Olympus has added two more cameras to go with the SP-500 ultra-zoom model; the SP-350 and SP-310. The near identical cameras offer 8.0 and 7.1 million pixels respectively, full manual control, 2.5-inch LCD (and viewfinder) plus RAW image capture. The black-bodied SP-350 offers slightly different sensitivity to the SP-310 and additionally has a hotshoe for attaching an external flash. A histogram is available in shooting and playback modes on both models. The SP-350 and SP-310 will be available in October priced $399.99 (£310) (SP-350) and $349.99 (£270).

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Press Release:

SP-350 and SP-310 digital cameras

Creativity lies in the palm of your hand

London, 29 August 2005 – Offering 8.0 and 7.1 million pixels respectively, the new Olympus SP-350 and SP-310 are an enthusiast’s dream. Four exposure modes hand the photographer the freedom to experiment whilst a precision 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 38-114mm on a 35mm camera), ensures that crisp and razor-sharp images are produced each and every time.

Featuring a range of focusing options from regular iESP auto focus to spot and multi-spot AF both models also have a manual focus option. In addition a histogram function is available, both in playback mode and in real-time whilst framing, to enable exposure distribution to be checked on the extra-large 6.4cm LCD.

For those looking to extend the camera’s capabilities even further, a whole host of accessories are available including lens converters, an underwater case and flash units that simply clip onto the camera’s hotshoe mount.

Available from October the SP-350 and SP-310 are priced at around £310 and £270 respectively with the SP-310 exclusive to Jessops in the UK.

The Olympus SP-350 and SP-310 – main features:

• 8.0 / 7.1 million pixels
• Bright 3x zoom lens (equiv. 38-114mm on a 35mm camera),
  1:2.8-4.9. 15x total magnification incl. digital zoom
• 6.4cm/2.5” LCD monitor
• Auto, Programme, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and manual exposure, 24 scene
  modes
• Focusing options: Spot with option to select AF area with 143 points, iESP auto focus and manual focus
• Super Macro mode up to 2cm
• Histogram function in shooting and playback modes
• Recording in JPEG or RAW formats
• Very long battery life (up to 510 shots)* and uses standard AA batteries
• TruePic TURBO image processor
• 32 MB internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot
• Movie recording with sound
• USB Hi-Speed AutoConnect
• PictBridge compatible
• Availability of lens converters WCON-07F, TCON-17F and underwater case PT-030
• TTL hot-shoe connector (SP-350 only) for attaching external flashes
  
  * Under ideal conditions using the included CR-V3 battery pack

More experienced photographers know it is essential to have the freedom to adjust exposure parameters individually. Both the SP-350 and SP-310 enable full manual control, in addition to automatic shooting options, and whether using Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or the Full Manual mode, the results are only limited by the photographer’s imagination. All results can be recorded in both JPEG and RAW formats.

A range of optional accessories gives the SP-350 and SP-310 a further edge on their competitors. Photographers can greatly extend the cameras’ capabilities with the WCON-07F lens converter for wide 27mm shots or the TCON-17F for 193mm tele views (35mm camera equivalent / usage requires CLA-4 adapter). An underwater case is also available and external flash units, such as the Olympus FL-20, can be added to the SP-350 via its hotshoe.

The Olympus SP-350 and SP-310 are both ultra-compact and lightweight yet have a robust feel to them and fit snugly in the hand. Perfect for the experienced photographer who needs a compact model in their kitbag both models come with an Olympus CR-V3 battery pack that lasts for more than 500 shots. Both are PictBridge compatible and downloading images to a PC or printer couldn’t be simpler using the USB Hi-Speed AutoConnect provided.

For more information and where to buy Olympus products please go to www.olympus.com or call free on 0800 072 0070 (UK only).

Olympus SP-350 and SP-310 specifications

	Olympus SP-350	Olympus SP-310
Sensor	• 1/1.8" Type CCD • 8.3 million pixels total • 8.0 million effective pixels	• 1/1.8" Type CCD • 7.4 million pixels total • 7.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 3264 x 2488 • 3264 x 2176 (3:2) • 2592 x 1944 • 2288 x 1712 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 1280 x 960 • 1024 x 768 • 640 x 480	• 3072 x 2304 • 3072 x 2048 ( 3:2 ) • 2592 x 1944 • 2288 x 1712 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 1280 x 960 • 1024 x 768 • 640 x 480
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 @ 30/15 fps • 320 x 240 @ 30/15 fps • Up to the capacity of the memory card
File formats	• Still: JPEG & RAW • Movie: QuickTime Motion JPEG • Sound: WAV
Lens	• 38 - 114 mm (35 mm equiv) 3x optical zoom • F 2.8 - 4.9
Digital zoom	Up to 5x
Converter lenses	WCON-07F & TCON-17F
Focus	TTL auto focus with contrast detection
AF area modes	• AF lock • Enlarged focusing area
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	• Normal: Up to 20 cm (wide) / 30cm (tele) • Macro: 2cm
Metering	• Digital ESP • Spot • Center-weighted
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 50 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400	• Auto • ISO 64 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400
Exposure compensation	• +/- 2EV • 1/3 EV steps
Auto bracketing	Up to five frames in 1/3 EV steps
Shutter speed	15 - 1/2000 (up to 8 minutes in Bulb mode)
Modes	• Program • Aperture priority • Shutter priority • Manual
Scene modes	• Portrait • Landscape with Portrait • Landscape • Sports • Night Scene • Night Scene with Portrait • Cuisine • Beach • Snow • Available light portrait • Self Portrait • Indoor • Behind Glass • Museum • Document • Auction • Candle • Sunset • Fireworks • Manner • Shoot & Select 1 • Shoot & Select 2 • Underwater Wide 1 & 2 • Underwater Macro • 4 My Modes
White balance	• Full auto TTL ESP • Overcast • Sunlight • Evening Sun • Tungsten • Fluorescent 1 • Fluorescent 2 • Fluorescent 3
White balance fine tune	(Red) -7 - (Blue) +7
Continuous shooting	• High speed mode: up to 2.4 shots per second up to 2 images • Normal mode: up to 1.4 shots per second up to 8 images	• High speed mode: up to 2.4 shots per second up to 2 images • Normal mode: up to 1.5 shots per second up to 8 images
Image parameters	• Saturation ± 5 • Contrast ± 5 • Sharpness ± 5 • RAW edit • Red-eye reduction • Sepia mode • Black & white mode
Flash	• Built-in • Modes: Auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, off, fill in and red-eye reduction • Range: 3.8 m (wide) / 2.2 m (tele) • Guide number: 7.5 • Flash compensation +/-2EV • Hot shoe	• Built-in • Modes: Auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, off, fill in and red-eye reduction • Range: 3.8 m (wide) / 2.2 m (tele) • Guide number: 7.5
Viewfinder	Optical real image
LCD monitor	• 2.5" TFT LCD • 115,000 pixels
Connectivity	• USB • DC in • AV out
Print compliance	• DPOF • EXIF 2.2 • PIM III • PictBridge
Storage	• xD-Picture Card • 32 MB internal memory
Power	• 2x AA battery (NiMH, NiCd, alkaline, lithium) or 1x lithium CR-V3 • Optional adapter
Weight (no batt)	195 g ( 6.9 oz)	180 g (6.3 oz)
Dimensions	100 x 65 x 35 mm (3.9 x 2.5 x 1.4 in)

Additional images