MFT SYSTEM ADDITIONS AUGUST 2010: MZD 40-150 4.0~5.6 MEDIUM TELE ZOOM

Above: MZD 40-150mm zoom in black.

Olympus introduces mid-range telephoto lens for PEN:M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6

Hamburg, 31 August 2010. Just weeks after celebrating a prestigious award for one M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED lens, Olympus has added another outstanding model to the Micro Four Thirds system for PEN cameras. The new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 short to mid-range telephoto lens features the silent autofocus technology that makes M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED lenses ideal for recording HD movies; a favourite feature with PEN users. The new lens will be available in black and silver for Euro 329 (£300 to be confirmed) from end of October 2010.

The new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm is not only near-silent, it is also light, compact and extremely fast to focus; perfect for shooting portraits or other subjects in the middle distance. Its trademark Micro Four Thirds portability and superb optical performance are ideal for capturing spontaneous, high-quality still photos or movies. Olympus? near-silent focusing technology ensures the new lens can record HD movies with excellent sound, eliminating the whir that can otherwise ruin movie playback.

The mid-range telephoto lens complements the 3x wide angle zoom lens (M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6) and comes supplied with the standard PEN kit. Both lenses will be available in the PEN Double Zoom Kit. For a full list of features and kits, go to www.countryspecificurl.com

Above: E-PL1 fitted with MZD 40-150mm zoom in silver - nice.

MFT SYSTEM ADDITIONS AUGUST 2010: MZD 75-300mm 4.8~5.6 POWERFULL (600mm) TELEPHOTO ZOOM

Above: MZD 75-300mm zoom in silver.

New Olympus lens world's smallest 600mm telephoto*: M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm 1:4.8-5.6

Hamburg, 31 August 2010: Olympus' revolutionary PEN camera range has yet another first to its name: the world's smallest and lightest* 600mm telephoto lens. The new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm 1:4.8-5.6 lens enhances Olympus' award-winning Micro Four Thirds lens system with an extraordinarily quick-focusing, compact telephoto lens that delivers excellent portability and outstanding image quality for HD movies and stills. The new lens will be available in black and silver from December 2010 for Euro 899 (£800 to be confirmed).

The speed, compact size (70 x 116mm) and light weight of the tiny telephoto lens makes it convenient to carry and easy to capture naturally expressive close-ups of children's faces, animals and landscape features. Its power and precision let users zoom right in on details they would otherwise miss, for example, the Statue of Liberty's face shot from the ground. The new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm is also ideal for recording HD movies. It features Olympus' near-silent focusing technology to eliminate the whir that can otherwise ruin movie playback on a High Definition TV. For a full list of features, go to www.countryspecificurl.com

* Relative to lenses with comparable focal length, as of August 2010. The focal length of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm 1:4.8-5.6 is equivalent to a 600mm focal length lens for the 35mm film standard.

Above: E-PL1 fitted with MZD 75-300mm zoom in black - powerfull.

Back to black! Stylish new kits from Olympus boost E-P2 imaging power

Hamburg, 31 August 2010: The remarkable PEN camera range is already a firm favourite with design enthusiasts and now Olympus has a special treat in store. Two exclusive kits for the flagship E-P2 feature a mouth-watering selection of matching accessories, all in elegant black. In addition to the sleek black version of the E-P2 camera, both kits offer a black edition of the super-slender M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake lens. Available in black exclusively with these kits, this exquisite lens looks destined for must-have status.

Both kits also include one of two additional, high-grade accessories. The E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition features the sharp lines and flexibility of the detachable V-F2 electronic viewfinder while the E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition offers the slim retro chic of the compact FL-14 external flash, also available in black only in this limited edition kit. Both accessories are a stunning sight in black. For style aficionados, the icing on the cake is a historical lens cap featuring the famous F logo from the classic 1963 Olympus Pen F, one of the most stylish cameras ever made. The E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition will be available for Euro 1,079 and the E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition for Euro 1,049 from October 2010. Both kits are limited editions and may not be available for long. (UK Prices to be confirmed)

The retro revolution

When Olympus launched the original analogue Pen in 1959, its compact size created a sensation. As the flagship of the award-winning contemporary PEN series, the E-P2 continues that proud tradition. It combines interchangeable lenses and the versatility of D-SLRs with the small body and user-friendly advantages of a digital compact. Alongside creative Art Filters, a big 3 inch Live View display, AF Tracking and HD Movie, the E-P2 boasts the proven Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system and built-in image stabilisation. The PEN flagship looks the part too; its fine metal body and retro contours are the natural complement to special edition accessories in black.

The Pancake lens

Both new kits feature the amazingly small M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake lens, available exclusively in this bundle in black. With a length of just 22mm and weighing only 71g, this excellent wide-angle lens slips easily into a pocket or bag, so it's always ready for a spontaneous snapshot. For the sleek casing of the E-P2, the black version of the Pancake lens is the perfect match.

The versatile viewfinder

The new kits take full advantage of a key feature of the E-P2; an Accessory Port for attaching an array of professional imaging devices. The E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition harnesses this potential with the dedicated VF-2 electronic viewfinder in black. For ambitious users, the VF-2 offers first-rate performance in extreme light conditions. What's more, it can tilt up to 90°, which makes it ideal for shooting movies and stills from awkward low angles. It shows setting adjustments in real time and thanks to its bright, high-contrast display, focusing is a breeze.

The retro flash

The E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition comes with the FL-14 external flash, available in black only in this kit. This beautiful accessory embodies the unique retro design of the original Pen. Directly controllable from the LCD, the lightweight FL-14 offers red eye reduction, slow and second-curtain synchronisation, a choice of three modes and a host of creative options in low light conditions. Outside this kit, it is available only in silver.

The classic cap

No true PEN enthusiast would be without this stylish and historic accessory. Its silver F logo is a striking visual reference to the front of the original Olympus Pen F and blends superbly with the black metal body of the E-P2. The cap can also be purchased separately for Euro 49.90.

The E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition will be available for Euro 1,079 and the E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition for Euro 1,049 from October 2010.

For a full list EP-2 of features, go to www.countryspecificurl.com

The E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition contents

* E-P2 camera in black

* M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake lens exclusively in black

* VF-2 electronic viewfinder in black

* Historic lens cap with F logo

The E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition contents

* E-P2 camera in black

* M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake lens exclusively in black

* FL-14 external flash exclusively in black

* Historic lens cap with F logo

Above: E-P2 fitted with black MZD 17mm pancake and Pen F Logo lens cap.