Gearfuse

Olympus Japan today announced the development of the worlds first 360 degree lens and camera prototype. With a vertical coverage of 180 degrees this camera is a boon to surveillance systems everywhere.  This camera won’t miss a thing as it can cover every possible angle so long as the room isn’t too asymmetrical.

No word from Olympus if the prototype camera will be commercialized or how much it’ll cost, but you can bet it’ll be out of the price range of most consumers.

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General Electric announced its new venture into the digital camera market through a fleet of releases through General Imaging, a small manufacturer created by the former president of Olympus. GE will be producing a series of branded cameras, all with red eye removal and image stabilization, including a high end model called X-1 which will feature an 8 MP sensor, 12x optical zoom, and a 2.5in LCD screen.

Along with the X-1 release will be the slick G-series (G-1, pictured above) which will feature a more sleek, compact design for us photo hobbyists and gadget nuts. The G-1 will feature a 7 MP sensor, 3x optical zoom, with a small design which measures 3.5 inches wide by 2.5 inches high. Also available will be a mid-range E-series, which will feature from 8 to 12 MP, and 4X to 5X zoom. Prices and availability are yet to be revealed, but knowing GE, it will be mass produced. — Andrew Dobrow

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Although not yet formally announced, the follow up to the Olympus E-1 is being codenamed P-1. Teasing us as they always do, here is some photos of the upcoming Olympus release. This thing looks solid as a rock and all of the knobs and buttons lead us to believe a feature full DSLR on the rise.

The LCD screen can be flipped out and swiveled which means that there might be an integrated live view function, which while cutting down on missed shots, will also mean a lessoning of screen size. Regardless, the Olympus P-1 is looking like a monster.

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When we talk about reviewing cameras, most people will think about the image quality, user interface, external design and so on. When those outdoor anti-drop anti-dust anti-splash cameras get reviewed, nobody seems to have the guts to actually test if the camera can really withstand what it claims it can. Chinese site PConline has tested the Olympus [mju:] 770 SW digital camera. Apart from all the usual imaging tests, they also put the camera through a series of ruthless tests. They started by having a 75kg dude stepping on it, then they dumped the camera into the ocean, washed it with soap, froze it… and a lot more. Jump to find out how hardcore the 770SW is.

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This is so 1960s mentality but wouldn’t it be great to record all your radio programs on to a huge harddisk? Olympus might have the answer for you, their new Radio Server VJ-10 tunes AM/FM radios and have a reasonably good pair of 28mm unit stereo speakers with SRS WOW XT technologies, the most important part is the built-in 37GB harddisk that can save up to 2500 hours of radio programs in WMA format. Line-in voice recording and standard 3.5mm headphone jack are all there. The USB 2.0 port makes it possible for you to transfer music (MP3/WMA) from your computer and have them played on the VJ-10, so it’s not a bad deal afterall. The version with 6-month worth of NHK English language program pre-install will be priced at 400USD, and the one without would be 350USD. –Sam Chan

Product Page [Olympus]

Why must Olympus flaunt the size of the E-400 in our faces, teasing us with the tantalizing vision of a functional and very mini DSLR? Compared to the rather obese E-500, this camera is a mini-machine of madness and mayhem (add your word starting with “m” here). With an increased resolution from the E-500, and the amazingly geeky and useful new edition of an anti-dust system, the very first of it’s class, Olympus has now placed it’s self among the competition of bigger companies. The verdict is in from reviewers across “teh internets”, and the verdict is straight across the board: This camera is one kick-ass piece of equipment.

Critics have commented on the E-400’s excellent photo quality and it’s ease of use. The addition of an auto mode to a DSLR is sure to draw more beginner towards this camera rather then a manually operated one (damn n00bz! ROFL ROFL). The consensus says that the E-400 excels in every area a DSLR should excel at, leaving us gear heads one bad-ass edition to our camera collection. One piece of criticism offered (because no gadget can be truly perfect) is that some photography pro’s might shun the camera off for its high price tag, even though the high quality lens is said to be a good value for the price. — Andrew Dobrow

Olympus E-400 review roundup [Engadget]