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Olympus' Camedia D-380 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Olympus announces Camedia D-380! (UPDATED)
By
(Monday, March 18, 2002 - 10:02 EST)

New entry-level camera has already been announced in Europe...

Olympus America has today announced its new entry-level Camedia D-380 digital camera. Featuring a fixed focus, 35mm-equivalent lens, the 2 megapixel D-380 was announced almost a week ago in Europe - unfortunately, however, the US announcement is only happening now and we've been waiting for our non-disclosure agreement to expire. Hence, we're only just now able to bring you details - but we're happy to couple these with numerous exclusive photos of the camera. (A review should also be available shortly...)

The D-380 also features a 1.6" LCD display, built-in flash, SmartMedia storage, a user-adjustable (via a switch on the camera) aperture of f/4 or f/8, automatically selected ISO ratings of 100 to 400 and shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 1/2 second, and a digital zoom up to 2.5x (or 5x in VGA mode). Full specifications from Olympus follow:

Olympus Camedia D-380
CCD Imager 2.0 Megapixel Effective
2.1 Megapixel Gross (Full optical CCD resolution)
Size (in inch) 1/3.15"(.31") CCD
Lens Olympus glass 4.5mm f4 lens (5 elements in 5 groups)(35mm equivalent in 35mm photography)
Seamless Digital Zoom 2.5x in all recording modes. Up to 5.0x in SQ2 recording mode
Aperture Range F 4 or F8 selectable by switch
Shutter Speeds 1/2000 sec. - 1/2 sec. 1 sec. In night scene mode
ISO Auto: 100-400
Recording Mode(s) Still image: EXIF JPEG, QuickTime® Motion JPEG (Movie Mode)
Adjustable Resolutions 1600 x 1208 JPEG
1600 x 1208 JPEG
1024 x 768 JPEG
640 x 480 JPEG
320 x 240 @15fps QuickTime Motion JPEG (15 sec. Max per movie)
160 x 120 @15fps QuickTime Motion JPEG (60 sec. Max per movie)
DPOF (Digital Print Order Form) Print Reserve, All print reservation, Date or time printing
Image Adjustment modes Self Portrait Shooting Mode
2 into 1 Image Merge Shooting Mode
Image Edit Effects Sepia Mode
Black and White Mode
Image Rotation Mode
Image Re-size Mode (downsized copy of original file for web or E-mail)
Panorama Up to 10 frames stitchable with CAMEDIA Master software when using Olympus brand SmartMediaTM
Sequence 1.5 frames per second burst up to 8 frames in HQ mode
Viewfinder Optical real-image viewfinder with autofocus / backlight mark
LCD 1.6" (4.0cm) color TFT LCD (60,000 pixels)
used for viewing, reviewing or editing images.
Focusing System iESP Multi-Pattern AF (autofocus) TTL system (contrast detection)
Manual focus setting by gauge on LCD.
Focusing Ranges Standard AF 24" - Infinity (0.6m - Infinity)
Macro Mode 10" - 24"(0.25m-0.6m)
Exposure Control Program Auto f 4 - 1/2 / 1/2000 sec.
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 Steps EV by 1/2 stop settings.
Metering System Digital ESP Multi-Pattern Meter, Spot
White Balance System iESP Multi-pattern auto TTL
Pre-sets for Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten and Fluorescent
Flash Built-in Flash
Flash Modes

Auto Flash for low and backlight
"Red-eye" Reduction Flash
Fill-in Flash (forced on flash)
Slow Shutter Synchronized Flash 1st curtain effect
Slow Shutter Synchronized Flash 1st curtain effect w/red-eye reduction
Flash Off

Flash Working Range Wide: 10"-8.2 '(0.25 m -2.5 m)@ISO 100
Flash Charging Time Approximately 6 seconds with fresh batteries at normal temperatures
Built in Memory 1 MB internal for image storage
Removable Media Card 3V (3.3V) SmartMedia™ card (4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 MB)
8-MB card included.
Self-timer 12 second delay built in self-timer
Settings Memorization On, Off
Camera remembers selected settings after power off/on
Outer Connectors USB connector (Auto-Connect),
DC input for C-7AU 6volt AC Adapter
Auto-Connect USB Compatible with Windows 98 rev2 / ME / 2000 Pro / XP - MacOS 8.6 - 9.01 / OSX
Image Playback Index display, up to 3X enlargement, Slide-show, Scene rotation
Operating Environment Operation: 32 F -104F (0C - 40C) 30-90% Humidity
Storage: -4 F - 140F (-20C - 60C) 10-90% Humidity
Power Supply

Main Power Source: 4 x AA Type batteries

4 x AA Alkaline batteries (included)
4 x AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries
4 x AA Lithium batteries
4 x AA NiCd rechargeable batteries
AC Power: C-7AU AC adapter (optional)
(Manganese batteries cannot be used)

Date/Time Calendar Simultaneous recording into image date
Calendar Automatic up to the year 2099
Size 4.9" W x 2.6" H x 1.6" D (124mm W x 65mm H x 44mm D)
Weight 6.7 oz (190 g.) without batteries and SmartMedia™
More Photos
.

