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Olympus announces new XZ-10 camera and lens

The deluge of camera releases for 2013 has begun, with Olympus announcing a new compact as well as a telephoto lens for its Micro Four Thirds range.

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The deluge of camera releases for 2013 has begun, with Olympus announcing a new compact as well as a telephoto lens for its Micro Four Thirds range.

The XZ-10 comes in white, brown or black. (Credit: Olympus)

A new addition to the company's Stylus range of compacts is the XZ-10, which has a feature that's designed specifically for scrapbook aficionados. The built-in photo-montage setting lets users snap photos directly into a range of preset frames that combine to create an automatic montage of shots.

An example of the Photo Story montage mode. (Credit: Olympus)

Elsewhere, features include a 5x optical zoom lens that has a maximum aperture range of f/1.8-2.7 and 26mm wide angle. The XZ-10 gets a 12-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, and slow-motion enthusiasts will enjoy the camera's ability to shoot 120 frames per second in 720p, or 240fps in HVGA.

Like its predecessors, which included the XZ-1, this camera comes with a control ring that lets photographers adjust settings on the fly by rotating the ring. A 3-inch touchscreen and manual exposure controls complete the specs sheet.

The 75-300mm on the OM-D. (Credit: Olympus)

For OM-D and Pen owners, a new telephoto lens option is available in the form of the 75-300mm MkII f/4.8-6.7, the second version of this model (150-600mm equivalent). Improvements come in the form of better multi-coating to reduce flare and ghosting, a quieter autofocus system and a finish that matches the retro looks of the OM-D.

Both the XZ-10 and 75-300mm will be available from March, with retail prices yet to be confirmed.