Olympus M.Zuiko Digital Lenses

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Olympus M.Zuiko Digital Lenses

In conjunction with the release of the new Olympus PEN E-P1 camera, Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo) is pleased to announce two new interchangeable lenses – the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 wide-angle pancake lens and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens.

Scheduled for release in Australia in July 2009, the interchangeable lenses are Micro Four Thirds System standard-compliant. Lenses compliant with this standard – announced in August 2008 – will be deployed under the series name, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL. The “M” stands for “Micro” indicating that all lenses in the series compliant with the “Micro Four Thirds System.” Pricing on the two new lenses is yet to be announced.

The Micro Four Thirds System standard lenses retain the digital-specific telecentric focus characteristic. This characteristic provides the ability to focus image forming light to optimally strike the image sensor at a near-perpendicular angle of Olympus Four Thirds System lenses. The lens mount diameter is reduced by about 6mm and a flange back distance (the distance between the mount and image sensor) is reduced by about half. Overall, this makes it possible to manufacture significantly more compact sized lenses without compromising image quality – an advantage that is especially noticeable when designing wide-angle type lenses.

Both new lenses – the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 (equivalent to 34mm on a 35mm camera) and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 (equivalent to 28-84mm on a 35mm camera) – offer unprecedented portability compared to traditional SLR interchangeable lenses, whilst maintaining high imaging performance through their digital-dedicated design. Both lenses feature a highly-detailed sculpted exterior design that complements the design of the PEN E-P1 camera body, imparting a classic, high-end feel.

M.ZUIKO Digital 17mm f2.8 key features:
1. Ultra-compact lens that delivers high quality images with a digital-specific design
1.1. Slim and lightweight pancake lens Based on the classic double-Gauss formula widely used in standard lenses, the newly developed optics incorporated in this lens employ a retrofocus type configuration. This allows a concave lens element to be placed on the subject side to obtain a wide angle of view at a focal length of 17mm. A double-sided aspherical lens element is used to implement an ultra-thin wide-angle pancake lens with a minimum thickness of 22 mm. With the sharp imaging characteristic of a single-focus lens and brightness of f2.8 this lens makes it easy to capture images with smoothly defocused background scenery.
1.2. Excellent close-up shooting capability Close-up shooting is possible at a minimum distance of 20cm from the lens front with high level aberration correction.
1.3. Multi-coating on all lens surfaces All lens surfaces are multi-coated for crystal clear imaging. Multi-coating ensures clear images even on backlit shots taken with the sun in the frame by reducing ghosts and flares.
1.4. Circular aperture diaphragm The circular aperture diaphragm enables natural and smooth defocusing – a key advantage of large aperture lenses.
2. Fine focusing operation
2.1. Fast autofocusing Stepping motor controls the High-Speed Imager AF to facilitate silent but fast AF.
2.2. Intuitive manual focusing Proper torque enables the intuitive feeling on manual focusing operation.
3. Highly detailed, sculpted exterior design
The silver body has a sophisticated, classic design that is compact and portable.

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 key features:
1. Ultra-compact standard wide zoom lens that delivers high quality images with a digital-specific design
1.1. Dramatic size reduction using a retractable barrel mechanism and high image quality This new lens features a retractable barrel mechanism to further reduce the size of the lens when not in use. The total retracted length of the lens is just 43.5mm. This lens is just 65% of the volume and 80% of the weight of the current Four Thirds System ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 (as used in the E-420 and E-520 camera kits for instance). Its sophisticated optical design incorporates cemented lenses of ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and HR (High Refractive index) glass to optimally minimise chromatic aberration. Two double-sided aspherical lenses are used to ensure outstandingly high image quality in a highly compact lens size.

1.2. Excellent close-up shooting capability Close-up shooting at the tele-end is possible at a minimum distance of 25cm from the lens front. It enables close-up photography with a maximum image magnification of 0.24x (0.48x: 35mm equivalent).
1.3. Multi-coating on all lens surfaces All lens surfaces are multi-coated for crystal clear imaging. Multi-coating also ensures clear images even on backlit shots taken with the sun in the frame by reducing ghosts and flares.
1.4. Circular aperture diaphragm The circular aperture diaphragm enables natural and smooth defocusing.

2. Fine focusing operation
2.1. Fast autofocusing Stepping motor controls the High-Speed Imager AF to facilitate silent but fast AF.
2.2. Intuitive manual focusing Proper torque enables the intuitive feeling on manual focusing operation.
3. Highly detailed sculpted exterior design
Body colour is available in black and silver. The design of zoom ring complements the focus ring design of interchangeable lenses for the renowned “OLYMPUS PEN F”.

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In Greek mythology, Mt.Olympus is the home of the twelve supreme gods and goddesses. Olympus was named after this mountain to reflect its strong aspiration to create high quality, world famous products.

"Olympus" has been used as a trademark since the time of Takachiho Seisakusho, the predecessor of Olympus Corporation.

In Japanese mythology, it is said that eight million gods and goddesses live in Takamagahara, the peak of Mt.Takachiho. The name "Olympus" was selected as the trademark because Mt.Olympus, like Mt.Takachiho, was the home of gods and goddesses. This trademark is also imbued with the aspiration of Olympus to illuminate the world with its optical devices, just like Takamagahara brought light to the world.

Takachiho Seisakusho was renamed Takachiho Optical Co., Ltd. in 1942 when optical products became the mainstay of the company. In 1947, the name was changed again to Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. in an attempt to enhance its corporate image.

And in 2003, the company made a fresh start as Olympus Corporation, to show its willingness to establish a dynamic corporate brand by unifying the corporate name and the well-known brand.

In recent years, Olympus Corporation has focused on "Opto-Digital Technology" as its core competence, technological strengths that competitors cannot easily imitate, to maximize corporate value and to become one of the top optical instrument manufactures.