Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo) is pleased to announce the latest addition to Olympus’s consumer class of Four Thirds System-compliant E-System digital SLR cameras. The new E-620, scheduled for release on March XX, 2009, is the world’s smallest and lightest*1 interchangeable lens type digital SLR to incorporate an image stabilization mechanism
Main Features

1. Excellent portability assured by world's smallest, lightest*1 body with built-in image stabilization (newly developed compact system featuring compensation up to 4 EVs*2) and dual-axis variable 2.7-inch LCD.
2. Easy-to-apply Art Filters for enhanced creativity, multi-aspect function with a choice of 4 different aspect ratios, High-Speed Imager AF for responsive Live View shooting, and other features for versatile photographic expression.
3. High picture quality with 12.3-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor and TruePic III+ image processing engine.
4. Top-of-its-class high-speed performance with newly developed 7-point AF system for fast, accurate focusing, high-speed 4-fps sequential shooting, and more.

Combining the unmatched compact, lightweight design of the E-420 with the advanced features of the E-520, notably its built-in image stabilization mechanism, the E-620 digital SLR camera offers a level of convenience and portability unprecedented in a camera this sophisticated.

The E-620’s newly developed small image stabilization mechanism features a compensation effect of up to 4 EV steps. The E-620 weighs just 475 grams, despite incorporating both a newly developed small image stabilization mechanism that offers up to 4 EV steps of effective compensation and a large dual-axis variable-angle LCD monitor measuring 2.7 inches diagonally, thanks to a compact, lightweight body made possible by reducing the area of the packaging for the circuit boards and sensor.

The E-620 also incorporates some of the exciting new features found on our middle class model, the E-30, such as the Art Filter function and the multi-aspect function. Six Art Filters, including a bright, colourful, Pop Art filter and a dreamy, ethereal, Soft Focus filter, enable anyone to easily achieve modes of photographic expression that ordinarily require the use of special lenses, add-on filters, or the use of complex image processing techniques. The ease and comfort of Live View shooting is further enhanced by a High-Speed Imager AF that enables autofocusing with compact-camera ease, and a dual-axis, variable-angle LCD monitor that supports both horizontal and vertical Live View shooting.

High picture quality is ensured by a 12.3-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor and the new TruePic III+ image processing engine. The E-620 also offers top-of-its-class high-speed performance with a newly developed 7-point AF system for fast, accurate autofocusing and high-speed sequential shooting at 4 frames per second.

To provide an ever-wider range of offerings for entry-level, intermediate, and professional digital SLR photographers, Olympus will continue to develop and expand its lineup of digital SLR systems that comply with the Four Thirds System standard.
*1 Among interchangeable lens type digital SLR cameras incorporating an image stabilization mechanism (as of February 24, 2009, based on in-house research).
*2 Under our in-house test conditions.
Pricing & Launch Date
Category Product Name MSRP Launch Date
Digital SLR camera OLYMPUS E-620 Body Open pricing The end of March,2009
OLYMPUS E-620 Lens Kit
OLYMPUS E-620 Double Zoom Kit
Other Features

* Illuminated buttons assisting the night-time shooting
* Large optical viewfinder with 95% field of view and 0.96x magnification
* Colour Universal Design certified for the easy-to-view design regardless of the individual differences in the sense of colours
* Reliable Dust Reduction system
* Face & Background Control for beautifully balanced exposure of foreground subjects and background scenery
* Auto gradation adjustment to wash out in highlights and loss of details in shadows
* Multiple-exposure function with LCD monitor display of current view superimposed on previously captured image
* Perfect Shot Preview to compare the effect of various setting adjustments before actual shooting
* Built-in flash with Commander function for wireless off-camera flash synchronization
* Shooting information display via Super Control Panel LCD monitor display for superior visibility and operating ease
* High-precision, 49-zone metering system
* Easy activation of shooting functions via sample image selection
* Versatile bracketing functions for ISO, white balance, exposure, and flash
* Lightbox view with enlargement function for easy side-by-side comparison of images

Main Feature Details

1. Excellent portability assured by world's smallest, lightest)*1 body with built-in image stabilization (newly developed compact system featuring compensation up to 4 EVs*2) and dual-axis variable 2.7-inch LCD.

