Where Google Glass counts photography as one of its abilities, with the display used at other times to show notifications, navigation directions, and other information, Olympus’ wearable would be much more focused. Rather than trading some clarity for transparency, as Glass has done, the Olympus eyepiece would use a moveable shutter which could selectively block out external light and so provide the sort of clear, virtual large-screen display necessary for accurately reviewing shots.

The camera section would use a vibration sensor, Olympus suggests in its filing, to decide whether it could trigger the eyepiece functionality. By having the display right in front of your eye, it suggests, blurry or fast movements from the camera could lead to discomfort if piped through to the display all the time.

Instead, it’s only when the camera is held still – as you would when framing a shot – that the display kicks into camera mode. By splitting the parts up, the camera itself could be lighter and more easily pocketed.

It also means greater flexibility in how photos can be framed, Olympus suggests. Shots could be taken from above the photographer’s head, or from below, or the side, while still allowing for a clear preview. Meanwhile multiple sequential shots – such as panning to shoot several images of a moving subject – could be taken by only moving the camera, allowing the photographer to stay still and more stable.

This isn’t the first time Olympus has flirted with wearable tech. Last year, the company revealed a more direct Google Glass competitor, the MEG4.0, a head-mounted computer which could be used as a remote display for a Bluetooth-tethered smartphone. Another recently published patent application, Egami reports, shows a more glasses-like headset with greater flexibility for adjustment than Google’s version, as well as a mounting point for a camera.

The “unconverged camera” approach is more specific than the MEG4.0, but arguably more applicable to Olympus’ core audience. Whether it will ever spawn a production model remains to be seen, however, though it’s entirely possible that a somewhat hacked-together version using something like the MEG4.0 or indeed Glass could be assembled using a head-mounted display as a remote screen for a wirelessly-enabled camera.

VIA: 43 Rumors

So not only are we testing the camera capabilities of these three devices, but you’ll also get an exclusive look at NVIDIA‘s Android game-console doubling as a remote as it controls and flies the Parrot AR Drone. Talk about gadget overload. There’s a lot of different needs that come to mind when someone decides on a smartphone or camera, and here we’ll be showing three different options, as well as their pros and cons.

Obviously with the HTC One you’ll get full 1080p video capture using their Ultrapixel camera one the smartphone. Which is an experience that these days everyone is pretty familiar with. Flip on the camera and aim your smartphone at the subject. This is convenient, but then this is also where Google Glass just takes things up a notch. You’ll enjoy nearly the same video experience, only completely hands-free. Everyone has mixed feelings about Google Glass, but being able to record demo videos for you guys, hands-on video, unboxings and more without a tripod and just using Glass is quite nice.

Google Glass in a way has opened up an entire new experience and way we easily and quickly record video. Yes you can attach a GoPro to your chest, but this is different. Below you’ll see three videos. The first being a quick demo of the NVIDIA SHIELD recorded by Google Glass. The second will be with the HTC One. Then the third will be a back-and-forth video in a different setting comparing Glass to something like the Olympus OM-D camera.

Google Glass 720p video capture

As mentioned above, the simple and hands-free experience using Glass is nice, but you’ll instantly notice the video is a little jerky at times. Here’s where there are both pros and cons. Glass video is hands-free, easy to do, and convenient but you’ll have to learn to hold that head of yours still. It takes some getting use to, and you might want to use hand gestures instead of turning your head, or moving it at all.

Then with Glass you only get 720p video capture on that 5 megapixel lens, but the quality is pretty excellent. You’ll also notice just how wide the video is compared to the HTC One video below. Pay attention to colors, brightness, and even audio levels.

HTC One 720p video capture

To be fair we recorded this on 720p as well, just like Glass, and right away you’ll notice the stability. Some image stabilization could help Glass, but it will only do so much. In general we’re all familiar with recording video through our phones, and as a result, the end product is clear, crisp, and not all over the place. The HTC One video capture handled the changing light outdoors better, and overall the colors and contrast we’re pretty even. You will however notice the audio capture on Glass wasn’t very good, and it was much clearer from the HTC One.

Last but not least the third video we wanted to toss in for good measure has the Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera capturing some moments with NVIDIA SHIELD, then it switches to Google Glass. This might be harder to follow, but we had our head and Glass on NVIDIA as they explained SHIELD, then our Olympus OM-D on the product. So each time you see SHIELD it’s through a dedicated camera, and the rest is shot with Google Glass.

While this last video isn’t quite something you can “compare” it does however show you another set of options and opportunity with Glass. Being able to record the same situation and demo simultaneously, without having 3 arms. There’s obviously advantages and disadvantages from each, but we wanted to give you the video and let you decide.

Does the loss of 1080p capture and slightly lower audio quality throw you off, or does the convenience and endless opportunity to record with Glass make it worth the trade off? You won’t all be recording with two devices, but what about the Father holding a child in one hand, yet still capturing his daughters soccer game at the same time? That is just one example, but a good one.

Okay, okay, just get a tripod and shoot video with that Olympus instead. Like we said, pros and cons. Since Glass isn’t evenly remotely close to being consumer ready, we won’t talk about price, but that will obviously be another factor later on. So what do you guys think about it. Does the opportunity and ease of recording with Glass give it a leg up on cameras and smartphones? Not to mention you can do it all by voice, or will you still opt for a dedicated camera? These are just a few small examples of the many, but we wanted to share it with you all. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Olympus has made an effort to point out the similarities between this new PEN E-P5 and what’s considered their premier Micro Four Thirds camera – the Olympus OM-D E-M5. We had our own review of said camera back when it was unveiled this past summer, experiencing the features carried over to this new model: the sensor (mentioned above), FAST AF, and the 5-Axis Image Stabilization (also mentioned above).

The autofocus system in the E-P5 was developed in part in the OM-D E-M5, powering a new Super Spot AF feature which Olympus says is more precise than phase-difference autofocus systems across the board. This system also works with Focus Peaking, “dramatically” improving the usability of any manual focus action you’ll be working with by taking the point of focus and emphasizing its contours in black or white. We’ll see how that works in our first hands-on tests.

The 5-Axis Image Stabilization system has been updated since its first appearance on the OM-D E-M5, here appearing in a more compact form, small enough to fit inside the E-P5. This system can be used to reduce camera shaking while you’re taking photos or, in combination with this unit’s Multi-motion IS feature, helps to create a stable image while recording video.

The PEN E-P5′s wifi system allows the user to wirelessly connect to their smartphone at will. Bringing up the camera’s built-in automatically generated QR-code on its LCD display, the user will be automatically connected to the camera’s wifi network with a quick scan of said QR-code with their smartphone. From there, users will be able to work with the app Olympus Image Share 2.0 for smartphone control, remote viewfinder, and GPS information embeds.

The E-P5 works with several features the photographer may have otherwise needed off-camera software or hardware to recreate, starting with Photo Story+. This feature allows the user to automatically plant a stamp or hand-written signature into each photo they take, this allowing them to upload images automatically with Olympus Image Share 2.0 worry-free. With a signature on top of the photo right out of the gate, sharing with the world can be done in one less step than without this process.

The back of the E-P5 has a tilt-type LCD panel able to be aimed downward at 50-degrees and upward at 80-degrees, allowing for holds low and high. Users also have the option of working with this device’s high-definition VF-4 viewfinder with 1.48x magnification on an LCD with real-time eye detection.

Lenses for the E-P5 include every unit inside the Micro Four Thirds family and, as per usual, there are several versions of this device coming out – some with a lens, some without. There’s a body-only version appearing this month for an estimated street price of $999.99 in black, silver, or white (each of these shown above). Meanwhile there will be just black or silver bodies available for the $1449.99 version of the device, this package bringing with it the black M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 lens and VF-4 Electronic Viewfinder lens.

