Olympus FE-360 & FE-370 Compact Digital Cameras [New Olympus FE-Series Pont & Shoots]

Olympus have officially detailed two new additions to their FE-Series of digital cameras, namely the FE-360 and the FE-370 compacts, both of which sport 8 megapixel resolution, face detection, and, in the case of the FE-360, digital image stabilisation with 3x optical zoom whilst the FE-370 offers optical image stabilisation with 5x optical zoom functionality.

Olympus FE-360 & FE-370 Key Features:

New Intelligent Auto Mode

Tired of changing the settings on your camera every time you’re shooting something different? Included in the FE-370, the Intelligent Auto Mode automatically identifies what you are shooting (Portrait, Landscape, Night + Portrait, Macro, Sports) and adjusts the camera’s settings to capture the best quality results. First-time users will enjoy this quick and hassle-free feature, which does the thinking for them and produces incredible images like a pro.

Face Detection

Face Detection tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Even if your subject is moving, the camera continuously tracks your subject’s face without having to press the shutter button. The FE-370 can detect up to 16 individual faces in one shot.

Perfect Shot Preview

Both cameras offer Perfect Shot Preview mode, which enables users to preview and select various photographic effects on a live, multi-frame window on the LCD before snapping the shot. This feature allows users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring they are capturing the exact image desired. It is a great way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such as exposure compensation, white balance and metering.

Pre-Set Shooting Modes Featuring Smile Shot

Both new FE-Series cameras offer numerous pre-set shooting modes, such as Sports, Fireworks and Night Scene with Portrait. The cameras also offer VGA & AVI-quality video and sound, which enable users to shoot and share movies on the big screen or on the Web. The FE-370 features Smile Shot, which tracks your subject’s face to detect a smile and automatically fires off three consecutive shots so you never miss that perfect smile. This feature is great for parents hoping to capture hard-to-predict baby smiles. The FE-360 offers 20 shooting modes (including three for underwater shooting with the camera’s optional housing), and the FE-370 offers 18 shooting modes.

Perfect Fix In-Camera Editing

The FE-370 camera offers Red-Eye Fix, Exposure Fix and in-camera editing features such as resizing and cropping that enable photographers to edit images after the photo has been captured.

Expression Edit

Photographers sometimes struggle with making subjects say “cheese.” Now they can really turn a frown upside down when their subjects refuse to smile for the birdie. This fun feature on the FE-370 uses Face Detection technology to edit a subject’s facial expression after the image is captured. Four different expressions can be previewed in a multi-frame window on the LCD, and users can select their favorite expression at the touch of a button.

Easy Operation and Help Guides

The new FE-Series cameras feature an enhanced In-Camera Help Guides that make digital photography simple and fun for users of all ages and skill levels. The FE-370 offers Program Auto Mode. Located on the cameras’ mode dial, this option enables consumers to easily adjust ISO and white balance. A tutorial “shooting guide” educates users on tips for achieving specific effects, such as “shooting into backlight,” perfect for bright situations such as a day at the beach, and “adjusting image quality” for uploading images to auction sites. The shooting guide not only provides detailed descriptions for various situations and environments, but also sets the camera for optimum results with the touch of a button.

TruePic™ III Image Processor

The FE-370 features Olympus’ exclusive TruePic III image processor, which was developed for the demanding performance of professional Digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras. Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal-clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures crisp, clear images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.

Versatile Memory

All Olympus digital point-and-shoot cameras accept xD-Picture CardTM media. The FE-360 and FE-370 will also come equipped with an adapter, which will enable microSD memory cards to be used when capturing images. The microSD cards are emerging in consumer electronic devices, including mobile phones and PDAs. Users can also easily display photos on their HDTVs.

OLYMPUS Master™ 2 Software

OLYMPUS Master 2 Software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are easily organized by folders or albums and searchable by date in Calendar view. Additionally, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee™ Theater Pack to create professional quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.

The Olympus FE-360 and the FE-370 are set to retail in the US for around $150 and $200 respectively and should be shipping right about now.