Toshiba has today revealed the first consumer digital camera based around the a 1/1.8" 4 megapixel CCD (likely to be made by Sharp). Labelled as 4.2 megapixels the camera outputs a 2400 x 1600 image (3:2 ratio) which works out at 3.84 megapixels. It has an (unusual) 2.8x optical zoom lens (made by Canon) supports Print Image Matching, weighs in at just 240 g (no batts) with an expected retail price of 69,800 YEN (approx. US$600). UPDATE: Samples online.

Toshiba PDR-M81 specifications

CCD * 1/1.8" 4.2 megapixel (3.84 megapixels effective)
Image sizes 2400 x 1600, 1200 x 800, 720 x 480
Image ratio 3:2
Lens 2.8x optical, 35 - 98 mm (equiv.) - Canon lens (F2.9 - F4.8)
Digital zoom Up to 2.2x
Focus range Normal: 80 cm - Infinity
Macro: 10 cm - Infinity (Wide), 25 cm - Infinity (Tele)
Sensitivty ISO 100 / 200 / 400
Shutter speed Auto: 1/2 - 1/1000 sec
Manual: up to 15 sec
Exposure compen. +/-2 EV in 0.5 EV steps
Exposure modes Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Full Manual, Auto Bracketing
Continuous shooting 1.3 fps, max 7 images. Multi-image 16 frames in one shot mode
Movie mode 320 x 240 / 160 x 120 (max 3 minutes), with audio, AVI M-JPEG
Compliance EPSON Print Image Matching
LCD 1.5" TFT
Connectivity USB, AV out (NTSC / PAL switchable)
Power 4 x AA batteries (NiMH rechargeable recommended)
Storage SmartMedia (up to 128 MB)
Dimensions 107 x 47 x 71 mm
Weight (inc batts) 343 g
Availability July 2001 - Japan
Price 69,800 YEN (approx. US$600)

Click here for samples from a Beta PDR-M81 (posted by Yamada Kumio)

* CCD is likely to be the Sharp RJ21R3BA0PT.