According to the various leaks and sources, the Olympus E-P5 will be offered to consumers in three varieties: black, white, and silver. The cameras will feature 17mm, 45mm, and 75mm offerings, and a shutter speed as fast as 1/8000th of a second. In addition, the specs are pointing at some improved features over the previous E-M5 digital camera.

Image stabilization is said to be new and improved, offering 5-axis stabilization with an IS-Auto mode, which allows for improved stabilization over the E-M5, as well as better auto focus and all-around clearer photographs. Under the hood, users will find a TruePic VI engine for image processing, as well as the E-M5′s 16-megapixel image sensor.

There is said to be focus peaking and a 5-frames-per-second shooting burst mode for rapid image capture. The display, which you can see in the gallery below, is on a hinge and can be tilted. And a feature that is beloved by many, the E-P5 is also said to offer integrated Wi-Fi for easy image transfer, possibly as well as remote display viewing and remote control of the device. Word has it we’ll be hearing something official on May 9th or 10th.

[via 4/3 Rumors]

The Olympus VH-520 offers a 14-megapixel CMOS sensor, and utilizes the TruePic V processor, which was first developed for use in digital SLR cameras. Zoom is fairly high at 10x optical zoom with a digital boost to 20x, and image stabilization is achieved in the form of lens-shift. ISO range goes up to 6400, and there’s HDR Backlight Adjustment. The display is a cool 3-inches.

There are also a some decent video recording specs to talk about, including the ability to record in full high definition, as well as High Speed Movie mode, which provides slow motion playback. For sharp videos, there’s also a Multi-motion Move IS mode, and audio is recorded in stereo to provide a soundtrack that is the same quality as its full HD video counterpart.

Finally, images and video can be edited with Magic Filters, which are presets available for photographers to apply effects to recorded and saved content a la Instagram and other similar popular photography apps. The Olympus VH-520 compact digital camera will be available in red, purple, blue, black, and brown in April for €149.99.

[via Olympus]

The Olympus Stylus XZ-10 features a 5x, f/1.8 – 2.5, 26mm to 130mm i.ZUIKO Digital optical zoom lens. The lens is treated with what Olympus calls its ZERO – which stands for ZUIKO Extra-low Reflection Optical – coating. This coating is inteded to reduce both flares and ghosting by halfing reflectivity. There’s a 3-inch, 920k TFT display, dual image stabilization, 5x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom, and a 12-megapixel sensor.

There’s a Super Macro mode that allows macro images to be taken as close as 1 centimeter, as well as an ND filter for exposure control. Videos can be recorded in slow-motion at 240fps/432 x 324 resolution, in 720p at 120fps and 720p widescreen at 30fps, and full 1080p HD at 30fps. Videos are recorded in MOV format (H.264 MPEG).

In the age of smartphones and Instagram, it’s not surprising that Olympus has also included both filters and what it calls Photo Story on the XZ-10. Photo Story allows users to take several images and combine them into one, hence telling a story with images. The photo filters include 5 art effect and 11 art filters. As can be seen in the image above, the camera will also be available with a vine-like design, presumably also aimed at the artistic among us.

The Stylus XZ-10 will be available in late February in black, white, and brown; price not yet specified.

[via Olympus Global]

This lens will be shipping in March of 2013 and will have its own unique (and optional) hood (LH-61E), case (LSC-0918), and protection filter (PRF-D58 PRO). Combined with the fabulous Olympus OM-D and its 5axis IS, you’ll be working with no less than what Olympus tags as hand-held super zoom shooting – capture the Birds of Paradise with ease. The images you see above and below are connected to the OM-D as well – bask in the lovely glow of this hot combination.

This lens has a 16 – 4.1 degree angle of view, 18 lens throughout it in 13 groups including a Super ED lens, 2ED lenses, and 3 HR lenses, and its all works as micro four-thirds system standard – connect at will. The focal length of 75-300mm on this beast is equivalent to a 35mm 150-600mm, and you’ll find that the closest focusing distance you’re going to get is 0.9m – that’s with 75mm focal length. When you’re outside of a 75mm focal length, you’ll be focusing in at 1.5m at least.

The maximum aperture on this amalgamation of photography excellence is f4.8 at 75mm and f6.7 at 300mm, while the minimum aperture is always f22. The diameter you’re working with for filters is 58mm while the actual final size of the lens is 69 (diameter) x 116.5mm, with a final weight at 423g. Inside the box you’re going to get a front Lens Cap (LC-58E), Lens Rear Cap (LR-2), and both an instructions manual and an Olympus Worldwide Warranty Card. This lens will be available in March of this year for an estimated price of $549.99 USD – get pumped up!

Stylus Tough TG-2 iHS

We’ll start with the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-2 iHS, which is for those who need a camera that will stand up to abuse but still takes good shots. Most times it seems you can’t have both, but that’s what Olympus is shooting for with the TG-2, offering a 12MP backlit CMOS sensor in a package that’s waterproof up to 50 feet, and if you feel like taking your camera diving, the cmaera includes a manometer that will keep track of your depth and warn you when you’re closing in on 50 feet.

Of course, a camera can’t exactly be called “tough” if it’s only waterproof, but thankfully the TG-2 is also crushproof up to 220 pounds, shockproof from heights of up to 6.6 feet, freezeproof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and dustproof. It also makes use of multi-motion movie image stabilization to create a smoother video regardless of movement while recording. As you can tell from the name of the camera, it boasts the iHS family of technologies to make it easier to snap pictures in less-than-favorable shooting conditions.

The TG-2 is capable of recording video in full HD, and it comes equipped with a TruePic
VI image processor and a high-speed f2.0 lens. The camera is also expandable, and supports both Olympus’ fisheye converter lens and teleconverter lens. The TG-2 comes in black or red, and sports a 4x optical zoom (which can go up to 14x zoom with the camera’s microscopic macro function), 8x super resolution zoom, and a 3-inch OLED screen around the back.

At $379.99, the TG-2 is the most expensive camera Olympus introduced today, so be prepared to plop down some cash if you want to take it home. Olympus says the TG-2 will be available starting in March.

BONUS: We had the chance to capture the rig that our kind Olympus host created to take macro photos with the TG-2 – have a quick peek here!

Stylus Tough TG-830 iHS

Next we come to the TG-830, which has more than a few things in common with its slightly more expensive brother, the TG-2. The TG-830 is waterproof like the TG-2, but only to 33 feet. It also happens to be shockproof up to 6.6 feet, crushproof up to 220 pounds, dustproof, and freezeproof, so you’re getting an extra rugged camera with this bad boy. It uses a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor, features a 3-inch LCD screen, and is capable of recording full HD video.

(Also pictured at the head of this article.)

With the TG-830, you’ve got features like HDR backlight adjustment, smart panorama, and high-speed sequential shooting, so Olympus is trying to make this camera easier to use in difficult conditions. You’ll be able to shoot HD video at 60fps thanks to 60i Movie from Olympus, while dual-image stabilization will do its part to make sure that image blur stays under control. You’ll also have a range of colors to choose from, including silver, black, red, and blue. This one is slightly cheaper than the TG-2, coming in with a price tag of $279.99. Like the TG-2, Olympus is planning to launch the TG-830 in March.

Stylus Tough TG-630 iHS

If you want the same kind of durability as the TG-830 but don’t want to spend quite so much, the TG-630 might be worth a look. Like the TG-830, this one is waterproof up to 16 feet, shockproof to 5.5 feet, freezeproof, and dustproof, so the only difference between the two is a lack of crushproofing in the TG-630. It actually has many of the same features as the TG-830 as well, including backlight adjustment and sequential shooting, along with TruePic VI image processing and full HD video functionality.

The TG-630 features a backlit sensor CMOS sensor and a number of ease of use features, including sequential shooting, backlit HDR, handheld starlight, and dual image stabilization. The TG-630 also features a number of “Magic Art Filters” that you can apply to photos and an HDMI port so you can hook it up to you TV to watch your videos and view your photos.

Note: the screen protector the device ships with is still on the device in this photo – the real deal is not quite so strange looking (glassy smooth).

