Casio has announced today the new 7.2 megapixel Exilim Zoom EX-Z700. With a 3x zoom, Casio's Anti-Shake DSP and new BEST SHOT modes including an auto framing mode and a layout shot mode. The EX-Z700 also features a large 2.7-inch LCD with 1200cd/m2 brightness which is claimed to be visible on bright sunny days.

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Phil: An apology to Casio, apparently this story went up before a 'new embargo' which we were only told of after the first embargo had passed. Hence this story was live on our site (and had been for a few hours) when we heard of the new date, it had been up so long that there was little point taking it down. I'd like to reiterate that dpreview prides itself in never intentionally breaking embargo.

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Press Release:

Casio Introduces 7.2 Megapixel Exilim®Zoom EX-Z700

A Slim, Stylish Digital Camera with Super Bright LCD
New Features Include Auto Framing and Layout Shot Modes

JULY 26 2006, LONDON, UK Casio Electronics Co. Ltd., and its parent company, Casio Computer Co. Ltd., announced today the release of the Exilim®Zoom EX-Z700, the latest addition to its stylish series of Exilim digital cameras. This newest member of the Exilim family combines the high-resolution performance of an effective 7.2 megapixels with Casio’s Super Bright LCD for easy viewing in broad daylight.

The EX-Z700’s Super Bright LCD is both big and bright: the 2.7 inch screen with 1200cd/m2 brightness is easy to see, even on a sunny day. At 7.2 megapixels, the high-performance EX-Z700 ensures crystal-clear image output for both printing and screen, delivering extraordinary photographic detail. The long-life battery packs enough power for around 460 still images on a single charge, and the camera comes with Casio’s Anti Shake DSP to reduce photo blur due to shaky hands or moving subjects. All in all, the EX-Z700 strikes an extremely attractive balance between slim, stylish looks and high-performance functionality. It also adds brand new picture-taking functions in BEST SHOT mode.

New BEST SHOT modes

Auto Framing – Casio’s new Auto Framing mode keeps dynamic subjects like playful, active children at the centre of the photograph, solving one of photography’s most perplexing challenges. This original new function is based on Casio-developed “auto-follow” technology for tracking the movement of photo subjects. In Auto Framing mode, a thin, outlined frame appears on the LCD, centred on the moving subject of the photo. The area within the frame indicates the image that will be saved when the shutter is fully depressed.

Layout Shot – With new Layout Shot mode, photographers can combine multiple shots of friends taken with the same scenic backdrop into a single collage, or even mix shots with different compositions to create a single artistic layout. Users simply select one of two predefined layout templates, then take two or three photographs, and save the results to create a single composite image. Layout Shot delivers a whole new way to enjoy expressive photography.

Key features for superior performance

  • 7.2 million effective pixels; 3x optical zoom
  • Large 2.7 inch LCD with a brightness of 1200cd/m2 *1
  • Takes up to 460 still images on a single charge of the long life battery *2(CIPA standard)
  • Anti Shake DSP for reducing photo blur due to shaky hands or moving subjects
  • BEST SHOT modes deliver great photo results simply by selecting one of 37 sample images to represent the current photo scene

The Casio Exilim EX-Z700 will be available in silver and gunmetal in the UK and Eire from August 2006. Visit www.casio.co.uk for more information.

*1 On the highest brightness setting, measured at the centre of the screen.
*2 With LCD display set to standard brightness

Casio Exilim EX-Z700 specifications

Sensor

• 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 7.41 million pixels total
• 7.20 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 3072 x 2304
• 3072 x 2048 (3:2)
• 2560 x 1920
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 640 x 480
Movie clips • 640 x 480 @ 30fps
• 512 x 384 @ 30fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30fps
File formats • JPEG (Exif v2.2)
• DCF 1.0
• DPOF
• AVI Motion JPEG
Lens • 38-114mm (35mm equiv)
• 3x optical zoom
Image stabilization Anti Shake DSP
Conversion lenses No
Digital zoom up to 4x
Focus Contrast Type AF (selectable between spot, multi)
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • Normal: 40cm-infinity
• Macro: 15-50cm
• Manual: 15cm-infinity
Metering • Multi-pattern
• Center-weighted
• Spot
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 50
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
Exposure compensation • -/+2EV
• in 1/3 EV steps
Shuttter speed • 1/2 to 1/2000 sec
• Night Scene: 4 to 1/2000 sec
Aperture F2.7 / 4.3 (auto switching)

Modes

• Still
• Still with audio (max 30secs)
• Continuous
• BEST SHOT
• Macro
• Movie witrh audio
• Voice recording

Scene modes BEST SHOT
White balance • Auto
• Fixed (6 modes)
• Manual switching
Self timer 2 or 10 sec. Triple Self-timer
Continuous shooting • approx 1fps
• High-speed continuous shutter and Rapid FLash approx 3fps
Flash • Auto, On, Off, Soft Flash, Red-eye reduction
• Range: 0.15-3.4m (w) 0.4-1.8m (t)
Viewfinder No
LCD monitor • 2.7-inch TFT colour
• 153,600 pixels
Connectivity USB 2.0
Storage • SDHC / MMC / SD card compatible
• 8.3 MB internal memory
Power • Lithium-ion NP-40 rechargeable battery
• AC Adapter
Weight (no batt) 112 g
Dimensions 88.5 x 57 x 20.5 mm