UK Digital Cameras Blog

A new compact digital camera from Olympus has been launched that a new review states follows on from one of its “rather good” predecessors.

According to an article for the Trusted Reviews website, the Olympus FE-340 is an eight-megapixel model that builds on some of the successful elements of the previous FE, the Olympus FE-250.

It is reported that the camera is equipped with a 5x zoom lens and has a 2.7-inch, 230k LCD monitor “which is sharp and bright, has excellent contrast and a nice fast refresh rate,” the review states.

Available in a number of different colours that include pink, black grey and silver the site notes that at around £120 “it is definitely towards the budget end of the price spectrum”.

As such, it notes, other considerations when looking at this model could be the Pentax Optio L50, the Nikon CoolPix S550 and the Sony Cyber-Shot S800.

“The build quality is good and the LCD monitor is outstanding,” the site concludes.

The Olympus FE-340 is simple to use and has plenty of features for its modest price tag, according to one reviewer.

It is reported that the eight-megapixel model might be “unfussy”, but it offers high quality images both inside and outside as well as being “small enough to slip into a pocket”.

Cameras. co. uk states that users can expect good colour resolution and extra features such as 5x optical zoom, face detection as well as a range of colours that includes silver, black, pink and blue.

“I am impressed by the results produced by the FE-340. As I mentioned … this is one of the less expensive pocket cameras and the photo quality is very good,” the review concludes.

The Olympus FE-340 also comes equipped with a TruePic III Image Processor, shakeproof anti-blur mode, perfect shot preview and a 2.7-inch LCD Screen and is also available in a range of bundles.

Olympus has announced the latest in its range of “popular and highly-rated” digital cameras, according to the Trusted Reviews website.

The site reports that the new Olympus E-520 semi-pro digital SLR will to build on its predecessor the Olympus E-510 as well as the manufacturer’s expertise in building premium photographic equipment.

It is reported that the Olympus E-520 not only “ticks all the right boxes” in terms of the amount of features it offers, but also improves performance by giving users a maximum frame rate of 3.5 frames per second.

The camera is equipped with body-integral sensor-shift image stabilisation as well as autofocus and a self-cleaning sensor. However, it is the Shadow Adjustment Technology that the site states is noteworthy.

“This is a new feature … which enhances the apparent dynamic range by brightening shadow areas,” it adds.

For those considering a more compact model, the manufacturer currently offers the ten-megapixel Olympus MJU 1010 in silver, blue and black.

Olympus’ new DSLR camera, the Olympus E-520, has been slated for a June release in the United Kingdom, according to reports.

ZDNet. com says the camera will replace the “well-regarded” Olympus E-510 in the manufacturers line up, while Stuff. tv notes that the new model “certainly isn’t short on features”.

These include a ten-megapixel resolution, face detection technology and an improved 2.7-inch LCD with Live View, which allows users to shoot with the camera “like a handy compact” without having to use the optical viewfinder.

Autofocus is also included in the Live View feature.

In addition, the new model will feature wireless flash capability, an built-in image stabiliser for all lens, shadow adjustment technology and a Perfect Shot Preview application that allows photographers to adjust white balance and exposure settings via the LCD before they start shooting.

Other cameras in the Olympus range include the Olympus FE-290, the Olympus Mju850sw and the Olympus SP-570UZ.

A review of the Olympus Mju 1030SW has praised the camera for its robust design, stating that it is the “toughest in the range” of Olympus Mju models.

Photoreview. com said the camera is the first in Olympus’ Tough collection to come with a ten-megapixel image sensor.

It is also capable of withstanding water to a depth of ten metres, can take a drop of up to two metres, operates in temperatures as low as minus ten and can resist pressure of up to 100 kilograms.

The camera comes with a 3.6x optical zoom lens, which the site says adequately covers everyday shooting, 24 scene modes and a new underwater movie application.

On top of this, the Olympus Mju 1030SW offers a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, a Truepic III image processor and face detection autofocus.

It comes with a USB cable for connecting to a computer, a software CD-ROM and charger, with prices starting at around £206.99.

The Olympus MJU 1010 has been described as a “pretty well specified camera” for its price and target audience, offering slimline design and a number of attractive features, a new review has said.

According to reghardware.co.uk, the camera comes with a “beefy” 7x 6.6mm to 46.2 mm optical zoom lens, which has an equivalent zoom to a 37mm to 260mm lens on a traditional 35mm camera.