Available in four different colors – blue, red, white, and black – the TG-630 sports a price tag of $199.99, which shouldn’t be too much for those looking for a decent camera on the cheap. Expect to see this guy hitting shelves in March.

Stylus SH-50MR iHS

Now it’s time to move away from the rough and tumble bunch and onto the Olympus Stylus SH-50MR iHS. Olympus promises that this one comes with “all the bells and whistles,” including 5-axis video stabilization and 3-axis image stabilization. You can use the camera’s photo-in-video feature along with the 16MP CMOS sensor to snap pictures while you’re recording HD video, which is a handy feature indeed. Like the TG-830, you’ll also have 60i Movie at your disposal, which lets you capture 60fps HD video.

You’ll have 24x optical zoom and 48x super resolution zoom to take advantage of here, and Olympus is shooting for increased ease-of-use with this camera as well, including features like hand-held starlight and HDR backlight adjustment. There’s also a 3-inch LCD touch screen around the back, which allows for easy image editing on the fly. Available in only white and black, the SH-50MR doesn’t feature the wide array of color options its brothers do, and at $299.99, you’ll have to make a pretty significant investment before you take one home. Like al of the other cameras introduced today, the SH-50MR should be hitting shelves in March.

Stylus SZ-16 iHS

Next we come to the Stylus SZ-16 iHS, which once again features a 16MP CMOS sensor. Many of the other talking points with the cameras introduced today are present in SZ-16, including 1080p video capabilities and multi-motion movie image stabilization. We’ve got 24x optical zoom and 48x super resolution zoom standard on this bad boy, along with a 25mm wide angle lens.

A 3-inch LCD screen has taken up residence on the back, and ease-of-use features out of the box include HDR backlight adjustment and high-speed sequential shooting. It sounds quite similar to some of the other cameras that were introduced today (including a March launch), but this one will only set you back $229.99. Something to consider if you’ve been on the lookout for a decent camera that isn’t going to break the bank.

Stylus SZ-15

Finally, we have the SZ-15, which is in very many ways a more affordable (and less feature-rich) SZ-16. You’ll be working with a 14MP CMOS sensor out of the box, which is upgradable to 16MP if you don’t mind parting with a little extra cash. This appears to be smaller than the other cameras we’ve seen today, though it only features 24x optical zoom. Super resolution zoom is available as an extra, so that kind of functionality won’t come standard.

We’re also getting a bit of a downgrade with the TruePic image processor, as this one is only a TruePic III+ rather than TruePic IV. The magic art filters we saw with the TG-630 are present in the SZ-15, as is a 3-inch LCD screen. At $199.99 and a March release window, the SZ-15 comes in three different colors: silver, red, and black.

So there you have it folks – Olympus announced quite the line up of cameras here at CES, so if you’ve been searching for a new snapper, one of these might be worth considering. We’re sure we’ll be hearing more about these cameras in the days and weeks to come, so keep an eye out for those details. Of course, we’ll have plenty more from CES 2013 coming up here at SlashGear, so stay here with us!

First up is the Stylus SH-50 iHS, the world’s first point and shoot with 5-axis video stabilization, as well as 3-axis stabilization for taking still images. Images and videos come out with exceptional clarity and sharpness, with blurs being virtually impossible to achieve. The unit can record full HD videos and 720p films at 120fps, as well as 240fps in HVGA resolution. The SH-50 iHS will be available in March for $299.99 in black and white.

Next is the Stylus Tough TG-830 iHS, a mid-range compact that can record video in full HD. The unit is waterproof to 33ft., shockproof from heights up to 6.6ft, crushproof up to 220lbs, freezeproof to 14F, and it has a dust-resistant body. The TG-830 iHS features a 16-megapixel back-side illuminated CMOS sensor and Truepic VI image processor. The camera can record high-speed video at 120 frames per second in 720p and 240 frames per second in HVGA resolution, along with High-Speed Sequential shooting of still images at the push of a button.

The Stylus Tough TG-630 is an entry level camera that is waterproof to 16ft, shockproof from heights up to 5.5ft, freezeproof to temperatures as low as 14F, and dustproof. The device features a Truepic VI image processor, a backlit CMOS sensor, high-speed sequential shooting, full HD 1080p video recording, dual-image stabilization, backlit HDR, Multi-Motion Movie Image Stabilization, and Hand-Held Starlight mode. It will be released in March for $199.99 in white, red, black, and blue.

The Stylus SZ-16 iHS is a super-compact long zoom camera with 24x optical wide-angle zoom optimized for movie making. The device features 1080p video recording, Multi-Motion Movie Image Stabilization, a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, the Truepic VI image processor, Hand-Held Starlight mode, HDR backlight adjustment, built-in dual image stabilization, Telephoto Macro mode, eleven Magic Filters, Smart Panorama, and Beauty Make-up mode. It will be available in March for $229.99 in silver and white.

The Stylus SZ-15 is very similar to the SZ-16, likewise a super compact long zoom with 24x optical wide-angle zoom. There’s built-in dual image stabilization, Telephoto Macro, eleven Magic Filters, Smart Panorama, and Beauty Make-up mode. The camera will be available in March for 199.99 in silver, black, and red.

Finally, there’s the Stylus Tough TG-2, Olympus’ latest flagship camera offering full HD video recording. The device is waterproof to 50ft, shockproof from heights of 6.6ft, freezeproof to 14F, crushproof to 220lbs, dustproof, with a high-sensitivity, high-speed 12-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor. Users get DSLR image quality via the Truepic VI image processor; there’s a Microscopic Macro function, and the unit can shoot five frames per second at full resolution and 60fps at 3-megapixels. Features Multi-Motion Movie Image Stabilization and HDR backlight adjustment. Available in March for $379.99.

That implies a mirrorless setup, as per Olympus’ current PEN-series cameras, though Garcia declined to say whether that would be the case. It’s also not specified whether it would slot into the PEN range, the OM-D line-up, or a new family.

According to Garcia, development of the new camera was not prompted by modular cameras from Panasonic or others, but instead as an attempt to give owners a clear upgrade path. That way, those with either existing Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds lenses would be able to use them on the same camera body, rather than having to sell them and re-invest in a new set.

What it isn’t, however, is a new Four Thirds E-7, Garcia says. According to DSLRmagazine, it’s been in development since 2009 under the codename “Kasei” and with a clandestine thirteen-strong team involved.

[via 43 Rumors]

The lens is constructed mostly from metal parts and features the same Snapsnot Focus mechanism with a distance indicator as already seen on the premium 12mm lens, which allows for easy pan focusing with the built-in distance indicator. Extra-low reflection optical coatings were also applied to the lens to help reduce lens flare and ghosting, even when shooting against the light.

The focus ring on the new lens can be used to quickly snap between manual- and auto-focus modes, and sliding the ring back reveals range markings on the lens barrel that include distance and depth-of-field scales, which act as useful guides when optimizing the focal distance. There’s also a high Refractive index lens to help reduce aberrations.

The lens measures less than two inches long, which makes it compact and easy to carry around. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.8 lens will be priced at around $500, and should be available sometime next month. A release date and price in the UK is still yet to be determined by Olympus.

Hardware

This camera measures in at 113 x 65.4 x 48mm (without protrusions) and weighs 346g (including battery and memory card), coming with an exchangable grip that’ll be provided with accessories sooner than later and a lovely removable clip up top for your microphone, bright lamp, or whatever else you want to jam into it. There’s also a pop-up flash light that you can trigger with a physical switch or allow you pop up automatically when it’s needed.

The lens that this camera works with is a lovely Olympus i.ZUIKO DIGITAL 4x wide optical zoom ed at 6-24mm focal length and 1:1.8-2.5 aperture. Focal length equivalency to 35mm here is 28-112mm, and it’s entirely non-replaceable. The majority of the camera’s body is made of black metal and, in addition to the traditional buttons up top and on the back, you’ve got a hot-key switch and button up front that you can tell to do basically anything – quite handy!