* Weighs only 475 grams – the world’s smallest, lightest*1 digital SLR camera to incorporate an image stabilization mechanism
In designing the image stabilization mechanism for the E-620, Olympus developed a new unit. The result is a compact image stabilization unit capable of providing up to 4 EVs of shake compensation – the same as the E-520 – yet weighing 20% less than the previous version. Olympus also reduced the packaging circuit board area by more than 20% compared to the E-520 through reductions in the size of mounted component and component mounting pitches. Thanks to these modifications, the E-620 weighs just 475 grams, making it the smallest, lightest digital SLR camera in the world that incorporates an image stabilization mechanism.
Because it is built into the camera body, the E-620's image stabilization can be used with all ZUIKO DIGITAL and other lenses that comply with the Four Thirds System standard, providing effective image stabilization with everything from super wide-angle to super telephoto lenses, as well as fisheye and macro lenses. As a result, users can enjoy blur-free handheld shooting not only on telephoto shots, but also on long-exposure fisheye and super wide-angle shots in low light.
*1 Among interchangeable lens type digital SLR cameras incorporating an image stabilization mechanism in the body (as of February 24, 2009, based on in-house research).
*2 Under our in-house test conditions.
* Dual-axis variable-angle 2.7-inch LCD monitor
The 2.7-inch HyperCrystal III LCD monitor on the rear panel boasts a wider viewing angle, high contrast, a wide chroma range, and a dual-axis variable-angle mechanism that enables the monitor to be rotated on both the vertical and horizontal axis. So users can use Live View shooting to comfortably capture high-angle and low-angle shots without looking through the viewfinder or assuming an awkward position. The variable-angle monitor also permits waist-level portrait shooting, so you can maintain eye contact with your subject and get them to maintain a natural facial expression by talking to them to put them at ease. With maximum brightness of 1000 cd (candelas)/m2*, users will have no trouble setting up a shot even under bright sunlight.
* When maximum brightness is set manually. Measured at the screen centre.

2. Easy-to-apply Art Filters for enhanced creativity, multi-aspect function with a choice of 4 different aspect ratios, High-Speed Imager AF for responsive Live View shooting, and other features for versatile photographic expression.

* Easy-to-apply Art Filters for enhanced creativity
The Art Filter function, first incorporated in the E-30 in December 2008, and already gaining positive reviews, is now available with the E-620 as well. With the Art Filter, users can now not only use the camera to reproduce images with amazing fidelity, they can also use it to express themselves creatively by using Art Filters to enhance images and produce the precise effect they want. As a result, virtually anyone can easily enjoy modes of photographic expression that ordinarily require the use of special lenses, add-on filters, or the use of complex image processing techniques.
The following 6 Art Filters are offered:
Pop Art
Emphasizes colours and creates bright, vibrant images with a pop-art tone
Soft Focus
Gives images a light, ethereal look and evokes a dreamy, mystical mood
Pale & Light Colour
Utilizes muted colour tonalities to create a mood of reflection and nostalgia
Light Tone
Subdues highlights and shadows to reflect the ambience of a perfectly illuminated scene
Grainy Film
Recreates the rich, grainy look and tonality of black & white photography, imparting a dramatic feel to images
Pin Hole
Reproduces the peripheral vignetting and unique colour tone of photos taken with a toy camera
* Multi-aspect function with a choice of 4 different aspect ratios
During Live View shooting, users are offered a choice of 4 aspect ratios. In addition to the standard 4:3 aspect ratio, the E-620 offers widescreen 16:9 and medium-format 6:6, as well as 35mm-format 3:2 aspect ratios.
* High-Speed Imager AF for responsive Live View shooting
The E-620 is equipped with the widely acclaimed AF Live View system featured on the Olympus E-520 and E-420, which enables autofocusing without having to move the camera's main mirror. When the shutter button is half-pressed during Live View shooting, the 11 areas High-Speed Imager AF adjusts focusing by driving the lens to detect contrast at the image sensor and placing the lens at the peak contrast position. As a result, Live View shooting is as easy and carefree as it is with a compact digital camera.
Firmware providing High-Speed Image AF compatibility (Ver. 1.2) for the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 lens is scheduled to be released in the middle of March 2009. As a result, lenses compatible with the High-Speed Image AF system will be available from ultra-wide-angle (equivalent to 18mm of 35mm cameras) to super-telephoto (equivalent to 600mm of 35mm cameras) with four lenses including the ED 9-18mm f4.0-5.6, ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 and ED 70-300mm f4.0-5.6.
* As of February 24, 2009, when a lens other than the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm f4.0-5.6, ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, 14-54mm f2.8-3.5II, ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 and 25mm f2.8 is used with the E-620, the AF uses 7 distance-measuring points and is performed again when the shutter release button is fully pressed. To use the High-Speed Imager AF, the ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 and ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 requires the firmware updating to Ver. 1.1 or higher (the ED 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 requires firmware Ver. 1.2 (released in the middle of March) or higher).

