Casio UK Press Release 25/08/04

New EXILIM ZOOM Models With 5 Megapixels & Long Lasting SUPER LIFE Battery

2.5” LCD EX-Z55 and 2.02 LCD EX-Z50 models announced

August 25th, 2004, LONDON, UK - CASIO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. today announced the release of the 5 megapixel EX-Z55 and EX-Z50, two new models in the EXILIM ZOOM range of digital cameras with extra long SUPER LIFE battery operation and large LCD viewing screens.

Designed to build on the success of CASIO’s 4 megapixel EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z40, both new models replicate the thin body construction with a large TFT LCD screen. This predecessor model offered high picture quality, high-speed response and power saving circuitry in a compact unit. Thanks to the incorporation of CASIO’s proprietary compact image processing module, the EXILIM Engine, the model also offered superior portability and exceptional performance, providing 2.5 times longer battery life, and representing a significant improvement over what remains a common drawback with conventional digital cameras. This attention to the needs of consumers in terms of features and usability ensured the EX-Z40’s extraordinary popularity.

The two new models, EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z55 and EX-Z50, both incorporate the EXILIM Engine, but boast even lower power consumption. The EX-Z55 is equipped with a high resolution 5 megapixel CCD, a 3x optical zoom lens and an extra large 2.5? LCD screen whilst retaining an optical viewfinder. With its compact and stylish design, the EX-Z55 can take approximately 400 pictures (based on CIPA standards) on a single charge, while the EX-Z50 can take approximately 390. Both models offer extended battery life, making them ideal for use during long vacations, business travel, and other occasions requiring the amazing stamina that these cameras now offer.

Like all models in the EXILIM series, they offer superior portability and excellent picture quality, along with extremely high speed operation for quick response in a variety of shooting situations. For example, CASIO?s now legendary BESTSHOT function allows the user to select settings automatically by choosing from sample scenes. In addition, several new functions have been incorporated to assure a higher level of performance, such as the Business Shot function which provides automatic alignment correction for photos taken at an angle, altering shots as though they were taken from a straight front position; the ?Auto Macro? function which automatically switches between macro mode and AF mode; ?Flash Assist? which compensates for brightness levels in darker areas not reached by the flash; and ?Icon Help? which displays on-screen guides to help the user during the switching of settings.

High resolution 7.2 million pixel CCD with 4x optical zoom:
The stylish stainless steel body houses a high resolution 7.2 million pixel CCD imaging element and high performance Canon 4x optical zoom lens to deliver superb photo quality required of a pro-sumer camera.

Comprehensive high speed design:
Designed to give extremely fast response times in all that it does, results in a start up time of approximately 2.0 seconds and a 0.01 second release time lag. The EX-P700 also features a high speed continuous shooting function that can take 3 photos per second up to 5 photos.

New high performance functions:
Flash Assist—Operates during flash photography to compensate for underexposure in areas which are not reached by flash
Auto Macro—Automatically switches between Macro mode and AF mode as required
Business Shot—Provides automatic alignment correction for photos taken at an angle, altering shots as though they were taken from a straight-on front position
Icon Help—Uses pop-ups to guide the user during the switching of settings

Advanced imaging features:Auto Bracketing—Exposure, white balance and focus position are quickly altered after a single press of the shutter. In addition, the multi-bracketing feature enables a variety of shots with different colour effects to be taken in combination with the continuous shooting function.
Quick Response—Manual shooting is made easier with the large 2.0? high definition TFT LCD screen, which clearly displays all necessary information about shooting and effects. Manual settings can be easily changed on screen for quicker shooting via the EX-button.

General Features:
? Advanced image noise reduction for improved image quality, especially when shooting at night.
? Built-in speaker for voice recording and still image with audio playback, as well as movies with audio.
? High speed startup ?ready to shoot about 2 seconds after power is turned on (with flash off).
? A release time lag of only 0.01 second. Image capture starts virtually as soon as the shutter is pressed.
? Multi-Auto Focus for automatic selection of the optimum focus point location from a 7 point multi-focus area. Free Auto Focus for selecting your own desired focus point location.
? Manual Assist gives a sample picture of the effect of changes in the manual settings.
? High speed playback scrolls through recorded images at 0.1 sec per image for faster image searching.
? Large 2.0? TFT LCD scratch resistant acrylic panel monitor.
? EX-FINDER graphically displays the picture information intuitively via the LCD display
? RGB Histogram creates a histogram in red, green, or blue separately for the optimum picture balance.
? The BESTSHOT mode with 27 pre-set scenarios in an instant. Simply select a sample scene similar to the image you want, and the camera?s settings are configured automatically.
? Bulb photography mode, which takes a continuous exposure, can be used with the included remote control to take perfect pictures without blurriness.
? A flash synch terminal enables the connection of external flash devices.
? Full month calendar screen shows a thumbnail of the first image recorded on each date.
? Slide Show function lets you enjoy a picture show right on the camera?s LCD display.
? The Alarm function sounds an alarm with 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, 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.
? Images can be stored in a Web browser format allowing you to browse images in an on screen album.
? Internal 8.9MB flash memory, can be supplemented with SD / MMC memory cards (card not included).
? Favourites folder lets you store favourite or private images so they are not displayed during normal playback.
? Connects directly to PictBridge and USB DIRECT-PRINT* compatible printers.
? Complies with ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) and PRINT Image Matching III.