PMA 2006: The Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z850 camera is announced. 6 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD. Available from the beginning of March.

Casio Press Release

New Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z60 Loaded With Convenient Features, Even Easier To Use - Combines Cutting-Edge Technology With User-Friendly Functionality and Compact Style

February 21, 2006, Norderstedt - CASIO Europe GmbH, in conjunction with its parent company CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. announced the release of a new addition to its stylish and high-resolution EXILIM ZOOM digital camera series. The simple to use Casio EX-Z60 offers 6.0 megapixel images and a 3X optical zoom packed into a slim body enhanced by rounded edges. The camera features a large, easy-to-see 2.5” LCD monitor as well as the Anti Shake DSP, which along with the Auto Macro and Quick Shutter functions considerably reduces the incidence of blurred images due to moving subjects or shaky hands, ensuring that beautiful images can be created and enjoyed by anyone. The Casio EX-Z60 comes with many other convenient and user-friendly features, including Easy Mode, a simplified camera menu that facilitates effortless picture taking. The EXILIM line is a culmination of CASIO’s core technologies of miniaturization and digital technology resulting in a smaller, higher resolution camera—which has created the current digital camera trend with stylish, compact and fast action functions. The Casio EX-Z60 is the latest in CASIO’s pursuit of a digital camera that is both high tech and hassle-free—bringing the fun and enjoyment of digital photography to everyone.

In addition to its compact and stylish design, a noteworthy EX-Z60 function includes Revive Shot, which refreshes faded colors of old photos by bringing them back to life in digital format, automatically adjusts for obliquity even when photos are shot while still in the album. The Rapid Flash function enables three consecutive, high-speed flash photos in only one second, ensuring that no special moments are missed. The Easy Mode setting provides a simplified, easy to understand, and convenient version of the settings menu and camera interface, designed especially for first time users but also helpful to those who prefer a basic camera settings interface as well. The BEST SHOT button enables convenient, one-touch access to 33 scenes chosen from an image menu and providing the user with a wide range of camera settings for taking hassle-free photos every time.

The new EX-Z60 is a stylish and easy to use digital camera that takes high quality images and comes loaded with the latest features and functions. CASIO continues to bring the fun and versatility of digital photography to users everywhere.

EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z60 Main Features

Stylish, Slim, Compact Size High Performance Model

  * 6.0 mega pixel high resolution CCD and 3X optical zoom lens
  * Large easy-to-see 2.5-inch TFT LCD display
  * The EXILIM Engine features the Anti Shake DSP, which reduces blurring caused by shaky hands or moving subjects
  * 95.2mm (W) X 60.6mm (H) X 19.8mm (D), slim compact size (thinnest point: 16.2 mm)
  * Slim body enhanced by rounded edges and shape; stylish design accentuated by a sophisticated framework
  * Once powered on, the camera is ready to take pictures in approximately 1.4 seconds*
  * After the shutter is pressed, the image is recorded almost instantly, with only an approximately 0.002 seconds** release time lag
  * High-speed picture playback of approximately 0.1 seconds
  * Subjects appear brightly on the display monitor even under low light conditions, enabling easy shot composition
    * Using internal memory, with internal flash turned off
    ** With internal flash turned off

Various functions to make incredibly beautiful pictures possible

  * “Rapid Flash” enables three consecutive, high speed flash photos in only one second
  * “Soft Flash” prevents over exposure when taking shots in Macro, etc.
  * “Revive Shot” refreshes the colors of old, faded photos and saves them in digital format
  * The 33 scene “BEST SHOT” enables selection of the appropriate camera setting for both still photos and movies via a sample image menu

Numerous Easy to Use Functions

  * The “Easy Mode” menu is a simplified camera interface for user-friendly operation
  * The “Auto Macro” mode allows for automatic switching between macro and auto focus modes
  * The “9-Point Multi AF” clearly indicates areas of focus when photographing subjects with multiple focus points
  * The “Quick Shutter” function reduces mistakes by facilitating simple and easy high-speed focusing
  * The “Flash Assist” mode compensates for poorly illuminated areas within the shot
  * The “Exposure Warning” mode warns over or under exposure via an on-screen display
  * The “Icon Help” function provides icon guidance when adjusting camera settings
  * The “Direct On” button allows quick startup in both shooting and playback modes
  * Equipped with a one-touch “BEST SHOT” button that allows you to select the appropriate mode for your shot

EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z60 Specifications
Imaging Element: 1/2.5-inch square pixel color CCD, 6.37 million total pixels, 6.00 million effective pixels
Image Files Format: Still images: JPEG (Exif Ver.2.2), DCF1.0 standard, DPOF compliant
Movies: AVI (Motion JPEG)
Audio: WAV
Recording Media: Internal flash memory (image area 8.3 MB), SD Memory Card, MMC compatible
Image Size(Pixels): Still images: 2816×2112, 2816×1872 (3:2), 2304×1728, 2048×1536, 1600×1200, 640×480
Movies: 640×480 (HQ), 640×480 (Normal), 320×240 (LP)
Still images:
Pixels Resolution File Size Approximate Memory Capacity (Images)
Internal memory (8.3MB) SD Memory Card* 256 MB
2.816 x 2.112 Fine 3.63 MB 2 65
Normal 2.3 MB 3 116
Economy 1.21 MB 6 186
640 x 480 Fine 360 KB 21 625
Normal 240 KB 32 938
Economy 120 KB 59 1.742

Movies:
Pixels Recording Time File Size Frames/ sec Approximate Memory Capacity
Internal memory (8.3MB) SD Memory Card* 256 MB
640 x 480 (HQ) Maximum recording time per file: 10 minutes 10.2 MB/sec. 30 Approx. 6 sec. Approx. 3 min. 16 sec.
640 x 480 (Normal) 6.1 MB/sec. 30 Approx. 11 sec. Approx. 5 min. 27 sec.
320 x 240 (LP) 745 KB/sec. 15 Approx. 1 min. 27 sec. Approx. 44 min. 17 sec.
*  When using Panasonic (Matsushita) 256 MB card
Lens/ Focal Distance: 6 lenses in 5 groups, with aspherical lens; F3.1(W) to 5.9(T), f=6.3(W) to 18.9(T)mm (35mm conversion: approx. 38(W) to 114(T)mm)
Zoom: Optical 3X, digital 4X (12X when used together)
Focusing: Auto Focus with contrast detection,
Focus Modes: Auto Focus, Macro mode, Pan Focus, Infinity mode, manual focus
AF area: selectable spot AF, multi AF
Approximate Focus Range:
Auto Focus: 40 cm to
Macro: 10 cm to 50 cm
Infinity Mode:
Manual: 10 cm -
* Using optical zoom causes the above ranges to change
Exposure Control: Light metering: Multi-pattern, center-weighted, spot by CCD
Exposure: Program AE
Exposure Compensation: -2EV to+2EV (1/3EV units)
Shutter: CCD electronic/mechanical shutter,
Still images (auto): 1/2 to 1/2000 second.
Shutter speed is different for the following BEST SHOT scenes. Night Scene: 4 to 1/2000 second; Fireworks: 2seconds (fixed)
Aperture: F3.1/F4.4, auto switching (using optical zoom causes the aperture to change)
White Balance: Auto WB/ Fixed (6 modes) / Manual
Sensitivity: Still images: Auto* / ISO50 / ISO100 / ISO200 / ISO400
Movies: Auto
* Max ISO sensitivity is 800 when taking pictures with Anti Shake or High Sensitivity
Recording Functions: Still images, audio snapshot, Continuous shutter (normal speed, high speed, Flash continuous), self-timer, macro, BEST SHOT, movie with audio, Voice Recording
Self-timer: 10 seconds. 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer
Built-in Flash: Flash Modes: Auto Flash, ON, OFF, Soft Flash, Red eye reduction
Flash Range: 0.1 to 3.7 m (W), 0.6 to 1.9 m (T)
Flash Continuous Shutter: 0.4 to 1.9 m (W), 0.6 to 1.0 m (T)
Viewfinder: Monitor screen
Monitor: 2.5-inch TFT color LCD, 115,200 pixels (480×240)
Timekeeping Functions: Date and time: Recorded with image data, Auto Calendar: To 2049
World Time: 162 cities (32 time zones) worldwide, city name, date, time, summer time (daylight savings time)
Input/Output Terminals: USB / AV connector
USB: USB 2.0 (Full-Speed) compatible
Microphone/Speaker: Monaural
Power: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Battery life: Approx. 180 images (CIPA Standards)
Continuous playback: approx. 3hr. 50 min. (still images)
Continuous recording: approx. 1hr. 40min. (movie)
Continuous recording: approx. 3hr. 50 min. (voice recording)
Dimensions: 95.2 mm (W) × 60.6 mm (H) × 19.8 mm (D) (excluding projections; 16.2 mm at thinnest part)
Weight: Approx. 118g (excluding battery and accessories)
Bundled Accessories: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Lithium-ion battery charger, AC power cord, USB cable, AV cable, Strap, CD-ROM

EXILIM is a registered trademark of CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD. Any other company or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of those companies.

Specs are subject to change w/o notice