3. High picture quality with 12.3-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor and TruePic III+ image processing engine.

* 12.3-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor and new TruePic III+ image processing engine
The E-620's 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Sensor offers high resolution, rich gradations, and bright, natural colour reproduction that faithfully renders your subject in fine detail. It offers improved noise resistance and also achieves a wider dynamic range by expanding the gradations of high brightness images while maintaining the deep gradations of low brightness images of the previous Live MOS sensor.
The TruePic III+ image processing engine features improvements in imaging, gradation representation and colour reproduction capabilities and also (via the new Art Filter function) supports a rich range of creative expression.

4. Top-of-its-class high-speed performance with newly developed 7-point AF system for fast, accurate focusing, high-speed 4-fps sequential shooting, and more.

* Newly developed 7-point AF system
All 7 of the distance-measuring points in the E-620's 7-point AF sensor use a 2-line twin sensor configuration to improve AF accuracy, while the 5 centre points feature a 2-line twin cross configuration, adding up to a total of 24 discrete data items. The cross-sensor configuration enables the sensor to accurately detect contrast in both horizontal and vertical directions with virtually any type of subject, while the Hounds’ tooth arrangement of the lines significantly increases accuracy and improves AF performance in low light.
* High-speed 4-fps sequential shooting
Sequential shooting speed has been increased to 4 fps thanks to the higher read speed of the new High-Speed Live MOS Sensor, the higher processing speed of the TruePic III+ image processing engine, and the higher accuracy of the mirror mechanism.

Other Feature Details

Illuminated buttons supports night time shooting
The Menu, Play, arrow pad and other buttons on the rear panel are illuminated for improved visibility when operating in the dark, making it possible to change various settings easily especially in night time shooting.

Optical viewfinder with 95% field of view, 0.96X magnification and extensive information display
The large, newly developed optical viewfinder has a field of view of about 95% and 0.96X magnification (at -1 mm-1 50 mm infinity), providing the user with a comfortable, easy-view option for composing shots. The viewfinder also displays an extensive range of shooting information, while improving visibility during shooting.

Colour Universal Design certified for easy viewing regardless of individual differences in colour perception
The colours of button characters and screen graphics have been carefully selected to assure that they can be clearly viewed by the widest possible range of people regardless of individual differences in colour perception. As a result, the E-620 has been granted Colour Universal Design certification*.
* The Colour Universal Design Certification is a third-party certification approved by an NPO called the Colour Universal Design Organization when it confirms that a product implements the colour universal design concept.

Reliable Dust Reduction System
Even the tiniest particles of dust and dirt - whether they enter the camera when changing lenses or are produced inside the body by friction between moving shutter mechanism parts – can show up in a photo and ruin the shot if they adhere to the low-pass filter or the image sensor. Olympus was quick to recognize and overcome the threat that dust presents to digital SLR image quality with a SSWF (Supersonic Wave Filter) system that vibrates at supersonic speeds to dislodge dust and dirt every time the main power or Live View are switched on. With the E-620’s powerful SSWF system, even tiny particles that are tightly bound by molecular attraction and cannot be removed by simple shaking or anti-static measures can be dislodged and trapped in the dust collection unit.