This little monster keeps both its SD card slot and battery compartment in one place so you’re not messing with several different doors. There’s a plastic door on the right of the device that holds your micro-HDMI port (type D) and your USB 2.0 port – and that’s combined V and USB output, mind you, and the whole beast is able to work with Eye-Fi cards as well as FlashAir for wireless connectivity.

The LI-90B lithium-ion battery will last you several photo sessions at least, though working with video for hours will leave you with that – the display’s to blame for such a thing here. Unfortunately you do have to use the display to see what you’re taking photos or video of, as there is no option to turn it off entirely. You can work with the device’s Sleep Mode, on the other hand, which turns the whole thing off after 1, 3, or 5 minutes of inactivity.

The touchscreen is ready for full-on tilt action for your down-low and up-high photography needs galore. Pull it out and tilt it up if you need to take a photo under your desk, or pull it out and tilt it down to take a photo over the fence into your neighbor’s yard – once you’ve had such a display, you’ll never be able to go back to a flat, unmovable dinosaur. Your ability to touch the display to take photos and make adjustments remains regardless of the angle of the display – if you were wondering.

Software

The user interface you’ve got here works with a combination of physical keys and the touchscreen, but you do not need to use the touchscreen at all if you do not want. On the other hand, you do need to press the physical “on” button to be able to even begin using the touchscreen – after that though, feel free to just tap away.

While some options are buried rather deep in the menu, the most-used items are right up near the top where you need them, and essentially anyone is going to be able to make the basics happen. Make no mistake, though, this device is not for beginners. You certainly can just switch the whole machine over to Auto and have at it, but making precise adjustments here isn’t a “dummy-proof” situation.

That said, we’ve had little to no trouble getting to each of the featured items we wanted to try out, and the most common shooting modes and environmental changes were extremely easy to access.

Video and Photo Samples

First what you’re going to see is a simple showing of the camera’s video-capture abilities in a rather simple situation with both light and dark, far and near subject matter. Pay attention to how quickly the device focuses on the objects at hand and the adjustments to lighting conditions for a basic idea of how high quality your average video is going to be.

Then have a peek at a collection of shots of the same object showing off the effects and special abilities of camera. Note that these are all of the same metal door we had a look at in the basement and in the dark back in our camera comparison between the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Samsung Galaxy S III – this is also a good opportunity to see how well this Olympus camera handles low light in many different modes – and with odd effects turning the whole party upside-down.

Then have a peek at a set of shots in many different sorts of environments with high-quality HD output. Note that in the most basic sense, this camera has shown itself to be every bit the beast that Olympus claims it is, taking high quality photos and video with great ease. Colors appear to be as accurate as any of the highest-quality cameras we’ve tested at the price range and size we’re working with here, and no abnormalities have been discovered in any way.

Wrap-up

This device presents a collection of abilities that make it a camera worth picking up if you’re a photo enthusiast who wants to get into the big leagues without paying monster amounts of cash for high-quality photo gear. At £479.99 / $599.99 and available in any color just so long as its black, this is just the little beast you’re going to want to toss in your backpack or purse.

The touchscreen interface is simple and there when you want it, but you’ve got all the physical buttons and controls you could possibly want or need if you’re not all about the touch. The user interface is simple the understand, adjustments are simple, and the output is great in the end – and best of all, it’s an major name-brand camera so you know they’ll stick with it as far as accessories go – latch on!

A single FlashAir-equipped camera can be simultaneously connected to more than one smartphone or tablet, allowing for easier sharing of images when you’re actually shooting them, rather than having to share them out later on. Olympus has integrated one-time password support too, so that your friends won’t necessarily always be able to access your shots.

Even if you don’t have a FlashAir card, the app can import shots from the iOS device’s gallery and apply filters to those instead. Unlike some camera remote apps we’ve seen, such as from Samsung, the Olympus software won’t actually allow you to remotely control your camera and fire off images from a distance, unfortunately.

Olympus Image Share is a free download from the App Store [iTunes link]. Olympus says an Android version of the app is in the pipeline too.

[via The AppSide]

All of you Apple dissenters will definitely want to watch the iPhone 5 get destroyed by some powerful lasers, and Sharp reassured today that it’s making plenty of iPhone 5 screens, which are rumored to be the bottleneck on production. Today we got a closer look at the vibrator inside the iPhone 5, and learned that it costs less than $1 to charge your iPhone for an entire year. Microsoft has assured that it has tested Windows 8 thoroughly ahead of next month’s launch, and it seems that Kodak will soon be dropping out of the inkjet printer business.

Google now lets YouTube creators re-download their movies in their original format, and the FCC has approved an auction to reclaim broadcast TV spectrum. HP has launched Open webOS 1.0, and Amazon gave us a little video detailing the technology behind the Kindle Paperwhite. Good news for all of you Call of Duty fans: Modern Warfare 3 is free-to-play on Steam this weekend, and there are rumors floating around that HP will soon be jumping back into the mobile market.

Microsoft was spotted lamenting the lack of highly skilled technology workers today, and Notch is refusing to certify Minecraft for Windows 8, despite Microsoft’s requests. For the first time ever, Instagram has beat Twitter when it comes to daily mobile users, Sony has invested $640 million into slowly dying camera company Olympus, and a new BlackBerry 10 video gives us our first look at RIM’s new QWERTY device. Finally tonight, Chris Davies takes an up-close look at RIM’s Q2 results, which were posted yesterday, while Chris Burns has a new review of the movie LOOPER, starring Bruce Willis and Jason Gordon-Levitt. That does it for tonight’s Evening Wrap-Up, enjoy your weekend everyone!

In return for its 50 billion yen, Sony will get 34,387,000 Olympus common shares, giving the company an 11.46-percent voting right. The first bunch of shares will be passed over on October 23, with the second due sometime between then and February 28.

Someone of Sony’s choosing will also be appointed to the Olympus board, or at least Olympus “will make every effort” to ensure that happens.

The name of the new medical business venture has not been decided upon, though it will have four Sony-nominated directors and three by Olympus; each will suggest an auditor and a representative director, while Sony will elect the president and Olympus the deputy president. Kicking off with a 50 million yen investment – 51-percent from Sony, the remainder from Olympus – it will focus on 4K-resolution (or higher) surgical endoscopes that may also include 3D support, together with the hardware needed to use them.

Eventually, Sony says, it expects the medical business to become a consolidated subsidiary of its own, though there’s no telling when, exactly, that will happen. The goal is a market share in excess of 20-percent by 2020.

The HTC One X was spotted in a leaked photo earlier today, and it would appear that many of the world’s online retailers are having some trouble keeping Wii U pre-orders in stock. Google Plus has grown to 400 million users total, with 100 million of those people using the social networking service actively. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer thinks that Windows 8 may prove to be as big as Windowws 95 (and talks very briefly about the “sweet spot” for Surface pricing), while we’re hoping that Microsoft’s Windows 8 event on October 25 will give us some more solid details on the price of Surface.

The Kindle Fire HD 7-inch tablet was the subject of a teardown earlier today, showing us just what exactly is under the hood. Speaking of the Kindle Fire, today Nokia confirmed that it has licensed its Location Platform to Amazon for use in the Fire line up, meaning that Amazon will be giving Google Maps the boot. JetBlue says it will soon be offering free Wi-Fi during its flights, and HP CEO Meg Whitman has looked to Apple for inspiration when it comes to redesigning the PCs and laptops it offers. Dragon Age III: Inquisition was officially announced today too, something we’re sure will get the anti-BioWare crowd all riled up.

