CES 2004: Casio has today announced the five megapixel, three times optical zoom QV-R51. This compact five megapixel digital camera is based on the body as the QV-R40 but this time is made from magnesium alloy. Casio claim an 'industry leading' startup time of 1 second and shutter release lag of 0.01 seconds. The QV-R51 has a large 2.0" LCD monitor (bigger than the QV-R40 but the same resolution), has 9.7 MB of internal flash memory, has an SD/MMC slot and is powered by two AA batteries. The QV-R51 should be available from March 2004.

Press Release (Casio UK):

CASIO’s latest 5 Megapixel Digital Camera
delivers increased performance

January 8th 2004 – CASIO Electronics Co. Ltd, today announced the latest addition to its popular QV compact digital camera series, the new 5.0 megapixel QV-R51. Following the success of the QV-R3, the QV- R4 and most recently the R40, the new QV-R51 (as with all CASIO digital cameras) has been designed to be fast, stylish, compact and exceptionally easy to use.

CASIO continues to innovate in digital technology and has packed even more functionality than its previous compact digital cameras. Whilst retaining CASIO’s industry leading start-up time of just 1 second and an enviable 0.01 second shutter release lag time, the QV-R51 also features a large 2.0” LCD screen which enables easy viewing and editing of images.

The new QV-R51 features CASIO‘s revolutionary Stack MCM*1 which radically improves the camera‘s functionality and more importantly its battery life. The new Stack MCM technology reduces battery power consumption by up to 40%, thereby allowing the user to shoot as many as 900 photos (2 ½ hours) on a single charge*2.

Other features include a 3x optical zoom, magnesium alloy body and CASIO’s easy to use BESTSHOT mode. With 21 pre-defined built in settings, users can take beautiful, clear shots in any lighting condition. Image quality is further enhanced by the camera’s unique noise reduction process, which helps users take even better images using the BESTSHOT modes. The QV-R51 also comes with a new seven point multi auto focus system – increased from the five auto focus points in previous models – for even easier, more accurate focusing.

In addition to the features that consumers have come to expect from CASIO digital cameras, the new QV-R51 also includes features such as ’Direct-On’, that lets you start the camera up in either record or play mode instantly. With all these features built into such a small camera, the new QV-R51 is likely to be one of 2004’s must have consumer gadgets. The new CASIO QV-R51 will be available in the UK from March 2004.

*1 Stack MCM (Multi-Chip Module): A technology that enables the mounting of high density chips on top of each other
*2 With the LCD switched off

Casio QV-R51 Features

  • Easy-to-use high performance compact digital camera
  • 5 megapixel CCD with 3x optical zoom
  • Large, easy-to-view 2.0” TFT LCD screen
  • Long battery life: take as many as 900 pictures (2 1/2 hours) on a single charge
  • Direct-On for simple one-touch recording and playback
  • Uses regular AA-size Alkaline battery or AA-size Lithium / NiMH rechargeable battery
  • Compact, high-class aluminium body design that fits perfectly in your hand

Casio QV-R51 Specifications

Sensor 1/1.8" Type CCD (5.25 million pixels total)
Effective pixels 5.0 million
Image sizes • 2560 x 1920
• 2560 x 1712 (3:2 aspect ratio)
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 1280 x 960
• 640 x 480
Image format JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Movie clips 320 x 240, 15 fps, max 60 secs, includes audio
Lens • 3x optical zoom
• 39 - 117 mm (equiv.)
• F2.8 - F4.9
Digital zoom Up to 4x
Focusing • Auto focus (spot / multi)
• Manual focus
• Macro
• Infinity
Focus range • Normal: 60 cm to Infinity (2 ft to Infinity)
• Macro: 10 cm to 70 cm (3.9 to 27.6 in)
Metering • Multi-pattern
• Center-weighted average
• Spot
Exposure compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Shutter 4 to 1/2000 sec
Aperture • Wide: F2.8 / F4.8
• Tele: F4.9 / F8.4
White balance • Auto
• Presets (4)
• Manual
Sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 50
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
Recording modes • Normal
• Best Shot
• Movie
Image parameters • Saturation
• Contrast
• Sharpness
Self timer • 2 or 10 sec
• Triple self-timer
Flash • Built-in
• Modes: Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Reduction
• Range (wide): 0.6 to 3.2 m
• Range (tele): 0.6 to 1.8 m
Viewfinder Optical
LCD monitor • 2.0" TFT LCD
• 84,960 pixels (354 x 240)
Play functions • Single image
• Magnify (4x)
• 9 image thumbnail index
• Rotate
• Movie play
• Calendar
Other

• Trimming
• Resize
• Histogram
• Grid
• Album
• Favorites
• Copy
• Alarm (with image)
• Key customize
Connectivity • DC-IN
• USB 1.1 (mini-B)
Power • 2 x AA batteries (NiMH and charger ncluded)
• Optional AC adapter
Dimensions 88 x 61 x 33 mm (3.5 x 2.4 x 1.3 in)
Weight (no batt) 168 g (5.9 oz)
Included accessories Two rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries; charger; USB cable; strap; CD-ROM