NewsFebruary 2005

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Olympus IR-300 Total Imaging System camera

Pre-PMA 2005: After previewing the Total Imaging System (TIS) last October, Olympus has announced a second compatible camera, the five million pixel IR-300, and a DVD recorder. The Total Imaging System is designed to be a portable 'digital photography lab', which allows users to share, shoot, print and archive digital images without using a PC. The IR-300 is quite different from the first TIS camera (IR-500), with long sleek lines and a non movable 2.0-inch LCD. Integral to the TIS, the IR-300 comes supplied with a dock, which when connected to the S-DVD-100 DVD recorder allows the user to burn images to DVD or CD. Both products will be available in May priced £299.99 ($349) (IR-300) and £289.99 ($399) (S-DVD-100).

US name: Olympus IR-300 Total Imaging System
European name: Olympus IR-300 Easy Imaging System

Click here to read our story on Olympus's Total Imaging System and IR-500

Press Release:

Meet the Dockers

Two More Olympus Docking Products Join The Easy Imaging Revolution

LONDON 17th February 2005 In October 2004, Olympus previewed the pioneering Easy Imaging System, a new take on shooting, printing, archiving and sharing digital photos without using a PC – widely regarded as an integral lifestyle product for all consumers in the near future. This second range of affiliated products sees a new digital camera as well as a DVD recorder join the existing line-up.

The latest camera in the Easy Imaging System, the Olympus IR-300 and the S-DVD-100 DVD recorder are planned for release in May 2005 with recommended retail prices of £299.99 (inc VAT) and £289.99 (inc VAT) ($349 and $399) respectively.

With its sleek shell the IR-300 digital camera will be popular with photographers with an eye for pure, minimalist design. Thankfully it also has the technology to back-up the aesthetic. With its 5.0 million pixels even the smallest images can be re-produced in high-definition. These can then be checked and shared - even in bright sunlight - on the 5.1cm Sunshine LCD monitor.

It’s stylish exterior belies its superior focussing capabilities. A 3x optical (35mm equiv: 38-114mm) and 4x digital zoom provide this model with a 12x total magnification, uniquely positioned at the centre of the body. Users can also choose from a plethora of scene modes (17 in total) including Fireworks, Beach & Snow and the more traditional Portrait, while editing functions, including Resize and Red Eye Reduction, can be carried out directly on the camera allowing photographers to enhance the shots quickly while on the move.

Additional features such as Super Macro shooting from as close as 5cm and movie recording with sound (including a digital image stabiliser to prevent erratic video images), add to this stylish and versatile package.

The IR-300 comes with a docking station which not only acts as the battery charging unit but also doubles as a camera stand. It’s also the key to the integration that allows the PC-free printing and archiving, plus connection to the other Easy Imaging System components.

The second new addition is the S-DVD-100 DVD recorder which provides fast, hassle-free data recording and is the lynchpin component of the Easy Imaging System for sharing images with friends and family, and secure long-term archiving.

By rapidly burning virtually all types of DVDs or CDs (at 8x and 24x recording speeds respectively) storing your photos is now a quick and simple process. As with all Easy Imaging System components, the concepts of speed, ease and PC-free operation are integral. To burn, users simply dock a camera from the Easy Imaging System range to the unit and it’s virtually done. Furthermore, due to USB 2.0 Hi-Speed support, the recorder may also be easily connected to a PC and thereby functions as a stylish external DVD drive too.

Besides the new camera and DVD recorder, the Easy Imaging System comprises:

• 4.0 million pixel IR-500 camera (exclusive to Dixons Store Group) with 360° rotating Sunshine LCD
• P-S100 dye-sublimation printer
• S-HD-100 hard disk drive with 40GB capacity – enough to hold more than 30,000 images in 5 million pixel resolution.

Working together in perfect harmony, the system provides everything that is needed for the effortless shooting, printing, archiving and sharing of photos without the need for a PC.

Olympus IR-300 specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.5" Type CCD • 5.2 million pixels total • 5 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 2560 x 1920 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 1024 x 768 • 640 x 480
Movie clips	• 320 x 240 • 160 x 120 • Up to the capacity of the memory card
File formats	• Still: JPEG • Movie: QuickTime Motion JPEG • Sound: WAV
Lens	• 38 - 114 mm (35 mm equiv) 3x optical zoom • F 3.3 - 4.0
Image stabilization	For movie processing
Digital zoom	Up to 4x
Focus	• TTL system iESP autofocus with contrast detection • Spot autofocus
AF assist lamp	Yes/No
Focus distance	• Normal: 0.5 m - infinity • Macro: 0.1 m - 0.3 m (W), 0.5 m - 0.6 m (T) • Super macro: 5 cm
Metering	• iESP metering • Spot
ISO sensitivity	• ISO • ISO • ISO • ISO
Exposure compensation	• +/-2 EV • 1/2 EV steps
Shutter speed	4 - 1/2000 sec
Modes	Program AE
Scene modes	• Landscape • Landscape and Portrait • Night Scene • Portrait at Night • Indoor • Fireworks • Sunset • Self Portrait • Portrait • Cuisine • Sports • Documents • Beach & Snow • Candle • Available Light Portrait • Behind Glass • Vivid
White balance	• iESP auto • Overcast • Sunlight • Tungsten • Fluorescent
Self timer	Yes
Continuous shooting	1.2 fps up to 4 frames
Flash	• Built-in • Modes: Auto,red-eye reduction, soft, fill-in, off • Range: 0.3 m - 2.1 m (W), 2.6 m (T) • Guide number: 6.0
Viewfinder	No
LCD monitor	• 2.0" TFT LCD • 206,000 pixels
Connectivity	• USB • DC in • AV out • Easy Imaging System Connector
Print compliance	• PIM III • Exif • DPOF • PictBridge
Storage	• xD-Picture Card • 15 MB card supplied
Power	• Lithium ion rechargeable LI-40B battery • Charger optional
Weight (no batt)	112g (4 oz)
Dimensions	99 x 53 x 22 mm (3.9 x 2.1 x 0.9 in)