The Casio EX-Z700 is announced today. The EX-Z700 is a 7.2 megapixel update of the EX-Z600, with a large 2.7 inch LCD screen with a brightness of 1200cd/m2 and 2 new Best Shot modes (Auto Framing and Layout Shot), bringing the total number of scene modes to 37. The Casio EXILIM EX-Z700 will be available in silver and gunmetal in the UK and Eire from August 2006.

Casio Europe Press Release

TOKYO, July 27, 2006 - CASIO Europe GmbH and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today the release of the EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z700, the latest addition to its stylish series of EXILIM digital cameras. This newest member of the EXILIM family combines the high-resolution performance of an effective 7.2 megapixels with Casio’s Super Bright LCD for easy viewing in broad daylight. The Casio EX-Z700’s Super Bright LCD is both big and bright: the 2.7-inch screen with 1200cd/m2 brightness is easy to see, even on a sunny day. At 7.2 megapixels, the high-performance Casio EX-Z700 ensures crystal-clear image output for both printing and screen, delivering extraordinary photographic detail. The long-life battery packs enough power for around 460 still images on a single charge, and the camera comes with Casio’s Anti Shake DSP to reduce photo blur due to shaky hands or moving subjects. All in all, the Casio EX-Z700 strikes an extremely attractive balance between slim, stylish looks and high-performance functionality. It also adds brand new picture-taking functions in BEST SHOT mode.

New BEST SHOT modes
  * Auto Framing
    Casio’s new Auto Framing mode keeps dynamic subjects like playful, active children at the center of the photograph, solving one of photography’s most perplexing challenges. This original new function is based on Casio-developed “auto-follow” technology for tracking the movement of photo subjects. In Auto Framing mode, a thin, outlined frame appears on the LCD, centered on the moving subject of the photo. The area within the frame indicates the image that will be saved when the shutter is fully depressed.
  * Layout Shot
    With new Layout Shot mode, photographers can combine multiple shots of friends taken with the same scenic backdrop into a single collage, or even mix shots with different compositions to create a single artistic layout. Users simply select one of two predefined layout templates, then take two or three photographs, and save the results to create a single composite image. Layout Shot delivers a whole new way to enjoy expressive photography.

Key features for superior performance
  * 7.2 million effective pixels; 3X optical zoom
  * Large 2.7-inch LCD with a brightness of 1200cd/m2*
  * Takes up to 460 still images on a single charge of the long life battery** (CIPA standard)
  * Anti Shake DSP for reducing photo blur due to shaky hands or moving subjects
  * BEST SHOT modes deliver great photo results simply by selecting one of 37 sample images to represent the current photo scene

* On the highest brightness setting, measured at the center of the screen.
** With LCD display set to standard brightness

Effective Pixels:  7.20 million
Imaging Element: 1/2.5-inch square pixel color CCD (total pixels: 7.41 million)
Image Files Format: Still images: JPEG (Exif Version 2.2), DCF standard, DPOF compliant
Movies: Motion JPEG, AVI format
Audio: WAV (monaural)
Recording Media: Built-in flash memory (image area: 8.3MB), SDHC Memory Card / SD Memory Card / MultiMediaCard compatible
Image Size(Pixels): Still images: 3072×2304, 3072×2048 (3:2), 2560×1920, 2048×1536, 1600×1200, 640×480
Movies: 640×480 (HQ), 512×384 (Normal), 320×240 (LP)
Operating Speed Power on to first shot: approximately 0.9 second**
Shutter release time lag: approximately 0.007 second***
Image playback: 0.1 second
Shot to shot time: approximately 1.5 seconds*/**3
Continuous shutter: approximately 1 frame per second
High-speed continuous shutter and Rapid Flash: approximately 3 frames per second
*. With built-in flash off
**. With image size set at 3072x2304 and using normal image quality
Lens/Focal Distance F2.7 to 5.2, f=6.2 to 18.6mm (equivalent to approximately 38 to 114mm on a 35mm film camera), 6 lenses in 5 groups, including aspherical lens
Zoom 3X optical zoom, 4X digital zoom (12X in combination with optical zoom)
Focusing Contrast Detection Auto Focus,
Focus Modes: Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Pan Focus, Infinity Mode, Manual Focus
AF Area: Spot or Multi; with AF assist lamp
Approximate Focus Range: Auto Focus: Approx. 40 cm to
Macro: 15cm* to 50cm
Infinity Mode:
Manual Focus: 15cm* to
*Range is affected by optical zoom.
Exposure control Metering: Multi-pattern, center weighted, spot by imaging element
Exposure: Program AE
Exposure Compensation: -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)
Shutter CCD shutter, mechanical shutter
Still images (Auto): 1/2 to 1/2000 second*, Still images (night scene): 4 to 1/2000 second*****
*Shutter speed range may be different depending on the BEST SHOT scene or sensitivity setting.
Aperture: F2.7/F4.3*, auto switching?
*Using optical zoom causes the aperture to change
White Balance Auto, fixed (6 modes), manual
Sensitivity Still images: Auto*,
ISO50, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, Movies: Auto
*When using Anti Shake or High Sensitivity function, maximum is ISO 800.
Recording Functions Still images; still images with audio (maximum around 30 seconds); macro; self-timer; continuous shutter (normal speed, high speed, rapid flash), BEST SHOT, movies with audio, voice recording
Self-timer 10 seconds, 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer
Built-in Flash Flash Modes: Auto, On, Off, Soft Flash, Red Eye Reduction
Flash Range: approx. 0.15 to 3.4m (W), approx. 0.4 to 1.8m (T)
Flash Continuous Shutter: approx. 0.3 to 2.0m (W), approx. 0.4 to 1.0m (T)
Monitor Screen 2.7-inch TFT color LCD, 153,600 pixels (640×240)
Timekeeping Functions Date and time: Recorded with image data; Auto Calendar: To 2049
On-image time stamp function
World Time 162 cities in 32 time zones, City name, date, time, summer time
Input/Output Terminals USB cradle connector, USB2.0 (Full-Speed) compatible
Power Requirements Rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-40) x1
Battery life Approx. 460 still images* (CIPA Standards) Continuous playback: approx 7 hr. 50 min. (still images) Continuous recording: approx 3 hr. 10 min. (movie) Continuous recording: approx 9 hr. 30 min. (voice recording)
*Auto Mode, standard brightness monitor setting
Dimensions 88.5 (W) x 57.0 (H) x 20.5 (D) mm (excluding projections, 18.6mm at thinnest part)
Weight Approximately 112g (excluding battery and accessories)
Bundled Accessories Rechargeable lithium ion battery, USB cradle, USB cable, AV cable, Special AC adaptor, strap, CD-ROM