NewsJuly 2009

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Olympus announces FE-5020, FE-4000, FE-46 and FE-26

Olympus has announced the latest additions to its FE range of budget compact cameras. The FE-5020, FE-4000, FE-46, FE-26 all include 12 Megapixel CCDs, 2.7 inch LCDs, but vary in lenses. They all include a 'One button, one Function' design principle, AF tracking and an Intelligent Auto mode. The FE-5020 and FE-4000 also include a set of Magic Filters. The new cameras will start shipping next month.

Jump to:

• Press Release
• Olympus FE-4000 and FE-5020 Specifications
• Olympus FE-26 and FE-46 Specifications
• Additional images

Press Release:

New Olympus FE cameras everyone can enjoy

Style meets substance in four new models

London, 22 July 2009 – The high-tech and user friendly Olympus FE series is back with four new cameras. These affordable models are sure to be a hit with users who want high image quality regardless of their budget. The latest 12 Megapixel FE cameras boast up to 5x super wide optical zoom for great panorama shots or close-ups of distant subjects.

The three top models look especially striking thanks to a new Double-Layered Crystal Shell finish. In addition, they all offer a new practical AF tracking feature which ensures that moving subjects are in focus at all times. Also on board are Advanced Face Detection Technology and the new i-Auto mode, which automatically identifies five commonly-encountered types of scenes and adjusts settings accordingly.

Two of the latest FEs even offer innovative Magic Filters for a new level of creativity. All these practical features are rounded out by xD-Picture Card and microSD* compatibility. Each new camera is available in a range of attractive colours. The FE-5020, FE-4000 and FE-26 hit stores in August 2009

FE-5020
Leading the FE series is the new FE-5020. Featuring an incredible 5x super wide optical zoom (24-120mm**), it also includes a range of exciting Magic Filters to give pictures a whole new artistic feel. Your latest party will look even more chock full of colour when you apply Pop Art to your shots, for example. The other filters – Fish-Eye, Sketch, and Pin Hole – create a special atmosphere of their own. Meanwhile, framing compositions and reviewing images and video on the 6.9cm/2.7” LCD is also a breeze.

AF tracking, i-Auto mode, and Advanced Face Detection Technology, which can detect up to 16 faces, complete the technical treasure box. With its Double-Layered Crystal Shell finish, the FE-5020 is sure to turn heads. Available in Pure White, Dark Grey, Mocca Brown and Ocean Blue, it is the ideal hybrid of high-tech and user-friendliness.

FE-4000
Tucked away in a pocket or purse, the extra slim 12 Megapixel FE-4000 is always there when you need it. A 4x wide optical zoom (26-105mm**) makes taking group portraits easy. This attractive model offers AF tracking and i-Auto mode for sharp and crisp photos every time.

A range of four Magic Filters is also on hand to give images an extra creative edge. Its vibrant choice of Pure White, Dark Grey, Metal Magenta, Arctic Blue, and Tangerine Orange for the body make it a stylish eye catcher any time you start shooting.

A Double-Layered Crystal Shell finish adds to its chic look. With other great features ranging from Advanced Face Detection Technology to Digital Image Stabilisation, getting great shots and viewing or framing them on its 6.9cm/2.7” LCD is a cinch.

FE-26
With a 12 Megapixel CCD and a 3x optical zoom (36-108mm**), the FE-26 is a trusty companion for any occasion. The generous 6.9cm/2.7” display allows for convenient framing and reviewing every crucial moment.

A number of other functions such as AF tracking and i-Auto come in handy to perfectly capture life on-the-go. Standard AA battery power ensures this model will never leave you out in the dark. Also featuring Digital Image Stabilisation and Advanced Face Detection, the FE-26 comes in charming Flamingo Pink, Cornflower Blue, and Cosmic Black.

To ensure easy operation straight out of the box, the new FE models follow a ‘one button, one function’ design principle. The FE-5020, FE-4000, FE-46, and FE-26 will become available in August 2009.

