Introduction

Olympus has announced an underwater housing for the Evolt E-300. The PT-E01 Underwater Case will protect the eight megapixel D-SLR down to a depth of 60 meters. There are also three underwater lens ports available which are compatible with four Zuiko Digital lenses as well as the PFL-E01, an underwater case for use with the FL-36 external flash unit. All underwater housings will be available in June.
Wide angle lens
John Knaur continued: ?The ability to use a wide angle lens is extremely desirable for underwater photography. With the PPO-E02 for the 11-22mm lens, underwater photographers will have the advantage of the wider angle to capture super diving images from a closer or a more distant range.? Aquatic life doesn?t stop to pose for anyone. That?s why users of the Evolt E-300 will appreciate that Olympus? quick shutter release and TruePic TURBO Image Processor that enhances processing speed for more responsive camera operation.
TruePic TURBO
More than just speeding up image data processing for the large image files generated by this 8.0-megapixel digital camera, TruePic TURBO also improves overall camera responsiveness and operating ease. The Evolt E-300 has an image memory buffer of 64MB and separate working memory for the camera control. And the Evolt E-300 can capture fast-paced action, shooting at 2.5 frames per second up to 4 frames in either TIFF or RAW at full resolution. JPEG resolutions are also available when even more shots are required for that ?must have? photo.
Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses
Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses are designed specifically for digital capture with superior edge-to-edge sharpness and smart technology to reduce distortion and shading. The lenses are designed to perfectly match the imager so light strikes the sensor directly, ensuring rich, accurate colors, sharp contrasts and bright images even at the edges. Zuiko Digital Lenses and the E-System deliver the best digital image with ease and accuracy in any condition from the mountains to the beach, and now even under the seas.
Housings Custom Designed for Lenses and Flash
The housings for three Zuiko lenses are built of durable die-cast aluminum and quality glass to go the distance. Olympus has the PPO-E01 for its 14-45mm Lens, the PPO-E02 for the 11-22mm or 14-54mm Lens, and the PPO-E03 for the 50mm Macro Lens. The exceptional wide-angle capabilities of the Zuiko Digital 11-22mm f2.8-3.5 wide-angle zoom lens (equivalent to 22-44mm on a 35mm film camera) will expand the creative possibilities for professional photographers because of its great light gathering power that permits shooting with a wide range of shutter speeds in low light conditions. Shooting in low light conditions is of even more importance at the dark depths 180 feet below the surface of the water.
Superb quality lenses
The Zuiko Digital 50mm f2.0 1:2 Macro Lens (100mm equivalent) delivers the close ups that really make photos of fish and coral pop with vibrant color and breathtaking detail. The Zuiko Digital 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 (28-90mm equivalent) and 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 (28-108mm equivalent) lenses are specifically created for the Olympus E-System. They are standard digital zoom lenses that can be used in conjunction with other Zuiko lenses to cover a wide range of focal lengths and zoom ranges. In addition, all of these ?designed for digital? lenses offer superb quality suitable for everyday use by advanced photographers as well as by newcomers to digital SLR products. To deliver more flash options under water an external FL-36 flash can be placed inside the PFL-01 underwater case and supported by the PTBK-E01 flash bracket also available for the Evolt.
Durable housing designed
The PT-E01 underwater housing is made of durable transparent polycarbonate with grips and levers fashioned out of durable polycarbonate. The transparent nature of the housings ensures that users can view their shots with ease, as well as show off the stylish bodies of their cameras. To reduce glare caused by sunlight on a digital camera LCD, the case features an LCD hood located on the outside back, that makes viewing the LCD easier above and below water.
Extra features
Olympus has thought of everything to keep digital cameras safe and dry within the housings. O-ring seals, special rubber rings engineered to fit perfectly within corresponding grooves, expand under water pressure to tighten the seal when the shells of the housings are locked. Furthermore, safety locks on all of the housings prevent accidental opening. The housings? stainless steel nickel-plated brass mechanical control buttons, also sealed with silicon O-rings, allow full access to the cameras? functions and menus. With the touch of levers, zoom and shutter are easily operated. For crystal clear shots, the integrated flash diffuser panel cuts down on glare from particles suspended in the water that otherwise would create a haze in the image.