Press Releases

Olympus Announces TOUGH-8010 and 6020

Olympus TOUGH 8010

Olympus TOUGH 8010

PMA 2010

NEW OLYMPUS STYLUS TOUGH CAMERAS DARE TO GO WHERE OTHER POINT-AND-SHOOTS FEAR TO TREAD

World’s Fiercest Shockproof, Waterproof, Crushproof, Freezeproof Cameras Capture Your Life Even Better with 14 Megapixels, HD Video, AF Tracking and In-Camera Creative Features

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 2, 2010 – Olympus Stylus Tough cameras are already world-renowned for being shockproof, waterproof, crushproof and freezeproof powerhouses. Now, the images they capture are virtually “delete-proof” because the new STYLUS TOUGH-8010 and STYLUS TOUGH-6020 deliver amazing images thanks to new technologies, including 14 megapixels, High-Definition (HD) video and powerful 5x wide-angle optical zoom lenses. These cameras not only endure more than any other cameras, they also capture images as vivid as the adventures you live.

HD Videos and HDMI Control for a Home Theatre Experience
Both new Stylus Tough cameras shoot gorgeous 720p HD videos using a one-touch button, so you will always capture the scene. Playback also is a breeze. Gone are the days of friends and family huddling around a camera’s LCD to see the pictures you just snapped. Now, you will be the hit of the party or any family function when you proudly display your brilliant images and videos on any high-definition television (HDTV). Simply connect the camera to an HDTV with an HDMI™ cable, which can be purchased separately at any consumer electronics store. With HDMI Control, you can use your HDTV’s remote to control playback functions and navigate the camera’s menus from the comfort of your couch.

AF Tracking for Domestic and Wild Life
Whether you have a surfer or skier in your sites, AF Tracking technology locks your subject in focus. It continuously adjusts focus and brightness whether you or your subject is moving, and is perfect for unpredictable situations such as photographing young children. Additionally, the new “Pet Mode” was specifically designed for animal lovers.

Express Your Inner Artist with Magic Filter
In-camera creative features debuted on Olympus E-System cameras last year. A similar technology, called the Magic Filter, has been developed for the new Stylus Tough cameras. The Magic Filter enables the user to enhance and customize images as they are being captured. This translates into more fun and flexibility as customization is no longer limited to using expensive and time-consuming computer software.

The new Magic Filter includes:

  • Pop Art – Enhance and saturate colours to create vivid, high-impact pictures that express the joyful, light-hearted feeling of the Pop Art style of the 1960s;
  • Pin Hole – Reduce the peripheral brightness of an image as though it were shot through a pin hole, connecting the viewer intimately with the subject at the center;
  • Fish-Eye – Emulate the wide angle of a fish-eye lens by taking extremely wide, hemispherical images and magnifying the center of the frame; and
  • Drawing – Turn your image into a sketch outline for children to colour.

Nothing Can Shock These Tough Cameras
The STYLUS TOUGH-8010 can withstand a 2 metre drop and the STYLUS TOUGH-6020 can survive a 1.5-metre drop thanks to the Stylus Tough series’ shock-absorbing technology, which minimizes the impact on the lens and circuitry. The STYLUS TOUGH-8010 can also withstand 100 kilograms of crushing pressure. Throw it into your bag and go; do not worry about it being handled badly during the trip.

Point-Dunk-and-Shoot Cameras
Stylus Tough cameras perform as well under water as they do on land because their lightweight, stainless steel and aluminum exteriors are matched with interior rubber gaskets and O-rings to seal out the elements. The STYLUS TOUGH-8010 can dive to 10 metres under water, while the STYLUS TOUGH-6020 can be submerged to 5 metres under water. Four preset underwater scene modes make these cameras perfect for taking photos while scuba diving, snorkelling or simply having worry-free fun in the pool. They can also capture HD movies with audio even under water – perfect for schools of fish or kids jumping into the water. The cameras feature a water-repellent lens coating to prevent water droplets from forming on the lens, enabling you to get crystal-clear shots no matter how wet the environment.

14 Megapixels at -10 Degrees Celsius
Whether you are cruising the Canadian tundra in a snowmobile or building a snowman in your backyard, both new Stylus Tough cameras perform when the temperature dips below freezing (-10 degrees Celsius) and offer a 14-megapixel image sensor to enable consumers to achieve consistently sharp and vivid images when producing large-format prints or cropping/enlarging a portion of an image. Stylus Tough cameras continue to enable you to capture great high-resolution images in freezing situations where most traditional cameras would fail.

Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Captures It All
Both new Stylus Tough cameras feature a 5x wide-angle optical zoom (28-140mm equivalent in 35mm photography) so that even more of the subject makes it into each shot – perfect for underwater photography or capturing the group around the ski lodge fireplace. The lens does not protrude from either of the camera’s bodies, protecting them from harsh conditions.

Fight the Blur with Dual Image Stabilization
Dual Image Stabilization combines two technologies – mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization – to provide one powerful anti-blur solution for capturing great images whether the photographer or the subject is moving. Olympus’ mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the internal image sensor to compensate for camera movement, even in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Additionally, Digital Image Stabilization captures the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blurry images often caused by a moving subject.

