The Olympus mju 1050 SW is a new shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof digital camera. Shockproof to 1.5m, waterproof to 3m and freezeproof to -10°C, the 10 megapixel Olympus 1050 has a newly-developed TAP control interface that lets you adjust settings and review images on the 2.7-inch LCD screen by tapping your finger. The 1050 SW also offers a 3x, 38-114mm zoom lens, Advanced Face Detection and xD-Picture Card and microSD Card compatibility. The Olympus mju 1050 SW will be available in a choice of Dolphin Grey, Pacific Blue, Midnight Black or Misty Rose late September for £259.99 / $299.99.

Olympus UK Press Release

A µ [mju:] for all seasons

The Olympus tough: Waterproof, shockproof and funproof

London, 25 August 2008 – The newly-redesigned µ [mju:] 1050 SW is ready for practically any adventure: toss it about, dunk it in the pool or bury it in the snow without thinking – because you don’t have to. The incorporation of an innovative TAP control interface makes adjusting settings and reviewing shots as easy as the tap of a finger. Coming with a bundled microSD attachment, this model affords users even more flexibility when it comes to storing memories. The all new µ [mju:] 1050 SW will be available in a choice of Dolphin Grey, Pacific Blue, Midnight Black or Misty Rose late September for an RRP of £259.99.

Unbeatable
Do what you will to the 10.1 Megapixel µ 1050 SW: drop it, wash it or shoot with it in below-freezing temperatures. Shockproof to 1.5m, waterproof to 3m and freezeproof to -10°C, this extension to Olympus’ most robust compact line-up sports a chic new design that makes it even more fun to take with you no matter you go. A newly-developed TAP control interface lets users trade the press of a button for the tap of a finger: adjust settings and review images on the µ [mju:] 1050 SW’s extra large 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD by applying a simple tap or two to the exterior of the camera. The integrated 3x optical zoom (38-114mm*) guarantees safety in action with its use of an inner-folded light path – one of the keys to this camera’s uniquely compact design.

Technologies galore
With the µ [mju:] 1050 SW, users can concentrate on getting great shots without distractions. Dependably sharp shots are assured every time thanks to Digital Image Stabilisation which automatically adjusts ISO levels to compensate for blur at slow shutter speeds. Meanwhile, integrated Advanced Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology detect human subjects (up to 16 faces) and shadowy parts of an image to optimise the exposure and sharpness – so results come out closer to what the human eye sees. What’s more, the effect of various settings on the outcome – such as exposure compensation – can be previewed with the Perfect Shot Preview function. Incorporation of BrightCapture Technology also means that it is always easy to frame and review shots on the LCD, even in low light. And the TruePic III image processor provides triple enhancement to image results with improved noise reduction, significantly faster image processing speeds and more realistic reproduction of colours.

All the trimmings
There’s a µ [mju:] 1050 SW for everybody. With a unique exterior available in an array of exciting colours including Dolphin Grey, Pacific Blue, Midnight Black and Misty Rose, this model lets users express themselves like never before. Plus, the availability of menus in 39 different languages ensures that virtually anyone across the world can operate the µ [mju:] 1050 SW in their native tongue. What’s more, the inclusion of a bundled attachment, photographers can store their memories on microSD Card in addition to
xD-Picture Card.

The shockproof**, waterproof*** and freezeproof (to -10°C) Olympus µ [mju:] 1050 SW will be available at the end of September 2008.

The Olympus µ [mju:] 1050 SW – main features:
• High-precision 3x optical zoom (38-114 mm*) to capture everything from great scenes to stunning portraits, even in tough conditions
• Shoot even when it’s rough, wet and cold – shockproof to 1.5m**, waterproof to 3m*** and freezeproof to -10°C
• TAP Control Menu for great convenience
• Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces, plus correct exposure of other image areas
• 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD for excellent previews even in direct sunlight
• 10.1 Megapixels to make poster-size prints
• Digital Image Stabilisation for less blur
• TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)
• Pre-Capture Movie mode
• xD-Picture Card and microSD Card compatible

* Equivalent to a 35mm camera
** Equivalent to MIL Standard (Olympus test conditions)
*** According to IEC standard publication 529 IPX8
microSD is a trademark of SD Card Association

Appendix

Digital Image Stabilisation
A special shooting mode, where the camera automatically increases ISO sensitivity to allow shorter shutter speeds – which helps to avoid image blur caused by camera shake or by fast-moving objects.

HyperCrystal LCD
A high-grade, fully-transmissive technology used in LCDs, which employs an additional layer at the bottom of the LCD to reflect light from external light sources. This enhances the brightness of the LCD, so even in direct sunlight images are displayed sharply and improved contrast compared to that of conventional displays. Also, it provides for particularly wide viewing angles without glare or shadow, so images can be framed from a variety of angles and viewed by several people at once.

Advanced Face Detection Technology
A technology that searches for faces in a composition and recognises them as the main subject. It then automatically puts them in focus and optimally adjusts exposure to create an image that’s sharp in the right places and ideally exposed. Advanced Face Detection Technology can detect up to 16 faces.

Shadow Adjustment Technology
A technology designed to improve exposure for pictures with dark areas. Using a sensor that works much like the human eye, dark parts of a composition (e.g. a shadow under a tree) are identified and the camera then adjusts the exposure settings accordingly for those areas. The result is a more realistic and detailed picture.

BrightCapture Technology
A technology developed for better shooting results in low light situations. It works in two ways: i) All available pixel information from the image sensor is used to provide a view on the LCD that’s up to four times brighter than conventional types, to make framing easy even in dark surroundings. ii) In certain shooting modes sensitivity is increased (resolution is sometimes reduced), which results in well-exposed images with accurate colour reproduction, high contrast and definition, even when not using the flash. Scene modes that benefit from BrightCapture Technology include Candle, Night Scene and Available Light.

TruePic III image processor
Olympus’ newest-generation image processing engine. It automatically enhances important aspects of image quality including: Colour reproduction (colour range, saturation and brightness), picture sharpness (reduced image noise, improved edge reproduction), as well as providing faster processing speeds.

Perfect Shot Preview
Allows the effect of various settings to be previewed before shooting. Users can therefore be confident of capturing the image perfectly. The image appears in a multi-frame window on the LCD in real-time, making it easy to compare options and take the best possible shot.

Pre-Capture Movie mode
Enables short movies (of seven seconds) to be recorded that even capture the two seconds before the shutter button is pressed. In this way, that decisive moment between when something occurs and when the shutter is actually triggered is overcome. Optical zoom and autofocus functions remain available throughout recording.

TAP Control mode
“TAP Control Mode” is a unique interface that lets users access a range of camera functions by simply tapping on the camera body. Quick View mode, Scroll Playback Pictures and a user-defined function (Flash or SAT [Shadow Adjustment Technology]) can be accessed by tapping at particular points of the camera.

In-Camera Panorama mode
A mode allowing users to instantly compose panoramas of approx. 130° right inside the camera. By framing each shot in step with the on-screen guide, exciting panoramic scenes can be stitched together for a more realistic and emotional depiction of any landscape or skyline. This mode is only available in conjunction with the use of an xD-Picture Card.

microSD compatibility
A special attachment comes bundled with this camera which provides for microSD Card compatibility in addition to being able to use xD-Picture Cards.

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