leadpic_Olympus_E-30
November 5, 2008: Olympus will add a new Four Thirds System DSLR camera to its line-up early next year, filling the gap between its E-3 and E-520 models.
Designed for photo enthusiasts and high-end amateur photographers, the new E-30 model is the first in a series of ‘double-digit’ cameras that will offer a step-up from the ‘three-digit’ entry-level models and the professional ‘single-digit’ camera. The focus of the new model is on creativity and it will come with a suite of Art Filters that allow users to add a variety of ‘special effects’ to JPEG images captured by the new camera. The following six Art Filters are offered:
– Pop Art ““ Intensifies colours and creates strong, vibrant images.
– Soft Focus ““ Softens subject detail, providing a classic, soft filter look
– Pale Light & Colour ““ Utilises a muted colour palette to create a light image feel
– Light Tone ““ Subdues highlights and shadows to create the appearance of soft lighting
– Grainy Film ““ Recreates the rich, grainy look and tonality of high contrast black & white film photography
– Pin Hole ““ Reproduces the peripheral vignetting and unique colour tone of photos taken with a toy camera.
Olympus_E-30_angled-front_sml
Front view of the new Olympus E-30.
The E-30 features a new LiveMOS sensor with 12.3 megapixels effective resolution. It also introduces a new TruePic III+ image processor that supports burst speeds of up to five frames/second. Features-wise, the new model sits between the E-3 and E-520. It has the same top panel LCD status display as the E-3 and the same image stabilisation system (which works with all lenses and provides three levels of stabilisation plus up to 5 f-stops advantage over unstabilised cameras ). The E-30 also has the same 11-point AF system as the E-3 – with full twin cross sensors. The system is 50% more sensitive than the sensor in the entry-level models with a range of -2Ev to +19EV over all points.
Both ORF.RAW and JPEG file formats are supported in the E-30, along with simultaneous RAW+JPEG recording. Raw files are losslessly compressed by 65%. The new camera also supports the standard full auto, P, A, S and M shooting modes and adds 11 Scene presets plus five Creative modes. The camera can also identify newer lenses and set AF points accordingly. Details of up to 20 lenses can be stored in the camera. Fine-tuning of exposure levels is available in 1/6EV steps across +/- 1EV in all shooting modes, in addition to the standard exposure compensation range.
The tilting/swivelling LCD monitor is the same 2.7-inch screen as in the E-520 and offers 230,000 pixel resolution plus a wide viewing angle. Live View shooting capabilities are also essentially the same as the E-520, with the addition of a new Live View Perfect Shot preview function that provides 4-in-1 screen previews of exposure compensation settings. Users can zoom in on displayed shots up to 10 times to check focus and depth-of-field. Face Detection for up to eight human faces is also available in Live View mode as well as in playback zoom. A new multi-exposure mode enables users to composite up to three images in Live View mode (including raw shots).
Olympus_E-30_rear-w-monitor
The dual-axis variable-angle HyperCrystal II LCD monitor provides great shooting flexibility.
The viewfinder provides 98% field-of-view coverage plus 1.02x magnification. It includes an all glass prism but is 50% lighter than the E-3’s finder. A new Level Gauge in the finder provides pitch and yaw information in the viewfinder, Live View display and top LCD, allowing users to ensure horizons are level in all shots. Like other E-series DSLRs , the E-30 supports multi-aspect recording. However, the new model offers more options than its predecessors. As well as the standard 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 formats, users can select 6:6, 4:5, 6:7 and 6:5 aspect ratios and the selected aspect crop is shown in Live View, although not in the viewfinder.
The E-30 accepts the same battery grip as the E-3, allowing users to shoot with AA alkaline or NiMH batteries. Released concurrently with the new camera is the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II lens, which has multi-coated optics and a circular aperture and supports new Live View AF capability. Covering a focal length range equivalent to 28-108mm in 35mm format, it offers close focusing to 22 cm throughout the zoom range. This lens will be offered with the new camera body when it is released in January. Splash- and dust-proof sealing is provided, enabling the lens to withstand hard professional use.
Olympus_14-54mm-lens
The new Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II zoom lens.
Pricing and actual release dates for the E-30 and lens have still to be finalised. For more information, visit www.olympus.com.au.
