NEWS RELEASE

AUGUST 10, 2009

THE OLYMPUS µTOUGH-6010
CONTINUES TO BREAK NEW GROUND

Having won international recognition for being the first brand in the industry to introduce a digital camera with waterproof, shockproof and freeze proof features, Olympus now rolls out its latest, the μTOUGH-6010, that promises reliable, high-quality shooting under conditions that ordinary cameras would be unable to perform sufficiently well.

In whatever severe conditions or adverse situations, even on top of Mount Everest, Olympus’ technology guarantees great results, giving users the opportunity to expand their enjoyment of photography. What’s more, a record-setting 3.5 million units of the µTOUGH series have been sold since it was first introduced in 2006.

The new μTOUGH-6010 inherits the proven super-tough structure of its predecessor. It is waterproof to a depth of 10 feet (3 metres), dustproof to keep out sand and dirt, shockproof against drop impacts from as high as 5 feet(1.5 metres), and freeze-proof at temperatures as low as -10°C. But behind its strong, tough exterior, this new digital camera is surprisingly sophisticated, offering outstanding imaging power of a 12-megapixel CCD as well as four Magic Filter effects.

A total of four filter effects are available. The first feature – POP for example enhances colours to turn familiar landscapes into a more vivid, colourful world; PIN HOLE, which reduces peripheral brightness as if one is looking through a pin hole; SKETCH, which transforms the image as seen by the human eye into line drawing; and FISH-EYE, which reproduces the dramatic perspectives captured with a fish-eye lens. Besides being viewed on the LCD screen, these filter effects can also be compared simultaneously using the “Compare Shot” function.

The HyperCrystal III LCD monitor provides maximum brightness and a wide viewing angle of over 160 degrees. Its ‘triple coating’ protects it against reflections, scratches and moisture, ensuring comfortable shooting with an improved view even under the bright glare of a ski slope or the murky darkness of underwater. In addition, the colour panel on the front is treated with a scratch-cure coating that self-repairs minor scratches produced in daily use to help protect the camera’s beautiful finish for an extended period.

The lens is a 3.6x optical zoom lens with wide-angle shooting capability from 28mm, this being suitable for wide landscape and group photos as well as underwater shooting with a narrow angle of view. The image stabilisation mechanism is based on the CCD shifting method. Together with high-sensitivity shooting, it can minimise the image blur due to camera shake or subject movement and frees the user from having to worry about image stabilisation in difficult shooting conditions outdoors or while shooting underwater when diving and snorkelling.

Furthermore, the camera uses a 12-megapixel CCD and Olympus-original TruePic III image processing engine to photograph high-quality, high-definition images. This model comes in three different colours of red, turquoise blue and dark grey, and is retailing at RM1,199.

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Main Feature Details:

1. Toughness functions including waterproof, shockproof and freeze proof in a stylish body
   
   Waterproof to a depth of 3 metres, this dustproof camera is perfect for the poolside or the beach. It can even be safely used while participating in water sports such as surfing or water skiing. The camera’s rigid structure has been drop-tested to a height of 1.5 metres, ensuring that it can stand up to the shocks and impacts it may encounter during outdoor activity or camping, and can be handled safely by children. And, with operation guaranteed in environments as cold as -10°C, this camera is equally suited for winter sports like skiing and mountaineering. Ready to stand up to just about anything including water, sand, dirt, impact and cold, this camera is the ideal all-season, all-purpose camera.
   
   
2. New Magic Filter for more creative expression and Beauty Mode for more attractive human faces
   
   Specially designed to expand the potential of digital photography, the new Magic Filter exploits image processing technology to turn scenes of everyday life into extraordinary images that are distinctive and compelling. Simple to operate, Magic Filter makes it easy for users to apply a colour tone or ambience to an image that is dramatically different from that which is actually visible in real life.
   
   A total of four filter effects are available: POP, which enhances colours to turn familiar landscapes into more vivid, colourful world; PIN HOLE, which reduces peripheral brightness as if looking through a pin hole; SKETCH, which transforms the image as seen by human eyes into a line drawing, and FISH-EYE, which reproduces the dramatic perspectives captured with a fish-eye lens. These filter effects cannot only be confirmed on the LCD screen, but can also be compared simultaneously using the “Compare Shot” function.
   
   The popular Beauty Mode function is also incorporated in this model. During shooting, Beauty Mode enhances human skin to give it a smoother, softer texture with less noticeable flecks and fine wrinkles. During editing of recorded images, the Beauty Makeup function can make human faces livelier, by enlarging the eyes and/or enhancing the light entering the pupil to give an effect like eye catch lights. Three levels of compensation are possible so the user can select the desired level during editing. And thanks to the Face & Back Control function, human faces can be rendered brighter, more beautiful and more natural without altering the background brightness.
   
   
3. Rugged 2.7-inch HyperCrystal III LCD that is easy to view even in outdoors and features a tough surface structure with Scratch-Cure Coating
   
   The LCD monitor has a wide angle of view of over 160 degrees and enables accurate framing even when the camera is held at a very low or high angle. When images are played back, they can easily be viewed by several people standing around the camera. The high contrast and wide colour gamut renders images beautifully from true blacks to vivid colour tones. The brightness is twice the previous model at 1000 cd (candelas)/m2, which makes it possible to confirm the subjects on the LCD even under daylight.
   
   In addition, the LCD panel surface is protected against reflections, moisture and scratches by a Triple Coating. The special coating reducing reflections even under strong daylight, the hard coating gives protection against scratches and the water-repellent coating repelling water improves the visibility in both recording and playback, making the camera ideal for active outdoor use from skiing in the winter to underwater shooting in the summer.
   
   The colour panel on the front is protected by Scratch-Cure Coating, which removes minor scratches on the body surface over time to help protect the camera’s beautiful finish over a long period, while at the same time as making the camera a more care-free portable part of daily life.
   

Other Features

• Dual Image Stabilization to prevent picture blur caused by camera shake and subject movement using the CCD-shift image stabilization mechanism and high-sensitivity shooting
  
• iAUTO (Intelligent Auto) function that analyzes the current scene and optimizes camera settings automatically
  
• Tap Control function that enables the camera control by tapping the camera body
  
• Internal battery charging function that allows direct connection of the in-body charging AC adapter to the camera without opening the battery compartment cover
  
• In-body panorama composition function that allows you to shoot a panorama picture by simply panning the camera as guided
  
• One-Touch Light that is useful in framing under low light
  
• OR (Olympus Recommend) button for immediate access to useful functions such as Panorama shooting and Perfect Shot
  
• Optional PT-047 Underwater Case for underwater shooting at depths up to 40 metres
  
• A variety of scene modes including underwater-dedicated modes
  
• Colour Universal Design certified for the easy-to-view design regardless of the individual differences in the sense of colours
  
• MASD-1 microSD attachment provided to enable recording and playback to/from microSD and microSDHC Cards