binoculars

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympuscanada.com.

In all, Olympus surprised over 1,000 people with a new PEN camera in six cities and on a JetBlue flight. The goal is to prove that the PEN cameras are so user-friendly that anybody could take great photographs with them. See what the 1,000 lucky persons shot with their free PEN cameras at: PENReady.com.

Olympus surprises 100 people in NYC with a new Olympus PEN camera.

In all, Olympus gave out 1,000 PEN cameras to people in six cities. Would more camera manufacturers engage in this kind of marketing!

Did you get one? Let us know what you think. Leave a comment.

Recently Olympus gave away 1,000 PEN cameras in six cities to prove that anyone can take extraordinary photos and videos. This video was filmed using a PEN camera. Did you get one? Drop us a comment and tell us what you think of the marketing — and, of course, the camera!

Go behind the scenes with the Grand Prize winning five person team Bujin Productions as it creates the award winning short Running Colors, the winner of the Olympus PEN Your Short 48 Hour Film Contest at the 2011 Vail Film Festival. The team features Austin Lottimer, Maitland Lottimer, Barclay Lottimer, Sophie Sakson, and Sally Brennan.

A Behind the Scenes look at the festival:

From getolympus

[ via ephotozine ]

Related Links:

• Olympus PEN E-PL1
• You can also download the song free at: Olympus.eu/PENgiant and get a behind the scenes look.

Download the new firmware upgrade at: Olympus

Related Link:

• Olympus Firmware Upgrade Press Release

The firmware update improves the AF speed for the E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1’s still image capture with all Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds lenses. In addition, the update improves AF Tracking in continuous AF mode when shooting movies and using the new M. Zuiko Digital™ ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 and M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 lenses.

The new firmware will be available on Olympus’ Web site starting on April 22, 2010.

PRESS RELEASE

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., April 15, 2010 – Olympus today announces the release of new firmware that improves auto focus performance for still images and high-definition (HD) video recording for the Olympus PEN E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras. The firmware update will also enable the menu and recorded image to be displayed on the E-P2 and E-PL1 LCD while the VF-2 electronic viewfinder is in use.

The firmware update improves the autofocus speed for the E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1’s still image capture with all Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds lenses. In addition, the update improves auto focus tracking in continuous auto focus (C-AF) mode when shooting movies and using the new M. Zuiko Digital™ ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 and M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 lenses. These lenses are Olympus’ first movie and still [picture] compatible (MSC) lenses and are optimized to achieve accurate and silent auto focus while shooting HD videos.

The new firmware will be available on Olympus’ web site starting on April 22, 2010. Click on the following link to learn more about the update and gain access to the firmware updater application: http://www.getolympus.com/penupdate.

The M. Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 lens will be available in May 2010, and the M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 lens will be available in June 2010.

ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances people’s lives every day. These include:

* Digital Cameras
* Professional Digital SLR Imaging Systems
* Related Underwater Products and Accessories
* Digital and Microcassette Recorders
* Digital Media
* Binoculars

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for all of the following markets: United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com or www.olympuscanada.com.

Contest Runs Through December 31: What Will You Create?

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., August 19, 2009 – Olympus launches the “PEN Create It” photo and Haiku contest, promoting its new retro-chic E-P1 digital camera and creative capabilities. The contest challenges residents of Canada to capture an image with the E-P1 and write a Haiku that best supports it. The winner will receive an exclusive 12-day photography trip to Japan.

“The E-P1 is like no other camera. It offers the image quality of a DSLR in a small, beautiful design that is packed full of creative features, including Art Filters and HD movie, for limitless possibilities,” said Louis Chatel, director, Sales & Marketing–Canada, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Much like the E-P1, the Haiku provides an interesting and creative twist to a traditional photo contest.”

A Haiku is a form of poetry, which originated in Japan and has become popular around the world. It is composed of three lines; five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five in the final. Traditionally, each Haiku has a maximum of 17 syllables, and many English Haikus have 10-14 syllables.

The E-P1 is the world’s smallest 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens system camera. It blends the high-quality still images of a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) with High Definition (HD) video, stereo Linear PCM audio recording and In-Camera Creativity within an ultra-portable body. The easy-to-use E-P1 expands your creative horizons and its diverse multimedia features offer something for everyone. Built for today’s visual generation leading active lives online and offline, the E-P1 will make you rethink what you can do with a camera.

Submissions for the “PEN Create It Contest” will be accepted through December 31, 2009. The winning image and Haiku combination will be chosen online by public vote in January 2010. For more details visit www.createitcontest.com.

ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances peoples’ lives every day. These include:

• Digital Cameras
• Professional Digital SLR Imaging Systems
• Related Underwater Products and Accessories
• Digital and Microcassette Recorders
• Digital Media
• Binoculars

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for all of the following markets: United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympuscanada.com.

*Specifications and design are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holder.
©2009 Olympus Imaging America Inc.

• Read The Fine Print On Photo Contests

Your Olympus PEN photograph is worth a thousand words!

Take your best shot with your new Olympus E-P1, write a Haiku that supports the photograph (and optional supporting video) and if you receive the most votes from friends, family and fans, you could win an exclusive 12-day photography trip to exotic Japan, courtesy of Olympus.

Online submissions only. Entry deadline: December 31 2009.

This contest is open to residents of Canada only.

• Read The Fine Print On Photo Contests