Sanyo announces DSC-MZ1 digicam - samples online!
By
Mike Tomkins
(Sunday, June 3, 2001 - 23:30 EDT)
Latest model from the Japanese consumer electronics company looks packed with interesting features...
Sanyo have announced a new digital camera for the Japanese market carrying on their tradition of above-average video and burst-mode capabilities, the Sanyo DSC-MZ1. Now in our database, the MZ1 is similar to the company's existing digicams such as the DSC-SX550 and -SX560, but with a number of interesting new features... For one thing, the camera now has a 2.8x optical zoom lens where the previous models were fixed focal length units, and yet without much difference in size. There's also PRINT Image Matching and USB Mass Storage Class compliance, a 'color equalizer' mode that lets the user alter image colors, precapture mode to capture a series of images starting before the shutter button was fully depressed and a Best Shot mode to take 4 pictures and allow the user to choose one which they like the most. A wide dynamic range mode takes two images with different exposures and combines them into one image with greater dynamic range (similarly to what one of JVC's digicams does), and a variety of in-camera image and movie editing options such as cropping, resizing, and the like.
Our friend Yamada Kumio at the PC Watch website in Japan has posted 13 sample images from the DSC-MZ1, as well as 6 images of the camera itself, and 2 comparison images showing it alongside the DSC-SX550. There is also an official Japanese website for the camera which includes many pictures from different angles, and illustrations of the camera's features. Specifications highlights for the Sanyo DSC-MZ1 follow:
| Specification Highlights - full specifications here | | Sanyo DSC-MZ1 |  | | General | | Model Number: | DSC-MZ1 | | Camera Format: | Compact | | Price: | ¥68,000 (US$571) | | Date Available: | June 22nd (Japan) | | Image Capture | | Image Sensor: | 0.555" 2.11 megapixel RGBG CCD | | Image Resolution: | 2000x1496 (interpolated), 1600x1200, 640x480 | | Lens | | Focal Length (effective): | 35 - 98 mm (2.8x optical zoom) | | Digital Zoom: | Up to 5x | | Auto Focus: | Yes (Center-weighted area AF) | | Manual Focus: | Unknown | | Normal Focus Range: | 50 cm to Infinity; 20.4 in to Infinity | | Macro Focus Range: | 10 - 50 cm; 4.1 - 20.4 in | | Aperture Range: | f/2.8 (wide) / f/4.8 (tele) - ??? | | Display | | Optical Viewfinder: | Yes (Real image optical zoom type) | | LCD Viewfinder: | Yes (1.8 inch, 110,000 pixel) | | Exposure | | ISO Settings: | Auto (100 - 200), 100, 200, 400 | | White Balance Settings: | Auto, 5 presets | | Manual White Balance: | No | | Shutter Speeds: | 16 - 1/1000 second | | Exp Adj Range: | +/- 1.5EV in 1/2EV steps | | Metering Modes: | Unknown | | Exposure Modes: | Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual | | Self Timer (seconds): | Unknown | | Flash | | Internal Flash: | Yes | | Flash Modes: | Auto, On (slow synch possible), Off, Red-Eye Reduction | | Flash Range Description: | Unknown | | Ext Flash: | No | | Image Storage | | Flash Memory: | Built-in, CompactFlash Type-I / Type-II, IBM Microdrive up to 1GB | | Memory Included (MB): | Unknown | | File Formats: | | More Information | | Weight: | 230 g; 8.0 oz | | Weight With Batteries? | No | | Size: | 106 x 63 x 41mm; 4.2 x 2.5 x 1.6in | | Notes & Features: | Price of US$571 based on conversion of announced Japanese price, �68,000. Top resolution of 2000 x 1496 is interpolated. Has built-in lens cover, and 7 element, 5 group lens with two aspheric surfaces. Allows lens zooming whilst in movie mode. Movie mode resolutions are 640x480 15fps, 320x240 30/15fps with two compression levels, 160x120 30/15fps. Maximum movie length limited only by storage (24-189 minutes on 1GB MicroDrive depending on size/frame rate). Ability to edit (crop, join) movie files in-camera, and also to extract still image from a movie. Note that movie codec is PhotoJPEG, not MotionJPEG (should yield better quality on individual frames). Macro focusing distance is 10cm at wide, 25cm at tele. Flash sync with shutter speeds 1/40 to 1/1000 second. Shutter speeds for movie mode are 1/15 to 1/10000 second. Complies with USB Mass Storage Class for driverless connectivity with Windows ME and 2000, or Mac OS 8.6+, and PRINT Image Matching (Epson technology for increasing color range). Burst mode at 1600 x 1200 5 or 10 fps for 8 (fine) or 15 (normal) frames. Burst mode at 640 x 480 5, 10, 15 or 20 fps for 50 frames. "Color equalizer" mode allows colors in an image to be artistically altered. Has in-camera image cropping, resizing and rotating ability. Can record and play back 15 minute audio clips (two compression levels). Has auto exposure bracketing feature (7 shots). "Character input mode" allows characters to be overlaid on an image. "Precapture mode" captures sequence of images from immediately before shutter button is pressed. "Best Shot Selection" mode captures 4 images, then allows user to select one image to keep. "Wide dynamic range mode" takes two images with differing exposures and combines them into one image with increased dynamic range. Comes bundled with software CD-ROM, battery, charger, hand-strap, USB cable and video cable. Optional accessories include PC connection kit, AC adapter and soft case. | | More Photos |  |  | | |
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