UPDATED 2002-03-18 09:14ET: Our friends at Steve's Digicams have posted a review of the Camedia D-380...
Source: Olympus America Inc.

Original Source Press Release:

OLYMPUS UNVEILS LOW PRICED 2 MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL CAMERA

D-380 is a User-Friendly Digital Camera that Delivers Photo Quality 8 x 10 Prints

Melville, NY, March 18, 2002 -- Olympus America Inc. today announced the Olympus D-380, the lowest priced Olympus point and shoot 2 Megapixel camera for only $199. With simple controls, the D-380 is easy to use and provides the high image quality that consumers expect from Olympus. A simplified menu system; USB Auto-Connect for fast/easy downloads without additional software; and built-in long-life battery circuitry for extended battery life are key to the value and quality of the D-380. The self-portrait and image resizing mode; as well as the ability to merge two shots into one image deliver consumers new exciting features never before offered in an Olympus digital camera at this low price.

Designed for consumers demanding a high quality, easy-to-use digital camera at an affordable price, the D-380 comes with the Olympus high-quality all-glass 4.5mm f4 lens (35mm equivalent in 35mm format) for superior images that are sharp, colorful and vibrant.

Ease-of-Use
The D-380 is easy for anyone to use. Its fully automatic features allow everyone to be a pro the first time they photograph with the camera. Multi-mode flash, auto white balance and digital ESP metering ensure beautiful pictures at the touch of a button. Very fast shutter release times with virtually no shutter lag time also compliment the product. Close up Macro photography is possible at distances as close as 9.8 inches.

No additional software or docking station is needed to quickly download and view photos on your computer. The Olympus USB Auto-Connect feature allows users to plug the camera directly into almost any USB-equipped computer for easy access to their images. Compatible operating systems include Windows® XP, 2000, Me and 98 and Mac OS 8.6 - OSX (OS 9.2). Bundled with the D-380 is the new Olympus Camedia Master 4.0 software for image editing, saving photos in albums, creating calendars, postcards, and printing photos.

Stylish Design
The D-380 looks great in your hand and fits comfortably in your pocket so there's never a reason not to bring it along. The D-380 is lightweight at 6.7 ounces and compact with dimensions of 4.9 W" x 2.6 H" x 1.6 D". The protective lens barrier protects the precision lens when the camera is not in use, and also functions as the power on/off switch. Simply slide it open and the camera is ready to shoot in about 1 second.

Built-in and Removable Memory
The D-380 comes with an 8MB SmartMedia card. In addition, 1MB of internal memory is also built into the camera for processing and saving images in case you run out of space on your SmartMedia card while shooting. The memory backup feature allows images captured on the internal memory to be copied to the SmartMedia card. For more photo storage, extra SmartMedia cards from 8MB to 128MB can also be used. Optional Olympus SmartMedia cards can be reused thousands of times, as images can be erased and the cards reused.

Uses Common AA Batteries
The D-380 doesn't require any proprietary or other expensive batteries to operate. Almost any AA batteries will do, including rechargeable batteries. And because of the built-in long-life battery circuitry, consumers can expect to get hundreds of shots with even the lowest-cost alkaline batteries. When Olympus' long-life LB01 (CR3V) batteries are used, battery-life is extended even more (by about 3 times) for more of your favorite photos.

The D-380 will be available April 2002. It includes the Olympus CAMEDIA Master Software 4.0 for photo manipulation and management, an 8MB SmartMedia Card, USB cable, strap, 4 AA Alkaline batteries, manual, and warranty card.

D-380 Street Price: $199
D-380 Suggested Retail Price: $249

For more information, contact Olympus America Inc., Consumer Products Group, Two Corporate Center Dr., Melville, NY 11747-3157, ph: (631) 844-5000 (800) 622-6372, Fax: (631) 844-5262 or the Olympus Web Site: http://www.olympusamerica.com.

# # #

ABOUT OLYMPUS - Nothing's Impossible
Based in Melville, New York, Olympus America distributes a wide range of products for consumer, scientific, health care, commercial and industrial markets. These include film cameras that provide the ultimate combination of performance and style, and digital cameras that deliver your most realistic digital images yet. Microcassette and digital voice recorders, binoculars, personal photo printers, medical and industrial endoscopes, biological and metallurgical microscopes and measuring instruments, clinical analyzers, and other high technology products. Olympus America is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

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