Main features:

FE-5020

• Super-wide 5x miniature optical zoom (24-120mm**) in an ultra-slim body to capture great scenes through to exciting close-ups
• High-precision Digital Image Stabilisation for less blur
• The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
• Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces plus correct exposure of other image areas
• 12 Megapixels to make poster-size prints
• See and share images on the 6.9cm/ 2.7” LCD
• Sharp photos wherever your subject moves thanks to AF tracking
• Spice up your pictures with built-in Magic Filters
• Sleek unique look thanks to Double-Layered Crystal Shell finish
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound
• xD-Picture Card and microSD* Card compatible

FE-4000

• Miniature 4x wide optical zoom (26-105mm**) in an ultra-slim body to capture great scenes through to stunning portraits
• 12 Megapixels to make poster-size prints
• The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
• Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces
• Digital Image Stabilisation for less blur
• See and share images on the 6.9cm/ 2.7” LCD
• Sharp photos wherever your subject moves thanks to AF tracking
• Spice up your pictures with built-in Magic Filters
• Sleek unique look thanks to Double-Layered Crystal Shell finish
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound
• xD-Picture Card and microSD* Card compatible

FE-26

• 12 Megapixels to make poster-size prints if you want to
• Precision 3x optical zoom (36-108mm**) in a compact body to capture great scenes through to stunning portraits
• The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
• Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces
• Digital Image Stabilisation for less blur
• See and share images on the 6.9cm/ 2.7” LCD
• Sharp photos wherever your subject moves thanks to AF tracking
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)
• xD-Picture Card and microSD* Card compatible

* microSD is a trademark of SD Card Association
** Equivalent to a 35mm camera 

Appendix

Advanced Face Detection Technology A technology that searches for faces in a composition and recognises them as the main subject. It then automatically puts them in focus and optimally adjusts exposure to create an image that’s sharp in the right places and ideally exposed. Advanced Face Detection Technology can detect up to 16 faces.

AF tracking This system tracks the moving subject automatically and keeps it continually in focus for pictures that are optimally focused and exposed. It also memorises subject data even when the subject goes out of frame and resumes tracking when it reappears.

Digital Image Stabilisation A special shooting mode, where the camera automatically increases ISO sensitivity to allow shorter shutter speeds – which helps to avoid image blur caused by camera shake or by fast-moving objects.

i-Auto mode This “intelligent-Auto” mode uses advanced automatic detection technology to allow the camera to recognise the five most commonly used scenes automatically. They enable the capture of perfect photos without any need for manual settings.

Magic Filters
Enables special artistic effects to be created directly in the camera.
Pop Art: Enhances colours, making them stronger and more vivid to create high-impact pictures that express the happy, light-hearted feeling of the pop art style.
Fish-Eye: Reproduces the dramatic effect of a fish eye lens, lending a new perspective to the whole scene with a “round” effect.
Sketch: Gives the impression that subjects have been sketched by an artist by transforming images into line drawings.
Pin Hole: Reduces the peripheral brightness like an image seen through a pinhole. Added to this is a unique colour tone that results in a style that has an air of secrecy or portrays the feeling of being lost in another dimension or space.

microSD compatibility A special attachment comes bundled with this camera which provides for microSD Card compatibility in addition to being able to use xD-Picture Cards.

“One button, one function” design principle Controlling the camera becomes child’s play. All essential functions like shooting, playback and viewing on the LCD, as well as erasing, are easily activated via a single button.

