With resolutions clocking in at 7 and 8 Megapixels, Olympus' new trio of digital cameras boast enhanced photo taking abilities in dark conditions and spacious, 2.5-inch viewfinders.
Olympus mju 810 (EU) / Stylus 810 (US)
Compact yet capable, the mju 810 is the highest-resolution camera of the three new models unveiled by Olympus with its 8 Megapixels. Equipped with a 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder, the camera's claim to fame is Olympus' new BrightCapture technology, which allows for improved still picture taking under poorly lit conditions with ISO sensitivies ranging from 64-1600 at full resolution. Furthermore, the brightness of the 230K pixel screen is automatically multiplied by a factor of 4 when applying BrightCapture in a bid to ease framing.
Also featuring digital image stabilization, the mju 810 offers a total of 20 scene modes and the ability to record video at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels and 30 FPS, storing contents to internal memory or xD Picture Cards which currently sell in maximum capacities of 1 GB. Other highlights include a macro function with a minimum distance of 10 cm, as well as USB connectivity with PictBridge support, all hosted in a splash-resistant stainless steel body.
Due out in March 2006 as the Olympus mju 810 in European markets and in February as the Olympus Stylus 810 in the US, this camera will sell for €480 EUR and $430 USD, respectively.
Olympus mju 720 SW (EU) / Stylus 720 SW (US)
Similar in most respects to the mju 810, the mju 720 SW attempts to differentiate itself through ruggedness. Waterproof to 3 meters and resistant to drops from 1.5 meters, the mju 720 SW is fitted with a 7 Megapixel CCD sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens, as well as the same BrightCapture technology and 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder as that of the mju 810.
Offering a minimum macro distance of 7 cm, the number of available scene modes has been boosted to 24 and a Guide Function for beginners has been added to ease the learning curve. Furthermore, the mju 720 SW also records video at 640 x 480 pixels albeit at a reduced frame rate of 15 FPS, storing content to xD Picture Cards or internal memory from where it can be offloaded via PictBridge-enabled USB.
Also to be available from March 2006, the Olympus mju 720 SW will sell for €435 EUR in Europe, whereas the identical Olympus Stylus 720 SW will sell for $350 USD from February in the US. The camera will be available in a range of colours, including Dusky Pink, Polar Blue and Steel Silver.
Olympus SP-320
Aimed less at the novice photographer and more at the professional amateur, the SP-320 offers a larger degree of control over a set of specifications which include a 7.1 Megapixel CCD sensor and 3x optical zoom lens with F2.8-F4.9. In addition to 25 preset scene modes, the camera boasts programme, aperture priority, shutter Priority and full manual exposure control, as well as manual and automatic focusing to enable users to tweak aspects to their heart's desire.
Controlled through a 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder, the SP-320 also delivers a super macro mode with a minimum distance of 2 cm, whilst other highlights include a maximum ISO setting of 800 combines and a real-time histogram overlay. Also capable of recording video at 640 x 480 pixels at a frame rate of 30 FPS, future owners can store their handywork to the camera's 25 MB of internal memory or xD Picture Cards as either JPEG or RAW files, and subsequently to a PC via USB.
Slated for availability throughout Europe in April 2006, the Olympus SP-320 will sell in the €335 EUR range.
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