Olympus unveils new digital cameras

MANILA, Philippines - Olympus took the wraps off a staggering array of new feature-rich digital cameras at a festive media launch held recently at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Ortigas.

Comprising the new models are the easy-to-use Smart series cameras, the heavy-duty Tough series shooters, the versatile Traveller series with super-zoom capabilities, and the advanced Creator line of point-and-shooters.

Olympus Smart series

Slim and compact, Olympus’s entry-level cameras pack a full line of basic functions with a 14MP CCD. Zoom functions range from 4x to 5x optical.

The VG-150 (P4,495), VG-160 (P5,495), and VG-170 (P6,995) are great for everyday use like taking pictures or shooting videos.

These cameras also have a built-in Magic Filter to let users create cool effects on their photos.

These also have DIS (high sensitivity) image stabilization to help avoid blurred photos. The VG-170’s high-intensity flash allows users to take good photos even under low light.

The VH-210 (P6,495) is the Smart series’ trendy-looking compact digital camera that comes in eye-catching, fruit-themed colors.

Aside from its 14MP CCD and HD movie recording functions, the VH-210 comes complete with an impressive set of basic features, which include a 3.0-inch, 460K-dot LCD panel, and Magic Filters (Mirror/Sketch/Wedding/Crystal/Watercolor, among many others.

The VR-350 (P8,495), meanwhile, is a compact digital camera featuring a slim 12.5x optical zoom lens covering a focal range from wide-angle 24-mm to 300-mm telephoto.

In spite of its compact size, it’s packed with a powerful array of basic functions, which include a 16MP CCD sensor and an HD movie recording function.

Some of its added features include an ergonomic grip that allows a comfortable hold on the camera and the high-performance DUAL IS image stabilization that eliminates shake or blur from telephoto shooting and enables high-definition reproduction for long-distance shooting.

Olympus Tough series

For those who lead an active lifestyle and just love being outdoors, there’s Olympus’ Tough series of three new fun, functional, and heavy-duty cameras.

Resistant to water, dust, shock, and freezing temperatures, the TG-320 (P9,995), TG-620 (P12,995), and TG-820 (P15,995) are tough cameras that can withstand any rough and tumble thrown their way.

Featuring waterproofing of up to a 10-meter depth, dust-proofing, shock-proofing of up to a two-meter drop, and freeze-proofing of up to –10 degrees Celsius, these cameras are also equipped with powerful functions such as HD movie recording and Magic Filter capability.

Olympus Traveller series

Boasting of ultra-zoom capabilities, Olympus’ SP-620UZ (P11,995), SP-720UZ (P14,995), and SP-810UZ (P15,995) take superb shots from macro (from as close as to 1 cm) to super-telephoto (864 mm).

The Traveller series also comes with a high-performance DUAL IS image stabilization that prevents camera shake from affecting telephoto shooting.

The SP-810UZ is also the world’s smallest compact digital camera that features a 36x optical zoom lens, making it an all-in-one model that is able to capture images of a very wide area, from indoor to landscape shooting.

A stylish optical ultra-zoom camera, the SZ-14 (P13,995) is a compact digital camera incorporating a 24x optical ultra-zoom lens, HD movie recoding function, and high-performance DUAL IS image stabilization.

It has a 14MP CCD sensor with three-inch, 460K-dot high-definition LCD for clearer viewing.

Two more cool options from the Traveller series are the SH-25MR (P16,995) and SZ-31MR (P18,995). These two new cameras document life’s journey in high-quality photos and movies.

They are also super-resolution zoom cameras with a capacity of up to 24x optical zoom. Both are also equipped with the new “iHS” technology, enabling low-light shooting and fast AF, and even have built-in GPS.

Olympus Creator series

The XZ-1 (P20,995) is a topnotch camera that’s packed with an exciting assortment of features for any discerning photographer.

This point-and-shoot features the i.Zuiko Digital F1.8-2.5 lens, the brightest ever in a compact camera. Even with a compact lens, it promises high-quality images that rival those of DSLR lenses.

Additionally, it has a brightness of F2.5 even at full telephoto, allowing users to take beautiful photos without blur when shooting without flash indoors or in low-light situations.

Other features of the XZ-1 include a large, high-sensitivity 1/1.63 inch CCD Sensor, Art Filters, Advanced Shooting Functions, TruePicV Image Processor, Live Guide, OLED monitor, Control Ring/Wheel Controller, and a whole lot more.