Kyocera Press Release 19/02/04

KYOCERA ADDS NEW FINECAM SL400R DIGITAL CAMERA

Ultra-Thin, World’s Fastest 4.0 Megapixel 3x Optical Zoom Digital Camera

RTUNETM Technology Ensures The Shortest Lag Time And Unlimited Continuous Shooting at 3.3 Frames Per Second

Somerset, NJ - Kyocera Optics, Inc., the imaging industry arm of Kyocera Corporation, advances its revolutionary line of RTUNE digital cameras with the new Kyocera Finecam SL400R. Targeted to serious photographers who demand greater resolution images, the 4 Megapixel Finecam SL400R with RTUNE image processing is the only solution for digital camera fans who have been frustrated by “missing the moment” due to the combination of the shutter speed lag time and slow “shot to shot” time. The world’s thinnest 3x optical zoom digital camera, the sleek SL400R features a new protective lens hood and sports Kyocera?s popular unique swivel lens for obtaining images from virtually any vantage point.

Utilizing Kyocera?s RTUNE Image Processing Technology, the SL400R offers incredibly fast Continuous Capture Mode. In combination with virtually non-existent shutter lag time of 0.07 second (*1), it can capture images at an incredible unlimited 3.3 frames per second! (*2) For instance, you can fill a high speed 256MB SD memory card with continuous images at 3.3 fps, then go back, review the shots and pick the ones you want to keep. And this all happens at 4 Megapixel resolution of 2272 x 1704, which allows users to create 11? x 14? print enlargements. This dynamic feature removes the restrictions imposed by other manufacturer?s camera models.

Kyocera’s RTUNE Image Processing Technology accomplishes this by eliminating the barriers that restrict the transfer of the digital image to the memory card. This pipelined operation removes the bottlenecks for non-stop image capture at a speed that is 10-12 times faster than the competition.

The real world benefit is that you will be able to capture images with the Finecam SL400R that were missed before due to shutter lag time. Imagine being able to capture your child?s first steps or first time on a bicycle! Any action sequence can be captured, printed and shared with the new Finecam SL400R.

?Kyocera?s RTUNE technology is revolutionizing the digital camera industry with its elimination of the shutter lag time irritant and ability to ensure the perfect shot via its continuous shooting capability,? explained Ben La Marca, President of Kyocera Optics, Inc. ?With the addition of the 4 Megapixel SL400R, Kyocera now offers the benefits of RTUNE in a full line of cameras, including 3.2, 4 and 5 Megapixels.?

The swivel lens/flash body of the Finecam SL400R rotates, enabling easy framing of any scene from high overhead to low angle shots. The rotating lens provides easy movement for perfect framing in every scene such as self-portrait, low and high angle shots and macro mode. Its diminutive size (3.9” wide x 2.5” high x .6” thin) and sleek body with brushed aluminum panels are sure to make a fashion statement. The Finecam SL400R also offers a vast array of very flexible functions such as seven scene modes to suit any type of shooting conditions, voice memo feature that makes it possible to record a voice message with an image, and movie mode with sound that can be recorded in VGA at 30 frames/sec. until the memory card is full.

The new RTUNE high-speed imaging processor provides allows the SL400R to be the the world’s fastest 4.0 Megapixel digital camera. The RTUNE Image Processing Technology provides the combined features of Continuous Capture at 3.3 frames/second with improved image quality and dynamic range. In addition, the DayFine? LCD Monitor displays the subject in real time during consecutive shooting. RTUNE is the perfect solution for subjects on the move such as pets, children and sporting events.

With conventional digital cameras, adjusting the white balance after converting the analog image information from the CCD to the digital signal processor controls the level of each RGB color in captured images. However, this method requires compensating an uneven signal level for each RGB color at the analog stage with the digital signal processor, so if the signal levels in shadow areas are not sufficient, the result is poor image quality.

The RTUNE image processor in the Finecam SL400R adjusts the output level for each RGB color at the analog signal stage before it is converted into a digital signal. Then the image processor converts it into a digital signal to provide fine detail that faithfully reproduces the original image.

