Updated 25 May, 2013, 6:56 pm IST

Olympus launches eight new compact cameras in India

13 Mar, 2013 | by Nishtha Kanal |

Olympus Imaging India launched eight new cameras across its Olympus Stylus brand in Mumbai today. With the launch of the cameras with varying capabilities across various price ranges, the company says that it is looking to define this newly emerging sector in imaging in India.

First up is the Stylus SH-50 compact digital camera that boasts of a 24x optical zoom lens and a 3-axis (still images) by 5-axis (movies) image stabilisation functionalities. It packs a large zoom range into a compact body, equal to that of large and heavy telephoto lenses on SLR cameras, for shooting everything from everyday scenery to concerts, sporting events and other scenes.

The SH-50, says the company, is an imaging powerhouse equipped with a 16 megapixel, high-sensitivity, high-speed Back Side Illuminated CMOS sensor and a high-performance TruePic image processing engine. The combination of these features makes iHS Technology possible for high-sensitivity, low-noise and high-speed AF.

Olympus launched a whole range of new compact cameras

The Stylus SH-16 compact digital camera packs a 24x, high-powered optical zoom lens and 16 megapixel CMOS sensor into a compact body for a camera that feels like an SLR. The camera comes with a 16 megapixel, high-sensitivity, high-speed CMOS sensor and a high-performance image processing engine. The combination of these features makes iHS Technology possible for high-sensitivity, low-noise and high-speed AF, quite like the SH-50.

Olympus also launched the Stylus TG-2 Tough compact digital camera. In addition to waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof capability, this compact digital camera has a high-speed f2.0 lens, high-speed GPS and iHS Technology for a full-featured model that is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The second edition of the flagship model, the TG-2’s waterproof capability has improved from a tolerance of 12 m to 15 m, drop/shockproof to 2.1 m, and freezeproof to -10 degrees C. TG-2 is also equipped with a bright, high-speed lens that makes shooting at faster shutter speeds possible.

The company further launched three cameras in the VG series – VG-165, VG-180 and VG-190. The VG-165 and VG-180 cameras pack a 5x optical zoom lens into a slim, compact body for simple, high-quality photos and movies. The Stylus V series cameras boast of a range of features into a slim body, designed specifically to take easy, beautiful photos for users who are somewhat unfamiliar with digital cameras.

The VG-180 is equipped with a 16 megapixel CCD and the VG-165 is equipped with a 14 megapixel CCD. These sensors enable simple shooting of high-quality photos and movies. With AUTO mode, the camera instantly detects the shooting conditions and sets the optimal mode just by pointing the camera at a subject. These models are also equipped with the popular Magic Filter. Users can simply select a filter to give a slightly different flair to their photographs.

The VG-190 is loaded with features such as a high-intensity flash for shooting in dark indoor locations, a 26 mm wide angled 5x optical (10x at Super Resolution) zoom lens and iAUTO. The VG-190 has a higher-intensity flash than equipped on most compact digital cameras and also comes with Long Flash mode, enabling the light from the flash to reach even further. It is also equipped with a 16 megapixel CCD sensor and HD movie shooting function.

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Finally, Olympus announced two compact cameras in the X series – the XZ-2 and the XZ-10. The XZ-2 is Olympus’ flagship model, boasting a bright f1.8-2.5, large-diameter, 4x optical zoom i.Zuiko digital lens, along with the world's first hybrid control ring.

With the combination of the newly developed 1/1.7 type back-illuminated CMOS sensor on the large-diameter lens and the SLR image processing engine TruePic VI, the XZ-2 achieves the highest image quality of any Olympus compact digital camera, claims the company. The back-illuminated CMOS sensor was newly developed to take advantage of the bright f2.5 setting at the telephoto end of the lens, says the company. The 1/1.7 type sensor is larger than the sensors of most compact digital cameras, according to Olympus, providing an advantage in image quality.

The XZ-10, on the other hand, comes with a high speed, high-quality i.Zuiko Digital 5x optical zoom lens and functions such as the new Photo Story for expanding photographic expressions. The control ring and Touch AF Shutter made popular on the XZ-2 are also available on the XZ-10.

The S and V series of compact cameras will be available immediately, the company says, while the T and X series will take a while to hit the shelves. Here is the price list for th newest Olympus cameras:

Stylus VG-165: Rs 5,490
Stylus VG-180: Rs 5,990
Stylus VG-190: Rs 8,490
Stylus SZ-16: Rs 14,990
Stylus SH-50: Rs 22,990
Stylus TG-2: Rs 22,990
Stylus XZ-2: Rs 31,990
Stylus XZ-10: Rs 24,990