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Casio's EXILIM EX-S100 digital camera. Courtesy of Casio, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Casio announces first ceramic-lens digicam
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(Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 09:35 EDT)

Casio Japan and Casio USA have today simultaneously announced the first digital camera featuring a lens made from a transparent polycrystalline ceramic material.

Thanks to the use of Lumicera, a material developed by Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. that offers a higher refractive index and better strength than optical glass, Casio says it's EXILIM EX-S100 is the smallest digital camera with a 2.8x optical zoom. With dimensions of just 88 x 57 x 17 millimeters, the EX-S100 is certainly small - some 10mm shorter and 3mm smaller than Konica Minolta's DiMAGE Xg, and 15mm less wide than Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T11. The S100 features a 1/3.2"-type 3.2 megapixel (effective) RGBG image sensor for a maximum image size of 2048 x 1536 pixels, along with a 2.0" LCD display, built-in four-mode flash, 9.3MB of built-in flash memory, SD / MMC card storage, and power from a proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. There are also some less common features for such a compact camera - an RGB histogram, movie mode with audio, voice recorder mode, and user-adjustable sharpness, saturation, contrast and flash strength. A particularly unusual feature is the new Business Shot mode, which is intended for capturing images of whiteboards and the like from an angle - the camera will automatically correct for trapezoidal distortion in the image, restoring the correct rectangular projection.

The Casio EXILIM EX-S100 digital camera will be available in October 2004 at a price of $399.99. Full specifications, product photos and the official press release follow below:

Casio EXILIM EX-S100
Casio's EXILIM EX-S100 digital camera. Courtesy of Casio, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!

Recording Element

1/3.2-inch square pixel primary color CCD
(3.34 million total pixels; 3.2 million effective pixels)

File Record Format

Snapshots: JPEG (Exif. Ver. 2.2), DCF standard, DPOF compliant
Movies: AVI (Motion JPEG), Audio: WAV (Monaural)

Recording Medium

Built-in flash memory (9.3 MB image recordable area), SD memory card / MultiMedia card compliant

Recorded Image Sizes

Snapshots: 2048 X 1536 / 2048 X 1360 (3:2) / 1600 X 1200 / 1280 X 960 / 640 X 480 pixels
Movies: 320 X 240 pixels

Recorded File Sizes

Snapshots:

Image Size (pixels) Resolution File Size Built-in Memory (9.3MB) SD Memory Card 64MB *1
2048 x 1536 Fine Approx. 1.6MB Approx. 5 Approx. 34
Normal Approx. 1.2MB Approx. 6 Approx. 45
Economy Approx. 630KB Approx. 13 Approx. 88
640 x 480 Fine Approx. 190KB Approx. 44 Approx. 294
Normal Approx. 140KB Approx. 58 Approx. 386
Economy Approx. 90KB Approx. 94 Approx. 618

Movies:

Image Size (pixels) Recording Time File Size Built-in Memory (9.3MB) SD Memory Card 64MB *1
320 x 240 Unlimited *2 Approx. 300KB / sec. (15 frames / sec.) Approx. 30 sec. Approx. 3 min. 20 sec.

Audio:

Recording Time File Size Built-in Memory (9.3MB) SD Memory Card 64MB *1
Unlimited *2 Approx. 4KB / sec. Approx. 39 min. Approx. 4 hr. 20 min.

*1 when using a Panasonic 64MB card
*2 limited only by the battery life and the available memory

Lens

6 lenses in 5 groups, including transparent ceramic lens; F4.0 (W) to 6.6 (T); f=4.8 (W) to 13.5 (T) mm (equivalent to approximately 36 to 102 mm when converted to 35mm film)

Zoom

2.8X optical zoom; 4X digital zoom (11.2X total when optical and digital zooms are used in combination)

Focusing

Contrast type AF (selectable between spot, multi); pan focus; macro mode; infinity mode; manual focus

Approximate Focus Range

Normal: 15.75” to infinity; Macro: 6.69” to 19.69”

Exposure Control

Metering: Multi-pattern by imaging element
Control: Program AE
Exposure Compensation: -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)

Shutter

CCD electronic / mechanical shutter; 4 to 1/2000 shutter speed (including night mode)

Aperture

Auto; F4.0 / F8.0* Automatic switching *brightness conversion F values

White Balance

Auto; Fixed ( 6 modes); Manual

Sensitivity

Auto; ISO 50 / ISO 100 / ISO 200 / ISO 400

Recording Functions

Snapshot; audio snapshot; movies with audio; Best Shot; Auto Macro; Business Shot; voice recorder; Flash Assist; Icon Help; sharpness / color saturation / contrast / flash intensity settings

Self-timer

10 seconds or 2 seconds; Triple Self-timer

Built-in Flash

Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Red Eye Reduction
Approximate Range: 1.31 to 8.20 feet (W); 1.31 to 4.92 feet (T)

Viewfinder

LCD screen

Monitor Screen

2.0-inch digital interface TFT color LCD, 84,960 pixels (354x240)

Playback

Zoom display (4X); 9 picture display; calendar; Photostand function

Timekeeping Functions

Date and time recorded with image data; auto calendar up to year 2049

World Time

162 cities (32 time zones); city names; date and time; daylight saving time

Other features

RGB histogram display; grid display; album function; favorites folder

Input/Output Terminals

USB cradle terminal

Battery

Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery

Battery life

Approx. 180 snapshots (CIPA standard)

