The Olympus E-420 is sized more like a point-and-shoot camera than a DSLR

Olympus announced a new digital SLR camera called the E-420 that it bills as the world’s smallest DSLR camera. Despite its small size, Olympus promises a full feature set.

Olympus says the E-420 is small enough to fit into a purse or jacket pocket with measurements of 5.1-inches by 3.6-inches by 2.1-inches the E-420 is sized more like a point and shoot camera than a traditional DSLR. The camera is also very lightweight at only 13.4 ounces.

Other features of the E-420 include autofocus with a live view LCD that allows users to frame shots with the LCD screen rather than the view finder is desired. The LCD itself is a 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II promising twice the contrast and better viewing in bright conditions. The camera uses a 10-megapixel Live-MOS sensor promising clear images even at high ISO settings.

The E-420 is also compatible with wireless flash units form Olympus including the FL-50R and FL-36R. The camera supports CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive and xD-Picture cards for storage and the lens mount is a four thirds system. A dust reduction system is built-in and uses Supersonic Wave Filter technology. Images can be shot in 12-bit RAW format, JPEG, or RAW+JPEG.

The viewfinder is an eye-level single-lens reflex design with approximately a 95% field of view with a magnification of 0.92x. Image stabilization is not included. The autofocus system uses 3-point multiple AF and has an available focusing aid. The ISO sensitivity rage is ISO 100- 1600 in 1EV steps and the shutter speed is from 2 – 1/4000 of a second. The camera ships with a 14-42mm f2.8 kit lens. Availability is scheduled for late April at about $599 for the kit with lens and $499 for the body only.

DailyTech recently covered Olympus-rival Sony which launched a pair of new D-SLR cameras as well called the A300 and A350.

The Olympus E-420 is sized more like a point-and-shoot camera than a DSLR

Olympus announced a new digital SLR camera called the E-420 that it bills as the world’s smallest DSLR camera. Despite its small size, Olympus promises a full feature set.

Olympus says the E-420 is small enough to fit into a purse or jacket pocket with measurements of 5.1-inches by 3.6-inches by 2.1-inches the E-420 is sized more like a point and shoot camera than a traditional DSLR. The camera is also very lightweight at only 13.4 ounces.

Other features of the E-420 include autofocus with a live view LCD that allows users to frame shots with the LCD screen rather than the view finder is desired. The LCD itself is a 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II promising twice the contrast and better viewing in bright conditions. The camera uses a 10-megapixel Live-MOS sensor promising clear images even at high ISO settings.

The E-420 is also compatible with wireless flash units form Olympus including the FL-50R and FL-36R. The camera supports CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive and xD-Picture cards for storage and the lens mount is a four thirds system. A dust reduction system is built-in and uses Supersonic Wave Filter technology. Images can be shot in 12-bit RAW format, JPEG, or RAW+JPEG.

The viewfinder is an eye-level single-lens reflex design with approximately a 95% field of view with a magnification of 0.92x. Image stabilization is not included. The autofocus system uses 3-point multiple AF and has an available focusing aid. The ISO sensitivity rage is ISO 100- 1600 in 1EV steps and the shutter speed is from 2 – 1/4000 of a second. The camera ships with a 14-42mm f2.8 kit lens. Availability is scheduled for late April at about $599 for the kit with lens and $499 for the body only.

DailyTech recently covered Olympus-rival Sony which launched a pair of new D-SLR cameras as well called the A300 and A350.

Toshiba heads DVD Forum for two more years

Although Toshiba may be out of the HD DVD game, it’s certainly not done with being a force in the DVD Forum – the body behind both HD DVD and regular DVD formats.

At the recent 41st Steering Committee meeting, the DVD Forum approved Toshiba as the Chair Company serving from February 2008 to February 2010. Holders of Vice Chair positions are Sony for the CE Industry, Intel for the IT Industry and Warner from the Content Industry.

Also approved was the scope of WG-12, which states the mission: “To study and specify network applications and related network specification of DVD Forum formats, make recommendations for better interoperability and functionality of network connected DVD Forum specified devices and content, and communicate on relevant recommendations with other standard creation organizations.”

Particularly notable was the approval that all CH-DVD format matters be made the responsibility of the China High Definition DVD Industry Association (CHDA) and Optical Memory National Engineering Research Center (OMNERC), though both organizations will report their activities to the DVD Forum.

While similar to HD DVD in that it uses blue-violet laser technology, CH-DVD is supported by media authoring methods owned and approved by the Chinese government. The specific schemes supposedly offer specific measures against piracy.

The China High Definition DVD Industry Association said last fall that it will “make a big push to launch CH-DVD player into the Chinese market in 2008” and “encourage all related industries to… to make the transition from standard definition DVD to high definition DVD.”