SPECIFICATIONS
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Product type
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Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system
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Memory
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CompactFlash Type I/II (UDMA), Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot)
Number of recordable pictures
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Screen size
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17.3 mm (H) x 13.0 mm (V)
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Lens mount
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Four Thirds mount
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No. of effective pixels
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12.3 megapixels
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Product type
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4/3″ High-Speed Live MOS Sensor
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Total no. of pixels
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Approx. 13,100,000 pixels
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Aspect ratio
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1.33 (4:3)
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Dust Reduction System
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Supersonic Wave Filter (dust reduction system for image sensor)
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Recording format
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DCF, DPOF compatible / Exif, PRINT Image Matching III
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File format
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RAW (12-bit lossless compression), JPEG, JPEG+RAW
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Recording image size
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[RAW] 4032 x 3024 pixels
[JPEG] 4032 x 3024 pixels – 640 x 480 pixels
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Viewfinder
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Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder
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Field of view
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Approx. 98%
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Viewfinder magnification
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Approx. 1.02x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity)
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Eye point
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Approx. 24.2mm (-1m-1)
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Diopter adjustment range
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-3.0 – +1.0m-1
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Focusing screen
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Fixed, Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen
(Interchangeable; FS-3 Focusing Screen is available at an Olympus authorised service centre.)
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Eyepiece shutter
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EPC-1 Eyepiece Cover (included)
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Live View
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Live MOS Sensor, 100% field of view, Exposure compensation pre-view, White balance adjustment preview, Gradation auto preview, Face detection preview,Perfect shot preview, MF/S-AF possible, 5x/7x/10x magnification possible*1
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Display
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Grid line, AF frame, AF point, Shooting information, Histogram, IS mode
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Optical preview (viewfinder)
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Available with preview button
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Live preview
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Available (when registered to Fn button)
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System
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Built-in (Imager sensor shift type image stabilization)
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Mode
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3 modes (I.S.1, I.S.2, I.S.3)
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Focal length setting
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Available
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Effective compensation range
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Max. approx. 5 EV steps (depends on the lens type and shooting conditions)
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Product type
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HyperCrystal II LCD (semi-transmissive TFT colour LCD)
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Size
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2.7 inches, Approx. 230,000 dots
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Playback field of view
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100%
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Brightness control
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15 levels
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Colour temperature control
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15 levels
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AF system
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TTL phase-difference detection AF, High-speed imager AF
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Focus mode
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Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF
(C-AF/C-AF+MF not available with the High-speed Imager AF)
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Focusing point
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11-points-full twin cross sensor (TTL phase-difference detection), 11 areas
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Focusing point selection
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All target, Dynamic-single target, Single target (TTL phase-difference AF) / Single, All, Face Detection (High-Speed Imager AF)
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AF luminance range
(TTL phase-difference AF)
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EV -2 – 19 (at 20 °C, ISO 100)
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AF illuminator
(TTL phase-difference AF)
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Built-in flash (flash-off mode and extern flash available)
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AF lock
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Locked at first position of Shutter button in Single AF mode / AFL button (customizable)
(AF lock available with AFL button on Live View)
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Focus tracking
(TTL phase-difference AF)
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Interlocked with Continuous AF mode
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Focus aid
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Available
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AF fine adjust
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±20 steps (settings for up to 20 lenses can be registered)
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Metering system (TTL open-aperture metering system)
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(1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering)
(2) Centre weighted average metering
(3) Spot metering
(4) Spot with Highlight control
(5) Spot with Shadow control
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Metering range
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EV 1 – 20 (at normal temperature, 50mm f2, ISO 100)
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Exposure mode
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(1) AUTO
(2) P: Programme AE (Programme shift can be performed)
(3) A: Aperture priority AE
(4) S: Shutter priority AE
(5) M: Manual
(6) Scene programme AE
(7) Scene select AE
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Scene program AE
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Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night+Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama (available with the Olympus xD-Picture Card), Fireworks, Beach & Snow
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ISO sensitivity
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Auto / Manual (ISO 100 – 3200) (selectable in 1/3 or 1 EV steps)
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Exposure compensation
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±5 EV (selectable in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps)
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AE lock
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Locked at first position of Shutter button / AEL button (customizable)
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Exposure bracketing
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3 or 5 frames in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 EV steps selectable
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ISO bracketing
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3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable
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Exposure reference adjust
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±1 EV range selectable in 1/6 EV steps
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Auto white balance
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Hybrid detection system with High-Speed Live MOS Sensor and dedicated external sensor
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Preset white balance
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8 settings (3000K – 7500K)
