TOUGH gets tougher

Even more of a good thing: the Olympus µ TOUGH-8010 and µ TOUGH-6020

Hamburg, 2 February 2010 – Meet the toughest TOUGHs yet. Want to snap your dash down a wild river one day and capture beach adventures the next? No problem. The waterproof and shockproof Olympus µ TOUGH-8010 and µ TOUGH-6020 take high-performance and action to a whole new level. Featuring a 5x wide zoom lens which spans a focal length spectrum of 28-140mm* and Dual Image Stabilisation, they will keep delivering brilliant images no matter what the challenge. Viewing all the latest stunts is sure to be more exciting than ever with the new HD movie function and Photo Surfing. This practical mobile photo album is optimised through Olympus’ [ib] software. And no matter what the format, finding space to save all those ultimate moments won’t be a problem: the latest additions to the series feature a whopping 2GB of internal memory as well as an SD card slot. The 14 Megapixel µ TOUGH-8010 and µ TOUGH-6020 will be available from March 2010.

Waterproof to up to 10m***, shockproof to falls of up to 2m** and freezeproof down to as low as -10°C, the µ TOUGH-8010 and µ TOUGH-6020 have a range of new functions to help you capture the excitement:

• 5x wide zoom lens
• 14 Megapixels
• HD movie recording and HDMI interface
• 2GB internal memory and SD card slot
• Photo Surfing
• [ib] software
• Improved Tap Control
• USB charging

With the new features, it’s never been so easy to keep track of the latest tricks on the half-pipe or a climb to the mountain top. A versatile 5x wide optical zoom (28-140mm*) ensures great group photos or close-ups of distant subjects. In addition, every move can be recorded with the HD movie function or integrated into a slideshow and then viewed comfortably on a TV set connected via HDMI. And by using Photo Surfing to select and look at pictures of anything from an afternoon on the sailboat to a child’s birthday, there’s no longer any need to tediously click through the whole library. This is possible thanks to Olympus’ [ib] technology. The new image browsing software allows pictures to be tagged by face with Face Recognition technology, by place (with GPS) or by event. The tagged images can then be surfed through on the camera’s LCD, on a computer or a television.

Both the 14 Megapixel µ TOUGH-8010 and µ TOUGH-6020 offer plenty of space for all those special moments: aside from an impressive 2GB of internal memory respectively, an SD card slot is sure to be useful. The In-Camera Manual on the other hand, makes navigating the cameras and finding out how to operate certain functions a breeze. Tap Control has also been improved and now allows scrolling by tilting the camera body in addition to control through taps on the casing, perfect for gloved hands. Underwater fans will appreciate knowing where they are going with LED illumination. They can also get a feel for where they are with µ TOUGH-8010’s manometer. Of course, a variety of trusted Olympus features from Magic Filters and Beauty Mode to i-Auto, AF Tracking and Dual Image Stabilisation are also on board to make sure you don’t miss that perfect shot.

Incredibly resistant through anodised aluminium plating and double sealing, these cameras were made for adventure inside and out. Their displays’ HC III “triple coating” protects it against reflection even under direct bright sunlight, scratches, and moisture for comfortable shooting while a stronger metal lens barrier ensures lenses are out of harms way. A double lock mechanism on the cover for the battery, memory slot and ports offers extra security.

The shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof µ TOUGH-8010 and µ TOUGH-6020 will be available in a variety of colours from March 2010.

The Olympus µ TOUGH-8010 and µ TOUGH-6020 – main features:
• Shockproof to 2m**, waterproof to 10m***, crushproof to 100kg**** freezeproof to -10°C and scratchproof (µ TOUGH-6020: shockproof to 1.5m**, waterproof to 5m*** and freezeproof to -10°C)
• 5x wide optical zoom (28-140mm*)
• Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabilisation)
• HD movie recording and HDMI technology
• 14 Megapixels
• 2GB***** internal memory and SD****** Card compatible
• Photo Surfing and [ib] software
• Improved TAP Control Menu
• 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal III LCD (230,000 dots)
• Advanced Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology
• Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) and AF Tracking
• Magic Filters
• Manometer (µ TOUGH-8010 only)
• In-Camera Manual
• USB charging
• Available in Platinum Silver and Midnight Black (µ TOUGH-8010) or in Midnight Black, Candy Pink, Steel Blue, and Cosmic Green (µ TOUGH-6020)

* Equivalent to a 35mm camera
** Equivalent to MIL Standard (Olympus test conditions)
*** According to IEC standard publication 529 IPX8
**** According to Olympus test conditions
***** Available memory for shooting and storage: 1.6GB
****** SD is a trademark of SD Card Association

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Franziska Jorke
Olympus Europa Holding GmbH
Tel.: +49-40-237 73-4759
Email: Franziska.Jorke@Olympus-europa.com
www.olympus-europa.com

Appendix

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 the moving subject automatically and keeps it continually in focus for pictures that are optimally focused and exposed. It also memorises subject data even when the subject 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.

i-Auto Mode
This “intelligent-Auto” mode uses advanced automatic detection technology to allow the camera to recognise the five most commonly used scenes automatically. They enable the capture of perfect photos without any 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. The information tagged in each photo allows selected pictures to be viewed on a TV, PC, or the camera’s LCD (with Photo Surfing or Slideshow).

Magic Filters
Enables special artistic effects to be created directly in the camera.
Pop Art: Enhances colours, making them stronger and more vivid to create high-impact pictures that express the happy, light-hearted feeling of the pop art style.
Fish-Eye: Reproduces the dramatic effect of a fish eye lens, lending a new perspective to the whole scene with a “round” effect.
Sketch: Gives the impression that subjects have been sketched by an artist by transforming images into line drawings.
Pin Hole: Reduces the peripheral brightness like an image seen through a pinhole. Added to this is a unique colour tone that results in a style that has an air of secrecy or portrays the feeling of being lost in another dimension or space.

Photo Surfing
By selecting this option in the Playback menu, users can opt to browse pictures by date, scene, person, place, or image collection.

Improved TAP Control mode
“TAP Control Mode” is a unique interface that lets users access a range of camera functions simply by tapping the camera body. Quick View mode, Shooting Mode, a user-defined function (Flash or SAT), and Snow Mode can be accessed by tapping at particular points of the camera. Tilting the camera scrolls through images in playback mode.