Olympus have finally unveiled their long-rumoured Four Thirds system DSLR, the Olympus E System, at PMA 2003. They will be demonstrating a prototype of the new camera along with 4 lenses at the show. You can see images of the camera and lenses on DPReview. Here’s Olympus’ explanation of why the Four Thirds system is so important:

“The Four Thirds system is a new open standard for digital SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses that utilise a 4/3 inch image sensor. In addition to facilitating the development of camera lens systems specifically designed to maximise digital image sensor performance - without being bound by the design conventions imposed by 35mm film camera SLR systems - the Four Thirds system establishes a common standard for lens mounts, ensuring compatibility between lenses and bodies even if they are produced by different manufacturers. Furthermore, the Four Thirds system interchangeable lenses are much smaller and lighter than 35mm and APS SLR lens systems.”

The new Olympus lenses announced are:

300mm, f2.8 (600mm)
14 - 54mm, f2.8 - f3.5 zoom (28 - 108mm)
50mm, f2.0 macro (100mm)
50 - 200mm, f2.8 - f3.5 zoom (100 - 400mm)

The camera, lenses and the whole system certainly looks the part, but I think you have to bear in mind that this is a prototype, with no date given for a production camera, except for “the Olympus Digital SLR System will then be introduced to the market at competitive prices in the late third or early fourth quarter of 2003.” That could mean Christmas 2003…

Olympus have also announced 4 new digital compact cameras.

The C-750 UZ is a 10x optical zoom, 4 megapixel update to the C-730 UZ. At an RRP of ?499.99 and available from April, this camera offers the longest zoom in its class. “The C-750 Ultra Zoom features a bright, high performance f2.8 - f3.7 lens, comprising of 11 elements arranged in seven groups and including two aspherical lenses plus ED elements, which are only found in top-end SLR cameras and significantly help reduce chromatic aberration.” Olympus are also releasing a 3 megapixel version, the C-740 UZ.

Website: DPReview

Imaging Resource have already managed to post First Looks at both the C-750 and C-740; how do they do it?!

Website: Imaging Resource

Perhaps less interesting are the compact digital cameras, the 3 megapixel C-350 Zoom (?249) and the C-150 Zoom (?139.99), which are firmly at the budget end of the market.