Suhit Gupta
04-19-2004, 09:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/news/2004a/nr040419az1e.cfm' target='_blank'>http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/news/2004a/nr040419az1e.cfm</a><br /><br /></div>"Olympus Corporation [announces] the introduction of the 3.2-megapixel CAMEDIA AZ-1 compact digital camera with 3x optical zoom. In addition to full range of camera features, the CAMEDIA AZ-1 is equipped with a sharp, clear, Mobile Advanced Super View Display that makes it equally suitable for use as a photo viewer. <br /> <br />With its Mobile Advanced Super View Display and new album functions, the CAMEDIA AZ-1 is an entirely new type of camera that offers "shooting," "viewing," and "sharing." The Mobile Advanced Super View Display offers high contrast and a wide viewing angle, and its incorporation into the CAMEDIA AZ-1 marks the first time that this display technology has been utilized in a digital camera or other such mobile device. The 2.5-inch display has a resolution of 210,000 pixels, and its large size and excellent image quality make it ideal for both reviewing and appreciating photos."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/az1.jpg" /><br /><br />This new ultra-compact camera look very similar to the Minolta DiMAGE X series as well as the recently announced Sony DSC-T1, T11. All three cameras offer the folded optics lenses. The AZ-1 is 94 x 67 mm (3.7 x 2.6 in) and is 22 mm thick (0.8 in) and comes with a cradle used for charging the camera's internal Lithium-Ion battery. The camera supports a USB interface. Olympus' site seems to be listing this camera only in their Japanese market section, though it would be good if it were to be released everywhere else to see how it would stack up against the Minolta, Sony and Casio cameras.