Epson USA Press Release 06/01/04

( BW)(CA-EPSON) EPSON’s Perfection 4870 PHOTO/PRO Scanners Offer Affordable Film Scanning at 4800 X 9600 DPI

SAN FRANCISCO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 6, 2004—Breakthrough Scanner Models Feature the Power and Quality of a Dedicated Film Scanner with the Flexibility of a Flatbed Scanner

The EPSON Perfection 4870 PHOTO/4870 PRO scanners are making their debut as the first scanners to offer features comparable to high-end dedicated film scanners, at an affordable price. This breakthrough product offers brand new features for the Epson Perfection line, including DIGITAL ICE(TM) technology from Kodak/ASF for advanced image restoration, Epson’s exclusive Easy Photo Fix technology for color restoration and dust removal, and a built-in 6” x 9” transparency unit (TPU) for larger volume slide and negative scanning. The collective feature package of the Perfection 4870 scanner will save photographers time, money and space while delivering outstanding performance.

Replacing the EPSON Perfection 3200 PHOTO/3200 PRO, the Perfection 4870 scanner delivers a maximum hardware resolution of 4800 x 9600 dpi and includes 48-bit color and 3.8 Dmax for true-to-life color accuracy and the ability to capture minute image detail. In addition, the Perfection 4870 utilizes Epson’s unique ColorTrue(R) II Imaging System, providing customers with a technology that integrates superior hardware, optics and image processing to achieve accurate color reproduction and reduced noise.

“The EPSON Perfection 4870 provides customers with the highest quality scanner on the market at this price point, hands down,” said Daniel Oey, senior product manager, image capture products, Epson. “With exceptional scan resolution and speed, packaged with valuable image restoration tools and a larger TPU, customers can now enjoy photographic image quality and high performance that was previously only offered in high-end dedicated film scanners.”

The EPSON Perfection 4870 PHOTO/4870 PRO scanner offers valuable image-editing and time-saving tools such as DIGITAL ICE and Epson’s Easy Photo Fix technology. DIGITAL ICE technology automatically removes physical defects such as dust, scratches, dirt particles, and even major blemishes from a scanned image, providing a clean, sharp image. Epson’s Easy Photo Fix software allows faded or discolored images to be brought back to their original vibrant color with the simple touch of a button. The combination of these technologies allows graphic artists and photographers to recover photos and film in almost any condition to its original luster.

Both scanner versions include Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connectivity and a new 6” x 9” transparency unit (TPU) which utilizes a moving light source for faster scanning and better image quality. A TPU of this caliber is rarely seen on a consumer-level scanner and users will be amazed at the quality of their scans. The Perfection 4870 PHOTO/PRO handles 35mm slides, negatives and 4” x 5” transparencies with ease and also offers film guides that can hold twice the capacity as its predecessor, the Perfection 3200 PHOTO, or up to 24 frames simultaneously. These new features provide the customer with a professional high-end scanner that offers better image quality along with greater versatility and flexibility.

Software Bundle with the Perfection 4870 PHOTO
The Perfection 4870 PHOTO includes an advanced software bundle with Automatic, Home and Professional modes for all user skill levels. The software bundle includes:

— LaserSoft(R) SilverFast(R) SE 6
— Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 2.0
— ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR
— New EPSON Scan with Easy Photo Fix

Software Bundle with the Perfection 4870 PRO
The Perfection 4870 PRO includes a robust software package that makes this scanner the complete digital imaging solution. Included with this model are the following titles:

—LaserSoft SilverFast Ai 6
—MonacoEZcolor 2.5
—ArcSoft PhotoStudio, ArcSoft PhotoBase and ArcSoft Panorama Maker
—Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 2.0
—ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR
—New EPSON Scan with Easy Photo Fix

More About DIGITAL ICE Technology
The award-winning DIGITAL ICE Technology automatically removes surface defects, such as dust and scratches, from a scanned image with minimal effort. DIGITAL ICE Technology differentiates itself from software-only solutions because it does not soften, blur or otherwise alter any underlying details or composition of the original image. Instead, the patented DIGITAL ICE Technology works from within the scanner, during the scanning process, to provide users with a clear, authentic base image that improves the original image, which saves the customer time and alleviates frustration.

More about EPSON Easy Photo Fix Technology
The Epson Easy Photo Fix technology provides customers with an easy one-touch solution for restoring color to old photographs, negatives and slides, and removing dust from old slides and negatives. Customers simply scan an image and click on a check box for instant color restoration or dust removal. Epson Easy Photo Fix makes this process effortless since it is incorporated into the Epson Scan driver. The software has three different user modes: Full Auto mode, which automatically scans at pre-determined settings for entry-level users; Home mode, which offers some pre-set recommended settings for the advanced amateur; and Professional mode, which is completely manual to give the advanced user more control.

Availability
The Perfection 4870 PHOTO and 4870 PRO will be available in early February for estimated street prices of $449 and $599, respectively. Both scanners can be purchased through Epson authorized dealers, consumer electronic stores, mail order, distribution and on the Epson Store Web site (www.epsonstore.com).

Customer Support
Carrying a one-year limited warranty, the EPSON Perfection 4870 scanners are supported by the EPSON Connection, a fully-automated customer support and technical assistance line. For more information on Epson and its products, call 1-800-GO-EPSON (1-800-463-7766) or visit the Epson website at www.epson.com.

About Epson America, Inc.
Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets. The company is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) printers and transaction terminals for the retail market. Founded in 1975, Epson America, Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America, Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif.

About the Epson Group
The Epson Group increases its corporate value through its innovative and creative culture. Dedicated to providing its customers with digital image innovation, its main product lines comprise information-related equipment such as printers and projectors, electronic devices including LCD displays, semiconductors and quartz devices, and precision products such as watches. Epson products are known throughout the world for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency

The Epson Group is a network of over 88,000 employees in 111 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., which is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Group had consolidated sales of 1,322 billion yen in fiscal 2002.

Note: Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. EPSON Perfection is a trademark and Epson Connection is a service mark of Epson America, Inc. Third party and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.