Olympus Introduces High Capacity 2GB xD-Picture Card

High-Capacity 2 GB Compact Memory Media for Digital Cameras

Center Valley, Pa, August 8, 2006 - Olympus Imaging America Inc. proudly introduces the new 2 GB Type M-Series xD-Picture Card, called the M2 GB, an advanced ultra-compact memory media designed for digital cameras. The M2 GB has the greatest storage capacity in the xD-Picture Card series and is scheduled to go on sale in August 2006.

Greater storage capacity enables users to capture more Quick Time Video and high-resolution sports, underwater and travel photos all on one card for a longer period of time between downloads to a computer or printer. This is a great advantage for travelers who can't easily edit or print photos while on the road, and want to capture as many memories as possible. The M2 GB enables users to take and store approximately 1,000 shots (average image size of 8 megapixels) with an Olympus digital still camera in HQ mode (the default high-quality image setting).

"The increasing pixel counts of digital still cameras and the growing use of these cameras for advanced audio and video recording are driving the demand for higher capacity storage," said John D. Blakeslee, business manager, digital memory products, Olympus Imaging America. "Olympus plans to apply this high-capacity technology to develop the xD-Picture Card for Olympus digital cameras with memory capacities eventually reaching up to 8GB."

The M2 GB Type M-Series xD-Picture Card uses the latest high-capacity storage technology based on the Multi-Level Cell (MLC*) to pack 2GB of memory onto an ultra-compact media card measuring just 25.0mm (W) x 20.0mm (H) x 1.7mm (D) in size.

Olympus will provide added software content for OLYMPUS Master editing software free of charge with the purchase of the new M2 GB xD-Picture Card. The ART and 3D functions, already bundled with the H Type series, have the ability to create cartoon art, oil, watercolor and three-dimensional looking images. See www.olympusamerica.com for more information on the functions.

The M2 GB may not be compatible with all digital camera models. Please check the Olympus web site for details.