Olympus released the Ferrari DIGITAL MODEL 2003 in November of that year — the same season Schumacher won his sixth Formula One title with Scuderia Ferrari. Olympus was an official F1 sponsor, Ferrari sanctioned the design, and only 10,000 units were produced worldwide. Each one is stamped with its individual serial number. The base camera is the Mju 400, finished in Ferrari red with the Cavallino Rampante on the lens barrier. THE LOOKS The 2003 model is Ferrari red — Rosso Scuderia over the Mju 400's compact all-weather metal body. The Prancing Horse sits on the lens barrier, the boot screen shows an F1 car, and the serial number is stamped into the body. Every detail signals what this is. The form factor is exactly the Mju 400: slim, pocketable, and splash-resistant to IPX4. There's only one color, and it's the right one. THE SPECS 4MP CCD. Olympus 5.8–17.4mm f/3.1–5.2 zoom (38–114mm equivalent). IPX4 splash-resistant metal body. Optical viewfinder. QuickTime Motion JPEG movies at 15fps. Prancing Horse lens barrier. Ferrari F1 car boot screen. Individual serial number stamped on body. 10,000 units worldwide. xD Picture Card. DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS Released during Schumacher's 2003 championship season: a numbered piece of that specific Ferrari era, officially sanctioned by the team and sold by advance order only. IPX4 splash resistance on the Mju 400 base body: the Ferrari edition is all-weather capable — appropriate for a camera meant to travel to circuits, beaches, and race weekends. 10,000 units with individual serial numbers stamped on the body: each camera is numbered, officially sanctioned by Ferrari S.p.A., and sold by advance order only. THE VERDICT The 2003 model is the more restrained Ferrari — the 2004 went further with engine sounds and carbon accents, but this one is quieter about it, which suits the Mju 400's body. The 4MP CCD, IPX4 splash resistance, and Olympus's image quality are all genuinely good. The serial number, the Cavallino Rampante, and the context — Schumacher's championship year — do the rest. One of 10,000. Probably the most collectible camera Olympus ever made.