The Angry Birds spin-off Bad Piggies was given its first gameplay video today (no it isn’t the same as Angry Birds), and today we got word that the Samsung Galaxy S IV may be launching as early as March 2013 – less than a year after the S III hit shelves. The Nokia Lumia 820 has been outfitted with a new bumper shell, and in one of the day’s more interesting stories, archaeologists may have uncovered a fort that was critical to Caesar’s conquest of Gaul. Canon revealed a number of new cameras today, but perhaps the most important reveal was of the Canon EOS 6D. Not to be outdone, Olympus had a couple of reveals as well, announcing the new Stylus XZ-2 iHS and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 60MM F2.8 “Nature Macro Lens.”

Finally tonight, we invite you to check out new review of the Sony Reader PRS-T2. That does it for Monday’s Evening Wrap-Up, so go out and enjoy the rest of your night!

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60MM F2.8 Macro Lens

The macro lens we’re looking at here is a single focal-length lens with weather-proofing along with 13 lens elements. You’ve got 13 lens elements in 10 groups of lenses inside this beast with special glass materials such as ED (Extra-low Dispersion), HR (High Refractive index) and E-HR (Extra-High Refractive index) – each added to bring you to a new level of professional greatness. You’ll be all but eliminating the chromatic aberrations you’re likely used to from other telephoto macro lenses, and you’ll be good to go for HD video as well.

This macro lens works with an Olympus developed MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) autofocusing mechanism with inner focus system for ultra quick and completely quiet focusing on the go. There are three different modes of focus range that you can work with for photography, those being the following: close-up (focusing distance between 19 and 40 cm), normal (distance from 19 cm to infinity) and far view (distance from 40 cm to infinity). There’s also an optional LH-49 Lens Hood made specifically for the macro lens at hand, and there’s also the FR-2 Macro Ring in play here which enables compatibility with the RF-11 Ring Flash and the STF-22 Twin Flash Set.

Limited Edition M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0 in Black

This lens is the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0 large-aperture, wide-angle, single-focal-length interchangeable lens you’ve grown to love with a lovely black color in a limited edition release. This release has a snap ring for pan focus with distance indicators in place and the unit has a wide angle of 12mm. Inside you’ve also got the OlympusMSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism which allows quiet, fast autofocusing for still photography and in video. This black version of the lens is sold in a kit with the LH-48 Metallic Lens Hood (Black), the LC-48 Metallic Lens Cap (Black), and the PRF-D46PRO Protection Filter.

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 in Development

Olympus has also let it be known that they’ve got a M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 in development, coming soon with an emphasis on snapshots and street shooting. You’ll be working with a high-quality metallic outer finish and what Olympus says is a focal length equivalent to 34mm on a 35mm camera. More details will be coming soon from Olympus as they get closer to a release date, that being somewhere inside the first half of 2013.

Pricing and Release

The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Dust-and-Splash-Proof Macro lens is coming in October and will be available for approximately $499.99 USD. The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0 lens limited edition Black unit will be out in early October (here in 2012 as well) for an estimated street price of $1,099.99 USD. Stay tuned for more Olympus action as the camera crew brings on more heat through the year!

Inside you’ve got a 12-megapixel 1/1.7″ high-sensitivity back-lit CMOS sensor teamed up with the same processor you’ll find in the impressive Olympus OM-D E-M5 we reviewed earlier this year. That’s the TruePic VI processor and with it combined with the lens, you’ll have faster recovery time as well as shutter releases on a regular basis. You’ve got up to ISO 12,800 with the device’s speedy f1.8 lens for full-resolution photos that look excellent even in dim conditions.

The hybrid control ring is what Olympus lets us know is the world’s first of its kind. Here you’ve got function settings able to be assigned with ease and switches between digital operations and analog with little effort. You’ve also got touch controls, of course, with the XZ-2′s touch screen on the back with Live Guide and a user interface quite similar to the OM-D we’ve reviewed and the PEN shooters also just revealed today.

This camera will be available in November of 2012, just in time for the holiday season, and will be appearing with a USB cable, video cable, Lithium-ion battery pack, battery charger, shoulder strap, Olympus ib software CD, manuals, registration card, and a healthy dose of love from Olympus. This unit will be available for an estimated street price of $599.99 USD and will be available in any color just so long as its black. This unit has an accessory port – as you may have noticed – so you’ll be able to be compatible with what Olympus notes is a “growing range of Micro Four Thirds accessories” – fun stuff!

Both devices here work with the same 16.1-megapixel high-speed Live MOS Sensor and brand new TruePic VI image processing engine that the Olympus OM-D E-M5 has – and yes, we’ve had our own Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review opportunity too! What we’ve gotten from that camera has been amazing – with the PEN series we’ve got high hopes! The technology these devices share includes a maximum ISO of 25,600, great performance in low-light situations, and finest-ever gradations between light and dark areas.

Both PEN cameras work with the BCL-15 f8.0 Body Cap Lens, a body cap when you’re carrying the camera without its interchangeable lens, and when not, transforms into a pan-focus shapshot lens. Inside these cameras you’ve got the Olympus Image Share application compatible with both iPhone and Android devices – you’ll be able to connect using FlashAir and the built-in wi-fi connectivity between your PEN and your smartphone for ultra-quick and simple sharing abilities! These cameras also work with a lovely collection of Art Filers like Pop Art, Diorama, and Pin Hole – oddities galore!

Both models also have a 3-inch 460,000-dot high-definition LCD display with Anti-Finger Print coating over their screens. These displays can be used with your Touch AF Shutter function to take photos with a tap on your display where you want to focus, and with “FAST AF” you’ll be rocking even harder. FAST AF stands form Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology and also exists on the OM-D to make it the world’s fastest autofocusing camera. These cameras work with a maximum frame rate of 8 fps in Single AF mode.

PEN E-PL5

This device works with an all-metal body that comes in black, white, or silver, and brings on DSLR quality images with a lovely swivel display. The display sits on a swivel that allows up to 170 degrees of movement up and 65 degrees down – and works with the AF Shutter abilities mentioned above.

PEN E-PM2

This device is ultra-compact and made to be the more entry-level of the new Olympus lineup. The E-PM2 is made to be the first interchangeable lens camera for new users and has a collection of controls that will make the first step an easy one. This camera will be available in black, white, silver, and red.

Pricing and Release

You’ll be able to pick up the E-PL5 for a body-only estimated street price of $649.99, while the body-only price for the E-PM2 will ring in at $549.99. The E-PL5 will also be available with a MSC M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED m14-42mm II R f3.5/5.6 Zoom Lens in a package that’ll ring in at $699.99, while the E-PM2 with that lens in a single package will cost you $599.99 – again, all of these prices are estimated at the moment.

Both cameras will be available in October and ship with the camera body itself, Flash FL-LM1, Li-ion battery BLS-5, Li-ion battery charger BCS-5, USB cable, AV cable, Shoulder strap, OLYMPUS Viewer 2 CD, Instruction manual and Warranty card. The PEN E-PL5 will also be shipping with the entirely lovely MCG-4 Changeable Grip. Stick around for more info as these devices roll closer to their final drop date!

The black camera you see is the Olympus E-PL5 and the silver camera is the E-PM2. The two cameras look so similar you could almost believe they are simply different color versions of the same digital camera. However, if you look closely you’ll notice that the black camera has a slightly different design and a larger knob on top than the silver.

We don’t have an abundance of details on these two cameras right now since these are leaked images. The few details that did leak along with these photographs include that the cameras both use the same Olympus E-M5 sensor that features the TruePic VI image processing engine. Both of these cameras are also said to have touchscreen LCDs on the back.

Pricing for the silver E-PM2 is said to be €399 including a 14-42 mm kit lens. The black E-PL5 is tipped to sell for €599 including a similar 14-42 mm kit lens. There are some indications that both cameras could go official early next week. That’s all we really know about these two leaked Olympus offerings at this point.

[via 43rumors]

Hardware

This device is made for sound recording with either its two built-in microphones or via inputs for 3rd party devices. The two built-in stereo condenser microphones are angled at 90 degrees away from one another and support 140 dBspl of sound pressure. With your built-in microphones you’ll be able to record dual-track sound clips and monitor left and right recordings independently.

