The QV-R40's Quick Response and High Speed Telescoping 3X Optical Zoom Lens Enables You to Capture Those Special Moments the Instant They Happen
DOVER, N.J., Aug. 1 Casio, Inc., in conjunction with its
parent company, Casio Computer Company Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, today announced a
new addition to the QV Digital Camera series, the new compact QV-R40, a 4.0
megapixel Digital Camera. The new QV-R40 has 1-second power up time and
industry leading* 0.01-second release time lag** (both values approximate),
ensuring you can capture those special moments whenever they happen.

CASIO recorded 0.01-second release time lag mark last year with the
release of its high-resolution 4.0-megapixel QV-R4 and 3.0-megapixel QV-R3,
eliminating one of the most serious shortcomings for digital cameras up to
that time. The ability to record images virtually the instant they happen,
along with 3X optical zoom soon made these high-performance models the digital
cameras of choice the world over.
The new QV-R40 is the next generation model for the QV Series QV-R4, and
is loaded with features. The QV-R40 sets the pace for performance and speed,
featuring a new high-speed telescoping optical 3X zoom lens and a high-speed
startup control, making startup 1 second faster than the QV-R4. Playback is
faster, too, with the new QV-R40 scrolling through images on the monitor
screen at a rate of about 0.1 second per image. Also a pair of direct mode
access buttons for REC and PLAY turn the camera on directly to the mode you
want, letting even a novice digital camera user operate the new QV-R40 with
confidence. Compact, feature-filled yet easy-to-use, the QV-R40 is set to
become the new standard for speed and performance in the compact digital
camera market. The features include:

* 4-million effective pixel CCD, 3X seamless optical zoom
* 1-second (approximate) startup time
* 0.01-second release time lag for virtually instantaneous recording
* One-touch direct REC/PLAY mode access buttons
* 0.1-second (approximate) playback image scroll time
* 5-point Multi Auto Focus
* Compact and elegant aluminum alloy body

"Having a camera that will react to your specific photographic situation
-- with 1-second power up time and the industry leading 0.01-second release
lag time -- means that you'll capture the image you want every time," said
John Clough, president of Casio, Inc. "In addition," he said, "you'll be able
to print out remarkable crystal clear 8 x 10 color prints due to the high
resolution of the camera." The Casio QV-R40 combines ease of use, speed and
picture clarity in a remarkable compact mini digital camera that weighs about
5.64 ounces (without batteries) and is only 3.46" W x 2.38"H x 1.29"D.
The QV-R40 is priced at $299.99 and will be available at retail in
September. "Never before have we been able to pack so many features and
functions into a compact camera at such an affordable price," said Clough. He
predicted that the QV-R40 will be a hit with retailers and consumers alike due
to its ease of operation, advanced functions and affordable price.

QV-R40 FEATURES

-- High-Resolution 4-Megapixel Images, High-Performance Optical 3X Zoom
The primary color CCD has 4.13 million total pixels for high-
resolution images with fine flesh tones and detailed scenery. Seven
lenses in six groups, including aspherical lenses, provide advanced 3X
optical zoom capabilities. This, combined with 3.2X digital zoom,
provides a combined maximum zoom factor of 9.6X.

-- Quick Response for Both Recording and Playback
Amazingly fast startup, shutter release, and display response provide
stress-free recording and playback.

* High-speed telescoping zoom lens and startup control has the camera
ready to shoot about one second after you turn it on.
* 0.01-second release time lag
* 0.1-second playback image scroll time lets you scroll through large
volumes of images in no time.

-- One-Touch Direct REC/PLAY Mode Access Buttons
Press the REC button to enter the recording mode or the PLAY button to
enter the playback mode. Even when the camera is off, pressing a mode
button turns it on and has you ready for recording or playback in an
instant.

-- 5-point Multi Auto Focus
The camera takes simultaneous readings at five points and
automatically selects the one that provides optimal focus for the
image being recorded. This ensures optimal focus for your images
regardless of the way you take them.

