OLYMPUS ANNOUNCES WORLD FIRST 2.5 MEGAPIXEL FILMLESS DIGITAL CAMERA THE
C-2500L SLR
Exclusive Olympus TruePic Technology Produces More Realistic Photo
Quality Images With Color, Contrast and Tonal Gradation
August 24, 1999, Melville, NY– Olympus America Inc., the World Leader in
Film and Filmless Photography announced today the C-2500L, the worlds
first 2.5 megapixel (1712 X 1368) filmless digital camera in the consumer
marketplace (sub $1500 retail price) featuring revolutionary TruePic
technology for professional photographic quality. The C-2500L is Olympus
most significant filmless digital camera developed for professional digital
photographers and computer power users.
Significant new features of the C-2500L include an exclusive 2.5 megapixel
CCD in an all-in-one SLR camera design with a 3X 9.2 to 28mm aspheric glass
zoom lens (36-110mm equivalency in 35mm photography), built-in flash,
hot-shoe, full exposure control, and other professional features. As part
of the C-2500L system, the FL-40 (a new Olympus dedicated flash
specifically designed for digital photography) has also been announced
today.
According to Ben LaMarca, Group Vice President Marketing, Digital Products,
Olympus commitment to the highest photographic quality has been clearly
stated through our eighty year history of distinctive products and has
positioned us as the world leader in film and filmless photography. The
C-2500L is Olympus most significant contribution to digital photography
since the launch of the D-300L. It confirms our commitment to innovation
and redefines the standards for filmless digital photography.
Revolutionary TruePic Technology
The C-2500L is the first filmless digital camera to offer true photographic
quality that the advanced user requires. The exclusive Olympus TruePic
technology is a revolutionary new advancement, using an Olympus ASIC
(Application Specific Integrated Circuit) allowing the C-2500L to manage
the image in the camera for truer color, contrast, and tonal gradation,
producing a more realistic color photograph. The TruePic algorithm
utilizes all the pixel information to produce detailed photographs with a
smoother photographic appearance. The benefit to the photographer is an
image that prints with true photographic quality with enough pixels for a
photo quality 8 X 10-inch print and beyond.
The exclusive 2.5 megapixel 2/3 inch progressive CCD also sets the C-2500L
apart from the competition. The larger 2/3-inch CCD is less noisy,
producing a better image than a smaller CCD. The 4 X 5 aspect ratio of the
1712 X 1368 pixel image is matched exactly to printing a 4 X 5, 8 X 10 or
11 X 14-inch photograph without cropping or throwing away unused pixels
like many digital cameras with a more rectangular 2 X 3 aspect ratio.
C-2500L Advanced Features
Olympus has produced a 3X optical zoom lens matched to the highest demands
of digital photography. The extra care in the design of the 7-element
aspheric glass lens assures the user sharp, clear images. The lens design
also incorporates a 43mm threaded lens barrel for optional accessory lenses
like the B-28 wide-angle converter and 1.45X telephoto converter. These
accessory lenses extend the lens range from a 35mm film camera equivalent
36 110 mm zoom f2.8/3.9 to include a 29mm wide-angle and a 160mm telephoto.
To further improve lens performance, an advanced Autofocus system is used
with this lens. Olympus has included a powerful low-light Autofocus (AF)
illuminator like those found on advanced 35mm SLR cameras. The improved AF
system is faster and works in low-light levels without any hesitation from
0.8 inches in the super-macro mode to infinity in the normal autofocus
mode. The camera also has manual focus from 12 inches to infinity and a
user selectable quick focus mode. The ranges for focus are from 0.8 inches
to 24 inches in the AF Super-Macro mode; 12 inches to 24 inches in the AF
Macro mode; and 24 inches to infinity in the normal Autofocus mode. In the
manual focusing mode, the camera focuses from 12 inches to infinity.
The professionals need for precision is further supported with the 95%
centered SLR viewfinder incorporated into the C-2500L. Showing a clear,
bright view of the subject, the C-2500L viewfinder also indicates both the
focus area and spot metering area for precise exposure and focus control.
In fact, the SLR viewfinder of the C-2500L is more accurate than most 35mm
film SLR cameras, LCD displays, and viewfinders of most digital cameras.
Additionally, the C-2500L also includes a built-in dioptric corrector to
focus the viewfinder to the users eyesight.
The advanced user has full-control of exposure with the three exposure
modes of the C-2500L Programmed Automatic, Aperture Priority Automatic
and Manual Exposure. In the automatic exposure modes, the C-2500L features
exposure controls of +/- 2 steps in 1/3-step increments. The exposure and
white balancing is TTL (through the lens) for increased accuracy. The
C-2500L features three options for white balancing: full TTL automatic; 6
preset white balance settings from 3000K to 6500K; and a one-touch manual
setting. With this complete control of the camera, photographers can
achieve their photographic fantasies.
