08/29/03

Olympus Unveils C-5000 Zoom Digital Camera with Intelligent Design

5.0 Megapixel Camera Brings Increased Functionality and New Look to the Compact Digital Camera Category

Melville, NY, August 29, 2003 - Olympus America introduces the C-5000 Zoom digital camera with an innovative, bold design offering great functionality, 5.0 Megapixels, and a world-class Olympus® 3x Optical Zoom lens (38mm - 114mm, f2.8-f4.8) for outstanding picture quality. This camera is the ideal photographic tool for digital enthusiasts looking for a compact, stylish camera with enough functionality to match their growing skills. With a unique ergonomic design, and a hot shoe for more flash options, the C-5000 Zoom provides great value in a compact form.

"The C-5000 Zoom is the successor to the best-selling camera in its class during the 2002 holiday season, the C-4000 Zoom," said Jason Bortzfield, Product Manager, Digital, Olympus America Inc. "The C-5000 Zoom has significant enhancements such as a 5.0 Megapixel CCD sensor for producing images of great size and clarity, a body that's more than 20% smaller, and a hot shoe for adding more flash capability - something new for a camera of this caliber."

Innovative
The essence of the C-5000 Zoom is its versatility. With a hot shoe for adding an optional Olympus FL-50 or FL-20 Flash, and a wide range of other optional accessories such as an assortment of lenses and an included Lithium-Ion battery and charger, it is the perfect choice for the photographer who wants a complete camera system at a price that won't break the bank. Developing photographers will appreciate the ease of use provided by Automatic and Scene Program modes, while the C-5000 Zoom's full manual control offers advanced photographers a highly precise photographic tool.

Stylish
The newest addition to the Olympus C-Series, the C-5000 Zoom has a striking look unlike any previous Olympus digital camera. Both elegant and ergonomically designed, its smooth, contoured body with an attractive silver finish is comfortable, lightweight and easy to work with, even during extensive shooting sessions.

Intelligent
Olympus photos are known worldwide for their exceptionally vibrant, sharp and super-realistic photo image quality. This quality comes from the latest optical technologies such as the C-5000 Zoom's precision Olympus all-glass 38mm - 114mm, f2.8-f4.8 lens, which is matched to a 5.0 Megapixel CCD. The C-5000Z's Noise Reduction mode facilitates noise-free photos during long exposures. All together, these features allow users to produce consistently crisp, high-quality prints up to 11" x 14".

Approachable
The C-5000 Zoom is extremely easy to use. Standard Program Auto mode allows photographers to take flawless pictures in typical situations using basic point-and-shoot techniques. Users can easily access six different Scene Program Modes with the mode dial, including settings for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene and Sports photography. The "My Mode" feature allows users to create a separate user-customizable setting for even more creative options when shooting under specific conditions. The menu also features three shortcut buttons that save menu navigation time by letting the user assign the most frequently used menu categories to these three buttons.

The programmable "Custom Button" allows users to assign one button on the back of the camera for Auto Exposure Lock, variable Drive settings, different ISO ratings, and remote control operation. The Custom Button allows users to have immediate access to these specialized functions.

A dedicated "Quick View" button on the back of the camera allows users to instantly review their photographs, and then quickly return to shooting by pressing the shutter button. It is also possible to configure the camera to "sleep" after a set period of non-operation time. This helps to prolong the camera's battery life.

For easy, software-free photo downloads, the C-5000 Zoom features Olympus' USB Auto-Connect capabilities so images can be downloaded quickly and easily in all current Mac® and Windows® operating systems. The supplied CAMEDIA Master Editing software gives photographers everything they need to edit, print and share their photos.

Exciting Features for the Most Realistic Digital Images
Experienced photographers will appreciate the C-5000 Zoom's manual settings with individual controls for aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual operation with manual shutter speeds ranging from 16 to 1/1,000 of a second. Multi-Point Metering enables up to 8 separate points in the image area to be averaged for proper exposures in the most difficult lighting conditions - a feature not typically found on cameras at this price point. Dynamic histograms are visible on the LCD in both shoot and review modes to accurately display the photo's brightness across the image area. Other advanced controls include: Selectable AF Point, moveable with the menu navigation arrow pad and Super Macro mode for photographing subjects as close as one inch. An External TTL Flash Terminal is provided for the FL-50 or FL-20 Flash or for syncing to studio strobes. Adjustable White Balance and One Touch White Balance provide maximum shooting versatility.

New C-5000 Zoom Key Features:

  • 5.0 Megapixel CCD
  • 3x Optical Zoom + 4x Digital for total 12x Seamless Zoom
  • Built in Hot Shoe flash design
  • Ability to add on lenses or filters - Threaded ring built into body around lens (adapter required)
  • New Compact Body
  • USB Auto-Connect for easy connectivity
  • Auto and Manual Controls + 6 Creative Scene Modes
  • TruePicTM Technology
  • Long Life Lithium-Ion Battery & Charger included

Availability
The C-5000 Zoom will be available in October 2003 for $499 MSRP. It comes supplied with a 32MB xD-Picture CardTM, Li-10B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, USB Computer Connection Cable, Video Cable, Carrying Strap/Lens Cap, RM-2 Wireless Remote Control, QuickStart Guide and Printed Basic Manual, and Limited Warranty Card. The included CD ROM contains CAMEDIA Master Editing software and User "Reference" manual.

U.S. Pricing:
C-5000 Zoom Street Price: $499.00 (U.S.)
C-5000 Zoom MSRP: $599.95 (U.S.)

Canadian Pricing:
C-5000 Zoom Street Price: $749.00 (Canada)
C-5000 Zoom MSRP: TBD (Canada)

For more information, review units and high-resolution images of the camera, contact Michael Bourne, Mullen Public Relations, 978-468-8953 or michael.bourne@mullen.com, or Olympus America Inc., Two Corporate Center Dr., Melville, NY 11747-3157, ph: (631) 844-5000; (800) 622-6372; Fax: (631) 844-5262.

ABOUT OLYMPUS Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., with its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a global leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing optical-digital product solutions for health care and consumer segments. The company leverages R&D investment in technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines that include:

  • Digital and film cameras, and digital voice recorders;
  • Minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical endoscopes;
  • Advanced clinical and research microscopes; and
  • Chemistry-immuno analyzers and lab automation systems.

In the U. S. and Canada, Olympus America Inc. serves health care, scientific and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial and other service offerings and is the leading brand in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. The company's market-leading consumer camera products and services business spans North and South America. Olympus America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and parent company to develop state-of-the-art products and services that are innovative, intelligent, and easy to use.