Introducing two new Olympus PEN system telephoto zoom lenses with Movie & Still Compatible technology

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75–300mm f4.8–6.7 (35mm equiv. 150–600mm)
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40–150mm f4.0–5.6 (35mm equiv. 80–300mm)

Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo) is pleased to announce the addition of two new telephoto zoom lenses to the continually-growing lens system for Olympus’ new generation of PEN digital cameras: the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8–6.7 and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40–150mm f4.0–5.6.

Designed to maximise the performance and compact-size advantages of the Olympus PEN System, both new lenses provide uncompromising SLR quality imaging performance and feature Olympus’ proprietary MSC* lens drive technology. With the introduction of these two new lenses, the Olympus PEN lens range now provides focal length options from an ultra-wide 18mm to a super-telephoto range of 600mm (in the 35mm film format).

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75–300mm F4.8–6.7 lens is a compact super telephoto zoom lens that features an impressive long zoom range (equivalent to 150–600mm on a 35mm film camera). This high technology lens utilises professional grade Olympus Super Extra-low Dispersion (Super ED) and Extra-low Disperson (ED) lens elements for optimum imaging performance and maximises the compact and low-weight design advantages of the Olympus PEN System. With this lens, high-magnification long zoom lens photography and movie capture for sport, nature, landscape and wildlife applications can be easily enjoyed by every PEN camera user. Despite its remarkably long zoom reach, the new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75–300mm F4.8–6.7 weighs only 430g.

The high-performance M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm F4.0–5.6 (equivalent to an 80–300mm lens in the 35mm film format) features incredibly compact size with an ultra-light weight of only 190g. With a sophisticated digital lens design that utilises ED glass, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm F4.0–5.6 lens is the new intermediate range telephoto zoom of the Olympus PEN camera lens system; providing a versatile range of portrait, sport, landscape, nature and even macro photography applications.

Olympus’ MSC* lens drive technology enables both lenses to focus extremely quickly in near-silence. It further provides the ability to smoothly track moving subjects during high-definition movie capture when continuous-autofocus tracking is used. Both lenses are compatible with Olympus PEN and all Micro Four Thirds System type cameras from other manufacturers. When used with an OLYMPUS PEN camera, the camera body's built-in image stabiliser enables effective shake compensation at all focal lengths for convenient handheld telephoto photography.

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8–6.7 will be available in December 2010, while the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40–150mm f4.0–5.6 will be available in November 2010.

Local pricing is yet to be announced.

*Movie & Still Compatible

Editorial notes:

Super Telephoto Zoom M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm F4.8-6.7

 Main features
                                                                                             
1. Outstanding compactness in a super telephoto zoom lens

1. Super Telephoto shooting without the use of a tripod

          * Despite an amazing super telephoto zoom range (equivalent to 150–600mm lens on a 35mm film camera), the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75–300mm F4.8–6.7 weighs a very light 430g. As a comparison, it is less than 70% of the size and weight of the popular ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm f4.0–5.6 lens from the Olympus digital SLR system.
          * A conventional digital SLR camera body and a telephoto zoom lens with 600mm focal length range (35mm equivalent) typically weighs more than 1500g.  In comparison the Olympus PEN E-PL1 with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75–300mm F4.8–6.7 lens has a combined weight of just 726g
          * Compact and light enough to enable handheld shooting at the 35mm film equivalent range of 600mm, its super telephoto zoom capability provides enhanced opportunities for photography and high-definition movie capture of distant subjects in sport, wildlife, nature and landscape applications with Olympus PEN and all Micro Four Thirds type cameras

2.     High-speed and silent autofocus for high-definition movie and stills shooting

          * The inner-focusing mechanism uses a light-weight, single-element unit to enable exceptionally fast and quiet autofocusing for smooth focus-tracking in still-image shooting and HD video capture

2.Excellent image quality

1.     Sophisticated optics

·           Includes one Super Extra-low Dispersion (Super ED) and two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lens elements to effectively minimise chromatic aberration

·           Three pieces of HR (high-refractive index glass) lenses reduce the size of the lens and minimises various optical aberrations across the entire zoom range

2.     Full multi-coating of all elements

·           All lens elements are multi-coated to ensure maximum light transmission and image clarity, with minimal ghosting and flaring in backlight

3.     Circular aperture mechanism

·           A circular aperture mechanism is used to assure smooth, even background defocusing
 
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75–300mm F4.8–6.7 Specifications

Ultra-Compact Telephoto Zoom M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm F4.0-5.6

Main features

1. Easy handheld telephoto movie and still image shooting

1.     Super Telephoto shooting without the use of a tripod

·           Providing telephoto performance equivalent to a 80–300mm lens for a 35mm film camera, the compactly sized M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40–150mm F4.0–5.6 weighs an incredibly light 190g.

·           Compact enough to enable handheld shooting at the equivalent of 300mm, it is an intermediate range telephoto zoom that significantly expands shooting opportunities with its easy handling and outstanding portability

·           Outstanding cost-performance ratio in an intermediate range telephoto zoom

·           An ideal lens for intermediate range telephoto photography and movie recording for portraiture, landscape, nature, travel and sports applications when used with Olympus PEN and all Micro Four Thirds type cameras.

2.     High-speed and silent autofocus for high-definition movie and stills shooting

·           The rear focusing mechanism uses only two lens elements to enable exceptionally fast, quiet autofocusing for smooth still-image and movie shooting

2.Excellent image quality

1. Optical design includes one Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lens to effectively eliminate chromatic aberration.

2. Full multi-coating of all elements

·           All lens elements are multi-coated to ensure maximum light transmission and image clarity, with minimal ghosting and flaring in backlight

3. Circular aperture mechanism

·           A circular aperture mechanism is used to ensure smooth, even background defocusing

M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40–150mm F4.0–5.6 Specifications