You’ve got two XLR inputs for your whole collection of line-out sources using a 1/4 inch RCA jack – like your electric guitar, for example, and you’ve got 48V-24V of phantom power to keep you rocking and rolling with devices that require power through their cords as well. This will reduce the amount of power you’ve got on the LS-100 quicker than if you were only working with the devices’ built-in microphones, but you’ll have plenty of time to record tracks galore no matter what.

You’ve got a two channel recording system here with eight channel playback. You can record, edit, and mix your tracks onboard – in a relatively simple manner, of course, you don’t want to be making massive changes on a small screen like this – and you can burn a CD from this device without a PC at all if you like! We don’t recommend doing this as it’s such a strange situation – might as well push the track to your PC for safekeeping anyway – but it’s fun to know that you’re able!

Onboard you’ve got 4GB of storage, which is a fabulous amount, but you’ve also got a full-size SD card slot (SD, SDHC, or SDXC) as well to expand by up to 64GB. You’ll be able to store all your files on that card and transfer them that way or you can work with the device’s built-in USB port if you wish.

This device supports remote controls through its tiny remote port – Olympus has a massive collection of accessories for this device (we haven’t had the chance to mess with them yet, mind you, but we can say that the price is right) – see them listed over at [OlympusAmerica]. The remote they’ve got in stock works with start/stop/pause functions and that’s it. The LED light lets you know you’re in business and that’s it – good to go!

Of course you’ve also got an earphone jack so you can see how your recording is going as you’re working with it, and you’ve got the ability to switch your left and right inputs on the fly with two physical switches between 48/24V. The left side of the device is where you’ll be working with most of your ports and switches, with the power switch being there near the volume for playback as well.

The massive knob you see in the right of the device is marked by a red rectangle with “REC LEVEL” on it so you know not to mess with it unless you mean to. Both left and right built-in microphones sit up top near “PEAK” LED lights that let you know when you’re maxing out, and the front of the device shows you everything else on a 2-inch LCD color display. This display is no match for a high-end smartphone in that it’s certainly not high definition, but the amount of color and detail that you DO get is extremely helpful in identifying variations in tracks and editing.

The display has a user interface that’s easy to learn and rather simple to use. There are a few points at which even I had trouble figuring out how to move backward or forward due to the massive amount of physical buttons controlling the interface at any one given time – but that’s probably just my modern brain being used to a touchscreen-only UI. This device’s display is NOT a touchscreen, I should mention, and we’re thankful for that. At this size, even my relatively small fingers would have trouble being accurate.

The battery inside this device is 925 mAh, certainly not giant when you compare it to the beasts that modern smartphones and tablets have, but when you’re only powering sound recording and a tiny display, that power goes a LONG way. One of the sound samples you’re about to hear comes from the press junket for the film Total Recall where I recorded several hours worth of material in all – the battery went strong through the whole event and was STILL at 2/3 full – believe it or not!

The whole unit measures in at 3.25 x 2.75 x 1.31 inches, aka 159.0 x 70.0 x 33.5mm, and weighs in at 280g aka 9.8 oz. You get an AC adapter with the package to charge up your battery as it sits inside the device (though it is removable, we should mention), but you’ll need to pick up all other cords on your own.

Sound Quality

Though we’ve done our fair share of audio device reviews at this point and do consider ourselves fairly sound-sensitive, this device did require a step back and a humbling to realize what we were hearing. Speaking with some audiophile friends of ours as well as checking with some associates from 3rd party groups also reviewing the device, we confirmed the same thing, time and time again. This device records sound just as well as Olympus says it does. “Better than CD quality” is what we’re hearing both from the device and from our associates testing the device around the world.

You’re able to capture audio at up to 96kHz/24 bit – that’s massive – CD quality you can measure at 44.1 kHz/16 bit. You of course also have the ability to drop your recording quality down to that point if you want normal-sized files, of course, but the idea that you’re able to record at fabulous high-quality such as you’re able here – it’s certainly nice to know you’re getting what you payed for.

You’ll find that the pre-amps in devices such as these – the LS-100 being no exception to the rule – are far more high-quality than any DSLR camera we’ve had on hand. One would hope so for the cost of this device, of course, but there it is: high quality from a sound recording device made specifically for sound recording.

We’ve got a couple example clips of sound here for your listening pleasure, each of them recorded with the built-in microphones right out of the box.

Above: in San Francisco near Moscone Center during Google I/O 2012 as an emergency vehicle passes on the street. Below: at Total Recall press junket in Los Angeles with director Len Wiseman.

Special Features

This beast works to record sound like a superstar, but it’s also got tools you can use to your advantage for pre-recording supremacy as well. You’ve got a metronome here as well as a tuner and you’ve got a pre-recording buffer built in to make sure you’re not missing anything you need in a quick recording.

Lissajou – if you’ve never heard of this before, you’re in for a bit of a treat. This feature takes readings from both of its two built-in microphones first. Then it adjusts polar paterns according to its readings. The result is a perfectly timed recording between the two inputs – without this, there’s always a chance that you’ll have a minuscule delay between two mics – here there’s none!

Wrap-Up

When you move to a sound recording device like this with a full color display and more recording options than you’d ever have thought possible on a single hand-held machine, you wont be able to go back to your simpler one-trick-pony recorder. You’ll feel terrible using anything less fabulous than the LS-100 once you’ve got it in the field.

The cost of this device at $399.99 is going to be prohibitive for most of your average hobby users, but should you save up your lunch money for several months to buy it, you will not be disappointed.

Hardware

Looking down on the camera you’ll see a “main dial” to the right of the main hump, then another sub-dial to the right of that around the shutter release. On the left of the hump you’ve got an exposure mode dial as well. The right-side dials are made to be accessed by your thumb and your index finger, while the one on the left is made to be accessed by your thumb on your left hand. Each of these dials are extremely easy to work with.

The three buttons up top of the device are also easy to use, one for your shutter, one for video recording, and a third labeled Fn2. This third button is programmable and can be tied to a set of operations such as auto exposure lock, ISO, and white balance.

As far as that big hump in the middle; you’ll be using it if you’re not interested in working with the giant display on the back for a viewfinder, but the main bulk of the bump is made to house your accessories to attach to. So it’s an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), accessory port, and hot shoe all in one. You can plug in a bluetooth module, a microphone adapter, or a lovely gigantic lamp, all of which will fit snug.

There’s a rubbery thumb-grip up on the back right and of the device, otherwise you’re working with hard plastic. Olympus does offer a HLD-6 grip and battery extender, this accessory made not only for those of you who plan on being in the filed for an extended time, but for a better grip for the large-handed and sweaty-palmed. Those of you that’ve got giant hands or trouble gripping small cameras, you’ll want to seriously consider this $300 accessory. This could be a bit of a bummer for those of you looking to stay in the $1300 range (that being the price of the kit that includes the lens we’ve tested as well,) but it’ll be worth it in the end.

The lens we’ve got is the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 zoom lens, and it’s a fabulous little number other than the quick-release for the mechanical zoom. You can either set it to auto or manual zoom by loosening the ring in the center – it’s a bit too easy to do for my taste. That said, it is nice to be able to do this on the fly, just so long as you’re not tossing the thing around and getting sand in the gears (never a good idea anyway!)

Another item that this reviewer isn’t that fond of is the sensor that detects when you raise the camera to your eye. This sensor works fine for those that are willing to take the time to get used to it, but if you’re switching from camera to camera when those other cameras don’t have the sensor in place, you’ll be just a bit annoyed when your screen is flipping on and off. I’ve had similar feelings about recent Android phones that do similar things as well – I’m certainly more of a manual sort of guy.

You can also decide to use the display or the EVF interchangeably outdoors – with the display being OK in the shade but not so perfect for the brightest of brights in the middle of the day.

