PMA 2005: CNET covers the show

Judging by its newly announced lineup, Olympus saw the 2005 PMA as a chance to conquer the 5-megapixel frontier; four of its five new digital cameras have 5-megapixel sensors. The notoriously form-over-function Olympus (µ)-mini DIGITAL gets an upgrade in the form of the Olympus (µ)-mini DIGITAL S, a 5-megapixel model that one hopes will improve upon its predecessor's mediocre image quality. The 5-megapixel Camedia C-500Z is Olympus's only PMA camera to feature limited manual controls over aperture and shutter speed, while the lower-end Camedia C-480Z looks to woo an entry-level clientele with its 4-megapixel sensor and onboard framing options. The slick FE-5500 offers 5 megapixels and a sleek, metal body, while the pearl-white IR-300 serves as the company's 5-megapixel upgrade to its Total Imaging suite of photo-printing products.

Model	Price & availability	Specifications	Special features
Olympus (µ)-mini DIGITAL S	US$350 (S$599) April 2005	5-megapixel (effective) CCD; F3.8-to-F4.9, 35mm-to-70mm (35mm-camera equivalent) 2x zoom lens; xD-Picture Card	Olympus's party camera returns with a glossier finish and a new 5-megapixel sensor; you get 16 selectable scene modes, plus a 1.8-inch LCD that's nice on such a small camera.
Olympus Camedia C-500Z	US$280 (S$499) February/March 2005	5-megapixel (effective) CCD; F2.8-to-F4.9, 38mm-to-114mm (35mm-camera equivalent) 3x zoom lens; xD-Picture Card	Promising 19 distinct shooting modes as well as manual controls over aperture and shutter speed, the C-500 Zoom is a consumer snapshot camera with aspirations of more.
Olympus Camedia C-480Z	US$200 (S$349) February/March 2005	4-megapixel (effective) CCD; F2.8-to-F4.9, 38mm-to-114mm (35mm-camera equivalent) 3x zoom lens; xD-Picture Card	A C-500 without pretensions, the C-480 eschews manual controls in favor of an easy-to-grasp interface and in-camera framing options, plus 19 scene modes and two macro modes.
Olympus Camedia FE-5500	US$300 (S$499) April 2005	5-megapixel (effective) CCD; F2.8-to-F4.8 35mm-to-105mm (35mm-camera equivalent) 3x zoom lens; xD-Picture Card	With its inch-thin, all-metal housing, the FE-5500 rivals the (µ)-mini as Olympus's slickest offering. The 2-inch LCD only sweetens the deal.
Olympus IR-300	US$350 (S$599) April 2005	5-megapixel (effective) CCD; F3.3-to-F4.0, 38mm-to-114mm (35mm-camera equivalent) 3x zoom lens; xD-Picture Card	Part of Olympus's Total Imaging suite, the white, magnesium-body IR-300 also boasts 19 scene modes, 15 onboard frames, and a 2-inch LCD screen.

PMA 2005: what to expect at the show