PRESS RELEASE: Casio, Inc. Debuts 2.0 Megapixel Ultra Slim EXILIM Digital Cameras
EXILIM Line Combines Fashionable, Wearable Technology with High Quality Photography, Video Capability and Easy Downloads; The New EX-M2 Model Adds Audio & MP3 Feature
DOVER, N.J., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Image is everything.... Casio, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Company, Ltd. Tokyo, today announced the expansion of the recently introduced EXILIM camera series, its new premier credit card-sized digital camera line, with the introduction of the EXILIM EX-S2 and EX-M2. The expanded line, perfect for every lifestyle, offers custom photography capabilities and a sleek design.
The EXILIM series of exceptionally compact 2.0 mega pixel digital cameras, designed specifically for today's fast moving lifestyles, are among the thinnest, smallest and most lightweight cameras with LCD screen available anywhere in the world. Small enough to easily fit into a pocket or purse, these cameras are a truly functional lifestyle accessory -- ideal for family celebrations, evenings out, sporting events, vacations, weddings, work and more.
A perfect balance of form and function, the EXILIM series is the first generation of Casio digital cameras to provide the sophisticated capabilities of full sized digital cameras with a true lifestyle look and feel. EXILIM digital cameras feature a fashionable precision designed stainless steel case. And, with the line's point and shoot simplicity, each camera is easy to operate, captures digital photos and videos quickly and allows users to print out and e-mail photos to share with friends and family.
"In response to the overwhelmingly positive reactions from consumers to our first generation of EXILIM cameras, we developed the EX-S2 and EX-M2 to even better suit their photography needs," said John Clough, president of Casio, Inc. "This new platform takes the sleek, sexy EXILIM cameras to the next level, by enabling users to take photos with more resolution. The image file size is large enough to produce 8 X 10 prints".
In addition to the EXILIM EX-S2's point-and-shoot photo capabilities, it is equipped with a self-timer, movie recording function and player allowing for up to 30 seconds of video capture. The EX-S2 measures less than one-half inch thick/deep (11.3mm), 3.46 inches wide (88mm) and 2.16 inches high (55mm), and weighs a mere 3.1 ounces (88g), excluding battery and memory card.
Also new for the EXILIM series is the incorporation of Casio's award winning "Best Shot Mode" feature. With this unique feature users can select any of the six pre-set scene modes that best suit the image being taken. The EXILIM will then re-adjust its internal settings to deliver the best results for the shot. In short, the "Best Shot Mode" makes complicated image capture easy.
The six "Best Shots" included with the new EX-S2 and EX-M2 are: - Portrait -- Enhances flesh tones
- Night Scene -- Slows shutter speed and sets white balance to daylight mode
- Retro Style -- Sepia with reduced contrast for an antique look
- Twilight -- High color saturation with a magenta filter for a dramatic look
- Monochrome -- Filter for enhanced black and white
- Scenery -- Increases color saturation and hardens edges
The EXILIM EX-M2 is further enhanced with an integrated MP3-player and is only a fraction thicker and heavier than the EX-S2, measuring 0.49 inches thick/deep (12.4mm), 3.46 inches wide (88mm) and 2.16 inches high (55mm), and weighs only 3.18 ounces (90g). The EX-M2, with MP3 function, still allows users to take individual photos, self-timed photos and up to 30 second AVI video clips with sound, but also offers the added benefit of integrated sound capture, to compliment both still shots and videos.
The entire EXILIM series comes equipped with 12MB of internal memory and supports SD/MMC cards for optional extended memory capacity. The optical viewfinder is supplemented by an innovative 1.6-inch, TFT Color LCD display, supplying clear and bright pictures, with excellent contrast. The EXILIM has a lens of F3.2 and a fixed focal length of f=7.5mm, which is equivalent to a focal length of 36mm for 35mm cameras. The camera's built-in flash is automatically activated in unfavorable lighting conditions.
The EXILIM saves images directly to its internal memory for out of the box, ready to go simplicity. Casio also designed the EXILIM cameras to accept popular SD/MMC cards so users can store additional photos, AVI or MP3 files (EX-M2 version). The cameras come with a FREE cradle which provides USB connectivity for transferring image data to a PC quickly and easily, and functions as a charger for the camera's lithium ion battery. The efficient, rechargeable lithium ion battery lasts for approximately 110 minutes on continuous play mode and 65 minutes on continuous record mode.