You’ve got multiple exposure capabilities in this device, Art Filters and effects that you might never use, and the ability to preview these effects before you shoot. When you’ve gotten past the fun bits, you’ll find that the Olympus OM-D E-M5 is one heck of a high quality photo shooter. Compared to other micro four thirds cameras we’ve seen and tested, this device is right near the top if not the best overall.

You can shoot photos at 9fps, you’ve got 5-axis stabilization (that’s the sound you’re hearing when you’re focusing in), and the ability to shoot photos with your shutter release or by tapping the touch-screen right up front and center. As you may have realized already; this camera may look retro, but its abilities are anything but.

The software you’ll be able to use with this camera for processing Raw files is just a bit more limited than some might like. Though Adobe Lightroom and Corel AfterShot Pro, and of course Photoshop will work fine, Apple’s products are less lucky. Both iPhoto and Aperture have no ability to support this camera’s Raw files. Don’t worry though, the JPEG shots this device shoots are more than high quality enough for everyone other than the most hardcore photographer.

Photo and Video Quality

Have a peek at an example of some shots taken with the camera to get an idea of how powerful this shooter is. Below the gallery you’ll also see an example of some basic video footage taken with the camera as well.

The video below is taken at full resolution on a bright, sunny day. Pay special attention to the on-the-spot focusing and light changes as well as the subtle sounds of summer.

Wrap-Up

With such knock-out features like 5-axis stabilization in such a tiny body as this, you’ve got one heck of a mobile-minded shooter on your hands. This device is great for those of you out there looking to amp up your game with your old OM, and with Olympus dedicated to the future of this line, as they always are, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be able to pick up accessories galore along the way. This camera certainly isn’t made for rough-and-tumble photographers as its display on the back being on hinges, but you’re a careful shooter, right – go for it!

You can pick this device up for $1000 with the body only or for $1300 as a kit with the 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 zoom lens, that being the setup you’re seeing above (with all photos being taken with that lens as well. Grab if from your favorite retailer today!

The headset weighs under 30g, though it’s worth noting that Olympus’ battery estimates aren’t based on continuous usage. Instead, the company says it expects the display to be used in fifteen second chunks every three minutes or so; under those circumstances, it can manage a maximum continuous runtime equivalent of around two hours total use, Olympus predicts.

Also integrated is an accelerometer, for using head-control features or figuring out which way the wearer is facing, though unlike Google Glass there’s no camera. While Google has so-far focused on the potential for photography and video capture with Glass, emphasizing how useful it could be to have a persistent record of your experiences, Olympus apparently believes discrete content consumption is more relevant to augmented reality adoptees.

The company is also particularly proud of the brightness of its microdisplay, which it claims is sufficiently powerful to be used even in strong daylight. Pricing and availability is unconfirmed, and it’s not clear whether Olympus will actually be commercially launching the MEG4.0 or instead pushing to license the display technology to other companies.

[via The Verge; via Akihabara News; via Newlaunches]

Yasuo Takeuchi, a senior executive managing officer at Olympus, said: “We understand we need to consider an increase in capital as one of our key management issues. The main premise is to fully preserve our Olympus brand.” Reports indicate that the ailing camera maker is currently in talks with another company for a ¥50 billion yen (~$629 million) cash injection.

Sony is currently rumored to be that company, and if the deal moves ahead it would leave Sony as the top shareholder in Olympus, with a stake totalling more than 10%. Olympus has faced financial troubles ever since it was discovered that the company hid ¥117.7 billion (~$1.48 billion) in losses that date back all the way to the 90s.

[via City AM]

Asked specifically whether Panasonic had a plan to invest in Olympus, Ohtsubo was resolute. “There isn’t any” he argued.

Original reports had claimed that Panasonic was seeing Olympus’ established foothold in the heathcare camera market as an alluringly calm prospect, as opposed to its own struggles in the display industry. The deal, had it gone ahead as rumored, would have made Panasonic the largest single investor in Olympus, and helped the camera company restructure after 2011′s accounting fraud.

Olympus shares had climbed amid the reports, but slumped again today after Panasonic’s denial of involvement. Previous claims had suggested both Panasonic and Sony were interested in a possible deal, while Samsung has also been name-checked as a potential suitor.

Panasonic’s own business has been on shaky ground for some time now, with a wobbly TV market leaving the company struggling. In contrast, the healthcare industry – in which Olympus is the leading manufacturer of diagnostic endoscopes – represents a more stable market.

If followed through, the agreement would leave Panasonic as Olympus’ biggest shareholder. The camera company had been rumored to be considering job losses of as much as 2,500, and was believed to be considering an equity sale with either Panasonic or Sony.

The benefit for Olympus, it’s suggested, is financial support for restructuring and marketing. However neither company will comment on the record as to the rumors.

Other than the rugged nature, the TG-1 offers a 12 megapixel sensor with a 25-100mm lens capable of 4x optical zoom, a wide f/2.0-f/4.9 aperture, and ISO from 100 to 6400. The 3-inch OLED display on the back provides framing duties, and Olympus say the camera can withstand temperatures as low as -10C, underwater depths up to 12m, and weights as large as 100kg.

Olympus has also tried to cram as much tech into the camera as possible, with three new shooting modes: Low Light, Super Sports, and Super Macro. 1080p/30 video recording is also on offer, and there’s even GPS and e.compass chips on board that determine your location and orientation. When can you get your hands on this thing? Olympus say the TG-1 will be shipping from the middle of June for €399.

Most importantly, Sasa touched on Olympus’ current camera lineup, saying that the company needs to “narrow down our portfolio”, and that by doing so “we can make the business fully profitable.” That doesn’t mean that the company will stop innovating, though. Olympus plan to continue pushing mirrorless cameras, and attract customers with new features, like waterproofing.

Sasa expects to reveal the new plans before a shareholders meeting in June. Last year, the company’s management admitted to hiding ¥117.7 billion (~$1.43 billion) in losses, stretching all the way back to the 90s. Olympus is expected to post another operating loss for this financial year.

Olympus recently began shipping its latest high end camera in Japan, the E-M5. The camera is expected to begin shipping in the United Stated within the next week or two. Olympus has taken a retro camera body, but packed it full of the latest technology, with a 16.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, 120fps electronic viewfinder, and 3-inch OLED touchscreen.

[via 4/3 Rumors]

The camera is up for pre-order right now and it is priced at ¥94,320 for the body only in Japan. The body will be offered in black or silver. The camera can also be pre-ordered with the body and a 14-42 mm lens on Amazon here in the states for $1099. The camera body and 12-50 mm lens will be offered in silver and black for $1299 via Amazon US.

The camera body only will cost $999. The camera has a 16 megapixel Live MOS sensor and a 3 inch tilting OLED screen that is touch sensitive. It can shoot nine frames per second bursts and has five-axis image stabilization. This is one of Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras and is the first of the OM-D range.

[via 43rumors]

The folks at LG will be releasing the oddly shaped LG Optimus Vu soon, it having a 4 x 3 ratio to appear very similar to a cracker. Motorola has dropped two monsters upon us, one of them the Motorola MOTOLUXE for the mid range and the other the fourth in a generation. That’s right, it’s the DROID 4 from Motorola complete with a side-lit keyboard to keep you QWERTY fans happy all night long! Meanwhile Samsung will have no presence at MWC 2012 as they play the low-key card.

All Android devices of the future will be working with Google Chrome if they wish, but none will have Flash integrated as per the plan. There’s one gigantic mother of the lens out there this morning for your camera fans once more, the Sony SAL500F40G 500mm super-zoom from the streets of heaven, sent down to bring you so close to the action that you’ll think you’re inside your subject. Another device looking to get you in close with the action is Logitech’s Touch Mouse M600 and the HP TouchPad finally has some Android code from the manufacturers to make all you hackers happy.

Olympus’ speedy autofocus system from the PEN E-P3 has been brought over, though with a speed boost, and there’s 9fps burst shooting in Single AF mode. 3D autofocus tracking can keep a fix on subjects as they move not only up and down in the frame, but further away or closer to the camera.