Thanks to RTUNE, color noise is reduced in 16-bit A/D calculations. The A/D conversion of analog image information into digital signals is performed with accuracy of 16 bits internally and output as 12 bits.

High-Resolution 3X Optical Zoom
The high-resolution, 3x optical zoom lens can be combined with the 3.2x digital zoom for a maximum of 9.6x. In addition, up to 8x digital zoom can be used when playing back images. The Finecam SL400R incorporates high-resolution optics, which provide a resolution of at least 200 line pairs/mm at the image center at focal lengths of 5.8mm (wide-angle) to 17.4mm (telephoto). These focal lengths correspond to approximately 38mm to 115mm for 35mm format cameras. The lens combines ultra compact size and high performance through the technologies developed by Kyocera. The Finecam SL400R also offers continuous Auto Focus (AF) that allows the user to seize the moment.

Scene modes provide the perfect solution for any shooting situation. The Finecam SL400R incorporates seven scene modes to make the most of challenging photographic setting according to the situation, based on six predefined settings. The seven modes include Standard, Sport Action, Night View, Night View Portrait, Portrait, Macro and Landscape. Each of the settings can be easily selected by using the scene button located on the back of the camera body.

The Finecam SL400R enables the user to easily shoot movies with audio at 30 frames/second up to the maximum capacity of the memory card. The recorded file is in AVI format and can be played back easily on the DayFine LCD Monitor or a personal computer. (To play back movies on a personal computer, it is necessary to install QuickTime?4.1 or later).

The customized start-up screen allows the Finecam SL400R user to select a favorite image as their introduction image. The image appears whenever the Finecam SL400R is turned on for a personalized experience.

It is easy to resize captured images with the Finecam SL400R down to 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels after being captured. This is the ideal solution for emailing images to family and friends. From the Finecam SL400R?s menu selection, you can select from three image resize options: full, one quarter and one sixteenth. The area to be resized can be selected via the selection button. This unique function in combination with a PDA incorporating an SD memory card slot, allows the user to easily create an image size suitable for the PDA?s display.

The Finecam SL400R incorporates a 1.5? DayFine? LCD Monitor that is easy to see in the brightest of sunlight conditions. In addition to the conventional back light system, ?DayFine? TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology includes a special optical film and exclusive light transmission circuitry that harnesses the power of the sun by absorbing incoming light and then reflecting the light back through the LCD, adding to the brilliance and contrast of the display.

When it comes to navigating the menus, the Kyocera Finecam SL400R makes it easy from setup to capture to playback. To make it intuitive, the camera offers an easy to use Control button that works on the principal of a joystick. Along with the logical screen selections and functions, the Finecam SL400R is easy for anyone to use.

The Finecam SL400R is provided with a USB cable that is perfect for uploading images to a personal computer. The cable complies with the USB mass storage class of accessories and images can be read via the cable as a mass storage devise on a computer.

To fit every situation, five flash modes are available (Auto flash, Red-eye reduction auto flash, Red-eye reduction fill-in flash, Fill-in flash, Flash off), three color modes (Color, sepia, B/W), six white balance modes (Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Preset), five sharpness settings (+3, +2, +1, standard, -1), two chroma settings (standard, +, -) and exposure compensation (+2.0EV ~ -2.0EV) is also available.

The Finecam SL400R features Epson?s revolutionary new PRINT Image Matching (PIM) Technology?, enabling them to work perfectly with the newest generation of EPSON Stylus Photo printers. With PRINT Image Matching, critical image specific parameters for printing are recorded by the camera and saved in each image data file. PRINT Image Matching-enabled Epson Stylus Photo printers use this information to ensure that they accurately reproduce the image created by the camera.

Additionally, the Finecam SL400R is shipped with the highly rated Adobe Photoshop Album? software.

The street price of the Finecam SL400R is $399.99 and the camera starts shipping in March 2004.