In addition to the USB docking cradle and battery, each EXILIM camera comes standard with a hand strap, AC adaptor and CD-ROM software. The EX-M2 also comes with stereo headphones and remote control to compliment its MP3 functionality.
Both the EXILIM EX-S2 and EX-M2 will be available at retail in October 2002. The retail price on the EX-S2 is $299.99 and the EX-M2 is $399.99.
REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN: KEY EXILIM FEATURES
Combined Lens and CCD module
The technology of integrating a spherical lenses and a high-sensitivity CCD into a single component, developed by CASIO, contributes tremendously to the thinness of the EXILIM.
Superior Tone Reproduction Using 2.0-Mega-Pixel, Large-Cell CCD
A larger imaging pixel allows more precise color reproduction. The new EX-S2 and EX-M2 use a 2.0-mega-pixel progressive CCD that at 1/1.8 inches is a step larger than the industry standard of 1/2.7 inches. Its large, 4.4-micron-pitch cell size makes the CCD highly sensitive, allowing clear, low-noise images with rich colors and accurate tone reproduction.
Multi Chip Module (MCM)
Casio's newly developed CPU, ASIC, SDRAM and flash memory make it possible to reduce power consumption and noise by one-third. In addition, by incorporating these four chips into a multi-chip module, the space of the circuit board is reduced by 70 percent, in comparison with our current digital cameras.
Digital Interface TFT LCD
The world's first digital interface TFT LCD for a digital camera was specially designed by Casio for the EXILIM. The digital interface eliminates the need for a converter, which cuts required space by 10 percent (as compared to the TFT LCD technology applied to previous digital cameras) and greatly reduces the number of required components.
EXILIM SPECIFICATIONS
Recording element 1/1.8-inch square pixel primary color
progressive 2.11 million pixel CCD
Effective pixels 2 million pixels
Image file record format JPEG, DCF standard, DPOF-compliant
Record medium Built-in flash memory (Storage area:
approximately 12 MB internal storage), the
included memory expansion slot supports
optional SD/MMC cards
Recorded Image Sizes Still images (EX-M2 also allows sound
recording); 1600 x 1200 / 1280 x 960 /
640 x 480 pixels; Movies (EX-M2 also allows
sound recording) 320 x 240 pixels
Voice memo Storage in the built-in memory or on the
optional SD/MMC memory cards
Music player MP3 file format (EX-M2 only)
Image deletion Single image, all images in memory (with
memory protection)
Lens F3.2, f=7.5mm (equivalent to 36 mm in 35 mm
format)
Zoom 4x digital
Focusing Fixed focus
Exposure control Multi-pattern metering by CCD, program AE
control
Exposure compensation -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)
Recording mode Snapshot, Self-timer, Best Shot, Movie, Still
Image with sound (EX-M2 only), Voice Memo
(EX-M2 only)
Shutter/Speed CCD shutter, mechanical shutter:
1/4 - 1/6400
White balance Automatic / Fixed (4 modes) / Manual
Self-timer 10 seconds
Built-in flash Flash modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off,
Red Eye Reduction
Monitor 1.6-inch TFT color LCD (84,960 pixels;
354 x 240)
Viewfinder Monitor screen and optical viewfinder
Timekeeping function Date and time recording with image data
Input/Output terminals Connector to USB docking station
Power requirements Lithium ion battery
Dimensions/Weight EX-S2: 3.46"(W) x 2.16"(H) x 0.44"(D) mm
(excluding projections) / approx. 3.1oz
(excluding battery and memory card);
EX-M2: 3.46"(W) x 2.16"(H) x .49"(D)
(excluding projections) / approx. 3.18oz
(excluding battery and memory card)
Bundled accessories Docking Station, AC adapter for Docking
Station, USB cable, strap, lithium ion
battery, Stereo Headphones (EX-M2 only),
remote control (EX-M2 only), CD-ROM Casio, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Casio, Inc., markets calculators, business organizers, handheld personal computers, keyboards, digital cameras, portable color TVs, timepieces (Wrist Technology), cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio, the unexpected extra -- for more information visit our web site at http://www.casio.com .
Casio is a registered trademark of Casio Computer Co., Ltd. "The unexpected extra" is a trademark of Casio, Inc.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
(First posted on Saturday, September 7, 2002 at 14:29 EDT)
|