There’s the usual Full HD 1080i video capture (though not 1080p, it seems), together with ISO support up to 25,600 and weatherproofing of the body itself, which is ruggedized against water, sand and low temperatures. However Olympus has also given the E-M5 the world’s first 5-axis image stabilization system, which promises to smooth out horizontal shift, vertical shift, rotary motion, yaw and pitch even if the photographer is running. Operational during both still and video recording, it’s integrated into the camera body itself so that any lens can take advantage of it.

On the subject of lenses, Olympus has stuck with the Micro Four Thirds system and has prepared a duo of new options for the E-M5. The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50 mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens is dustproof and splashproof as well, and there’s a cheaper M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42 mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens option too. Other accessories include separate flashes for use with the powered hot-shoe, and a MMF-3 Four Thirds mount adapter.

On the back, there’s a tilting 3-inch OLED touchscreen, with touch shutter-release along with touch-focus and easier control over tone settings. Most users will be more excited by the EVF, however, which has a 120fps refresh rate, a 100-percent field of view, maximum 1.15x magnification and an eye point of 18mm. It can show not only a view of what the camera sees, but all the relevant exposure, Art Filter effects and other settings.

Retro design and high-tech functionality come at a cost, however. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 will be priced at $999.99 body-only when it arrives in April, in either black or silver, while a bundle with the black M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42 mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens will be $1,099.99. Expect to pay $1,299.99 for the E-M5 with the black M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-50 mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens.

And that’s just the beginning of the specs. Let’s look at each of them individually. So going back to the SZ-31MR, it has a 16-megapixel sensor and an eye-popping 24x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens. It also packs in a Multi-Recording feature that allows users to take photos and video simultaneously. There’s functionality for movie and image stabilization, and it offers full HD video and HDMI control for 1080p playback. It will be available in April for around $400.

For the TG-820 iHS (pictured), it’s all about durability. Olympus promises that it sets a new benchmark for “Waterproof, Shockproof, Freezeproof, Crushproof and Dustproof performance.” The 12-megapixel sensor and TruePic VI image processor, originally developed for DSLRs, offer fantastic image quality. That’s good to know if you ever need a crystal clear shot while 220 pounds of weight are being applied to your camera. Yep, it can withstand 220 pounds of force. This one will be available in March for around $300.

And finally the E-M5 is the first of a new series for Olympus, the OM-D brand designed to meet the needs of advanced photographers. The device has a 16.1-megapixel sensor, the world’s fastest autofocusing system, the world’s first 5-axis image stabilizer, and a touch-screen OLED display. This high-end camera will sell in April for between $1,000 and $1,300.

While the press blurb on the image itself has plenty of hyperbole, we do know some rumored specs about the camera too. It’s tipped to have a magnesium, weather-sealed body weighing in at around 373g without a lens, while inside is believed to be a 16-megapixel sensor. That’s said to be  optimized for High Dynamic Range photography, with speedy AF, 3D tracking and a five-axis image stabilizer.

ISO 200 to 25,600 is expected, along with an integrated 1.44m dot digital viewfinder paired with a 3-inch 610k dot OLED screen that can tilt. Pricing is said to be in the region of $1,300, though that’s based on a roughly 100,000 yen figure in Japan, where the yen is notoriously strong.

We won’t have to wait long to find out, though. The Olympus OM-D is rumored to launch on February 8.

According to the Wells Fargo post, which cited Kyodo News International, the Olympus OM-D will be the company’s top digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera series, resembling the OM-1 film camera but equipped with high-speed auto focus, image stabilization, and a 16-megapixel sensor.

It will be the first digital version of the company’s legendary OM series single-lens reflex film cameras, which have been popular since the 1970s thanks to its small size and durability. The new digital OM-D will be available this spring in the US, Europe, and some Asian countries as a top-tier model selling for more than 100,000 yen in Japan, or about $1,300 USD. The camera is expected to be unveiled at an event scheduled for February 8.

[via Pocket-lint]

The OM-D is expected to feature a magnesium, weather-sealed body that weighs 373 grams for just te body. It will sport a 16-megapixel sensor optimized for High Dynamic Range, FAST AF, 3D tracking, and a five-axis image stabilizer inside the body. It offers ISO options of 200 up to 25,600, a built-in digital viewfinder with 1.44 million dots resolution, and a 3-inch 610,000 pixel OLED tilting preview screen.

The camera will likely be unveiled at Olympus’ February 8 press event. Olympus recently trademarked the OM-D name and launched an ad campaign highlighting the letters “O” and “M.” The company also has placed a “coming soon” teaser on its website.

[via 43Rumors]

Olympus is in need of $1.7bn in capital, having been rocked by an accounting scandal that has seen half of its board of directors actually being sued by the company itself. The board plans to dissolve and make room for a fresh batch of execs by the end of April, but still remains under investigation for its part in hiding over a decade’s worth of losses.

According to previous leaks, Olympus had already drawn up a shortlist of possible minority stakeholders that management believed would be a good fit. The list – believed to consist of Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Terumo Corp (a medical equipment firm and an existing minority stakeholder) and Fujifilm Holdings.

Samsung has already revealed it has a new taste for healthcare specialists, with the Korean firm looking to diversify its footprint beyond its existing segments – the company has said a similar thing about its software competitiveness in IT - though a company spokesperson has said no formal offer from Olympus has been received. What might happen to the Olympus camera business, which launched several new models including superzooms and point-and-shoots this past week at CES, is unclear.

[via 43 Rumors]

As for the Olympus VR-340, that has a 16-megapixel sensor and a 10x super wide optical zoom lens, nine Magic Art Filters, and one-touch 720p HD video recording. There’s also a 3-inch LCD preview display on the back.

Finally, the Olympus VG-160 pairs a 5x optical zoom and a wide-angle lens with a 14-megapixel sensor, along with Magic Art Filters, HD Video and an intelligent iAuto mode for beginners and the lazy. It too has a 3-inch LCD, along with AF Tracking, Shadow Adjustment Technology and Face Detection.

The Olympus VG-160 will go on sale in February, priced at $99.99, alongside the Tough TG-320 at $179.99. The VR-340 follows on in March, priced at $149.99.

The SP-620UZ can also shoot HD video, and has various preloaded Magic Art Filters for mangling shots before they make it to your computer. They’re also found on the SZ-12, along with 7 fps continuous shooting. Both models have a 3-inch LCD display and Eye-Fi wireless memory card support.

The Olympus SP-620UZ will hit shelves this month, priced at $199.99, while the SZ-12 will go on sale in March, also at $199.99.

The suggested timescale – sometime in-between February 6 and February 11 – might suggest Olympus is waiting until the Yokohama Camera and Photo Imaging Show, which takes place from the 9 to the 12 of the month. The company is listed as an exhibitor there, though the schedule of actual launches is yet to be released.

What Olympus fans are most interested to find out, however, is what sensor the new interchangeable lens model will use. The last compact models from the company, the PEN E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1, came with 12.3-megapixel sensors, so we’re expecting perhaps some more in this updated version. It’s also believed to use Olympus’ 12-50mm zoom as the default kit lens.

[Mockup image via Livedoor]

Cityam reports that a joint investigation of police and financial regulators is rare. Olympus has admitted to the questionable practices and the company is now looking for buyers and any other means to remedy the situation. Fujifilm has been tipped as one of the parties interested in buying Olympus. The Tokyo high rise raided by the prosecutors is the HQ for three Olympus subsidiaries that were purchased under the scheme to hide losses.

The investigation intensified after a panel of experts that Olympus hired to look into the allegations found that two former senior executives worked with investment bankers to cook up the scheme. The investigation also concludes that three former presidents of the firm including Tsuyoshi Kikukawa knew about the scheme. Kikukawa resigned in October after the scheme first surfaced. Olympus has confirmed the investigation in PDF statements here and here.

[via Cityam]