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Casio's EXILIM EX-Z600 digital camera. Courtesy of Casio, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Casio announces EXILIM EX-Z600
By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Monday, January 23, 2006 - 15:14 EST)

Casio Computer Co. Ltd. has today announced a new digicam model destined for sale in much of Asia, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa - but not scheduled for the American market at the current time.

The Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z600 is a six megapixel ultracompact model with a 3x optical zoom lens, and a large 2.7" LCD display. The camera offers a generous helping of scene modes (dubbed "Best Shot" modes in Casio parlance), including the unusual "Angle Correction" and "Color Restoration" modes we've seen in certain past Casio models. (Angle Correction mode corrects oblique shots, while Color Restoration mode aims to restore correct colors to photographs of faded film prints). The camera also offers a VGA movie mode, and the rather unusual ability to digitally zoom the movies during playback.

Pricing and availability have not been announced at the time of this writing.

Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z600
Casio's EXILIM EX-Z600 digital camera. Courtesy of Casio, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type Ultra Compact
Manufacturer Casio
Model Number EX-Z600
Dimensions 3.5 x 2.2 x 0.8"
88.5 x 57.0 x 20.5mm
Weight 112.0 g
3.9 oz
Image Capture
Sensor Type 1/2.5" CCD
6.18 megapixels (total)
6.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions 2816 x 2112 (5.9 megapixels)
2816 x 1872 (5.3 megapixels)
2304 x 1728 (4.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality 3 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder No
LCD 2.7", 153,600 pixels
Lens
Lens Type 3x optical zoom
Image Stabilization No
Focal Length 6.2 - 18.6mm (actual)
38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/2.7 (wide) / f/5.2 (tele) - ???
Focusing System 9-point Contrast Detection with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Focusing Range Normal: 16" - infinity (40 cm - infinity)
Macro: 6.1" - 20" (15 cm - 50 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity 50, 100, 200, 400, 800* (anti-shake / high sensitivity modes only)
Shutter Speed 4 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes Program
Metering Modes Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance Image Sensor - A uto, 6 presets, Manual, Manual
Internal Flash Modes: Auto Flash, On, Off, Red eye reduction, Soft Flash
Range: Wide: 0.15 to 2.8 meters; Telephoto: 0.4 to 1.4 meters
Creative
Scene Modes 32 "BEST SHOT" modes; "angle correction" and "color restoration" modes
Digital Zoom 4x
Self Timer Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie Format AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio
640x480 and 320x240
Max. frame-rate: 0 frames per second
Storage
Recording Medium SD/MMC, Built-in
File System Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format JPEG (Exif 2.2)
Connectivity
Video No
Computer USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
Other Cradle connector
Power
Battery Type Lithium Ion battery
Battery Form Factor Proprietary NP-40
Product Bundle
Battery / Charger Proprietary NP-40 Lithium Ion battery battery and charger
Flash Memory 8.3MB built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Remote Control No
More Photos
Casio's EXILIM EX-Z600 digital camera. Courtesy of Casio, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Casio's EXILIM EX-Z600 digital camera. Courtesy of Casio, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Casio's EXILIM EX-Z600 digital camera. Courtesy of Casio, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Casio's EXILIM EX-Z600 digital camera. Courtesy of Casio, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

Stylish New EXILIM ZOOM Features Big 2.7-inch Super Bright LCD

Dramatically Improved Display Nearly 3X Brighter, Easier To See Outdoors

January 23, 2006, Tokyo, Japan -- CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. announced the release of the latest addition to its EXILIM ZOOM digital camera series with the EX-Z600. The latest evolution in this popular series offers 6.0 megapixel high resolution photos in a stylish, compact, and pocket-sized package. The extra large 2.7-inch Super Bright LCD is approximately three times brighter than the previous EX-Z500 model, producing an impressive luminance of 1200 candelas per square meter. This significant advancement makes the LCD easier to see, especially when viewed in the sunny outdoors. In auto mode, the LCD automatically adjusts to the brightness of the surrounding environment. The EX-Z600’s Super Life Battery now has an even longer battery life, supporting a staggering 550 shots per charge.

