-- New Pocket-Sized Point & Shoot Camera for the Digital Age Delivers Sharp, Crisp Images, Plus offers 3X Optical Zoom, USB Connectivity & Built-in Flash --

IRVINE, CA, November 9, 2001 -- In a move to aggressively position itself this holiday season as the first choice for high-performance, high-value digital cameras, Toshiba today announced its new PDR-M25, a sleek, full-featured 2.2 Megapixel digital camera designed to offer consumers a gateway to the exciting world of digital photography.

The PDR-M25 is the follow-up to the company's PDR-M61 camera, the recipient of PC World magazine's coveted "Best Buy" award. The PDR-M25 takes the PDR-M61's "better-faster-smaller" concept to the next level, making it a sure hit with consumers.

Aimed at first-time buyers of digital cameras as well as current users looking to trade-up, the Toshiba PDR-M25 will be on retail selves in early November with an MSRP of $279, just in time for holiday shopping. For consumers making the transition from analog to digital photography, the PDR-M25 should be at the top of the gift list.

"With the introduction of the PDR-M25, Toshiba now has one of the most extensive and quality-driven lines of consumer digital cameras available today, all backed by our award-winning technical services and support," said Doug Freck, Vice President & General Manager, Toshiba Imaging Systems. "Consumers will find our new PDR-M25 compares very favorably to others in its price class, thanks to its compact form factor, its next generation optics, and its point-and-shoot simplicity."

A WEALTH OF PHOTOGRAPHIC FEATURES
The PDR-M25 takes advantage of a wide spectrum of digital imaging technologies to enable users of all levels to capture dynamic, eye-catching photographs, whether its freeze-frame action shots, sensational close-ups, or cherished portraits. These advancements include an impressive 2.2 megapixel CCD that provides image resolutions up to 1792 x 1200 pixels, together with an aspherical glass lens (equivalent to a 38-114mm lens on a 35mm camera) equipped with 3X optical zoom capabilities.

In addition, there is a macro mode that lets photographers get up close to the action and capture intricate details missed by other cameras, along with a precision 2X digital telephoto that can be used in conjunction with the optical zoom to assure great pictures from any distance (total 6X). Moreover, the innovative use of the tripod hole on the bottom of the camera gives the photographer the option to mount third-party filters or wide-angle lenses on the lens barrel.

Photographers will also appreciate the 1.5-inch high-resolution color LCD for instant preview and review of photos. Through the use of the LCD, the camera delivers automatic playback including a slide show and a nine-picture thumbnail function, plus a 3X digital zoom so users can zero in on areas within the picture. The universal JPEG images are recorded at three compression levels (fine, normal and basic). Depending on the compression and resolution selected, up to 112 images can be recorded on the included 8MB SmartMedia card. The PDR-M25 accepts SmartMedia card up to 128MB, which enables maximum storage of more than 1,800 pictures.

The camera's built-in flash, which is effective to a distance of 8 feet, has five modes: automatic, red-eye reduction, off, fill-in flash and slow synch.

INCREDIBLE EASE OF USE
The PDR-M25 is a simple, point-and-shoot camera for the digital era. In part, this ease-of-use is achieved by its fast and accurate auto focusing, auto white balance (with manual overrides), and intuitive navigation and default features that take the guesswork out of using a digital camera. For the ultimate in convenience and photographic results, the camera uses a programmed auto exposure (AE) mode that automatically selects the best aperture and shutter speed for any given scene.

Another key to the camera's simplicity is its layout with a strategically placed Control Dial that makes it possible to go from one mode to the next with fingertip ease. The menu-driven set-up is displayed on the LCD in simple, jargon-free instructions to effectively flatten out the learning curve.

TOSHIBA'S SMALLEST DIGITAL CAMERA
Adding to the PDR-M25's appeal is its high-grade, rugged body that showcases the camera's digital attributes in a remarkably compact form factor. With its ergonomic curves and contemporary, center-lens styling the PDR-M25 represents a new design direction for Toshiba, one that results in its smallest digital camera yet. It measures a pocket-sized 4.1" x 2.6" x2.2", and weighs a mere 8oz (w/o batteries).

The PDR-M25 camera ships with an 8MB SmartMedia® card, and features Sierra Imaging's ImageExpert® software, making it quick and easy to download, edit, print and e-mail photos. It is compatible with both Windows® (98+) and USB-connect Macintosh (OS9+) computers. Other accessories are a soft case, a wrist strap, a protective lens cap, an instruction manual on CD, a USB cable, a Video cable (PAL/NTSC), and 4x Alkaline AA batteries.

For more information, U.S. customers can call 1-800-288-1354. Fax, 1-800-640-8674. Or visit Toshiba on the Web at www.dsc.toshiba.com. Consumers are also encouraged to visit www.shoptoshiba.com for fast, convenient Internet shopping.

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Toshiba Imaging Systems is a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., and part of the $48 billion Toshiba Corporation, a global leader in high technology products with 307 major consolidated subsidiaries worldwide.
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EDITOR NOTE: SmartMedia is a registered trademark of Toshiba Corporation.