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Olympus has announced that it will add four new models to its digital SLR lens line later in 2007. All of the new optics will feature extra-low dispersion (ED) elements that reduce chromatic aberration, mechanical manual focus, and Olympus's new Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) autofocus system. The company says SWD allows extremely quick, precise, and quiet focusing.
Olympus also claims that when combined with the long-awaited successor to the E-1 digital SLR, SWD lenses will "achieve the world's fastest-class autofocusing." That would be a welcome development, as Olympus's autofocus system performance has lagged behind that of other major SLR makers. The E-1 successor is slated for introduction later in 2007.
The Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 SWD will be part of Olympus's High-Grade (HG) series. It has a focal-length range with the same angle of view as a 24mm-120mm lens on a 35mm film camera.
Also an addition to the HG line, the Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD has a focal-length range with the same angle of view as a 100mm-400mm lens on a 35mm film camera.
The Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm f/2.0 SWD will be added to the Super High Grade (SHG) series and, as its name indicates, maintains an f/2.0 maximum aperture throughout its zoom range. It offers a focal-length range with the same angle of view as a 28mm-70mm lens on a 35mm film camera.
The Standard series will gain the Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6, which has a focal-length range with the same angle of view as a 140mm-600mm lens on a 35mm film camera.
Olympus has also introduced a new 2x teleconverter for its digital SLR system, the EC-20. No prices have been announced for it or the four new lenses.
Other Olympus news:
Olympus Announces Two Compact Zooms
First Look: Olympus E-410 and E-510
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