Casio's QV-R51 selected best in $300 - $399 price range for image quality!

DOVER, N.J., Feb. 24 -- Casio, Inc. of Dover, New Jersey, announced today that its QV-R51 5.0 Megapixel digital camera won the prestigious 2004 DIMA Digital Camera Shoot-Out Award sponsored by the Digital Imaging Marketing Association. Casio won in the point and shoot category for digital cameras in the $300 to $399 price range. More than 50 digital camera entries and 13 manufacturers participated in the 8th Annual DIMA Digital Camera Shoot-Out, which took place recently at the PMA (Photo Marketing Association), trade show in Las Vegas, NV.

Participating camera manufacturers captured images in four-live-model studios. Images from point-and-shoot cameras were printed on three different digital minilab systems. Professional photographer Lee Varis lit the sets and ran the professional/prosumer studio. Other pro shooters including Randy Hufford, David Spellman, and Mark Williford shot all photos used in the three point-and-shoot studios. A panel of expert judges voted on the entries, based on overall quality of the digital print and the accuracy of color as compared to samples of fabric worn by studio models. The panel of judges included some of the most well-respected names in the industry including Brian Lawler, Eddie Tapp and Daniel Grotta.

Casio said the camera earned the award based on image quality. The camera is also exceptionally compact and boasts a large 2.0" LCD screen and 3X optical zoom plus 5 megapixels, all in a stylish aluminum body. It is among the industry-leading digital cameras with an approximate one-second startup and 0.01 second release time lag. (The time when the shutter release button is fully depressed with the built-in flash turned off and focus locked.) The camera's quick response ensures the user that they'll never miss a photographic moment.

"We are honored to win this digital camera shoot-out competition," said John Clough, president of Casio, Inc. "It's a tribute to the Casio R&D team that designed this award-winning camera and also to be recognized by such a prestigious organization," he concluded.

Casio, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Casio, Inc., markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, 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 www.casio.com.