Olympus FE-280, FE-290, FE-300 Announced

Today Olympus is updating three product lines of digital cameras. The entry-level, easy to use, FE line is going to see three new models, the FE-280, FE-290, and FE-300. Among the three new cameras, you'll find a 12 megapixel sensor, a 3 inch LCD, face detection, and, new to this line, a TruePic III imaging processor. All three models will be available in August, with the FE-280 available for $200, FE-290 for $250, and FE-300 for $300.

Olympus has a few features that you may not have seen before (at least with Olympus). The face detection system provides face detection AF and AE, meaning that you get focus and exposure correct on the faces in your shot. Digital image stabilization, which we've seen before, uses higher ISOs to increase shutter speeds. The Digital Image Stabilization Edit uses data collected by a gyro sensor to correct images after they've been taken. Perfect Shot Preview lets you preview possible settings differences (zoom, exposure compensation, white balance, etc) in multiple frames on the LCD and pick the frame that you think looks best. Perfect Fix can apply Digital Image Stabilization Edit, Lighting Fix, and Red-eye Fix.

Olympus FE-280

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Features:

• 8 megapixels, 1/2.35” CCD
• 3x optical zoom (36-108mm equivalent)
• Aperture range: F3.1 - F5.9
• 2.5 inch, 230K pixel LCD
• Digital Image Stabilization and Edit
• Face Detection
• Perfect Shot Preview
• Perfect Fix
• TruePic III processor
• Movie capture up to 640x480 @ 30fps
• 48MB internal memory, xD-Picture Card slot
• Available in silver, black, blue, and red
• Lithium-ion battery
• Dimensions: 3.6"W x 2.2"H x 0.65" D

Olympus FE-290

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Features:

• 7.1 megapixels, 1/2.5" CCD
• 4x optical zoom with wide angle capability (28-112mm equivalent)
• Aperture range: F2.7 - F5.4
• 3 inch, 234K pixel LCD
• Digital Image Stabilization
• Movie capture up to 640x480 @ 15fps
• 6.9MB internal memory, xD-Picture Card slot
• Available in silver and black
• Lithium-ion battery
• Dimensions: 3.9"W x 2.2"H x 1.0" D

Olympus FE-300

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Features:

• 12 megapixels, 1/1.72" CCD
• 3x optical zoom (35-105mm equivalent)
• Aperture range: F2.8 - F4.7
• 2.5 inch, 230K pixel LCD
• Digital Image Stabilization and Edit
• Face Detection
• Perfect Shot Preview
• Perfect Fix
• TruePic III processor
• Movie capture up to 640x480 @ 30fps
• 48MB internal memory, xD-Picture Card slot
• Available in silver and black
• Lithium-ion battery
• Dimensions: 3.7"W x 2.2"H x 0.87" D