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One-touch white balance
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1 setting can be registered
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Custom white balance
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1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K – 14000K)
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White balance compensation
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±7 steps in each A-B / G-M axis (in Auto/Preset/One-touch WB mode)
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White balance bracketing
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3 frames in 2/4/6 steps selectable in each A-B / G-M axis
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Colour matrix
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sRGB, Adobe RGB
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Mode
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Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monotone, Custom (default setting: Natural)
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Adjustment parameter
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Contrast and Sharpness level available in 5 steps for each mode /Saturation level available in 5 steps for Vivid, Natural, Muted or Portrait /Gradation level available in 4 steps for Custom
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Filter effect
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Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone
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Picture tone
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Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone
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Gradation
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4 settings (Auto, High key, Normal, Low key) available
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Product type
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Computerized focal-plane shutter
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Shutter speed
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AUTO mode: 2 – 1/8000 sec., P(Ps)/A/S/M mode: 60 – 1/8000 sec. (Bulb: available)
(selectable in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps)
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Self-timer
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Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available)
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Remote cable release
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Available with optional RM-UC1 Remote Cable (bulb control also available)
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Remote control
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Available with optional RM-1 Remote Control (bulb control also available)
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Anti shock mode
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Available (selectable from 1 to 30 sec.)
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Drive mode
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Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer, Remote control
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Sequential shooting speed
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H mode: Approx. 5 frames/sec., L mode: 1 to 4 frames/sec. selectable
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Flash control mode
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TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual
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Built-in flash
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Retractable flash (auto pop-up type), GN=18 (ISO200), GN=13 (ISO100)
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Flash mode
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Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync. (1st curtain), Fill-in, Slow sync. (1st curtain), Slow sync. (2nd curtain), Manual (Full, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64), Off
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Synchronization speed
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1/250 sec. or less (Super FP: 1/125 – 1/8000 sec.)
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Flash intensity control
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Up to ±3 EV in 0.3, 0.5 or 1 EV steps selectable
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Flash bracketing
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3 frames in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable
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Compatible external flash
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FL-50R, FL-36R
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Control method
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Triggered and controlled by built-in flash light (Olympus Wireless RC Flash system compatible)
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Flash control mode
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TTL Auto, Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual
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Number of channel
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4 channels
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Number of group
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3 groups
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Mode
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Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Colour, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole
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Number of frames
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Up to 4 frames
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Multi-exposure function
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Auto gain control, Live View, Playback (RAW) + Multi-exposure
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Aspect ratio
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4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 6:6, 5:4, 7:6, 6:5, 7:5, 3:4
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Detection
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2-axis
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Display
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Rear LCD monitor, Viewfinder, Control panel
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Playback modes
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Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25/49/100 frames), Calendar, Close-up (2 – 14x), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available), Light box
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Information display
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Histogram (independent luminance/RGB available), Highlight/Shadow point warning, AF frame, Photographic information, Off
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My mode
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2 settings can be registered
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Reset
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2 settings can be registered
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Erasing function
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Single frame, all frames, selected frames (with protect function)
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Copy between media
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Single frame, all frames, selected frames
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RAW picture editing
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RAW development
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JPEG editing
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Gradation auto, Monotone, Sepia, Red-eye fix, Saturation, Resize, Trimming, Aspect
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Picture composition
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Up to 4 frames, Gain compensation available (0.1 – 2.0)
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Print function
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Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print (PictBridge compatible)
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PC interface
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USB 2.0 Hi-Speed for storage and camera control
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USB/Video connector
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Dedicated multi-connector (Video: NTSC/PAL selectable, optional RM-UC1 Remote Cable available)
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Flash attachment
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Hot shoe, External flash connector (x attachment)
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Power
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DC-input (optional AC-1)
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Battery
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BLM-1 Li-ion Battery (included)
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Sleep mode
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Available (after 1, 3, 5, 10 min. selectable)
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Power Battery Holder
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Optional HLD-4 available
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Dimensions
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141.5 mm (W) x 107.5 mm (H) x 75 mm (D) (excluding protrusions)
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Weight
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Approx. 655 g (body only)
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