Olympus FE-4000 and FE-5020 specifications

	FE-4000	FE-5020
Sensor	• 1/2.33" Type CCD • 12.7 million total pixels • 12 million effective pixels • Primary colour filter (RGB)
Image sizes	• 12M 3968 x 2976 • 5M 2560 x 1920 • 3M 2048 x 1536 • 2M 1600 x 1200 • 1M 1280 x 960 • VGA 640 x 480 • 16:9 1920 x 1080
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 / 15 fps Recording time: 10 sec • 320 x 240 / 15 fps Recording time: 29 min
File formats	• JPEG (EXIF 2.2) • AVI Motion JPEG • WAV audio
Lens	• 4x • 4 Aspherical glass elements • Focal length 4.65 - 18.6 mm • Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 26.3 - 105mm • 7 lenses/ 6 groups • Aperture 2.6 - 5.9		•5x • 3 Aspherical glass elements • Focal length 4.3 - 21.5mm • Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 24-120mm • 7 lenses/ 6 groups • Aperture 3.3 - 5.8
Image stabilization	No
Digital zoom	Yes 4x
Focus	• TTL iESP auto focus with contrast detection • Face Detection AF • Spot • Standard • Macro • Super-Macro
Focus distance	• Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele) • Macro mode 0.2m - (wide) / 0.6m (tele) • Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 4 cm		• Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele) • Macro mode 0.15m - (wide) / 0.6m (tele) • Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 1 cm
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • Manual ISO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000		• Auto • Manual ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Exposure compensation	• +/- 2 EV • 1/3 EV steps
Shuttter speed	1 s - 1/2000 s
Aperture	f 2.6 - 5.9			f 3.3 - 5.8
Scene modes	13			14
White balance	• Auto • Preset
Self timer	12 seconds
Flash	• Auto • Red-eye reduction • Fill-in • Off
LCD monitor	• 2.7" / 6.9 cm LCD • 230,000
Connectivity	• DC input • Combined A/V & USB output • USB 2.0 compatible
Storage	• xD-Picture Card • microSD Card • 48 MB Internal			• xD-Picture Card • microSD Card • 19 MB |Internal
Power	LI-42B Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery
Weight (no batt)	106 g		107 g
Dimensions	95 x 57 x 22 mm		93 x 56 x 25 mm

Olympus FE-26 and FE-46 specifications

	FE-26	FE-46
Sensor	• 1/2.33" Type CCD • 12.7 million total pixels • 12 million effective pixels • Primary colour filter (RGB)
Image sizes	• 12M 3968 x 2976 • 5M 2560 x 1920 • 3M 2048 x 1536 • 2M 1600 x 1200 • 1M 1280 x 960 • VGA 640 x 480 • 16:9 1920 x 1080
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 / 15 fps Recording time: 10 sec • 320 x 240 / 15 fps Recording time: 29 min
File formats	• JPEG (EXIF 2.2) • AVI Motion JPEG • WAV audio
Lens	• 3x • 4 Aspherical glass elements • Focal length 6.3 - 18.9mm • Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 36 - 108mm • 6 lenses/5 groups • Aperture 3.1 - 5.9		•5x • 4 Aspherical glass elements • Focal length 6.3 - 31.5mm • Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 36 - 180mm • 6 lenses/5 groups • Aperture 3.5 - 5.6
Image stabilization	No
Digital zoom	Yes 4x
Focus	• TTL iESP auto focus with contrast detection • Face Detection AF • Spot • Standard • Macro • Super-Macro
Focus distance	• Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele) • Macro mode 0.2m - (wide) / 0.6m (tele) • Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 5 cm		• Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele) • Macro mode 0.2m - (wide) / 0.6m (tele) • Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 3 cm
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • Manual ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000		• Auto • Manual ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
Exposure compensation	• +/- 2 EV • 1/3 EV steps
Shuttter speed	1 s - 1/2000 s
Aperture	f 3.1 - f 5.9			f 3.5 - f 5.6
Scene modes	13
White balance	• Auto • Preset
Self timer	12 seconds
Built-in Flash Range	• TBC			• Wide 0.1 - 4.2 m (ISO 800) • Tele 0.6 - 2.2m (ISO 800)
Flash	• Auto • Red-eye reduction • Fill-in • Off
LCD monitor	• 2.7" / 6.9 cm LCD • 230,000
Connectivity	• DC input • Combined A/V & USB output • USB 2.0 compatible
Storage	• xD-Picture Card • microSD Card • 19 MB |Internal
Power	• 2 x AA Batteries
Weight (no batt)	117 g		128 g
Dimensions	96 x 62 x 27 mm		98 x 62 x 28 mm

Additional images