Casio UK Press Release

CASIO Announces New EXILIM ZOOM Digital Cameras with Long Battery Life

Thin, Stylish Models with 3x Optical Zoom and up to 2.5x Longer Battery Life

February 25th 2004, London, UK - CASIO ELECTRONICS Co. Ltd. today announced the 4.0 megapixel EX-Z40 and the 3.2 megapixel EX-Z30. The two new models, part of the EXILIM ZOOM range of digital cameras, benefit from extra long battery life and 3x optical zoom.

The new EXILIM ZOOM models incorporate the ‘EXILIM Engine’, a newly developed compact image processing module with a 3 layer Stack MCM 1, that achieves high picture quality and quick response using a 1.8V low-power system. This makes the cameras? compact dimensions possible and at the same time have a battery life 2.5 times that of previous models 2, it also enables users a to capture stunning 360 photos a single battery charge 3. Thanks to the EX-Z30 and EX-Z40’s unrivalled processing speed, streamed movie clips with sound can also be captured, compared with previous models limit of 30 or 60 second clips. Budding movie makers can now capture memorable events and the only limitation is the capacity of their memory card.

When photos need to be taken in a hurry, the new EXILIM ZOOM models uses Auto Pan Focus mode with one rapid push of the shutter button, removing the need to wait for auto focus, and capturing pin sharp fast moving targets. In combination with the approximate 1.6 second high-speed start up time and approximate 0.01-second release time lag, the features of these cameras allow for even faster, more satisfying photography.

Other impressive features common to both new EXILIM ZOOM models include the large 2.0-inch TFT LCD screen and the Direct On function for one-touch record and play modes. In addition to being USB DIRECT-PRINT compliant for direct connection to printers, the EX-Z40 and EX-Z30 are compatible with the PictBridge and PIM II standards.

A combination of outstanding design, portability and high performance has put the EXILIM ZOOM range at the forefront of the market trend for compact, stylish and thinner digital cameras and now CASIO have responded to the demand for a longer battery life.

1) Stack MCM (Multi-Chip Module): A technology that enables the mounting of high density chips on top of each other
2) Comparison between the EX-Z4 and EX-Z40
3) Based on CIPA standard battery life measurement

Specifications and Features

EX-Z30 & EX-Z40 FEATURES
High performance, easy to use thin card size High picture quality 4-megapixel and 3.2-megapixel models Thin card-size body incorporating 3x optical zoom lens
Large, easy to see 2.0? digital interface TFT LCD monitor (with acrylic scratch-resistant panel)
Direct On function for one-touch start up in either recording or play modes New, easy to hold grip with a high-quality light weight aluminium body

Long battery life
2.5x the battery life of current cameras (comparison of EX-Z40 with EX-Z4) CIPA standard for battery life indicates 360 photos on a single charge

Quick response
The camera automatically switches to Auto Pan Focus when the shutter is pressed in one action
Rapid start-up time allows you to start taking pictures approximately 1.6 seconds* after turning on the power
Release time lag after pressing the shutter is approximately 0.01 seconds* 0.1 second high-speed playback scrolling of photos
*with the flash off

More convenient functions
Record movies with audio, limited only by the available memory
?BESTSHOT? mode provides sample images allowing you to take the photos you want
Noise reduction processing makes night scenes more clear
7-point Multi-Auto Focus for automatic selection of the optimum focus point

Features for fun
Includes a voice record function with playback from the camera?s speaker A ?Photostand? feature that lets you view a slideshow of images with the camera on its cradle
A ?Calendar? feature that shows thumbnail images of photos on the day they were taken
World Time lets you select one of 162 cities in 32 time zones as your home or destination time
Store special photographs or photos you don?t want others to see in the Favourites folder
Create HTML albums in the camera that can be viewed directly by web browsers

Other features
Connects directly to PictBridge and USB DIRECT-PRINT compliant printers 9.7 MB built-in flash memory / SD memory card / Multi Media card compliant (does not include memory card)
Menu can be displayed in 10 languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese
?Photo Loader? software is included to for transfer of images to a PC with one touch of the USB cradle button
Complies with ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) ?PRINT Image Matching II?