NewsFebruary 2005

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Olympus Stylus Verve S / µ-mini Digital S

Pre-PMA 2005: Olympus has announced a new addition to the sleek Stylus Verve range with the addition of the Stylus Verve S, available in four colours; black, blue, champagne gold and pink. The main differences, aside from a more limited choice of colours, is the 5.0 megapixel resolution, the addition of night scene with portrait mode and a new metal strip on the front of the camera bearing the Olympus name. Like its little brother, the Verve S has no viewfinder but a 1.8-inch LCD, a movie mode limited only by the memory card and an 8cm macro function. The Stylus Verve S will be available in April priced £259.99 ($349.99).

US name: Olympus Stylus Verve S
European name: Olympus µ-mini Digital S

Click here for our review of the µ-mini Digital / Stylus Verve S

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Press Release:

Sleek and Chic

The Olympus µ(mju:)-mini Digital S

LONDON, 17th February 2005 When the Olympus µ(mju:)-mini series was first announced at Photokina 2004 it was an instant hit and it’s still one of the hottest camera designs in the industry. Now, the newest model has arrived and is set to create an even bigger stir, with an increased resolution of 5.0 million pixels giving even more detailed images. The weatherproof µ(mju:)-mini Digital S is available in four glossy colours – Blue, Black, Champagne Gold and Pink.

Available from April 2005, the Olympus µ(mju:)-mini Digital S will come with 16MB xD-Picture Card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (Li-30B) and charger, USB/AV cable and Olympus Master 1.1 software come as standard and will cost £259.99 (inc VAT) ($349.99).

Award-winning Design

The Olympus µ(mju:)-mini Digital S shares the same striking and innovative design as the µ(mju:)-mini Digital, which has been awarded the DIWA Design Award. The uniquely crafted metal body together with a sliding lens barrier that swiftly retracts into the body while the zoom lens extends, gives the Olympus µ(mju:)-mini Digital S a completely smooth and flat design. Added to this, the model comes in a new range of iridescent colours – Blue, Black, Champagne Gold and Pink.

Outstanding image quality

The increased resolution of 5.0 million pixels and a precision zoom lens with three aspherical elements ensures that even the most minute details are captured with perfect definition in every photo. The TruePic TURBO image processor also enables the Olympus µ(mju:)-mini Digital S’s fast start-up and reaction times, as well as guaranteeing superb image quality.

Versatile range of functions

The new model incorporates 14 scene programmes, making it easy for users to take shots with the most appropriate setting, ensuring shots are exposed perfectly, no matter what the situation. There are settings to match every mood, from ‘snow’ for ski-ing holidays through to ‘candlelight’ for romantic dinners. Water sports and outdoor enthusiasts can also use the camera when surfing, snowboarding in deep powder snow or even snorkelling thanks to an optional outdoor case that protects the camera underwater to a depth of three metres.

Many of the functions can also be adjusted manually, such as ISO sensitivity and white balance. Spot measurements for focus and exposure settings also give users more control over their photos and allow greater scope for creativity. For incredibly close-up photos, the Super Macro mode enables shots to be taken from just 8cm away.

It’s also possible to record videos with sound on the Olympus µ(mju:)-mini Digital S, giving an extra dimension to special memories. The length of the video is determined by the available memory on the xD-Picture Card.

Seeing is believing

The 4.6cm LCD screen uses HyperCrystal LCT technology to allow amazing 160° viewing angles in all directions, so many people can view the screen at the same time - even in strong sunshine. In addition, images can be edited directly on the camera to create a range of effects such as soft focus or ‘fish eye’. Printing photos is also incredibly quick and easy as the Olympus µ(mju:)-mini Digital S benefits from PictBridge. Any printer adhering to this standard (such as the Olympus P-10 and P-S100) can be used to print photos directly, without the need for a PC.

With its striking design and impressive performance abilities, the weatherproof* 5.0 million pixel Olympus µ(mju:)-mini DIGITAL S is set to continue the runaway success story of the µ(mju:)-mini Digital.

The Olympus µ(mju:)-mini DIGITAL S – main features:

• Unique 5.0 million pixel model
• Flat metal body with automatic lens barrier
• Four glossy colours (Blue, Black, Champagne Gold and Pink)
• Weatherproof* metal body
• 2x optical zoom (35mm equiv. 35 – 70mm), 1:3.5-4.9 plus 4x digital zoom for combined magnification power of 8x zoom
• 4.6cm/1.8” HyperCrystal LCD (134,000 pixels) with 160° viewing angles on both the vertical and horizontal axis
• 14 scene programmes including portrait, beach & snow, sunset
• Still image editing functions including fish-eye and soft focus modes
• Movie recording function with sound
• Super Macro mode from as close as 8cm
• ISO adjustable (64, 100, 200 & 400)
• PictBridge support and TruePic TURBO image processor
• Supplied with 16MB xD-Picture Card, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (Li-30B) and charger, USB/AV cable and Olympus Master 1.1 software
• Optional camera cases available with neckstraps (in either black or red leather or dark blue, beige or orange soft PVC)

* weatherproof equivalent to the IEC standard publication 529 IPX4

Olympus mju-mini Digital S specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.5" Type CCD • 5.4 million pixels total • 5.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 2560 x 1920 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 1280 x 960 • 1024 x 768 • 640 x 480
Movie clips	• 320 x 240 @ 15 fps • 160 x 120 @ 15 fps • Up to the capacity of the memory card
File formats	• Still: JPEG • Movie: QuickTime (Motion JPEG) • Sound: WAV
Lens	• 35 - 70 mm (35 mm equiv) 2x optical zoom • F 3.5 - 4.9
Digital zoom	Up to 4x
Focus	TTL systems iESP autofocus with contrast detection
AF area modes	• iESP autofocus • Spot autofocus • AF lock
Focus distance	• Normal: 0.5 m - infinity • Macro: 0.2 m - 0.5 m • Super macro: 8 cm
Metering	• Digital ESP • Spot
ISO sensitivity	• AUTO ISO 64 - 250 (640 for Indoor and Candle shooting) • ISO 64 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400
Exposure compensation	• +/-2EV • 1/3 EV steps
Shutter speed	1/2 - 1/1000 sec
Modes	Program AE
Scene modes	• Portrait • Night Scene • Night Scene with Portrait • Self Portrait • Self Portrait and Self Timer • Beach and Snow • Cuisine • Indoor • Landscape • Landscape with Portrait • Behind Glass • Candle • Sunset • Fireworks
White balance	• Full auto TTL ESP • Tungsten • Overcast • Sunlight • Fluorescent light 1,2,3
Self timer	Yes
Continuous shooting	1.5 fps up to four frames
Flash	• Built-in • Modes: Auto,red-eye reduction, fill-in, off • Range: 0.2 m - 2.0 m (W), 3.0 m (T) • Guide number: 5.4
Viewfinder	No
LCD monitor	• 1.8" TFT LCD • 134,000 pixels
Connectivity	• USB • DC in • AV out
Print compliance	• PIM III • Exif • PictBridge
Storage	• xD-Picture Card • 16 MB card supplied
Power	• Rechargeable lithium ion battery LI-30B • Optional adapter
Weight (no batt)	115 g (4.1 oz)
Dimensions	95 x 56 x 28 mm (3.7 x 2.2 x 1.1 in)

Additional images