Olympus has announced two new additions to it's µ TOUGH compact digital cameras. Both the 12 Megapixel µ TOUGH-8000 and the 10 Megapixel µ TOUGH-6000 feature a 3.6x wide zoom lens which spans a focal length spectrum of 28-102mm. Blur caused by camera shake is also all but eradicated thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation, and TAP Control allows the cameras to be operated by taps on the casing. The new cameras will become available mid-January and early February respectively.

It doesn’t matter where your photographic exploits take you, the Olympus µ TOUGH series has all bases covered. Whether pursuing active interests like snorkelling, mountain climbing or snowboarding – or simply enjoying life with friends and family in the back yard – this unique range of waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof cameras expands photo-taking potential and provides peace of mind. The two latest additions to the line-up boast trademark tough characteristics and are armed with high-performance attributes that guarantee perfect results. The µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 let you enjoy extremes while taking exceptional photos without a care.

As tough as you like
With the µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000, users can choose the level of toughness they need. The top-of-the-line model in the tough range, the µ TOUGH-8000, is perfect for those really wanting to take things to the limit: waterproof to 10m, shockproof to falls up to 2m, freezeproof down to temperatures as low as -10°C and crushproof to withstand weights of up to 100kg, it can take a veritable beating and still return excellent results. Its sister model, the µ TOUGH-6000, is no softy either. In addition to freezeproof attributes, it is waterproof to 3m and provides shockproof protection against drops of up to 1.5m.

Expand your shooting horizon
Both new cameras inherit the versatile 3.6x wide optical zoom which was first seen in the µ TOUGH series’ EISA Award winning µ 1030 SW predecessor model. The lens offers a focal length range that starts at just 28mm for fantastic group photos and close-range architectural motifs, extending to 102mm for bringing distant subjects in close.

Say goodbye to blur
Dual Image Stabilisation joins the image-enhancing features of the
µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000. It ensures that photos impress with their blur-free fidelity even when the shooting environment means some camera shake is inevitable.

Maximise camera control and imaging performance
Besides an intuitive on-screen menu that can be displayed on the 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal III LCD in up to 39 languages, these models feature an additional innovative approach to controlling the camera. The Tap Control mode gives users fast access a range of settings simply by tapping the camera body – which also means that adjustments can easily be made even when wearing gloves.

Being built for tough action doesn’t mean the µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 skimp on image quality. Boasting 12 and 10 Megapixels respectively, both provide ample resolution to faithfully record scenes to the smallest detail. Furthermore, each model incorporates clever features that ensure spectacular results. Capable of recognising up to 3 faces, the µ TOUGH-8000’s Face Detection Technology guarantees that human subjects are always perfectly focused and exposed. And the µ TOUGH-6000, which boasts Advanced Face Detection Technology that can detect up to 16 faces, also has a handy Smile Shot feature which enables the camera to take the picture as soon as the person smiles. Meanwhile, Shadow Adjustment Technology assures that optimal contrast levels are attained across the entire image. Shooting ease is also enhanced through the inclusion of Intelligent Auto Mode: it identifies the scene being framed and automatically adjusts camera settings to one of five commonly-used scenes. In addition, Beauty Mode smoothes the skin of subjects while the shot is being taken, making for more even and brilliant skin tones.

The resilient µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 are a natural choice for anyone looking for a camera that can keep up with their own active lifestyle. Waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, they hit stores in mid-January and early February 2009 respectively.

Olympus µ TOUGH-8000 Main Features:

1. Shooting in toughest situations – shockproof to 2m, waterproof to 10m, crushproof to 100kg and freezeproof to -10°C
2. Available in Platinum Silver, Midnight Black or Steel Blue
3. High-precision 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm*) to capture great scenes through to stunning close-ups even in extreme conditions
4. Avoids camera shake and blurry images thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabilisation)
5. TAP Control Menu for great convenience also when wearing gloves
6. 12 Megapixels to make poster-size prints if you want to
7. 6.9cm/2.7" HyperCrystal III LCD for best ever preview even in brilliant sunlight and at extreme angles (230,000 dots)
8. Face Detection for perfectly focused and exposed faces. In combination with Shadow Adjustment Technology, other main parts of the picture are also correctly exposed.
9. The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
10. Easy checking of air and water pressure thanks to on-screen manometer
11. LED illuminator to lighten up underwater or macro sceneries
12. Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound
13. (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)
14. xD-Picture Card and microSD Card compatible