The EXILIM line is a culmination of CASIO’s core technologies of miniaturization and digital technology resulting in a smaller, higher resolution camera—the established trend leader in stylish, quick responding, large LCD, and long battery life digital cameras. The EX-Z600 includes the latest version of the EXILIM Engine, featuring the Anti Shake DSP, which along with the Auto Macro and Quick Shutter functions, considerably reduces the incidence of blurred photos due to moving subjects or shaking hands.

New to the EX-Z600 is the Rapid Flash function, which enables three consecutive high speed flash photos in only one second, allowing you to completely capture the moment without losing precious seconds between shots. The EX-Z600 includes Revive Shot, used to take still images from old album photos for long term preservation and enjoyment. Revive Shot digitally revives faded colors and automatically adjusts for obliquity, even when photos are shot while still in the album. The EX-Z600 is equipped with a BEST SHOT Button, allowing convenient one-touch access to this popular feature that offers 32 different scene selections, including Anti Shake and Revive Shot, for hassle-free photos every time.

The EX-Z600 embodies CASIO’s continuing commitment to offer digital camera users cutting-edge technology and convenient user-friendly functionality in a small, stylishly designed package. Providing the freedom to take high quality pictures and movies anywhere, anytime, the new EX-Z600 makes taking memories as easy and fun as making them.

EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z600 Main Features
Highly Efficient, Advanced Performance

  • 6.0 megapixel high resolution CCD and retracting 3Xoptical zoom
  • Extra Large 2.7-inch TFT LCD display now approximately 3X brighter (approximately 1200cd/m2—compared to EX-Z500) 1
  • Super Life Battery allows up to approximately 550 still images per charge on CIPA standards 2
  • High quality images, high speed, and long lasting battery in a miniaturized package with EXILIM Engine image processing module
  • The Anti Shake DSP (Digital Signal Processor) reduces blurring caused by shaking hands or moving subjects
    * 1 At maximum brightness, measured at the center of the display
    * 2 Auto Mode, standard brightness setting

Numerous Easy to Use Functions

  • “Rapid Flash” enables three consecutive flash photos in one second
  • The “Soft Flash” function reduces flash brightness when taking flash photos
  • “Revive Shot” refreshes faded colors of old album photos, bringing them back to life in digital format
  • The “9-Point Multi AF” clearly indicates areas in auto focus when photographing subjects with multiple focus points
  • The “Quick Shutter” function reduces mistakes by enabling simple and easy high-speed focusing
  • The “Auto Macro” mode allows for automatic switching between macro mode and auto focus mode
  • The “Flash Assist” mode compensates for poorly illuminated areas of the shot
  • The 32 scene “BEST SHOT” function enables selection of the appropriate camera setting for still photos via an easy to understand sample image menu
  • The “Angle Correction” function corrects oblique shots to look as if they were taken from the front during image viewing
  • “Color Restoration” enables digital enhancement of faded colors in old photos during image viewing
  • The USB cradle functions as a charger as well as a simple way to connect the camera to personal computers and other AV equipment

Enhanced Quick Responsiveness

  • Once powered on, the camera is ready to take pictures in approximately 0.9 seconds 1 .
  • After the shutter is snapped, pictures are taken almost instantly, with only an approximately 0.005 second 2 release time lag
  • High-speed image viewing at approximately 0.1 seconds intervals
  • The “Direct On” buttons allow quick startup of both shooting and viewing modes
  • A one-touch “BEST SHOT” button allows selection of the appropriate mode for any shot
    * 1 using internal memory, with internal flash turned off
    * 2 with internal flash turned off

Movie Functions

  • Movies recorded in VGA (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 frames per second (Motion JPEG)
  • Using the “Motion Print” function, movies can be converted into a series of nine or one single image for printing
  • Movies can be zoomed in during playback
  • The “Movie Editing” function offers three options (beginning, middle, end) for cutting unwanted scenes from a movie

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