-- Runs on Two Rechargeable AA-size Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries
Included
The two AA-size rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries that come
with the camera provide enough power to record about 660 shots on a
full charge.* If you run out of power, you can use two commercially
available AA-size lithium batteries.
* Monitor screen on, flash off, continuous recording

-- Best Shot Mode for Instant Setups
The Best Shot Mode provides optimum camera setups in an instant.
Simply select the sample scene that is similar to the image you want
to record, and the camera's light metering, exposure compensation,
saturation, and other settings are configured accordingly. The QV-R40
has total of 21 scenes built in, including "Coupling Shot" and "Pre
Shot."

* Coupling Shot
When there are only two people present, Person A composes the image
of Person B against a background and presses the shutter release.
This freezes the image on the monitor screen. Then they switch
places, and Person B composes the final image now with Person A
included. The final recorded image shows both Person A and Person B,
as if the were both standing in front of the camera.

* Pre Shot

With Pre Shot, you compose the background you want and press the
shutter release. This freezes the background image on the monitor
screen. Then you can ask someone else to record your image, using
the frozen background as a composition guide. The final recorded
image shows you against the background you want.

-- Calendar Screen
Each date of the full month calendar screen shows a thumbnail of the
first image recorded on each date. This visual diary of images makes
it possible for you to quickly search for and locate the image you
want.

-- Triple Self-timer
The Triple Self-timer records three consecutive shots with a single
shutter release button operation. Then you can select the best of the
three and keep it.

-- World Time and Alarm Functions
World Time lets you select one of 162 cities in 32 time zones around
the world as your home time. When traveling to another time zone,
simply select the applicable city, and time and date settings are
adjusted automatically. A total of three independent alarms help to
make sure you are on time all the time. You can even have a specific
image appear when an alarm time is reached.

-- Album Feature
The camera stores images in a Web browser-viewable that allows you to
browse images in an album format. The album feature uses HTML format,
which means you can incorporate an album directly into a Web site, and
even print directly from the album.

-- SD/MMC Memory Card Slot, Built-in Flash Memory
In addition to its 10 MB built-in Flash Memory, the camera also
supports use of thin, compact SD memory cards and MMC cards (not
included). It is easy to copy images between the memory cards and
built-in memory.

-- Favorites Folder Keeps Important Images Private
320W240 size images can be copied to a Favorites folder located in
camera built-in memory. Images in the Favorites folder do not display
during normal image playback, which means you can keep your personal
images private when carrying them around in camera memory.

-- Bundled with PC Link Software and USB Cable

Photo Loader
Connect the bundled USB cable to your computer and start up PhotoLoader,
and JPEG and AVI images are transferred automatically from the camera to your
computer.

Photohands
Photohands provides you with image editing capabilities for color,
contrast, brightness, and other parameters. To start up Photohands, simply
click the Photo Loader print button.


Bundled Software

Name Functions Provider Windows Macintosh

Photo Loader Image transfer, XP, 2000,
e-mail attachment*1 Me, 98 OS 9

Photohands Image retouching, CASIO XP, 2000,
printing Me, 98 -

USB Driver USB connection XP,*2 2000,
Me, 98 - *2

DirectX Movie Player Microsoft XP, 2000,
Me, 98 -

Acrobat PDF File Viewer Adobe XP, 2000, PowerPC OS
Reader Systems Me, 98, OS8.6 to
95, NT4.0 OS X

*1: E-mail attachment is supported by the Windows version only.
*2: Windows XP users and Macintosh OS9, 10.1, 10.2 users should use the
standard driver that comes with their operating system.

-- ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) and PRINT Image Matching II Compliant
ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) and PRINT Image Matching II support helps to make
printed images look better than ever before.

-- USB Direct-Print Support
You can connect the camera's USB cable directly to an EPSON USB
Direct-Print compatible* printer for printing without going through a
computer.

*For further information about "USB Direct-Print" compatible printers,
please contact Epson or visit http://www.epson.com.

For additional specifications, please visit http://www.casio.com/qvr40
Design and specifications subject to change without notice.

Casio, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co.,
Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Casio, Inc., markets calculators, business organizers,
handheld personal computers, keyboards, digital cameras, portable color TVs,
timepieces (Wrist Technology), cash registers and other consumer electronic
products. Casio, the unexpected extra -- for more information visit our web
site at http://www.casio.com.


* As of July 2003
** Time from when the shutter release button is fully depressed with the monitor screen and built-in flash turned off and focus locked.



SOURCE Casio, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.casio.com http://www.epson.com
http://www.casio.com/qvr40