Continuous recording: approx. 540 snapshots (approx 1 hr. 30 min.) *

*recording wide / tele alternatively each 10 secs, LCD on, flash off

Continuous playback: approx 2 hr. 30 min. (still photos)

Continuous recording: approx 2 hr. 30 min (voice recording)

Dimensions

3.46” (W) x 2.24” (H) x .66” (D) (excluding protrusions, thinnest point .56”)

Weight

Approximately 3.95 (excluding battery and accessories)

Bundled Accessories

Lithium - Ion rechargeable battery; USB cradle; USB cable; AC adapter; Strap; CD-ROM

More Photos
Casio's EXILIM EX-S100 digital camera. Courtesy of Casio, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
.

Original Source Press Release:

CASIO ANNOUNCES WORLD'S SMALLEST OPTICAL ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA

World's First Ceramic Lens Debuts In Stylish and Elegant “EXILIM CARD” EX-S100 Featuring 3.2 MP CCD and 2.8X Optical Zoom

DOVER, NJ, August 25, 2004 – Casio, Inc ., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, announces the release of the world's smallest* digital camera with an optical zoom (2.8X) , the EXILIM CARD EX-S100 . The camera and its lens owe their exceptionally compact packaging to another world's first – the application of ceramic lens technology providing a great advance in optical quality with even greater strength than glass.

*As of August 25, 2004

“In 2002, Casio launched the first EXILIM digital camera, an ultra- thin business card-sized model with superior portability and highly responsive operation. Casio's highly-portable camera – which enabled photography for any occasion, anytime, anywhere – had a huge impact on the digital camera market overnight, helping the ultra-slim genre become a major segment of its own.” said John Clough, president of Casio, Inc. “ Since that first EXILIM, Casio has continued to create even thinner cameras with more rapid responsiveness and superior performance, creating an EXILIM lineup that has expanded to become a trend-setting force in the marketplace. The new EXILIM CARD EX-S100 is the latest breakthrough model in the line.”

The new EXILIM CARD EX-S100 was developed to be the flagship model of the series, and as such, embodies all the brand concepts. Key features of the EX-S100 include use of the world's first transparent ceramic lens in an ultra-slim 2.8X optical zoom lens unit, and Casio's proprietary EXILIM Engine, an ultra-compact image processing LSI module that enables the camera to achieve high-image quality, high-speed operation and low power consumption – all within an extremely slim and compact body package . As a result, the EX-S100 is the world's smallest optical zoom-equipped digital camera, with a volume of just 79 cc and very compact measurements of 3.46” x 2.24”. Moreover, it is only .66” thick, and just .56” at the thinnest point.

The EX-S100 features a stainless steel body, a hallmark of the EXILIM CARD series, which has been polished to a brilliant shine through a special process. It is created entirely of metal, right down to the screws, for a true feeling of high quality. The front of the camera features a stylish theme of circular patterns that highlight the shape of the lens, while the back of the unit features a more square look that matches the impressively large 2.0-inch LCD screen. In keeping with the distinctive form of the other models in the EXILIM CARD series , the lens area itself protrudes slightly from the body of the camera.

With a 3.2 Mega pixel CCD for superior high-resolution photo imaging, a unique quick-response design, and a Best Shot function that makes it easier to capture desired scenes , CASIO has again proven that it is the leader in ultra-compact camera s that offer astonishingly advanced performance.

MAIN FEATURES OF THE EX-S100

2.8X Optical Zoom

  • 2. 8X optical zoom lens using the world's first transparent ceramics
  • 3.2 Megapixel CCD

Only .66” ‘thin' – stylish body that's the size of a business card

  • Ultra-thin zoom lens unit and cutting-edge technology packed into a body just .66” in thickness – only .56” at the thinnest point.
  • Large 2.0-inch digital interface TFT LCD screen for easy viewing
  • Stainless steel body common to all EXILIM CARD series cameras
  • Ex Fine Blast Treatment surface processing for a brilliant and attractive body
  • Simple and timelessly beautiful body shape
  • Easy-to-use operation buttons based on a square design concept
  • All-metal construction from body and lens down to the screws for a true feeling of high quality

Comprehensive design approach for rapid response

  • The camera automatically switches to Auto Pan Focus when the shutter is pressed rapidly
  • Rapid start-up allows pictures to be taken approximately 1.4 seconds* after the power is turned on
  • Images are recorded approximately 0.01 seconds * after the shutter is released
  • High-speed operation; images can be taken at approximately 1.2 second intervals, with image playback of approximately 0.1 seconds between photos when scrolling
  • Direct On function for one-touch operation of picture taking or playback modes

* With the flash off

Other features

  • Business Shot function compensates for photos taken at an angle and records them as if taken from straight ahead
  • Best Shot function allows settings to be selected using sample scene images
  • Auto Macro function enables automatic switching between Macro and AF modes
  • Flash Assist function provides exposure compensation for areas not reached by the flash
  • Icon Help function uses pop-ups to guide the user when switching settings
  • Noise Reduction Processing makes night scenes more beautiful
  • USB cradle also functions as a battery charger and photostand

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

EXILIM is a registered trademark of CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD. Any other company or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of those companies.

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.

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