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Olympus' Camedia D-580 Zoom digital camera. Courtesy of Olympus, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Olympus announces D-580 Zoom
By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 10:16 EST)

Following hot on the heels of its announcement of the D-540 Zoom digital camera, Olympus America has today announced the new Camedia D-580 Zoom digital camera.

Priced at $299 and due to ship this month, the D-580 Zoom features a 4.0 megapixel imager and 3x optical zoom lens. Other features include an optical viewfinder, 1.8" LCD display, four-mode flash, xD-Picture Card storage, USB and Video Out connectivity, contrast-detect AF system, multi-pattern / spot metering, five white balance settings, and a 15 frames per second movie mode at up to 320 x 240 pixels. Full specifications follow below

Olympus D-580 Zoom
Olympus' Camedia D-580 Zoom digital camera. Courtesy of Olympus, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
CCD Imager
4.0 Megapixel Effective
4.2 Megapixel Gross
1/2.5 Type (0.4 Type) CCD
Lens Olympus 3 aspherical glass zoom lens 5.8-17.4mm (35-105mm equivalent in 35mm photography), 5 lenses in 3 groups
Digital Zoom Seamless to 12x (3x optical and 4x digital combined)
Aperture Range F3.1 - 5.2
Shutter Speeds 1/1000 sec. - 1 sec. (Up to 2 sec. in Night Scene Mode)
ISO Auto 50 - 400 (equivalent)
Recording Modes
Still Image: EXIF 2.2 JPEG, DCF (Design rue for Camera File System), Print Image Matching II
Movie Mode: QuickTime motion JPEG
Adjustable Resolutions
2288 x 1712 JPEG (SHQ, HQ)
1600 X 1200 JPEG (SQ1)
640 X 480 JPEG (SQ2)
QuickTime Movie
15 frames per second in 320 x 240 HQ Mode
15 frames per second in 160 x 120 SQ Mode
TruePic Turbo Significantly improved image quality, faster processing speed, noise reduction, uses all pixels at all resolutions, Pixel micro-smoothing
Noise Reduction Mode available at shutter speeds of 0.5 second or longer
Pixel Mapping Automatic Pixel Mapping (APM) available via menu setting
DPOF (Digital Print Order Form) Print reserve (single, all, number of copies), Date
Image Shooting Effects 2-in-1 picture mode
Image Edit Effects Black and white, Sepia, Resize
Panorama Up to 10 frames automatically stitchable with CAMEDIA Master software when using Olympus brand xD-Picture Card
Sequence 1.3 frames per second burst up to 8 frames in HQ mode
Viewfinder Optical real-image viewfinder
LCD 1.8" (4.5cm) TFT color LCD (approximately 85,000 pixels)
Focusing System Autofocus TTL system (Contrast detection)
Focusing Ranges
Normal = 20" (0.5m) - Infinity
Macro = 8" - 20" (0.2m - 0.5m)
Super Macro = 2.7" - 8" (0.07m - 0.2m)
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV steps in 1/2 EV steps
Scene Programs Portrait, Portrait + Landscape, Self-Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene
Metering System Digital ESP multi-pattern, Spot
White Balance System IESP multi-pattern auto TTL, Pre-set manual (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten and Fluorescent)
Flash Built-in flash
Flash Modes
Auto for low and backlight
Red-Eye Reduction
Fill-In
Off
Flash Working Range Wide: 8" - 11.2' (.2m - 3.4m), Tele: 8" - 6.6' (.2m - 2.0m)
Flash Charging Time Approximately 6 seconds at normal temperature with fully charged batteries
Removable Media Card 3V (3.3V) xD-Picture Card, 16MB included
Self-Timer 12-second delay
Settings Memorization On/Off (Hold changes/Reset to default settings)
Outer Connectors USB Connector (Auto-Connect), Audio/Video out, DC input
Auto-Connect USB System Requirements
Compatible with Windows 98 rev 2/ME/2000 Pro/XP, MacOS 8.6 - OSX and higher
Windows 98 rev 2 driver provided on CD
Mac OS 8.6 requires USB mass storage driver 1.3.5 available at apple.com
Downloading to laptop computer without USB port possible with optional PCMCIA xD-Picture Card reader.
Image Playback
Still image: Index display, up to 4x enlargement, Slide show, Scene rotation
Movie: Normal, Frame-by-frame
Operating Environment
Operation: 32°F - 104°F (0°C- 40°C) 30-90% humidity
Storage: -4°F - 104°F (-20°C - 60°C) 10-90% humidity
Power Supply
2 x AA alkaline batteries (Included)
1 x LB-01 (CR-V3) lithium battery pack
2 x AA-NiMH rechargeable
(Manganese batteries cannot be used)
AC Power: E-7AU AC adapter (optional)
Date/Time Calendar Simultaneous recording into image data, Automatic to the year 2099
Size 4.3" W x 2.3" H x 1.4" D (108 x 57.5 x 36.5mm) excluding protrusions
Weight 5.8 oz (165g) without battery and media card
More Photos
Olympus' Camedia D-580 Zoom digital camera. Courtesy of Olympus, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
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Original Source Press Release:

BEGINNERS DO MORE WITH NEW D-580 ZOOM FROM OLYMPUS

Compact Camera Offers Faster Processing Speed, Built-in Microphone for Capturing Audio, Large 1.8-Inch Liquid Crystal Display, and Computer-Free Printing

Melville, New York, February 12, 2004 – Because the purchase of a new digital camera can sometimes be a challenge for beginning photographers, Olympus cut through the dizzying array of options to create a camera with all of the essential features they need to enjoy the digital experience. The result is the new D-580 Zoom, a compact point-and-shoot digital camera with a stylish design that combines all of the user-friendly features beginners want with the high-quality optics and megapixel power they need for great-looking results.

