Olympus Imaging Australia has launched the new Tough Smart 1050SW digital compact camera, the latest addition to its best-selling Tough series – renowned for offering robust shockproof1 and waterproof2 performance and enabling users to take photos underwater and in outdoor situations where photography was previously considered difficult.

While previous Tough models have emphasised 'toughness' and evoked a sports feel, the new Tough Smart 1050SW, available in Australia from September 2008 for AU$399RRP, emphasises style without compromise and is ideal for busy young families or active women to capture all life has to offer without worry.

With a sliding lens barrier, enhancing both styling and protection, and elegant new body colours – including Silver Bullet, Panther, Blue Thunder, Dusk and Sandstorm – the Tough Smart 1050SW is as much at home at fashionable and formal events as it is in the water.

The camera's performance features include a 10.1 megapixel3 CCD and state-of-the-art Olympus TruePic III image processor for superb image quality. The very latest in Face Detect & Shadow Adjust technologies mean the Tough Smart 1050SW will recognise up to 16 individual faces, assuring correct exposure of both people in the foreground and scenery in the background.

Guaranteed to operate at temperatures as low as -10°C4, the camera also features the newly developed Tap Control mode which allows users to take photos, and play them back, simply by tapping the LCD monitor or the top and sides of the camera body – making it the perfect for marine sports or winter sports, as well as a wide range of other outdoor activities in all kinds of weather and environmental conditions.

Slim, stylish body with waterproof, shockproof, dustproof performance
Styling of the best selling Tough series has been completely revolutionised for the Tough Smart 1050SW. With the addition of a sliding lens barrier and five elegant new body colours, the camera offers a beautifully balanced combination of toughness and stylish design.

Like other Olympus Tough series cameras, the Tough Smart 1050SW also combines rugged construction with stylish, compact design. Dustproof and waterproof to a depth of 3 meters, it is ideal for use at beaches and pools, and can even be used when surfing or engaging in other marine sports. The body clears 1.5-meter drop-impact tests, enabling active use at campsites and outdoors, and carefree handling even when operated by children. Operation is also guaranteed at temperatures as low as -10°C, making the Tough Smart 1050SW a great take-anywhere camera for winter sports and mountain climbing.

Resistant to damage by water, sand, dust, impact, and cold, the Tough Smart 1050SW is as at home as it is in the rough, enabling users to capture precious memories in any season, at any location.

Face Detect & Shadow Adjust Technology and high-performance TruePic III image processor
Olympus Face Detect & Shadow Adjust Technology used in Tough Smart 1050SW can now recognise 16 faces as opposed to three faces in previous models, and together with Shadow Adjustment Technology, assures that faces are in focus, and foreground and background elements are properly exposed. Even when shooting outdoors or with a window behind the subject, or in other backlit situations where the subject’s face would normally be
underexposed, Face Detect & Shadow Adjust Technology helps assure beautiful, natural results.

The Tough Smart 1050SW also incorporates proprietary Olympus TruePic III image processing that suppresses noise, smoothes edges, and assures accurate reproduction of even the palest colours which is ideal for natural skin tones. Working as a team with the camera’s high-resolution lens and 10.1 megapixel image sensor, it also helps to ensure truly
outstanding image quality.

'Tap Control' — an exciting and totally new method of camera control
The Tough Smart 1050SW features the latest advances in digital technology and a newly developed 'Tap Control' mode. In this mode, users can take a photo, and play it back simply by tapping the top or sides of the camera body, or the surface of the LCD monitor, enabling a totally new, fun and convenient, method of operation. The new ‘Snow’ Scene mode allows all essential operations to be performed via tapping, ensuring easy operation when wearing ski gloves. Tapping can also be used to control image display and slideshow playback. In addition to tapping, functions such as slideshow speed can also be controlled simply by tilting the camera, creating an entirely new sensation that increases the fun and convenience of camera ownership.

Other features
• 2.7 inch HyperCrystal LCD monitor with a wide viewing angle from all directions
• In-camera panorama image composition for automatic panoramas in the camera
• Super Macro LED to help prevent blurring and ensure vivid colour at close range
• Built-in illuminator for easy framing in low light
• Comparison window previews of various camera settings before picture is taken
• Numerous shooting modes, including dedicated underwater shooting modes
• Universal Colour Design authentication for easy visibility for the sight impaired
• Micro SD memory card recording and playback supported via MASD-1 Micro SD adapter (included)