Olympus µ TOUGH-8000 Specifications

Sensor	1/2.33 in CCD sensor 12.0 million effective pixels 12.7 million total pixels Primary colour filter (RGB)
Lens	F3.5 - F5.1 Focal length: 5.0 - 18.2 mm, (28 - 102mm, 35mm film equivalent) 10 lenses in 8 groups, 2 Aspherical glass elements
Image stabilization	Dual Image Stabilisation
Zoom	Optical Zoom - 3.6x (Wide) Digital Zoom - 5x
Storage	Internal Memory: 45MB xD-Picture Card, microSD
File formats	Still Image: JPEG Movie: AVI Motion JPEG
Image sizes	12MP (3,968 x 2,976) 5MP (2,560 x 1,920) 3MP (2,048 x 1,536) 2MP (1,600 x 1,200) 1MP (1,280 x 960) VGA (640 x 480) 16:9 (1,920 x 1,080)
Movie clips	640x480 (30/15fps), 320x240 (30/15fps), with sound
ISO sensitivity	Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Focus	CCD Contrast Detection
Focus range	Normal: 0.5m (19.7 in) to infinity Macro: 0.1m (3.93 in) to infinity Super Macro: 2 to 50cm (0.8 to 19.7 in)
AF area modes	iESP Auto Spot Face Detection AF
Metering modes	ESP light metering Spot Face Detection AE
Exposure compensation	+/- 2 EV / 1/3 steps
Shutter	Speed: 1/2000 to 4 seconds
White balance	Auto Overcast Sunlight Tungsten Flourescent 1 Flourescent 2 Flourescent 3
Scene modes	Portrait Landscape Night Scene Night Scene with portrait Sports Indoor Candle Self-portrait Sunset Fireworks Cuisine Documents Beach and Snow Snow Pre-Capturing Movie Underwater Snapshot Underwater Wide 1 Underwater Wide 2 Underwater Macro
Self timer	12 seconds
Flash	Built-in Flash Modes: Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Flash Range(ISO 800): 0.1 to 4.0m (0.33 to 13.1ft)
Viewfinder	None
LCD monitor	2.7 in TFT HyperCrystal III LCD 230 000 dots
Connectivity	Multi-Terminal (USB Connector, Audio/Video Output, DC Input)
Supplied accessories	Wrist Strap Manual Warranty Card A/V cable USB Cable Lithium-Ion Battery Lithium-Ion Battery Charger OLYMPUS Master 2 (Software CD-ROM) MASD-1 (microSD attachment)
Power	Lithium-Ion Battery
Weight	182g (6.4 oz)
Dimensions (W, H, D)	95 x 61.7 x 21.5 mm (3.7 x 2.4 x 0.85 in)
Other	Shockproof: MIL-STD-810F Shock Equivalent (6.6ft/2m) Waterproof: Equivalent to IEC60529 IPX8/JISC0920 (33ft/10m) Freezeproof: MIL-STD-810F Low Temp Equivalent (-10oC/14oF) Crushproof: 220lbf, 100kgf

Additional Images

Olympus µ TOUGH-6000 Main Features:

1. Shooting when it's getting tough, wet and cold – shockproof  to 1.5m, waterproof to 3m and freezeproof to -10°C
2. Available in Lemon Yellow, Pure White, Arctic Blue or Sunset Orange
3. High-precision 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm) to capture great scenes through to stunning close-ups even in extreme conditions
4. Avoids camera shake and blurry images thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabilisation)
5. TAP Control Menu for great convenience also when wearing gloves
6. 10 Megapixels to make poster-size prints if you want to
7. 6.9cm/2.7" HyperCrystal III LCD for best ever preview even in brilliant sunlight and at extreme angles (230,000 dots)
8. Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces. In combination with Shadow Adjustment Technology other main parts of the picture are also correctly exposed.
9. The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
10. LED illuminator to lighten up underwater or macro sceneries
11. Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)
12. xD-Picture Card and microSD Card compatible

Olympus µ TOUGH-6000 Specifications

Sensor	1/2.33 in CCD sensor 12.0 million effective pixels 12.7 million total pixels Primary colour filter (RGB)
Lens	F3.5 - F5.1 Focal length: 5.0 - 18.2 mm, (28 - 102mm, 35mm film equivalent) 10 lenses in 8 groups, 2 Aspherical glass elements
Image stabilization	Dual Image Stabilisation
Zoom	Optical Zoom - 3.6x (Wide) Digital Zoom - 5x
Storage	Internal Memory: 45MB xD-Picture Card, microSD
File formats	Still Image: JPEG Movie: AVI Motion JPEG
Image sizes	12MP (3,968 x 2,976) 5MP (2,560 x 1,920) 3MP (2,048 x 1,536) 2MP (1,600 x 1,200) 1MP (1,280 x 960) VGA (640 x 480) 16:9 (1,920 x 1,080)
Movie clips	640x480 (30/15fps), 320x240 (30/15fps), with sound
ISO sensitivity	Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Focus	CCD Contrast Detection
Focus range	Normal: 0.5m (19.7 in) to infinity Macro: 0.1m (3.93 in) to infinity Super Macro: 2 to 50cm (0.8 to 19.7 in)
AF area modes	iESP Auto Spot Face Detection AF
Metering modes	ESP light metering Spot Face Detection AE
Exposure compensation	+/- 2 EV / 1/3 steps
Shutter	Speed: 1/2000 to 4 seconds
White balance	Auto Overcast Sunlight Tungsten Flourescent 1 Flourescent 2 Flourescent 3
Scene modes	Portrait Landscape Night Scene Night Scene with portrait Sports Indoor Candle Self-portrait Sunset Fireworks Cuisine Documents Beach and Snow Snow Pre-Capturing Movie Underwater Snapshot Underwater Wide 1 Underwater Wide 2 Underwater Macro
Self timer	12 seconds
Flash	Built-in Flash Modes: Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Flash Range(ISO 800): 0.1 to 4.0m (0.33 to 13.1ft)
Viewfinder	None
LCD monitor	2.7 in TFT HyperCrystal III LCD 230 000 dots
Connectivity	Multi-Terminal (USB Connector, Audio/Video Output, DC Input)
Supplied accessories	Wrist Strap Manual Warranty Card A/V cable USB Cable Lithium-Ion Battery Lithium-Ion Battery Charger OLYMPUS Master 2 (Software CD-ROM) MASD-1 (microSD attachment)
Power	Lithium-Ion Battery
Weight	182g (6.4 oz)
Dimensions (W, H, D)	95 x 61.7 x 21.5 mm (3.7 x 2.4 x 0.85 in)
Other	Shockproof: MIL-STD-810F Shock Equivalent (5ft/1.5m) Waterproof: Equivalent to IEC60529 IPX8/JISC0920 (10ft/3m) Freezeproof: MIL-STD-810F Low Temp Equivalent (-10oC/14oF)

Additional Images

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