CASIO TO INTRODUCE NEW EXILIM DIGITAL CAMERAS OFFERING ENHANCED BURST SHOOTING PERFORMANCE AND PREMIUM DESIGN QUALITY
One high speed model, with ultra-high speed burst shooting
Four models with stylish new designs
LAS VEGAS, NV, January 6, 2008 – Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced plans today to introduce an entirely new lineup of EXILIM digital cameras just in time for Spring. The new lineup will include five new convenient, user-intuitive models which make the most of Casio’s newest technologies to enable entirely new forms of digital photography.
One of the new models is a high speed digital camera featuring a revolutionary improvement in burst shooting speed that is expected to create entirely new markets. The other four models, while naturally offering significant enhancements in function and performance, focus on style with a new body shape that keeps height to a minimum and exudes a sense of premium design quality.
High speed model unveils powerful new technologies
EXILIM Pro EX-F1, with the world’s fastest burst shooting performance
This model incorporates a high speed CMOS sensor and a high speed LSI processor. With this model, Casio has achieved an ultra-high speed 60 frames per second (fps) burst rate for still images, together with 1,200 fps high speed movie recording that captures movement faster than the eye can see for ultra-slow motion replay. Moreover, the new model can record movies at full High-Definition.
Four stylish models feature premium design quality and improved functionality
EXILIM Card EX-S10 — the world’s smallest and thinnest 10.1 megapixel model
With this model, Casio sought to produce a camera with a high resolution CCD and a very bright Super Clear LCD featuring a high contrast ratio and a wide field of view. Both the picture taking and image viewing capabilities of this camera have been improved, and its design presence has been enhanced by keeping it as slim as possible.
EXILIM Zoom EX-Z80 — a small 8.1 megapixel model with a smart design
In addition to providing functionality that makes it easy for users to take photos and shoot movies, with this camera Casio pursued a design that enables people to use it almost like a fashion accessory. This high performance model comes in a very compact, smartly shaped body.
EXILIM Zoom EX-Z200 and EX-Z100 — two 10.1 megapixel models featuring a wide-angle 28 mm lens with 4X optical zoom
With their newly developed lenses, these cameras give users the freedom to enjoy a range of different photo styles, from wide angle to telephoto. They include highly visible Super Clear LCDs as well as Casio’s AUTO BEST SHOT scene recognition function that automatically chooses an appropriate shooting mode.
All four new stylish models also feature the Auto Shutter function, which enables users to take the picture just at the moment of a lovely smile or at the instant that hand shake ceases. Using Auto Shutter, the camera automatically detects the right moment and takes the photo.
Furthermore, to make it easy to enjoy recording movies, all models have a Movie Button that lets users record video at the touch of a single button. Even more, the highly portable EX-S10 and EX-Z80 models to be sold in the North American market utilize the AAC audio codec for movies, enabling replay on Apple’s iPod and other such devices as well as recording of movies in iTunes Compatible Format.
“We are continuously developing new features that take advantage of digital technology, and we introduced the Snap Video mode on our digital cameras. By using Apple’s superior video technology we believe people will find more ways to enjoy Snap Video,” said Susumu Takashima, a managing director and head of digital camera development at Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
“Every new Mac ships with iLife ’08, featuring a major new version of iPhoto and a completely reinvented iMovie,” said Ron Okamoto, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “Casio’s fantastic new line of EXILIM digital cameras works seamlessly with iLife’08, which makes creating incredible video and still photos easier than ever.”
By constantly pursuing new applications for the latest technologies and functionality, Casio has been able to offer its customers beauty, enjoyment and convenience in digital camera-based photography that was not previously possible. With the release of this new lineup of EXILIM digital cameras, which are extremely user friendly and can be used in many new ways, Casio hopes that many more customers will have even more enjoyable experiences with cameras.
“Casio continues to innovate and create digital cameras that provide new levels of enjoyment and convenience for the consumer, said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Sales for Casio’s Digital Imaging Division. “All of the new EXILIM cameras allow users to shoot high quality H.264 format video without having to switch from still mode first, combining great technology with ease of use.”
EXILIM Zoom EX-Z80 — a small 8.1 megapixel digital camera with a smart design
The EXILIM Zoom EX-Z80 is a digital camera that features a very compact, tightly formed design which offers the functionality needed to easily take photos and shoot movies, yet also offers a design feel conducive to carrying it around almost like a fashion accessory. It is available in six body colors — pale pink, vivid pink, green, blue, black, and silver. With this model, Casio has sought to create both functionality and design that are “easier” and “more fun.”
A smallish, smart form
This camera’s smart form, with height kept to a minimum, makes it compact enough to be cradled in the palm of the hand. The body features a finely brushed finish, and the contrast with the mirror finish on the ring surrounding the lens accentuates the camera’s scintillating presence.
8.1 million effective pixels and a 3x optical zoom lens
Thanks to the use of the EXILIM Engine 2.0 high-performance image processing module, which makes full use of Casio’s proprietary technologies, users can enjoy taking beautiful pictures with very low noise with this high performance 8.1 megapixel model.
Auto Shutter function automatically records the moment of a smile or the instant when hand shake ceases
Using motion blur detection technology, the camera can automatically take a photo at the instant when hand shake or subject movement ceases. Users can also automatically capture the moment of a smile, the instant when subject movement due to panning ceases, or the moment when their own face fills the frame as they point the camera towards themselves.
iTunes-compatible H.264 video
The camera uses the H.264 video standard, which utilizes the AAC audio codec widely enjoyed in Apple’s iPod, etc. It is also possible to record movies in an appealing wide format. The camera also features a Movie Button which makes movie recording easy.
Fun and easy to use focusing frames
In addition to the usual rectangular focusing frame found on the LCD monitor, users can also choose other playful design, such as a heart shape, for the focusing frame. When the subject is crisply in focus a clear heart shape is displayed, but when the image is not in focus the heart shape breaks up. Not only fun, this is a useful tool that makes it easier than ever to get the focus right.
Face detection function* finds faces of family members and focuses on them
If the faces of the people who users want to be in sharpest focus are prerecorded, the camera can use face detection technology to simultaneously detect up to ten faces. When it recognizes any of the prerecorded faces, it prioritizes them when determining correct focus and exposure. This feature can be useful when ordinary face detection technology would have trouble focusing as desired, such as when a number of people are lined up for a portrait and the picture-taker’s family members are at the rear of the group.
*The face detection feature includes a face detection technology provided by OKI’s face image processing engine, FSE (Face Sensing Engine).
For more information, visit www.casiousa.com
Leave a Reply