Face & Background Control for beautifully balanced exposure of foreground subjects and background scenery
The E-620's face-detecting function can detect, and optimize focusing and exposure for, up to 8 faces. In addition, a Face & Background Control function balances the exposure of faces in the foreground and scenery in the background, applying Gradation Auto as needed to properly expose subject faces without overexposing the background, even when shooting subjects in strong backlight. As a result, users can easily obtain natural-looking images in which both foreground subjects (people) and background scenery appear almost as they do to the naked eye. Face detection is also possible during image playback, making it easy to select and enlarge the faces of people in a photo to check their expression.

Auto gradation adjustment to prevent wash-out in highlights and loss of details in shadows
When Gradation is set to Auto, Shadow Adjustment Technology controls highlight and shadow exposure to help prevent wash-out in highlights and loss of details in shadows, and ensure that even high-contrast subjects are rendered naturally, as they appear to the human eye. A total of 4 gradation settings are offered: Auto, High Key, Normal (default), and Low Key.

Multiple-exposure function with LCD monitor display of current view on top of previously captured image
Multiple-exposure photos can be taken when using either the optical viewfinder or Live View. During Live View shooting, previously captured RAW image data can be displayed on the LCD monitor and used as the base for a multiple exposure, with currently visible scene overlaid on the base image. Up to 2 exposures can be made on a single frame, with or without auto gain adjustment according to the user's preference. In addition, up to 3 RAW format images already recorded on the camera's memory card can also be composed together in the same way. So in addition to conventional multiple exposure images, they can also easily create multiple exposures of subjects widely separated in space and time.

Perfect Shot Preview to compare the effect of various setting adjustments before actual shooting
Perfect Shot Preview enables users to preview and compare the effect of up to 4 different exposure compensation or white balance settings on the LCD monitor before taking a picture. By enabling users to check and compare the effects of various settings in advance, it makes it easier for them to obtain the precise image they want.

Built-in flash with Commander function for wireless off-camera flash synchronization
The E-620 is equipped with a GN17 (ISO 200) built-in flash with TTL flash control. It also supports wireless multi-flash control without the use of an external commander unit when used with FL-50R and/or FL-36R external flashes, enabling users to easily control flash mode, brightness, and other settings for up to 3 groups of remote flash units via a menu displayed on the camera's LCD monitor.

Super Control Panel LCD monitor display for superior visibility and operating ease
The Super Control Panel displayed on the camera's LCD monitor provides detailed shooting and settings information. An easy-to-use GUI (Graphical User Interface) enables quick, intuitive settings confirmation and selection via the arrow keys and OK button.

High-precision, 49-zone metering system
The E-620's high-precision metering system covers the entire frame with 49 zones, assuring fast, accurate metering even in complex lighting situations with a wide range of light levels. Users can choose proprietary Olympus digital ESP (Electro Selective Pattern) metering, centre-weighted average metering, or spot metering. In addition, spot metering highlight and shadow control functions enable users to easily emphasize highlights or shadows if they want to capture whiter whites or blacker blacks.

Easy activation of shooting functions via sample image selection
5 scene program AE modes and 13 scene select AE modes are accessible via the Mode Dial, with LCD monitor display of sample images and settings options to enable fast, easy selection of the user's preferred choice.

Versatile bracketing functions for ISO, white balance, exposure, and flash
Four types of bracketing help users express themselves creatively and get the precise results they want even when shooting backlit subjects, night scenes, or other scenes where the correct exposure is difficult to determine, as well as when they are using multi-flash setups or want to exercise fine control over photographic expression. With a choice of ISO, white balance, exposure, and flash brightness bracketing, users can capture the image they want in virtually any situation.

Lightbox view with enlargement function for easy side-by-side comparison of images
A Lightbox function enables users to display 2 images side-by-side on the LCD monitor, and enlarge them to confirm fine details. As a result, users can easily compare subtle differences in facial expression and focusing sharpness, enabling them to determine on the spot which image is better.