New High Performance EXILIM ZOOM Digital Camera Is the First in Casio's EXILIM Series Featuring a 4 Megapixel CCD DOVER, N.J., Aug. 27 Casio, Inc., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd. today announced the EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4U, the latest addition to the EXILIM Series of card-size LCD digital cameras. The new EX-Z4U features a CCD with 4 million effective pixels plus a high-performance 3X zoom lens.
EXILIM is the digital camera that has totally revolutionized digital imaging, with a new design that makes it easy to enjoy the advantages of having your camera anywhere you go. Its combination of outstanding portability and high performance has made the slim, card-size optical zoom EXILIM ZOOM the pacesetter in the shift to compact and thin packages in today's digital camera market.
The new EX-Z4U packs the first high-resolution 4-megapixel CCD of the EXILIM lineup into a stylish and thin card-size body. The result is a powerful 3X optical zoom camera that can be taken just about anywhere.
The EX-Z4U will retail for $399.99 and will be available in October 2003.
"The EXILIM line of digital cameras has been one of Casio's greatest innovations to date," said John Clough, president of Casio, Inc. "They have truly captured the imagination of the American public and have become popular fashion accessories as well." Clough said that the camera fits into your pocket or purse and is extremely easy to use. "This latest 4 megapixel EXILIM provides spectacular image quality capable of capturing the finest detail. It's truly one of our most spectacular product introductions to date," Clough concluded.
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<pre><font size="1"> -- 3X optical zoom lens in a thin, card-size configuration
The new EX-Z4U packs a powerful 3X optical zoom lens into a stylishly
thin card-size package that measures a mere 3.43&quot; wide, 2.24&quot; high, and
.93&quot; thick (.78&quot; at its thinnest point).

-- High-resolution 4-megapixel imaging
The 4-megapixel CCD of the EX-Z4U adds new dimensions to flesh tones
and the fine detail of scenery shots for images of exquisite beauty and
definition.

-- High-speed response
With a start up time of approximately 1.6 seconds (with flash turned
off) and a 0.01 second release time lag*, the EX-Z4U is faster than
ever. A new Pan Focus mode eliminates the need for focusing, which
provides even faster response. Multi-Auto Focus automatically selects
one of seven different focus point positions to ensure that images are
always focused correctly, regardless of how the subjects are arranged.

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

-- Built-in speaker for audio output
New audio snapshot and voice recorder capabilities have been added, and
a 2-inch monitor screen and built-in speaker lets you enjoy playback of
both images and audio. Sounds can be specified for start up, shutter
release and other functions.

-- Designed and engineered for ease of use
A low-power design has extended battery life to allow approximately
540 snapshots to be taken (continuous recording). Other functions
include high-speed playback capabilities that let you scroll images at
about 0.1 second per image, and a Best Shot mode that uses preinstalled
sample scenes to help set up the camera's functions faster.

EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4U FEATURES

- 3X optical zoom lens in a thin, card-size configuration

- 4-million effective pixel CCD for high-resolution images, with new
noise reduction process for outstanding image quality, especially
when shooting at night.

- Built-in speaker for playback of voice recordings and audio
snapshots

- High speed startup has the camera ready to shoot about 1.6 seconds
after power on (when built-in flash is turned off).

- A release time lag of only 0.01 second (monitor screen and flash
off) means that an image starts to be recorded virtually as soon as
you press the shutter release button.

- Pan Focus mode eliminates the need for focusing, for even faster
response

- A seven point Multi-Auto Focus function automatically selects the
optimum focus point

- High-speed playback scrolls at a speed of about 0.1 second per
image, making image searches quicker and easier.

- Extended battery performance gives approximately 20% longer
continuous recording time than the EX-Z3 (EX-Z4 allows
approximately 90 minutes of continuous recording).

- Big new 2.0-inch digital interface TFT LCD scratch-resistant
acrylic panel monitor screen

- A Best Shot Mode that provides access to 21 camera setups in an
instant. Simply select the sample scene that is similar to the
image you want to record, and the camera's exposure compensation,
white balance, and other settings are configured automatically.

- Photo Stand feature lets you view a slideshow of images with the
camera on its cradle.

- Full-month calendar screen shows a thumbnail of the first image
recorded on each date.

- An alarm function sounds an alarm and displays a specified image at
a preset time. A voice message can also be selected to play back at
the alarm time.

- 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.

- Triple Self-timer records three consecutive images, so you can
select and keep the best one.

- The camera stores images in a Web browser-viewable format that
allows you to browse images in an on-screen album.

- 10MB of Flash memory comes built in, and a card slot supports use
of an SD memory card or MMC (memory card not included).

- A Favorites folder lets you store your favorite or private images
so they are not displayed during normal playback.