Olympus TOUGH 6020

Olympus TOUGH 6020

Hit Them with Your Best Shot: Tap Control
The Stylus Tough series cameras can be controlled with a simple tap on their top, back or sides, which is made possible thanks to their internal 3D accelerometer that detects the direction of the force on the camera’s body. In adverse climates Tap Control ensures fast adjustment of settings even if you are wearing gloves that make pressing traditional buttons nearly impossible.

Can’t Hide with Face Detection!
Portrait and group shots make family reunions live beyond the short event, and with Face Detection you will capture even the shyest relatives. The STYLUS TOUGH-8010 and STYLUS TOUGH-6020 both detect up to 12 faces within the frame and automatically focus and optimize exposure to capture sharp, brilliant portraits and group shots. Thanks to the unrivalled durability of the Stylus Tough series cameras, you’ll capture amazing photos even if your next family reunion is at a national park, a water park or ski slope.

Tough Cameras, Not Tough to Use
Skating at night? You won’t be the last one on the ice thanks to Intelligent Auto Mode. It automatically identifies what you are shooting (i.e., Portrait, Night + Portrait, Landscape, Macro and Sports) and adjusts the camera’s settings to capture the best quality results. First-time users can jump into this quick and hassle-free feature that does the thinking for them and produces incredible images.

Broaden Your Horizons with In-Camera Panorama
Take your Stylus Tough camera to places where you want to capture as much of the scene as possible. In-Camera Panorama mode makes it easy by capturing three images and stitching them together to create one amazing panoramic picture. Simply press the shutter button and slowly pan across a panoramic scene. The second and third images will be captured automatically and stitched together with the first image – resulting in one seamless panorama-size image. To create the ultimate panoramic shot, use the OLYMPUS [ib] software to stitch up to 10 images together. Great panorama proof that you conquered the mountain summit.

Advanced HyperCrystalTM III LCD
HyperCrystal III displays twice as bright as previous LCDs so that you can see the details more clearly, even in direct sunlight. The technology is offered in a 2.7-inch LCD on both the STYLUS TOUGH-8010 and STYLUS TOUGH-6020.

LED Illuminator
An LED Illuminator on the Stylus Tough cameras works like a mini-flashlight on the front of the camera to enhance focus and exposure for macro shooting – great for underwater close-ups where light is scarce. The LED illuminator also works in conjunction with Bright Capture to help illuminate your subject when taking low-light portraits.

TruePic™ III Image Processor
Olympus developed its exclusive TruePic III image processor for the demanding performance of digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras. Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal-clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colours, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures crisp, clear images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.

Smart Charging for Active Lifestyles
The two new cameras offer internal USB charging for extreme portability and durability. Using the camera’s USB cord, the camera plugs directly into a computer’s USB port to charge the battery. It minimizes the need to open the battery compartment door, and helps ensure the watertight gaskets maintain your camera’s durability. An optional AV adapter is also available.

OLYMPUS [ib] Software and In-Camera Manual
All Spring 2010 compact digital cameras, including the Stylus Tough series, will offer the new OLYMPUS [ib] integrated photo browsing and organizing software. The new software includes photography workflow, browsing, editing and unique photo organizing functions.

Organize your photos by person with automatic face recognition technology, by place with a GPS base mapping function or by event; all information will be tagged in each photo’s data. You can easily view photos on an HDTV or on the camera’s LCD with the Photo Surfing or Slideshow functions. The name [ib] stands for image bridging, image browsing and image brightening. The new software will be available for Windows operating systems only.

The STYLUS TOUGH-8010 and STYLUS TOUGH-6020 will come equipped with the instruction manual saved on the camera’s new internal memory. This translates into easily referencing instructions while shooting on the go. The internal memory also enables in-camera image playback in an organized fashion. Eliminating a paper or CD-Rom instruction manual is part of Olympus’ ongoing environmental commitment to conserve natural resources and reduce its carbon footprint.

SD Compatibility
Olympus’ new spring 2010 digital compact cameras offer SD capability for up to 32 gigabytes of capacity.

Underwater Housing for Extreme Dive Adventures
When the action moves from snorkelling to diving, take your Olympus digital camera with you. The PT-048 underwater case has been specially customized for the STYLUS TOUGH-8010 and STYLUS TOUGH-6020 cameras and is waterproof down to a depth of 40 meters. This case is perfect for capturing fascinating underwater photography. Olympus housings provide complete control of photo functions, such as zoom and flash modes.

Availability
The STYLUS TOUGH-8010 and STYLUS TOUGH-6020 will be available in February 2010. They include: wrist strap, camera WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, Li-Ion rechargeable battery, manual, warranty card and OLYMPUS [ib] software on the camera.

Canadian Pricing
STYLUS TOUGH-8010 Estimated Street Price: $449.99 (CAN)
STYLUS TOUGH-6020 Estimated Street Price: $349.99 (CAN)

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.