The limited edition E-420 Komachi Kit

Cologne, 22 September 2008 – Named after famous Japanese poet Ono no Komachi, who was renowned for her beauty, the E-420 Komachi Kit certainly lives up to its namesake. Olympus brings together the E-420 body with the ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens to present a combination that cuts a decidedly elegant figure. The size and weight advantages inherent with the Four Thirds System are clearly demonstrated in this kit. The camera body and lens pairing measures in at a total length of just 76.5mm – which makes it the most compact D-SLR set-up in the world, and together they weigh merely 475g. As such, high quality miniaturised optics that deliver maximum D-SLR brilliance can be taken along and enjoyed anywhere with ease. The included hand-made leather case and strap, featuring a fashionable retro design completes the ensemble magnificently. The Komachi kit is available in limited quantities and also includes a 1GB CompactFlash memory card, LCD lens protector and a lens cloth. It will hit stores in October 2008.



The Komachi Kit utilises the advantages of the Four Thirds Standard perfectly. Photographers get D-SLR quality in a never-before-offered compact and lightweight form. The package combines the powerful E-420 body with the slim ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens. Together, this combination represents the most portable D-SLR kit available. And with the stylish hand-made leather case and strap, which come in classic brown, it’s always ready to pick up and go. The ergonomic E-420 D-SLR, which packs 10 Megapixels into its compact body, boasts full manual control to satisfy just about every creative impulse. But it also enables incredible ease of use with 28 different shooting modes including full auto. Thanks to integration of the Olympus-exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter, protection against dust is guaranteed and ensures perfect photos. Meanwhile, the Live View function allows users to preview images in real time on the bright 2.7”/6.9cm HyperCrystal II LCD.

The ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens, which measures in at an overall length of just 23.5mm and weighs merely 95g, is the pinnacle of miniaturised optics delivering maximum brilliance. It offers users D-SLR image quality in the most miniscule of packages. This highly portable lens is perfectly suited for everyday use, as it provides an angle of view equivalent to 50mm (on a 35mm camera) – which is near to that of the human eye. In addition, due to adherence to the Four Thirds Standard, it is extremely versatile – and fully compatible not only with the whole Olympus E-System range of camera bodies but with all Four Thirds-based cameras.

The ultra-compact and lightweight Komachi Kit is the perfect companion for the D-SLR photographer on the go. It includes a fashionable leather case and strap for simple and stylish transportation. Furthermore, with the 1GB CompactFlash card, you’ll have enough storage space for photos on the road. And to ensure that the lens stays spotless and images clear and speckle-free, a high-quality lens cloth is also provided.

Only available as a limited edition, the Komachi Kit will become available from October 2008.


Komachi Kit – contents:
• E-420 camera body
• ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens
• Hand-made brown leather case with strap
• 1GB CompactFlash card
• Lens cloth
• LCD protector

The Olympus E-420 digital SLR – main features:
• Extremely easy operation – use it straight out of the box
• One of the world’s smallest and lightest D-SLRs providing the ultimate in portability
• 10 Megapixel Live MOS sensor
• Live View for easier compositions
• Perfect Shot Preview for improved depiction of camera adjustments directly on the Live View LCD
• Improved Live View with contrast AF*, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology & phase detection AF system
• TruePic III image processor
• High-contrast 2.7”/6.9cm HyperCrystal II LCD
with 176° viewing angles
• The original Supersonic Wave Filter for dust protection
• 28 automatic, semi-automatic and manual shooting options (including 5 exposure, 5 creative & 18 scene select modes)
• Built-in pop-up flash (GN 10)
• Wireless flash control in up to 3 groups
• 3.5fps with up to eight images in RAW buffer
• One-touch white balance
• AE/AF-lock functionality
• ISO 100 to 1600
• Depth of field preview function
• 49-segment digital ESP
• Bracketing function (Exposure, White Balance, Focus)
• Beginner and Advanced information screens
• Detailed info screen with histogram
• Based on Four Thirds System
• Dual memory card slots (for xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash memory card)


ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 lens – main features:
• Ultra-compact pancake-type lens
• Fixed focal length of 25mm (equivalent to 50mm on a 35mm camera)
• Bright 1:2.8 aperture
• Merely 23.5mm thin and 95g light
• Minimum focusing distance of only 20cm
• Comes with screw-on aluminium lens cap


* Full contrast AF performance is available with new Olympus lenses including the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6, the ZUIKO DIGITAL 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6, and the new ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 “pancake” lens. A free firmware update can be downloaded from the Olympus homepage to enable this feature for lenses that were purchased previously.

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Julia Rauther
Olympus Imaging Europa GmbH
Tel.: +49 40 23773-4258
Email: julia.rauther@olympus-europa.com

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