Staff

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.

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News

COOLPIX P6000 Offers Digital SLR Shooting Control In A Compact Camera

Staff | Aug 11, 2008 | 0 comments

Nikon Inc. has introduced its newest flagship COOLPIX compact camera, the COOLPIX
P6000. Featuring 13.5 megapixels, a new, built-in global positioning system (GPS)
unit, my Picturetown connectivity and the power of Nikon's exclusive EXPEED image
processing concept, the P6000 offers the creative control of a DSLR in the compact
body of a COOLPIX camera.

The P6000 knows where the "best shots" are taken, thanks to the integration
of the new GPS unit. With the added GPS function, P6000 users will be able to
record "geotags" of the location where their images are captured based
on latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates. This further heightens the photographic
experience, allowing users to pinpoint the location via maps available in Nikon
ViewNX Software, my Picturetown, Nikon's photo sharing and storage website,
or any other software or website that recognizes GPS data.

Additionally, the P6000 makes my Picturetown connectivity for uploading and sharing
photos simple and easy, thanks to added wired LAN support via a dedicated Ethernet
port built into the camera. Users can upload their images and data directly from
the P6000 with an Ethernet cable to the secure Picture Bank service on my Picturetown.

In line with other COOLPIX P-Series cameras, the P6000 includes intuitive controls
via dedicated command and mode dials, providing easy access to shooting controls
and exposure mode settings. The P6000 offers Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-priority
Auto [S], Aperture-priority Auto [A] and Manual [M] modes granting users the ability
to tap into the creativity of D-SLR functions while maintaining the simplicity
of COOLPIX functionality. Owners can utilize two user-defined settings, a shooting
menu, an efficient, tabbed menu interface, as well as customizable Function buttons
to quickly switch between camera settings.

Additional shooting innovations engineered to maximize image quality and offer
greater control over the final results include Nikon's original COOLPIX
Picture Control System and a new NRW* (RAW) support. The COOLPIX Picture Control
System features intuitive controls that enable users to adjust their images to
pre-set parameters such as Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome and apply tweaks
to image sharpening, tone compensation, brightness, overall tone and saturation.
Furthermore, images shot in the all-new NRW* (RAW) format can be opened and viewed
in Nikon ViewNX Software (available early October 2008) for increased editing
abilities.

Adding even more synergy between D-SLR cameras and compact COOLPIX cameras, the
P6000 incorporates a pop-up flash, optical viewfinder for easy composition and
the added bonus of system expansion with an optional convertor, Speedlights, and
wireless remote control. Nikon's new 0.76x Wide-angle Convertor WC-E76 offers
users the option to utilize focal lengths as wide as 21mm (35mm format equivalent).
P6000 users can also take full advantage of Nikon's Creative Lighting System with
the built-in accessory shoe that supports Nikon's i-TTL flash control, which enables
wireless control over one group of remote Speedlights including the newly announced
SB-900 Speedlight.

The P6000 features a quality finish and a front panel constructed of solid Magnesium
alloy, as well as a comfortable grip and well-placed controls for streamlined
performance. The new P6000 camera is compatible with new high-capacity SDHC cards,
and utilizes a Nikon EN-EL5 rechargeable Li-ion battery. The P6000 also comes
bundled with the COOLPIX Software Suite for editing, organizing and sharing images.

The Nikon COOLPIX P6000 will be available nationwide beginning September 2008
at a MSRP of $499.95. For more information about the P6000 and other COOLPIX cameras,
please visit www.nikonusa.com.
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