The D-580 Zoom features everything necessary to “go digital” including a powerful, world-class Olympus 3x Optical Zoom lens and 4x Digital Zoom matched to a 4.0-megapixel sensor, and a built in microphone to record images with audio. It’s picture perfect for anyone looking for an easy-to-use digital that produces rich, vibrant images up to 11" x 14" quickly and easily. And thanks to PictBridge™ technology, no computer is required to print out images.

“At Olympus we’re constantly working to improve our products,” said Jason Bortzfield, product manager of digital, Olympus America, Inc. “With the D-580 Zoom, we’ve added more megapixel power for increased output sizes, faster processing, and a built in microphone so photographers can do more with the camera to enhance their experience.”

Stylish
The D-580 Zoom has a durable polycarbonate body with an attractive metallic accent on its sliding protective clamshell lens barrier. This pocket-friendly camera’s small size (4.3" W x 2.3" H x 1.4" D) and light weight (5.8 ounces) is due in part to its exclusive use of the miniature xD-Picture Card, and it comes with a 16MB card for straight out-of-the-box use.

Innovative
Now, with a new built in microphone, it’s possible to record QuickTimeTM video with the D-580 Zoom and create short movies with audio that can be sent over the Internet to friends, family and coworkers. Or take a still picture while narrating a personalized audio caption for the scene, and play images back later on your computer with audio to easily recall the names of people, places and things.

At home or on the road it’s possible to turn any TV into a personal screening room. The D-580 Zoom plays back still images or mini movies when connected to a television with the included audio/video cable.

Intelligent
The camera’s 4.0-megapixel CCD sensor is combined with an enhanced image processor called TruePic TURBO™ that significantly improves image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO allows the D-580 Zoom to capture information from all 4.0 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. Prints are big enough to crop and print up to 11" x 14" and larger.

Approachable
Thanks to the power of PictBridge technology, it is now possible to connect the D-580 Zoom directly via USB cable to any PictBridge-enabled printer like the Olympus P-10 Digital Photo Printer. Printing and sharing images has never been easier, and the P-10 uses photo lab-quality printing – dye-sublimation – to create archival quality prints rich in color.

Or, if users want to connect the D-580 Zoom to a PC or Mac, transferring images to the computer has never been easier with Auto-Connect USB for hassle-free image downloads. No extra software is required with most operating systems.

Composing and reviewing images with an LCD is an asset when taking digital pictures because it allows users to accurately frame their photographs and make decisions about saving or deleting them. To ensure that their shots can be easily viewed, the D-580 Zoom features a large 1.8-inch LCD screen.

The D-580 Zoom offers a menu architecture that’s easy to navigate for fast access to the right settings with just the press of arrow buttons. Seven preset shooting modes are conveniently accessed through the camera’s “Virtual Dial” (viewable through the LCD menu) to provide fully automatic exposure adjustments for the photographer who wants optimum results in a wide variety of settings: Program Auto, Portrait, Portrait-Landscape, Landscape, Night Scene, Self Portrait, and Movie.

Exciting Features for the Most Realistic Digital Images
The D-580 Zoom has a bright optical viewfinder and auto-focus capability to enable photographers to accurately frame and focus their shots. The camera also features an Olympus high-quality all-glass lens specially designed for digital cameras and a wide range of optical and digital zoom combinations so no image is beyond capture.

The D-580 Zoom features a 3X Optical Zoom (35-105mm, f3.1/5.2 – f5.2 equivalent in 35mm photography), that when combined with a 4X digital zoom, delivers a total seamless 12X zoom.

The Macro Mode allows users to take close up photographs to capture details like dewdrops on a flower petal. Other controls include Digital ESP multi-pattern and spot metering; auto white balance; multiple flash settings and exposure compensation.

Availability
The D-580 Zoom will be available in February of 2004. It includes a 16MB xD-Picture Card™, (2) AA alkaline batteries, an Auto-Connect USB cable, Audio/Video Out cable, wrist strap, Olympus CAMEDIA Master Software, user manual and Quick Start guide.

U.S. Pricing
D-580 Zoom Estimated Street Price: $299.00 (U.S.)
D-580 Zoom MSRP: $349.95 (U.S.)

ABOUT OLYMPUS
Olympus is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in healthcare and consumer electronics worldwide.

Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its parent company, Tokyo-based Olympus Corporation, to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include:

  • Digital and film cameras, and digital voice recorders.
  • Gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products;
  • Advanced clinical and research microscopes; and
  • Lab automation systems, chemistry-immuno and blood bank analyzers and reagents.

In the U. S. and Canada, Olympus serves healthcare, scientific and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers efficiently, reliably, safely, and easily achieve superior results. Olympus is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. The company’s market-leading consumer electronics business spans North and South America. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.

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