The Olympus E-1 digital SLR camera will be released in Australia in October at a RRP of $3,499 for the body only (with battery and charger).

 

August 2003: The Olympus E-1 digital SLR camera will be released in Australia in October at a RRP of $3,499 for the body only (with battery and charger).
The E-1 is the first camera designed for the new Four Thirds System for interchangeable-lens digital SLR cameras, which was launched at Photokina 2002. The system establishes a common standard for interchangeable lens mounts to ensure that lenses and camera bodies are truly interchangeable. It is supported by Kodak and Fujifilm – but Olympus is the first manufacturer to bring a camera to market.

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Released concurrently with the camera body are four interchangeable lenses:

  • a 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 standard zoom lens (RRP $999) with an equivalent focal length to 28-108mm in 35mm format;
  • a 50mm f2 telephoto macro lens (RRP $999) that equates to a 100mm lens on a 35mm camera;
  • a 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 zoom lens (RRP $1,499) with an equivalent focal length to 100-400mm in 35mm format;
  • a 300mm f2.8 high-power telephoto lens (RRP $14,999) with an equivalent focal length to 600mm in 35mm format.

Other accessories that will be available at the same time include a 1.4x teleconverter lens (RRP $799), a dedicated FL-50 flash (RRP $849) and a power battery holder (RRP $1,199). Eyecups, focusing screens, a remote control unit, a remote control cable, a grip strap and a semi-hard case will also be available and Olympus has promised to add new lenses to its line-up in the months following the launch of the camera.
From the official launch date, Olympus Australia will operate a nationwide training scheme for photographers who buy the new camera system and introduce a 72-hour priority repair service plus a pro support line. A dedicated E-1 website will go online from October. Details can be obtained by phoning the Olympus customer service line on 1300 65 9678.