Olympus Wins EISA Awards for

"Olympus Pen E-P1" Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens system camera

and "µ TOUGH-8000" Compact Digital Camera

Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo) is pleased to announce that it has received two 2009-2010 EISA Awards. The Olympus Pen E-P1 Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens system camera cited as the best "European Camera 2009-2010", and the µ TOUGH-8000 Compact Digital Camera also won the "European Adventure Compact Camera 2009-2010" award.

The European Imaging & Sound Association (EISA) is an organization representing 50 leading camera, imaging and audio magazines in 20 European countries. Each year it selects outstanding products and technologies from a wide spectrum of audiovisual product categories.

Olympus Pen E-P1 Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens system camera

Winner of the European Camera 2009-2010 award

The EISA jury was clearly impressed with Olympus' first Micro Four Thirds camera, the revolutionary Olympus PEN. Confirming the groundbreaking benefits of the E-P1's key features, they noted:

"The Olympus PEN is an elegant camera with an appealing retro design. The camera utilises the new mirror- and prism-less Micro Four Thirds system, which allows the E-P1 to be very compact and lightweight. Besides the compact Micro Four Thirds lenses, users can fit existing Four Thirds, OM and Leica M mount lenses to the body via an adaptor".

And in recognition that the image quality of the E-P1 matches D-SLR results, the esteemed EISA jury summed up by saying:

"As the sensor is larger than that found in compact cameras better image quality and lower noise levels can be achieved".

With a range of features to choose from, the Olympus E-P1 is also a dream for anyone with creative ambition. The popular Art Filters can even be applied to its HD movies, which are recorded in high quality linear PCM sound.

µ Tough-8000 Compact Digital Camera

Winner of the European Adventure Compact Camera 2009-2010 award

Designed to deliver impeccable results under the toughest conditions imaginable, the robust all-terrain 3.6x wide zoom lens Olympus µ TOUGH-8000 has already earned itself a formidable reputation. After winning a TIPA award, the rugged camera has now gone on to win another "photography Oscar". Waterproof to depths of 10m*, shockproof against falls from 2m**, freezeproof to -10°C*** and crushproof to 100kg, the µ TOUGH-8000 was able to convince the discerning EISA jury to name it as best "European Adventure Compact Camera 2009-2010". In its accompanying remarks, the jury noted the camera's suitability for active lifestyles:

"The Olympus µ TOUGH-8000 is the ideal companion for photographers with an active outdoor life. Designed to be used both underwater and for normal photography, the µ TOUGH-8000 is waterproof down to 10 m* and even has a built-in pressure gauge that indicates its actual depth. The camera is shock-proof against drops onto hard surfaces from a height of up to 2 m**, and those who enjoy winter sports will find they can use the camera in temperatures of minus 10°C***."

The jury even extended its recognition of the sturdy model to the camera's handling, noting:

"Many functions can be controlled by tapping the camera's sides, making it easy to use even when wearing gloves" (EISA).

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