Olympus Releases Evolt E-500 Camera

Olympus has introduced the EVOLT E-500, an 8-megapixel digital SLR that's geared toward a variety of skill levels.

E-500 features include: a TruePic Turbo Image Processor for fast camera response and processing speed (up to four TIFF or RAW images at 2.5 frames/sec); a 2.5-in. LCD with a 160-degree viewing angle; and the company's Olympus Dust Reduction System that shakes the camera to remove dust from the camera sensor each time the camera is turned on.

Weighing in at 15.3 oz, the camera allows the user to shoot in any of three modes: Easy (choose from a range of 15 pre-programmed Scene Select modes such as Night Scenes, Beach, Snow, Children, Landscape, etc.); Basic (choose from one of five icons on the mode dial, including Portrait, Night Scene, Macro, Action/Sports, and Landscape); and Creative (manually adjust all camera settings).

Estimated street price: $799.99 (Evolt E-500 camera with 14-45mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom lens); $899.99 (with additional 40-150mm f3.5/4.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom lens).

The company also has announced:

“? Two new Zuiko Digital Specific lenses, designed for use with the Olympus E-System digital SLRs: the Digital ED 35-100mm f2.0 lens ($2499.99 street price), which features an aperture of f2.0 over the full zoom range; and the Digital ED 90-250mm f2.8 lens ($5999.99 street price), for sports and nature photography.

“? Two Zuiko Digital lenses targeted more toward the consumer side: the 18-180mm lens for the E-System ($499.99 street price); and the Digital 35mm 1:1 macro, for detailed, close-up photography ($229.99).

“? Four new digital cameras, also targeted at the consumer side: 6-Mpxl SP-500 UZ Ultra Zoom ($379.99); 8-Mpxl SP-350 ($399.99); 7-Mxpl SP-310 ($349.99); and the 6-Mpxl Stylus 600 ($299.99).

OLYMPUS

www.olympusamerica.com