The built-in flash of the C-2500L features fully automatic TTL flash,
red-eye reducing flash, fill-in flash, slow syncro flash with first or
second curtain sync, and flashoff. The hot shoe enables the use of
accessory flashes, including the Olympus new FL-40, a flash unit designed
exclusively for filmless digital cameras. With the optional FL-40 flash,
the C-2500L has a flash range of over 30 feet. With the dedicated FL-40
flash, the user has full TTL exposure or traditional automatic and manual
flash exposure.
Faster Shooting Speed
Designed for speed, the C-2500L uses an exclusive Olympus ASIC, which
integrates dual processors and a 16MB D-RAM buffer for faster performance.
Unlike many other digital cameras, the C-2500L can take photos as fast as
the user can compose, focus, and shoot, at any resolution (including the
SHQ-TIFF mode). In the burst mode, the C-2500L will capture 5 images at any
resolution in less than 3 seconds. From the time the power-on button is
pressed to the actual pressing of the shutter button, the C-2500L is
designed to operate with the minimum of waiting.
To store the image, the C-2500L uses the industry standard DCF/EXIF file
format, allowing the choice of uncompressed (SHQ-TIFF) or low compression
(2.3:1 JPEG) files. The 6.7MB native file sizes can be stored as
uncompressed TIFF files or JPEG files (see chart below for image storage).
Resolution Compression 8MB
(Optional) 16MB
(Optional) 32MB
(Included)
SHQ1712X1386 TIFF Uncompressed 1 2 4
SHQ-1712X1368 JPEG 2.3:1 4 8 16
HQ-1712X1368 JPEG 8:1 13 26 52
SQ-1280 X1024 JPEG 8:1 24 48 96
SQ-640 X 480 JPEG 8:1 83 166 322
Worlds First SmartMedia /CompactFlash Dual Media Slot Integrated into the
C-2500L is the worlds first dual SmartMedia/CompactFlash media slot
design. Olympus is strongly committed to SmartMedia memory cards as their
storage medium. However, Olympus also recognizes that the users of the
C-2500L might already have an investment in Compact Flash. Images can be
stored in either media and copied from SmartMedia to CompactFlash for
archiving or photo sharing.
The 3.3V SmartMedia removable memory cards speed-up the writing time to
images. Olympus also provides a wide variety of connectivity choices
through optional devices, including the FlashPath floppy disk adapter and
PCMCIA adapter card.
SmartMedia cards are currently available in 8, 16, and 32MB sizes; with
64MB cards due out in Fall, 1999. The C-2500L ships with a 32MB card. The
secondary CompactFlash slot uses existing CompactFlash Type I memory cards.
New High-Resolution LCD
To review the captured photos, the C-2500L features a new high-resolution
122,000 pixel color LCD. The higher resolution LCD allows easy index
viewing of 1, 4, or 9 images; as well as a 2X or 4X magnification
inspection mode. In the inspection mode, the LCD can be scrolled to
pinpoint the exact location to be viewed. The LCD also displays the camera
control menus, set-up, and print menus. The print menus utilize the DPOF
(Digital Print Order Form) standard for tagging photographs to print. The
C-2500L also features NTSC video out for viewing the photos on a television
or capturing on a VCR.
The C-2500L will ship in October, 1999 with an estimated street price of
$1499. It ships with a 32MB Olympus SmartMedia memory card, 4 Olympus NiMH
batteries and recharger, Camedia Master image editing and download
software, Enroute QuickStitch panorama software, lens cap, strap and user
manual. The optional Accessory Kit includes a fitted leather camera case, 4
additional Olympus NiMH batteries, AC adapter, and Extensis Portfolio image
cataloging software, and will also be available in October, 1999 for an
estimated street price of $99.00. Other optional Olympus accessories
include the FL-40 flash, B-28 wide-angle lens, 1.45X telephoto lens, PCMCIA
SmartMedia card adapter, FlashPath floppy disk adapter, and a variety of
filters.
For more information, contact Olympus America, Digital & Imaging Systems
Group, Two Corporate Center Dr., Melville, NY 11747-3157, ph: (516)
844-5000 (800) 622-6372, Fax: (516) 844-5262 or the Olympus Web Site:
http://www.olympus.com/digital.
Olympus America distributes a wide range of products for consumer,
scientific, health care, commercial and industrial markets. These include
film and filmless cameras, Microcassette and digital voice recorders,
binoculars, film scanners, personal photo printers, medical and industrial
endoscopes, biological and metallurgical microscopes and measuring
instruments, clinical analyzers, and other high technology products.
Olympus America is responsible for sales in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean,
and Central and South America.