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Olympus' popular megazoom inches up to 20x

It looks like 20x is the new 18x as Olympus incorporates the f2.8-4.5 26-520mm-equivalent lens from its top-of-the-line SP-570 UZ into the SP-565 UZ, which replaces the popular SP-560 UZ. Otherwise, it's identical to its predecessor. The advantage of this model is that it doesn't have the irritating zoom ring that's on the SP-570, but it also lacks a hot shoe. And I suspect the disappointing performance remains unchanged as well.

The SP-565 UZ is slated to ship in October for $399.99.

Olympus announces new point-and-shoot models

Bright colors seem to be the fashion for snapshot cameras this fall; in addition to the staid black and silver and omnipresent pink, like many other manufacturers Olympus is offering this pair in eye-searing red and blue as well.

Both ultracompacts incorporate 8-megapixel CCDs and have similar attractive designs, but quite different feature sets. The FE-360 incorporates a 2.5-inch LCD and a 36-to-108mm-equivalent 3x zoom lens; the FE-370 uses a 2.7-inch LCD and a 36-to-180mm-equivalent 5x zoom lens, plus adds sensor-shift image stabilization. The latter also features a bunch of this year's buzz technologies, including Smile Shot … Read more

Interchangeable lenses come to compact digital cameras

How badly do people want interchangeable lenses on compact cameras? We're going to find out soon enough: Panasonic and Olympus have announced a variation on their Four Thirds camera system designed specifically for non-SLR cameras.

On one hand, this will facilitate interchangeable lens cameras more compact than would be possible in a dSLR. By jettisoning the mirror box and through-the-lens optical viewfinder, the two companies hope to make thinner and lighter cameras--thinner than the Olympus E-420, the smallest dSLR on the market. The new lens specification allows the lens to sit about 50 percent closer to the sensor and … Read more

Olympus SP-570UZ gets firmware update

Last week, Olympus announced a firmware update to its 20x ultra-zoom, the SP-570 UZ, which was released in March 2008. The firmware update, version 1.1, is said to improve response while zooming, and corrects a part of the Swedish languages. For more information and instructions click here.

We generally recommend installing the latest firmware updates for your camera, so you can get the most out of your gear. For more information on firmware updates for a specific camera, visit the manufacturer's Web site. Before installing any firmware upgrade, always take the time to read through all of the … Read more

Olympus announces E-3 v1.2 firmware update

Olympus has announced a firmware update to its 10.1MP flagship DSLR, the E-3. The firmware, v1.2, optimizes the consistency of the auto white balance. The firmware can be updated through Olympus Master or Olympus Studio software.

How to update the firmware.

We generally recommend installing the latest firmware updates for your camera, so you can get the most out of your gear. For more information on firmware updates for a specific camera, visit the manufacturer's Web site. Before installing any firmware upgrade, always take the time to read through all of the documentation and follow the manufacturer'… Read more

Olympus FE cameras get firmware updates

Olympus has released firmware updates for some of their FE line of compact cameras. The firmware update, version 1.1, improves the cameras stability during operation. It also makes some changes to the Korean version. The new firmware is available for the FE-350, FE-330, FE-310, FE-290, and the FE-270.

We generally recommend installing the latest firmware updates for your camera, so you can get the most out of your gear. For more information on firmware updates for a specific camera, visit the manufacturer's Web site. Before installing any firmware upgrade, always take the time to read through all of … Read more

Hands-on with the Olympus LS-10 audio recorder

You know CDs are capable of pristine sound quality, but we've been playing with a digital voice recorder that records audio even higher than CD-quality. Capturing sound in 24-bit 96kHz WAV format with its sensitive stereo microphones, the new Olympus LS-10 allows for serious high-fidelity recordings and we're extremely impressed with it.

In fact, we took it to Pendulum's album launch party last night (no, it won't be on BitTorrent) for "testing" and the results were terrific. The recorder coped with being right at the front of the stage as the amps heaved under … Read more

Olympus debuts E-520 dSLR

Today, Olympus announced the E-520 dSLR, the replacement for the E-510 and step-up model from its E-420. The feature set is very similar to the E-420, but for the extra dough you do get some significant capabilities, such as sensor-shift stabilization (including an updated system with a mode that accommodates panning while vertically oriented), a larger continuous-shooting buffer and a deeper grip.

Like the E-420, the E-520 incorporates the same sensor as in the higher-end E-3. It also seems to use the same viewfinder and LCD as its little brother, and also includes support for face detection (still unusual for … Read more

Olympus promotes top U.S. exec

Olympus has promoted F. Mark Gumz, president and chief operating officer since 2000, to be president and chief executive of the North and South American operations of the Japanese camera and optics company.

In addition, the company is changing the name of Gumz's division. Olympus USA, a holding company that represented all of Olympus' American operations and that employs 2,500 people, now is called Olympus Corporation of the Americas.

"His appointment will...help position the organization to better respond to customer needs, and his knowledge of Japanese culture and of our company makes him the perfect choice … Read more