Casio, late comer to the digicam market stir things up by being the first to announce a 3+ megapixel digital camera. In an older article back in September I noted Sony's announcement of a new 3.34 megapixel CCD's (ICX252 series). Now the 3+ megapixel race is on beginning with the Casio QV-3000EX, a 3 megapixel (2048 x 1536), 3X optical zoom digital camera with a fast F2.0 lens, USB and CF Type II support. On sale? March. Retail price? $999

Here's Casio's official company release:

Casio Introduces World's First True 3.34 Megapixel CCD Digital Camera With Built-In Bright F2.0 3X Optical Zoom Lens

USB cable connectability for easy transfer of images to a computer

DOVER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2000-- Casio, Inc., Dover, NJ, in conjunction with CASIO Computer Co., Ltd., announced today the release of the world's first personal-use digital camera with 3.34 megapixel CCD. Scheduled to go on sale in March, the new QV-3000EX provides film-level resolution in a digital camera and will sell for under $999.

The new QV-3000EX employs an advanced 3.34 megapixel CCD that captures every nuance of the subject you are trying to record. The QV-3000EX also features primary color filters to create 2048 x 1536-pixel images of very high-definition and natural looking color, and a new F2.0 Canon 3X optical zoom, wide-aperture lens. All of this gives the QV-3000EX the means to record images of subjects that are too difficult for existing digital cameras with amazing definition and clarity.

The QV-3000EX comes bundled with software that automates exchange of images with a personal computer and supports use of an IBM microdrive, which means that image management and transfers are quicker and easier than ever before. Other features include a Night Mode that uses a CASIO original noise reduction system, a choice between shutter speed priority and aperture priority, a Continuous Mode that records up to three images at intervals of 0.5 second, and much more.

Features

• 3.34 megapixel color filter CCD
• New (Canon?? - Must be a typo) F.20 3X optical zoom, wide-aperture lens
• Bundled Photo Loader software automates image transfer with a personal computer. It automatically starts image uploading whenever you connect the camera to your computer using a special USB cable or insert the camera's CompactFlash card into your computer. Uploaded images are stored in folders named according to the dates images are recorded. Images can be viewed on your computer using a standard Web browser, either as a group or individually.
• IBM microdrive support A 340MB capacity IBM microdrive provides storage for approximately 245 high-resolution 2048 x 1536-pixel images.
• Beautiful, low-noise night scenes A CASIO original noise reduction system provides beautiful night shots.
• Designed for quick and easy operation 2048 x 1536-pixel high-resolution images can be recorded at intervals of approximately two seconds. During playback, images are scrolled at an interval of about 0.5 second, making it possible to quickly find the one you want.
• Powerful, easy-to-use record modes Landscape, Night Scene, and Portrait
• Modes for easy recording of a variety of subjects. A choice between shutter speed priority or aperture priority exposure. Continuous mode records up to three images at 0.5-second intervals.
• Digital record and playback features Movie recording and playback. The camera can be set up to record action that took place before the shutter release is pressed. Panorama recording and playback combines multiple images into a single panorama.
• Three metering modes Multi-pattern, center weighted, spot.
• Mode Memory Stores power saving and other settings in memory when camera power is turned off.
• Four flash modes Auto, on, red-eye reduction, off.
• 1.8-inch high-definition Hyper Amorphous Silicon TFT LCD monitor screen
• Optical zoom viewfinder Optical viewfinder allows operation with the monitor screen turned off, which saves battery power.
• Video output Output images to a TV or video tape deck.
• DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) compliant
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compliant

  Recorded Image Resolution
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Still Images     Image Size (Pixels)              Quality
  ---------------- ----------------------- -----------------------------
                        2048 x 1536          Fine     Normal    Economy
  ---------------- ----------------------- -------- ---------- ---------
                        1024 x 768           Fine     Normal    Economy
  ---------------- ----------------------- -------- ---------- ---------
  
  
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    AVI Movies       Image Size (Pixels)        Maximum Movie Length
  ---------------- ----------------------- -----------------------------
                         320 x 240           30 seconds     10 seconds
                                              (Normal)        (Past)
  ---------------- ----------------------- -------------- --------------
  
  
  Approximate Memory Capacity
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Still Images      Image Size (Pixels)        8MB           340MB
    Fine mode                               CompactFlash  IBM microdrive
                                                Card
  ---------------- ----------------------- -------------- --------------
                        2048 x 1536           5 images      245 images
  ---------------- ----------------------- -------------- --------------
  
                        1024 x 768           19 images      943 images
  ---------------- ----------------------- -------------- --------------

Specifications

• Imaging Element: 1/1.8-inch square pixel color CCD (Total Pixels: 3.34 million; Pixel Yield: 3.24 million)
  Lens: Canon Lens F2.0 to 2.5 f = 7.0 to 21.0mm (equivalent to 33 to 100mm on a 35mm film camera); 8 elements in 7 groups
• Zoom: 3X optical zoom; 2X digital zoom; maximum 6X when optical and digital zoom are used in combination
• Focusing: Contrast-detect TTL autofocus, manual focus; with Macro Mode; Infinity Mode and focus lock
• Approximate Focus Range: Normal: 0.3m to (Infinity) Macro: 6cm to 30cm
• With Manual Focus: 6cm to (Infinity)
• Exposure Control: Light metering by CCD; multi-pattern, spot, center weighted
• Exposure: Program AE; aperture priority AE; shutter priority AE
• Exposure Correction: -2EV to +2EV (1/3EV units) Shutter: CCD shutter, mechanical shutter
• Shutter Speed: 2 to 1/1000 second
• Aperture: Automatic switching F2.0/2.3/2.8/4.0/5.6/8.0
• White Balance: Automatic/fixed (4 modes), manual switching
• Self-timer: 2 seconds, 10 seconds
• Flash Modes: AUTO, ON, OFF, Red eye reduction
• Approximate Flash Range: 0.5 to 4 meters
• Monitor/Viewfinder: 1.8`` low-glare color Hyper Amorphous TFT color LCD (122,100 pixels; 555 x 220)
• Viewfinder: LCD monitor screen; optical zoom viewfinder
• Clock: Built-in quartz digital clock; date and time recorded with image; auto
• calendar up to 2049
• Input/Output Terminals: USB (special mini connector); DIGITAL IN/OUT, VIDEO OUT (NTSC and PAL), AC adapter connector
• Power Supply: Four AA-size batteries (alkaline or lithium)
• Four AA-size rechargeable batteries (nickel metal hydride) Two Panasonic CR-V3P lithium batteries
• Optional AC adapter
• Dimensions: 134.5(W) x 80.5(H) x 57.5(D) mm (excluding projections, lens facing upwards)
  Weight: Approximately 320g (excluding batteries)
• Main Standard Accessories: USB cable; CD-ROM (with Photo Loader
• software); 8MB Compact Flash(TM) memory card; video cable; soft case;
• neck strap; lens cap