- Simply press the cradle's USB button for automatic transfer of
images to a computer.

- Complies with ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) and PRINT Image Matching II.

- Complies with Epson USB DIRECT-PRINT, so you can print directly on
a USB DIRECT-PRINT printer* without using a computer.

* For further information about &quot;USB Direct-Print&quot; compatible
printers, please contact Regional Epson Sales Companies


EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4U SPECIFICATIONS

Recording Element: 1/2.5-inch square pixel primary color CCD
(4.23 million total pixels; 4 million effective
pixels)

Image File Record Format: JPEG (Exif. Ver. 2.2), DCF standard, DPOF
compliant

Recording Medium: Built-in flash memory (10MB), SD memory
card/Multi Media card

Recorded Image Sizes:

Approximate Memory Capacity (Images)
Image Size Approximate Built-in Memory SD Memory Card*
(Pixels) Resolution File Size (10MB) (64MB)
2304 x Fine 1.9MB 4 30
1728 Normal 1.5MB 6 37
Economy 1.1MB 8 50

2304 x Fine 1.8MB 5 32
1536 Normal 1.4MB 6 40
Economy 1.0MB 8 54

1600 x Fine 1050KB 8 53
1200 Normal 710KB 12 79
Economy 370KB 24 154

1280 x Fine 680KB 13 82
960 Normal 460KB 20 126
Economy 250KB 35 221

640 x Fine 190KB 46 294
480 Normal 140KB 61 386
Economy 90KB 98 618

* Matsu****a products. Capacity differs according to manufacturer.

Voice Recording: WAV (approximately 4KB/second); approximately
40 minutes (built-in memory)

Image Deletion: Single image; all images in memory (with memory
protection)

Lens: smc PENTAX LENS (6 lenses in 5 groups, including
aspherical lens); F2.6(W) to 4.8 (T); f=5.8(W) to
17.4(T)mm (equivalent to approximately 35.0 to
105.0 mm when converted to 35mm film)

Zoom: 3X optical zoom; 4X digital zoom (12X total when
optical and digital zoom are used in combination)

Focusing: Contrast type Auto Focus (selectable between spot
and multi); pan focus; macro mode; infinity mode;
manual focus; focus lock

Approximate Focus
Range: Normal: 15.7&quot; to infinity; Macro: 2.4&quot; to 19.7&quot;
(Optical zoom: 1 to 1.8X)

Exposure Control: Metering: Multi-pattern by imaging element
Control: Program AE; Exposure Compensation: -2EV
to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)

Shutter: CCD electronic shutter/mechanical shutter;
4 to 1/2000 shutter speed (including Night mode)

Aperture: Auto; F2.6/F4.3

White Balance: Auto; Fixed (4 modes); Manual

Sensitivity: Auto, ISO50, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400

Recording Modes: Snapshot; audio snapshot; Macro; Best Shot

Self-timer: 10 seconds or 2 seconds; Triple Self-timer

Built-in Flash: Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Red Eye
Reduction

Approximate Range: 1.31 ft. to 7.55 ft. (W), 1.31 ft. to
5.58 ft. (T)

Viewfinder: Monitor screen and optical viewfinder

Monitor Screen: 2.0-inch digital interface TFT color LCD
(84,960 pixels; 354 x 240)

Playback Functions: 4X zoom; 9-image screen; rotate; flip; calendar;
Photo Stand (slideshow); startup image;
Image Roulette

Timekeeping Functions: Date and time recorded with image data; auto
calendar up to 2049

World Time: 162 cities (32 time zones); city names; date and
time; daylight savings time

Other: Trimming; resize; histogram; album feature;
Favorites folder; copy; alarm with image/audio;
customize key

Input/Output Terminals: USB cradle contact terminals

Power Requirements: Special lithium ion battery

Approximate Battery
Operation: Continuous Recording: 540 images (90 minutes)
Continuous Image Playback: 150 minutes
Continuous Audio Recording: 130 minutes
(voice recording)

Dimensions: 3.43&quot; (W) x 2.24&quot; (H) x .93&quot; (D) (excluding
projections, .78&quot; at thinnest point)

Weight: Approximately 4.55 oz (excluding batteries and
accessories)

Bundled Accessories: Lithium-ion battery; USB Cradle; USB Cable; AC
Adaptor; Strap; CD-ROM

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<p>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 <a href="http://www.casio.com">www.casio.com</a>. </p>
<p>EXILIM is a trademark of CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. PENTAX is a registered
trademark of PENTAX Corporation. Other company, product, and service names
used herein may also be trademarks or service marks of others. </p>
<p>Downloadable images are available from www.casio.com in the Press Room
section. </p>
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<p><span class="ps" align="left">Source: Casio, Inc.</span></p>

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