Olympus Launches SZ-31MR Compact Ultrazoom, Tough TG-820 iHS Cameras

Two new compact cameras debut from Olympus today with a new Intelligent High Sensitivity system on board enabling 10 fps shooting and simultaneous still/HD video capture.

Olympus SZ31-MR iHS
The SZ31-MR offers a massive 24x optical zoom lens, impressive when you consider the fairly compact nature of this compact ultrazoom. It boasts a 3.0-inch 920k-dot touch LCD, full 1080 HD video recording and a 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor accompanied by not one, but two TruePic V image processors. Olympus promises that the new iHS system will offer much improved high ISO performance and faster camera response times.

Olympus Tough TG-820 iHS
The TG-820 iHS is the outdoorsy type. It's waterproof to 33 feet, shockproof to 6.6 feet and freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It can bear a weight of up to 220 pounds. Sporting a telescoping 5x optical zoom lens, the TG-820 isn't all about brute strength. It bears a 12 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and TruePic VI image processor, capable of 1080 HD video and stabilized by an advanced Multi-Motion Movie IS. It s 3.0-inch LCD offers well beyond typical resolution at 1,030,000 dots.

Pricing and availability
The Tough TG-820 iHS will debut in March for $299.99; expect the SZ-31MR in late April for $399.99.