Olympus Announces Development of xD-Picture Card^TM, A Revolutionary Ultra-Compact Digital Camera Memory Media

July 30, 2002, Melville, NY - Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. and Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd (Fujifilm) of Japan today announced they have jointly developed the xD-Picture Card^TM, a new type of memory media with an ultra-compact design about the size of a postage stamp, image storage capacity of up to 8 gigabytes, compatibility with different digital camera brands, and prices that are comparable to current SmartMedia^TM cards.

The name of the new xD-Picture Card was inspired by the words "eXtreme digital" to signify the excellence of this new memory media for recording, storing, and transporting audiovisual information. The xD-Picture Card will be produced on consignment by Toshiba Corporation in Japan and introduced in the Americas this fall along with digital cameras from Olympus and Fujifilm that support the media.

Olympus and Fujifilm cooperated on the development of the xD-Picture Card to respond to the needs of consumers using today's advanced digital still cameras. These users require greater memory capacity, and with initial memory sizes from 16 to 128 megabytes at introduction, and followed by 256 megabytes by the end of 2002 and larger sizes up to 8 gigabytes in the future, the new xD-Picture Card^TM meets and exceeds memory needs.

Camera users concerned with compatibility of digital media between different brands of digital cameras will appreciate the xD-Picture Card's versatility. With a CompactFlash^TM adapter the xD-Picture Card can be used with any CompactFlash compatible device for even more possibilities. A USB Reader/Writer provides easy computer connectivity, and a PCMCIA PC Card adapter for laptops and other devices ensures the easy downloading of data.

Although similar in some ways to all flash media, xD-Picture Cards are designed for increased durability and reliability despite their size. The small size of the card will also allow for digital manufacturers to design even smaller, more stylish and powerful digital devices in the future.

"Olympus has been a supporter of SmartMedia in our digital cameras since the introduction of our first digital camera in 1997, and we plan to continue distributing this media for our customers," said John Knaur, Product Manager for Digital Consumer Products Group at Olympus, "As the needs of digital camera users evolve and the demand for greater memory capacity combines with the necessity for compatibility, Olympus and Fuji are responding with a new media designed to grow along with the market and meet the challenges of tomorrow."

xD-Picture Card Main Features

Ultra-compact 0.97" x 0.98" x 0.67" size
With a volume of 0.85cc and a weight of 2g, the xD-Picture Card boasts the smallest form factor of any digital memory card, making it exceptionally portable and convenient. The miniature size of the new Card will enable development of even smaller digital cameras.

Planned capacities up to 8GB
Four types of Cards will be available initially: 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, and 128MB. 256MB Cards are planned to be introduced this December, with 512MB and 1GB-8GB Cards to follow from the next year.

Core media concept
PC Card adapters and USB card readers will be available simultaneously with xD-Picture Cards, allowing easy interfacing with personal computers. A CompactFlash adapter is being developed that will allow use of xD-Picture Cards in cameras designed for CompactFlash media. Plans to adapt the new media for PDAs, audio players and other IT appliances are also underway.

For more information, contact Olympus America Inc, Consumer Products Group, Two Corporate Center Dr., Melville, NY 11747-3157, ph: (631) 844-5000 (800) 622-6372, Fax: (631) 844-5262.

ABOUT OLYMPUS - Nothing's impossible.
Based in Melville, New York, Olympus America distributes a wide range of products for the consumer, scientific, health care, commercial and industrial markets. These include film cameras that provide the ultimate combination of performance and style, and digital cameras that produce the most realistic digital images yet available. Microcassette and digital voice recorders, binoculars, personal photo printers, medical and industrial endoscopes, biological and metallurgical microscopes and measuring instruments, clinical analyzers, and other high technology products. Olympus America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

SmartMedia^TM is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation. xD-Picture Card^TM and other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners in Japan and overseas.