Olympus Imaging Corp released a new digital compact camera that enables users to change the settings, take pictures and view them just by tapping on the LCD monitor or the sides of the chassis.
For exmaple, when users take pictures on a ski slope, they can operate the camera without taking off your gloves, the company said. In addition, the camera, "μ 1050SW" in the "μ·SW" series, features an enhanced water, dust and impact resistance.
The "tap control function" was realized by a three-dimensional acceleration sensor. Operations such as pressing the cross key or selection buttons, etc, can be replaced with taps on the top, sides and the LCD monitor of the camera. When the "snow mode" is selected, for example, pictures can be taken without pressing the shutter button because a light tap on the camera activates the self-timer.
When viewing a slideshow of pictures, users can change the speed of switching the pictures by tilting the camera. Of course, the camera can be operated by using a cross key and selection buttons just like other digital compact cameras.
The μ 1050SW is equipped with a 1/2.33 CCD image sensor, and its effective pixel count is 10.1 Mpixels. Its water resistance is equivalent to "IPX8" defined by the JIS/IEC standards and can be operated at the depth of up to 3m.
Its dust resistance is as high as "IP6X" defined by the JIS/IEC standards. As for its impact resistance, it passed a 1.5m drop test. Shooting is possible at temperatures ranging from -10 to +40°C.
The outer dimensions are 93.0 × 62.0 × 22.6mm excluding the projections. And the weight is 152g excluding the battery and the memory card.
The μ·SW series is characterized by its robustness. But the new product has a stylish appearance equivalent to an ordinary digital compact camera. For example, it is equipped with a "slide barrier," a moving protection plate for the lens.
The chassis is available in silver, gold, blue and pink. The μ 1050SW is scheduled to be released in Japan Sept 4, 2008. Olympus plans to produce 130,000 units per month.
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