Olympus introduces new E-M5, the first model in its new OM-D (OM Digital) Series of Micro Four Thirds camera system, build upon the 40-year legacy of the OM SLR film camera series. Featuring the classic design of original OM Series, the new camera uses the modern Micro Four Thirds system. Olympus combines features found in the E-System DSLRs with those of the compact PEN Series to create a new compact, interchangeable lens camera for photographers who want both performance and portability.

Along with the SZ-12, Olympus is launching just another ultra zoom digital camera – the SP-620UZ. Compare to the SZ-12, the SP-620UZ packs a less powerful lens in a less compact body, and that makes the latter more affordable. The 16 Megapixel shooter gets a 21x optical zoom lens with 25mm wide angle, TruePic III+ image processor, and a 3-inch LCD screen. It is the successor to the SP-610UZ.

Olympus launches a new digital camera, the SZ-31MR iHS with a long-zoom lens and the iHS Technology. In fact, the SZ-31MR looks just like the new SZ-12/SZ-14 but of course it gets more functions and features. With a compact and lightweight body, the camera sports a 24x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and a 16 Megapixel back-illuminated sensor. The new iHS (Intelligent, High-Sensitivity and High-Speed) technologies are there to deliver “excellent images and videos in the most challenging backlit and low light conditions.” It even offers 48x Super-Resolution Zoom in case you need to get closer to your subject.

Olympus brings a new compact long-zoom digital camera, the SZ-12 (known as SZ-14 in Europe and Australia) featuring a powerful 24x optical zoom lens with 25mm wide angle that utilizes high performance ED glass (Extra-low Dispersion glass) and Olympus’ double-sided aspherical lens technology. To deliver clear images even in low light, the camera offers the Dual Image Stabilization, combing sensor-shift image stabilization with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds.

Olympus is launching a new rugged digital camera, the TOUGH TG-320, for active consumers. Designed to take hard knocks of everyday life, the camera is waterproof to 10 feet, shockproof to withstand five-foot drops to the hard ground, freezeproof to operate in freezing snowstorms (to 14 degrees Fahrenheit), and dustproof.

Olympus launches in Europe the affordable digital camera, the VG-170 featuring the “best-in-class flash”. Like its little brother VG-160, the VG-170 features 14 Megapixel image sensor, a 26mm wide angle 5x optical zoom lens and a 3-inch LCD display. The camera comes with a powerful flash, which is able to light up faces and objects up to fully 15 meters away, and provides the Long Flash Mode that will automatically adjust ISO sensitivity to make sure your camera is set up just right for low light.

Another new compact from Olympus is the VR-340 with 10x optical zoom lens with 24mm wide angle. The affordable long-zoom camera sports a 16 Megapixel CCD image sensor and a 3-inch LCD display with a wide viewing angle. The camera features Dual Image Stabilization, which combines Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds to capture crisp, clear images in any situation.

Olympus will release in February the new VG-160 digital camera designed to “deliver point-and-shoot simplicity and quality at a low price”. The 14 Megapixel shooter features a 5x optical zoom lens with 26mm wide angle and a slim body measuring just 19.3mm thick. It includes AF Tracking, Shadow Adjustment Technology and Face Detection functions as well as the Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode that automatically recognizes shooting conditions that match any of 29 built-in scene modes.

Olympus introduces its new LS-100 portable linear PCM audio recording device with two internal 90-degree directional stereo condenser microphones that capture lower-bass frequencies and louder sound with less clipping. It supports uncompressed 24bit/96Khz linear PCM digital recording.

Olympus introduces a new pocket device that combines Full HD video recorder with PCM audio recorder. The “dual recorder” records and edit 1080p Full HD video and 24 bit/96 hHz Linear PCM stereo sound. It features a 4.1mm auto focus lens and 4x digital zoom; and two condenser mics for capturing rich, dynamic sound.