NewsAugust 2005

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Casio Exilim EX-Z500

Casio has today announced a new five million-pixel model to add to the Exilim range which overcomes the problem that has blighted digital cameras since they were launched. The Exilim EX-Z500 houses a proprietary SUPER LIFE lithium-ion rechargeable battery that can take up to 500 shots on a single charge (a claim also made by Fuji's FinePix F10 Zoom). It boasts a huge 2.7-inch LCD (but no viewfinder) as well as Casio's ubiquitous BESTSHOT modes - a handy 31 of them. The Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z500 will be available next month priced £279.99 and comes with a USB cradle for charging the battery, transferring your images or connecting it to a television.

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Press Release:

Five Hundred Sharp Shots on a Single Charge

New EXILIM ZOOM Features Anti Shake DSP and Large 2.7 inch Screen

August 4, 2005, London – CASIO ELECTRONICS CO. LTD., in conjunction with its parent company CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. announced the release of the latest addition to its lineup of high quality digital cameras with the EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z500. The new 5.0 megapixel EX-Z500 with 3x optical zoom boasts CASIO’s Anti Shake DSP technology, a large high-resolution 2.7 inch TFT colour LCD display, and the longest battery life of the entire CASIO range — up to 500 shots on a single charge. These cutting-edge features are packaged in a sleek new ergonomically shaved body design, further enhancing the sharp and distinctive look of the EXILIM ZOOM series.

CASIO’s EXILIM series of digital cameras epitomize advanced miniaturization culminating in slim, compact bodies, and digital technologies that make them faster, smaller,and more powerful. CASIO’s EXILIM Engine with Anti Shake DSP, large high resolution LCD displays, and super long battery life help position the EXILIM range at the forefront of the digital camera market. The latest EXILIM ZOOM model is a perfect balance of form and function personified by its advanced features and contemporary look.

Built into the slim and beautiful body is the Anti Shake DSP, which reduces blurring caused either by shaking hands or moving subjects, while the Auto Macro and Quick Shutter functions ensure that photos are properly focused. In addition, the High Sensitivity Mode produces clear shots with a bright background without the flash, even when lighting is dim The extra-large 2.7 inch TFT color display features fine resolution of 153,600 pixels, yet battery life is further lengthened, facilitating an amazing 500 shots per charge. Convenient one-touch DIRECT ON buttons that enable fast start up for quick shots and photo viewing, as well as a practical 31scene BEST SHOT button make the EX-Z500 even more easy to use.

With all the performance and functions users have come to expect from CASIO packaged in a stylish new body, the EX-Z500 provides convenient, longer-lasting portability combined with cutting-edge technology, ensuring beautiful pictures to last a lifetime.

CASIO EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z500 FEATURES

High Performance, Advanced Capabilities

• 5.0 megapixel high resolution CCD and retracting 3x optical zoom
• High quality images, high speed, and long lasting battery in a miniaturized package with EXILIM Engine image processing module
• The latest version of the EXILIM Engine features the Anti Shake DSP, which reduces blurring caused by shaking hands or moving subjects
• SUPER LIFE Battery allows up to 500 still pictures per charge on CIPA standard
• High-resolution 153,600 (640 x 240) pixel large 2.7 inch digital interface TFT LCD display
• AF assist light function allows for perfect focus in dark places

Slim, Ergonomically Shaved Design

• Slim retractable 3x optical zoom lens results in a camera just 20.5 mm thick (18.6 mm at thinnest point)
• LCD display convexity has been eliminated, resulting a completely flat rear camera surface
• Zoom lever and shutter button combined into one
• Equipped with a one-touch BESTSHOT button that allows you to select the appropriate mode for your shot

Enhanced Quick Responsiveness

• Once powered on, the camera is ready to take pictures in approximately 0.9 seconds1
• After the shutter is snapped, picture is taken almost instantaneously with an approximately 0.007 seconds2release time lag
• High-speed picture playback of approximately 0.1 seconds interval
• Continuous shutter function enables photos to be taken in approximately 0.9 second3 intervals, limited to available space on memory card
• The “DIRECT ON” button function allows quick startup in both shooting and playback modes

*1 using internal memory, with internal flash turned off
*2 with internal flash turned off
*3 depending on the type of memory card used

Convenient and Multivariate Functions

• Perfect pictures and movies can be taken using one of the 31 different “BEST SHOT” 4settings
• The “Quick Shutter” function reduces mistakes by facilitating simple and easy high-speed focusing•The “Auto Macro” mode allows for automatic switching between macro mode and auto focus mode
• The “Icon Help” function provides pop-up icon guidance when adjusting camera settings
• The “Flash Assist” mode compensates for poorly illuminated areas of the shot
  *4 31 BESTSHOT scenes include “Anti Shake”, which reduces blurring caused by both shaking hands and moving subjects, as well as “High Sensitivity”, which enables bright pictures in a dim place even without the flash.

Movie Functions

• Movies recorded in VGA (640x480 pixels) size, 30 frames per second (Motion JPEG)
• Using the “MOTION PRINT” function, movies can be converted into a series of nine or just one snapshot for printing•Movies can be zoomed in during replay
• The “Movie Editing” operation offers three ways (beginning, middle, end) to cut unwanted scenes from a movie

Miscellaneous Features

• The USB cradle functions as a charger as well as a simple way to connect the camera to a personal computer and other audiovisual equipment, such as a television or DVD player.
• LCD monitor brightness can be adjusted to one of two settings
• Includes “Photo Loader” software which facilitates easy transfer of pictures to a PC
• Menu display language can be set to Chinese (simplified and traditional), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish
• Compatible with PictBridge and USB Direct Print for direct connection to printing device
• Compatible with ExifPrint(Exif 2.2) as well as PRINT Image Matching Ⅲ

Casio Exilim EX-Z500 specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.5" Type CCD • 5.3 million pixels total • 5.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 2560 x 1920 • 2560 x 1712 (3:2) • 2304 x 1728 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 (HQ & Normal) • 320 x 240 (LP)
File formats	• Still: JPEG • Movie: AVI • Sound: WAV
Lens	• 38 - 114 mm (35 mm equiv) 3x optical zoom • F 2.7 - 5.2
Image stabilization	Anti-shake DSP mode
Digital zoom	Up to 4x
Focus	Contrast type AF
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	• Normal: 40cm to infinity • Macro: 17cm to 50cm • Manual: 17cm to infinity
Metering	• Multi • Spot • Center-weighted
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 50 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • Max ISO is 800 when taking pictures with Anti-shake or High Sensitivity
Exposure compensation	• +/- 2EV • 1/3 EV steps
Shutter speed	1/8 - 1/2000 sec
Aperture	Auto F2.7 / F4.3 Automatic switching
Modes	Program
Scene modes	31 BESTSHOT modes
White balance	• Auto • Six modes • Manual
Self timer	• 2 or 10 secs • Triple self-timer
Continuous shooting	Yes
Flash	• Built-in • Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Red Eye Reduction • Range: 0.4 to 2.4 m (W); 0.4 to 1.3 m (T)
Viewfinder	No
LCD monitor	• 2.7" TFT LCD • 153,000 pixels
Connectivity	• USB • AV out • Cradle
Print compliance	• Exif V 2.2 • DPOF • PIM III • PictBridge
Storage	• SD/MMC card • 8.7 MB built-in memory
Power	Proprietary SUPER LIFE lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (NP-40)
Weight (no batt)	112 g (4 oz)
Dimensions	89 x 57 x 21 mm (3.5 x 2.2 x 0.8 in)

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