It also boasts 10.1 megapixel resolution, together with twin image stabilisation, face detection and 23 preset shooting modes designed for different scenes.

The Olympus MJU 1010 also comes with technology designed to optimise shooting in low lighting conditions and an optional underwater case that means the camera can be used up to a depth of 40 metres.

Measuring 99mm by 56 mm by 25 mm, the Olympus MJU 1010 is a slim camera that the site describes as “very pocketable”. The body houses a flash, shutter control, power button and a mini USB port connection.

On the camera’s rear is a 2.7-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD display, control dial, menu button and playback button. There is also a four-way pad for adjusting macro, flash, timer and exposure compensation settings.

The Olympus MJU 1010 comes with a handstrap, AV and USB cables, a lithium battery and a charger.

The new Olympus E-3 digital SLR model claims to have the “fastest autofocusing in the world” after the manufacturer revamped its autofocus system specifically for the new model, a new review has said.

According to Trusted Reviews, it has taken more than four years for the Olympus E-3 to replace the Olympus E-1 and, although the new model does not match the specifications of some other cameras, it has “plenty of good points”.

These include a number of features that Olympus helped to pioneer, the site adds.

Among them is Live View - which Olympus developed alongside Panasonic - and in-camera image stabilisation. Both of these features have largely become standard across digital SLRs, indicating their popularity among consumers.

And, although the Olympus E-3 has ten megapixels rather than a higher resolution, the site notes that more pixels at smaller sizes can add “image noise”.

The Olympus E-3 also comes with the latest Olympus TruePic III processor, which offers “better noise suppression, truer colour and fast processing”.

Overall, the site rates the camera highly, giving it nine out of a possible ten for its features, image quality and overall value.

Other cameras in the Olympus range include the Olympus SP-570UZ, the Olympus Mju 1010 and the Olympus FE 310.

The new Olympus E-420 will feature “a number of enhancements” to its predecessor, the Olympus E-410, it has been reported.

According to a review by imaging-resource.com, the new model will feature several improvements, including new face detection technology, shadow adjustment technology, an autofocus function which can be used in the camera’s Live View mode and a ten-megapixel sensor.

In addition, the camera features a larger 2.7-inch LCD screen which the review claims offers “twice the contrast” in more extreme lighting conditions, as well as a greater display of colour detail.

The E-420 is also compatible with the FL-36R and FL-56R wireless flashes manufactured by Olympus.

According to the manufacturer, the camera is one of the “world’s most compact” digital SLR models and features a total of 28 shooting modes.

The Olympus E-420 - which claims to be “ready to use straight out of the box” - will be available for purchase in the UK at the end of April 2008.

A preview announcement about the Olympus SP-570 claims that the camera offers “a wealth of creative control without the expense of an SLR”.

According to PC magazine, the “all-in-one, versatile compact camera” could be ideal for outdoor, sports and travel enthusiasts.

In addition, the Olympus SP-570 - which features 20x optical zoom and sequential shooting at a rate of 13.5 frames per second - contains a number of advanced manual controls, including a hotshoe for external flash, RAW format capture and a new zoom ring, although it can be set to a range of automatic scene modes as well for a basic point-and-shoot feel.

Meanwhile, MSNBC reported that the camera - a follow-up to the SP-560 model release last year - is “hand-sized” and contains a number of “astounding” features, such as “more zoom into a smaller space” that have not been seen on previous Olympus digital compact camera models.

A new digital SLR camera from Olympus is set to make its UK debut in April, it has emerged.

According to Amateur Photographer, the 10-megapixel Olympus E-420 will be available next month for a recommended retail price of £339.99.

It is thought the camera will replace the Olympus E-410 and will be the newest member of the firm’s Four Thirds system.

The camera will boast a number of new improvements on previous Olympus models, the reviewer claimed, including an updated live view system and an optional compact 25mm lens.

Improvements to the camera’s live view system include a 2.7-inch LCD screen and a contrast autofocus system compatible with a number of Olympus camera lenses.

The camera will also feature a continuous burst rate of 3.5 frames per second and is able to take up to eight images in a row in this mode.

Olympus claims the camera will be among the world’s “smallest and lightest” digital SLR cameras and is the “perfect companion for journalists, travellers and other adventurers”.