Olympus BioScapes™ Imaging Competition Enters Second Year; Deadline for Entries is September 30, 2005

Melville, NY, May 26, 2005 - Olympus America Inc. has set the deadline for this year's Olympus BioScapes™ Digital Imaging Competition. Entries, including still images, image series and movies, must be submitted online by September 30, 2005 and first prize will be Olympus microscope or camera equipment valued at $5,000. Nine additional winners will also receive valuable prizes from Olympus, and honorable mentions will be named.

The Olympus BioScapes Digital Imaging Competition, now in its second year, recognizes the finest images of life science specimens captured through light microscopes, using any magnification and any brand of equipment. Each person entering can submit up to five movies, images, or image sequences. Entries must include information on the importance or "story" behind the images. Winners will be notified in early October, and publicly announced at an event in December.

"In our first year, we were impressed with the high number of entries we received - more than 700 images and movies. The quality of the entries was extraordinary, and the stories behind the images were fascinating," said George Steares, Group Vice President for Scientific Equipment at Olympus. "We ask people doing inspiring, dynamic work in research laboratories all over the world to share their images. These fascinating shots help shed light on the living universe around us."

Uploading images to enter the competition is easy. For more information or to enter the competition, visit www.olympusbioscapes.com.

About Olympus Scientific Equipment Group
Olympus Scientific Equipment Group provides innovative microscope imaging solutions for researchers, doctors, clinicians and educators. Olympus microscope systems offer unsurpassed optics, superior construction and system versatility to meet the ever-changing needs of microscopists, paving the way for future advances in life science.

About Olympus
Olympus is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in healthcare and consumer electronics worldwide.

Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its parent company, Tokyo-based Olympus Corporation, to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include:

In the U.S. and Canada, Olympus serves healthcare, scientific and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers efficiently, reliably, safely, and easily achieve superior results. Olympus is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. The company's market-leading consumer electronics business spans North and South America. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.