Casio has today announced the four megapixel three times optical zoom QV-R40. Casio's big claim about this camera is a one second startup time and a shutter release lag of 0.01 seconds. The camera has an aluminium alloy body, has a 1.6" LCD monitor, stores images on internal flash memory or SD/MMC card and is powered by two AA batteries.

Press Release:

New Compact Digital Camera with 1-Second Startup time

New Quick Response and High Speed Telescoping 3X Optical Zoom Lens Helps Capture Those Special Moments

TOKYO, JAPAN, JULY 24, 2003 -- CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. announced a new addition to the QV Digital Camera series, the new compact 4.0 megapixel QV-R40 Digital Camera. The new QV-R40 has 1-second power up time and industry leading* 0.01-second release time lag (both values approximate), ensuring you can capture those special moments whenever they happen.

* As of July 2003

CASIO recorded the 0.01-second release time lag mark last year with the release of its high-resolution 4.0-megapixel QV-R4 and 3.0-megapixel QV-R3, eliminating one of the most serious shortcomings for digital cameras up to that time. The ability to record images virtually the instant they happen, along with 3X optical zoom soon made these high-performance models the digital cameras of choice the world over.

The new QV-R40 is the next generation model for the QV Series QV-R4, and is loaded with features. The QV-R40 sets the pace for performance and speed, featuring a new high-speed telescoping optical 3X zoom lens and a high-speed startup control, making startup 1 second faster than the QV-R4. Playback is faster, too, with the new QV-R40 scrolling through images on the monitor screen at a rate of about 0.1 second per image. Also a pair of direct mode access buttons for REC and PLAY turn the camera on directly, letting even a novice digital camera user operate the new QV-R40 with confidence. Compact, feature-filled yet easy-to-use, the QV-R40 is set to become the new standard for speed and performance in the compact digital camera market.

• 4-million effective pixel CCD, 3X seamless optical zoom
• 1-second (approximate) startup time
• 0.01-second release time lag for virtually instantaneous recording
• One-touch direct REC/PLAY mode access buttons
• 0.1-second (approximate) playback image scroll time
• 5-point Multi Auto Focus
• Compact and elegant aluminum alloy body

QV-R40 Features

• High-Resolution 4-Megapixel Images, High-Performance Optical 3X Zoom
  The primary color CCD has 4.13 million total pixels for high-resolution images with fine flesh tones and detailed scenery. Seven lenses in six groups, including aspherical lenses, provide advanced 3X optical zoom capabilities. This, combined with 3.2X digital zoom, provides a combined maximum zoom factor of 9.6X.
   
• Quick Response for Both Recording and Playback
  Amazingly fast startup, shutter release, and display response provide stress-free recording and playback.
  • High-speed telescoping zoom lens and startup control has the camera ready to shoot about one second after you turn it on.
  • 0.01-second release time lag
  • 0.1-second playback image scroll time lets you scroll through large volumes of images in no time.
     
• One-Touch Direct REC/PLAY Mode Access Buttons
  Press the REC button to enter the recording mode or the PLAY button to enter the playback mode. Even when the camera is off, pressing a mode button turns it on and has you ready for recording or playback in an instant.
   
• 5-point Multi Auto Focus
  The camera takes simultaneous readings at five points and automatically selects the one that provides optimal focus for the image being recorded. This ensures optimal focus for your images regardless of the way you take them.
   
• Runs on Two Rechargeable AA-size Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries Included
  The two AA-size rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries that come with the camera provide enough power to record about 660 shots on a full charge.* If you run out of power, just use two commercially available AA-size lithium batteries.
   
• Best Shot Mode for Instant Setups
  The Best Shot Mode provides optimum camera setups in an instant. Simply select the sample scene that is similar to the image you want to record, and the camera's light metering, exposure compensation, saturation, and other settings are configured accordingly. The QV-R40 has total of 21 sample scenes built in, including "Coupling Shot" and "Pre Shot."
  • Coupling Shot
    When there are only two people present, Person A composes the image of Person B against a background and presses the shutter release. This freezes the image on the monitor screen. Then they switch places, and Person B composes the final image now with Person A included. The final recorded image shows both Person A and Person B, as if the were both standing in front of the camera.
  • Pre Shot
    With Pre Shot, you compose the background you want and press the shutter release. This freezes the background image on the monitor screen. Then you can ask someone else to record your image, using the frozen background as a composition guide. The final recorded image shows you against the background you want.
     
• Calendar Screen
  Each date of the full month calendar screen shows a thumbnail of the first image recorded on each date. This visual diary of images makes it possible for you to quickly search for and locate the image you want.
   
• Triple Self-timer
  The Triple Self-timer records three consecutive shots with a single shutter release button operation. Then you can select the best of the three and keep it.
   
• World Time and Alarm Functions
  World Time lets you select one of 162 cities in 32 time zones around the world as your home time. When traveling to another time zone, simply select the applicable city, and time and date settings are adjusted automatically. A total of three independent alarms help to make sure you are on time all the time. You can even have a specific image appear when an alarm time is reached.
   
• Album Feature
  The camera stores images in a Web browser-viewable that allows you to browse images in an album format. The album feature uses HTML format, which means you can incorporate an album directly into a Web site, and even print directly from the album.
   
• SD/MMC Memory Card Slot, Built-in Flash Memory
  In addition to its 10MB of built-in Flash Memory, the camera also supports use of thin, compact SD memory cards and MMC cards (not included). It is easy to copy images between memory cards and built-in memory. **
   
• Favorites Folder Keeps Important Images Private
  320 X 240 size images can be copied to a Favorites folder located in camera built-in memory. Images in the Favorites folder do not display during normal image playback, which means you can keep your personal images private when carrying them around in camera memory.
  

* Monitor screen on, flash off, continuous recording
** Memory card not included.

Bundled with PC Link Software and USB Cable

• Photo Loader
  Connect the bundled USB cable to your computer and start up PhotoLoader, and JPEG and AVI images are transferred automatically from the camera to your computer.
   
• Photohands
  Photohands provides you with image editing capabilities for color, contrast, brightness, and other parameters. To start up Photohands, simply click the Photo Loader print button.

ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) and PRINT Image Matching II Compliant
ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) and PRINT Image Matching II support helps to make printed images look better than ever before.

USB Direct-Print Support
You can connect the camera's USB cable directly to an EPSON USB Direct-Print compatible printer* for printing without going through a computer.

Casio QV-R40 Specifications