News

Olympus Imaging Corporation (Olympus Imaging) and Matsushita Electric Industrial
Co., Ltd. (Panasonic) today announced joint development of technologies and
devices for the "Micro Four Thirds System standard," a new standard
that extends the benefits of the Four Thirds System standard for interchangeable
lens type digital camera systems by enabling dramatic reductions in size and
weight. Under the terms of an agreement between the two companies, they will
work jointly toward commercial production of significantly lighter and more
compact interchangeable lens type digital camera systems.



Olympus Imaging and Panasonic are expanding the potential of the Four Thirds
System standard even further, enabling the development of radically more compact
and lightweight interchangeable lens type digital camera systems based on the
Micro Four Thirds System standard. Together with the existing range of Four
Thirds System products, the new range of Micro Four Thirds System products will
enable customers to enjoy true interchangeable lens type digital camera system
performance.



When compared to the Four Thirds System standard, the primary distinguishing
characteristics of the Micro Four Thirds System standard are:

1) Approximately 50% shorter flangeback distance (mount-to-sensor distance)

2) 6mm smaller lens mount outer diameter

3) Electrical contacts in mount increased from 9 to 11



* Image sensor diagonal dimensions are the same for both Four Thirds System
and Micro Four Thirds System standards.



The Micro Four Thirds System enables users to enjoy the high image quality benefits
of the Four Thirds System's 4/3-type image sensor in a much more compact camera
body, and also take advantage of significantly more compact lenses, particularly
in the wide-angle and high-power zoom range. The Four Thirds System offers compact,
lightweight performance, and the new Micro Four Thirds System will take this
even further by making it possible to develop ultra-compact interchangeable
lens type digital camera systems unlike anything seen before. The new Micro
Four Thirds System also incorporates a greater number of lens-mount electrical
contacts, enabling support for new features and increased system functionality
in the future.



In addition, users will be able to mount their existing Four Thirds System lenses
on Micro Four Thirds System bodies via an adapter.



Moving forward, Olympus Imaging and Panasonic will jointly develop relevant
technologies and devices for both Four Thirds System and Micro Four Thirds System
standards, and will develop and introduce standards-compliant products in accordance
with their respective business strategies.



While continuing to develop Four Thirds System interchangeable lens type digital
camera system products, Olympus Imaging will also develop a range of Micro Four
Thirds System lenses and accessories, and Micro Four Thirds System camera bodies
that are even smaller and slimmer than the light, compact, and widely acclaimed
Olympus E-410 and E420.



While continuing to develop Four Thirds System interchangeable lens type digital
camera system products, Panasonic will also develop a new generation of compact,
lightweight, interchangeable lens type digital camera system products, including
ultra-portable camera bodies, interchangeable lenses, and related system accessories.



About the Four Thirds System Standard

The Four Thirds System standard defines design and development standards for
interchangeable lens type digital camera systems that fully realize the performance
potential of digital technology. Four Thirds System cameras utilize a 4/3-type
image sensor that delivers the high image quality expected of interchangeable
lens type digital camera systems in a form factor that assures outstanding mobility.
The Four Thirds System standard is an open standard that enables bodies and
lenses produced by participating manufacturers to exchange information and be
used interchangeably with one another.

...

Lowepro announces the launch of Flipside 400 AW, a high-performance camera
backpack designed with a large capacity, premium security, all-day comfort,
plus protection from the elements.



Flipside
400 AW features a unique back-entry compartment that provides easy access to
gear when setting up--keeping the harness off the ground and clean--plus
extra security when on the move. With access to gear placed in the rear of the
backpack, roving hands are discouraged from reaching into the bag. With the
padded waistbelt secured, gear is quickly reached by rotating the entire bag
to the front, offering hands-free use and providing a stable work platform while
changing batteries, memory cards or setting up for the next shot. To protect
expensive gear from the elements, the Flipside 400 AW includes Lowepro's
patented, built-in All Weather Cover.

...

In this DVD, acclaimed glamour photographer Jason Cole takes you on a journey
behind the scenes into the world of the professional glamour photographer. Jason
has photographed glamour for some of the biggest Australian glamour magazines,
including FHM and Ralph Magazine. This instructional DVD is a hands-on DVD and
takes you behind the camera on location. You learn all about basic and advanced
lighting setups, instructing and interacting with the models, setting up shoots
for magazine submissions and a lot of smaller things along the way that make
for a much more polished photo. Six months in the making, the DVD covers a studio
shoot, a location shoot (garage -- mechanic type theme) and two beach locations
under different shooting conditions.

...

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the immediate availability
of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 software, the photographer's essential toolbox
for managing, adjusting and presenting large volumes of digital photographs. With
new enhancements such as dual-monitor support, radical advances in non-destructive
localized image correction, and streamlined search capabilities, Lightroom 2
is said to be a compelling upgrade that simplifies photography from shoot to
finish.

...

Panasonic has announced its newest addition to its FX-Series of LUMIX digital
cameras with the unveiling of the DMC-FX150. Equipped with 14.7 megapixels,
the FX150 also boasts a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with f/2.8
brightness and 3.6x optical zoom.

...

Nik Software Inc. has announced the immediate availability of its free update
for current owners of their award-winning Color Efex Pro 3.0 photographic filters.
Color Efex Pro 3.1 now supports Aperture 2.1, Apple's groundbreaking photo
editing and management software, Capture NX 2, the latest version of Nikon Corporation's
award-winning photo editing software, and the Smart Filters feature of Adobe
Photoshop CS3. Color Efex Pro 3.1 features Nik Software's patented U Point®
technology and offers a comprehensive, powerful, and easy to use set of software
filters for photo enthusiasts and professional photographers.

...

Phase One A/S has announced the P 65+ digital back and the P 65+ camera system
based on Sensor+ CCD technology co-developed with DALSA Semiconductor. This
patent-pending, Sensor+ technology is said to represent a significant advancement
in image capture. The chip platform offers the most demanding photographers
upgradeable CCD functions.

...