Olympus FE-115, FE-130 and FE-140 Digital Cameras Announced

Adding to their entry level, easy to use, "FE" line, Olympus has announced the FE-115, FE-130, FE-140, which will be available in March.  Designed for a beginning digital camera owner, the new FE cameras provide simple modes and on-camera help and tutorials to help you learn how to take great pictures.  The FE-130 will have an estimated street price of $179.99 and the FE-140 will be available for an estimated $229.99.  A $149 model, the Olympus FE-115 will also be available sometime in the spring of 2006.

The built-in help guide provides explanations for specific functions, explanations of the 22 shooting modes, and even tutorials about how to shoot into backlight, or how to change the colors in your image.  A single button push allows you to switch from reading the guide to shooting images with the appropriate settings.  Another way in which Olympus makes the camera easy to use is to provide "One Touch" ability to access common functions.  The help guide, direct printing, delete and zoom have dedicated buttons, while the flash mode, focus mode, and timer mode are accessible on a directional pad.

The FE-130 and FE-140 provide a 3x optical zoom, while the FE-115 has a 2.8x optical zoom.  The FE-115 takes 5 megapixel images, the FE-130 shoots images at 5.1 megapixels and the FE-140 shoots 6 megapixel images.  A 2 inch LCD is outfitted on the FE-130, while the FE-140 gets a 2.5 inch LCD, and the FE-115 gets a nice cheap 1.5 inch screen.  All three cameras also feature digital image stabilization that boosts ISO to increase shutter speeds and reduce blur.

Olympus FE-115 Summary Specifications

• 5 megapixels
• 1.5 inch LCD
• 2.8x optical zoom
• 7 shooting modes
• Power: 2 AA batteries
• Memory media: xD-Picture Card

Olympus FE-130 Summary Specifications

• 5.1 megapixels
• 2 inch LCD
• 3x optical zoom
• 22 shooting modes
• Focus Range: Normal/Macro mode (Tele): 23.6" -- infinity; Macro/Macro mode (Wide) mode: 3.9"  -- infinity; Super Macro mode: 2.0" -- infinity
• ISO Range: Auto (64 - 320 equivalent), up to ISO 800 when using Digital Image Stabilization Mode
• Power: 2 AA batteries
• Memory media: xD-Picture Card
• Dimensions: 3.8" W x 2.5" H x 1.0" D
• Weight: 4.6 ounces without battery and media card

Olympus FE-140 Summary Specifications

• 6 megapixels
• 2.5 inch LCD
• 3x optical zoom
• 22 shooting modes
• Focus Range: Normal/Macro mode (Tele): 23.6" -- infinity; Macro/Macro mode (Wide) mode: 3.9"  -- infinity; Super Macro mode: 2.0" -- infinity
• ISO Range: Auto (80 - 320 equivalent), up to ISO 800 when using Digital Image Stabilization Mode
• Power: 2 AA batteries
• Memory media: xD-Picture Card
• Dimensions: 3.8" W x 2.5" H x 1.0" D
• Weight: 4.6 ounces without battery and media card