Casio announces its first 4 megapixel digicam! (UPDATED)
By
Mike Tomkins
(Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 00:43 EDT)
New model contains some pretty unusual features...
Casio Japan has today announced a new digital camera, the first 4 megapixel unit from the company, in the form of the QV-4000. The unit features a Canon 3x optical zoom lens, 1.8" LCD display and CompactFlash Type-I or Type-II storage (compatible with IBM's 1GB Microdrive). There's also a range of manual features, auto exposure bracketing and the 'Best Shot' mode that has made an appearance on some of Casio's digicams in the past (example images are shown on the LCD display, and the user finds one similar to the photo they intend to take; camera settings are then selected based on this).
There are also some more unusual features, such as a 'real-time histogram' which shows a continuously updating histogram to predict whether a photo will be properly exposed with current camera settings before it is taken. Another new feature is a 'soft focus' mode which replicates in-camera the effects of a soft-focus filter, commonly used in portrait photos for a more flattering look.
The Casio QV4000 digital camera will ship at the start of August 2001 in Japan. Pricing has not been revealed at this time. Full specifications for the camera are in our database, and highlights follow:
| Specification Highlights - full specifications here | | Casio QV-4000 |  | | General | | Model Number: | QV-4000 | | Camera Format: | Compact | | Price: | Unknown | | Date Available: | Start of August 2001 (Japan) | | Image Capture | | Image Sensor: | 0.555" 4.13 megapixel CCD | | Image Resolution: | 2240x1680, 2256x1504, 1600x1200, 1280x960, 640x480 | | Lens | | Focal Length (effective): | 34 - 102mm (3x optical zoom) | | Digital Zoom: | 3.2x | | Auto Focus: | Yes (Multi/Spot Contrast Detect) | | Manual Focus: | Yes | | Normal Focus Range: | 30 cm to Infinity; 12.2 in to Infinity | | Macro Focus Range: | 6 - 50 cm; 2.4 - 20.4 in | | Aperture Range: | f/2.0 (wide), 2.3 (wide), 2.5, 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, 8.0 | | Display | | Optical Viewfinder: | Yes (Optical zoom type) | | LCD Viewfinder: | Yes (1.8 inch, 122,100 pixel) | | Exposure | | ISO Settings: | Unknown | | White Balance Settings: | Auto, 5 presets, Manual | | Manual White Balance: | Yes | | Shutter Speeds: | 60 - 1/1000 second | | Exp Adj Range: | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV steps | | Metering Modes: | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot | | Exposure Modes: | Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual | | Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | | Flash | | Internal Flash: | Yes | | Flash Modes: | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Reduction | | Flash Range Description: | 0.5 - 3.5 meters | | Ext Flash: | Yes (Connection type unspecified) | | Image Storage | | Flash Memory: | CompactFlash Type 1, CompactFlash Type 2, IBM Microdrive (to 1GB) | | Memory Included (MB): | Unknown | | File Formats: | TIFF, JPEG (Exif 2.1), AVI (OpenDML MotionJPEG) | | More Information | | Weight: | 355 g; 12.4 oz | | Weight With Batteries? | No | | Size: | 118 x 75 x 65mm; 4.6 x 2.9 x 2.5in | | Notes & Features: | Complies with Print Image Matching, Epson's color-management technology. Lens made by Canon, features eight lenses in seven groups. LCD display has 555 x 220 pixels. Best Shot function allows user to select from 5 presets (accompanied by an on-screen image to demonstrate the effect); presets can be uploaded to the camera from a selection of 100 presets on a CD-ROM which accompanies the camera. Digital soft focus function replicates the effect of a soft filter in-camera. Real-time histogram function shows what exposure will look like if photo taken with current settings. Auto exposure bracketing captures 3 or 5 images at 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1EV intervals. Camera has bulb mode for long exposures. Focus confirmation mode zooms image to allow for easier manual focusing on LCD. Spot focus mode allows for selection of one of 9 focus points. Automatic image rotation detects orientation of camera, and saves image appropriately. Can resize images in-camera to 640 x 480 pixels suitable for emailing. Battery life claimed at 205 minutes or 1230 images in capture mode, or 6 hours in playback mode (using CR-3VP battery, LCD on, flash off). Info LCD display shows aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation. Casio Photohands and Panorama Editor, QuickTime software not for MacOS. USB driver requires MacOS 8.5, Acrobat Reader requires MacOS 8.6. Internet Explorer not for Windows PCs. Photohands, USB driver not for Windows NT 4.0. Comes bundled with software CD-ROM, neck strap, lens cap, cap holder, video cable, USB cable and 4 x AA alkaline batteries. | | More Photos |  | | |
UPDATED 2001-06-25 13:54ET: Casio USA has announced the QV-4000 now; US availability is slated for August 2001 at a price under $1000. We've added Casio's press release to this news item...
Source:
Casio Japan website
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Original Source Press Release:
| Casio Introduces the QV-4000, A 4.13-Million Pixel CCD Digital Camera with 16MB CompactFlash Card CASIO’S UNIQUE ‘BEST SHOT’ FEATURE MAKES COMPLICATED IMAGING SITUATIONS EASY
DOVER, NJ, June 21, 2001—Casio, Inc., Dover, N.J., in conjunction with Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, announced at the PC Expo Show that opens in New York City on June 26th, the introduction of the QV-4000, a new 4.13-million pixel color CCD digital camera with 16MB CompactFlash card and a f2.0 – f2.5 optical 3x Canon zoom lens which is equivalent to 34mm to 102mm on a 35mm camera.
The QV-4000 will be available in August competitively priced under $1,000.
One of the most important features of the QV-4000 is Casio’s unique "Best Shot" feature that allows you to select the icon that best reflects your imaging situation. The camera will automatically select the best combination of aperture and shutter speed for you. "Casio’s built in icons such as ‘night’ and ‘fireworks’ can handle tough photographic situations with ‘point-and-shoot’ simplicity," said Gary Schultz, director of marketing for Casio’s Mobile Information Products Division.
Schultz said that the bundled CD ROM also contains pre-recorded data for 100 scenes and, by copying data onto a CompactFlash card, you can enjoy quick and easy access to your chosen scene set-ups through the camera itself. The camera incorporates 5 kinds of Best Shot modes: Portrait, Scenery, Flowers, Night Scene and Digital Soft Focus. Digital Soft Focus is the industry first spec, which is suitable for portraits and flowers.
QV-4000 MAIN FEATURES - Imaging element - 1/1.8" Square Primary Color CCD (4.13M Pixels)
- Shutter Speeds - Bulb, 60 – 1/1000
- Lens - F2.0 – F2.5 Optical 3x Canon zoom lens which is equivalent to 34mm to 102mm on a 35mm camera
- Aperture - F = 2 - 8 Auto (6 steps)/Manual switching
- Digital Zoom - Seamless 3.2X
- Viewfinder - Optical Zoom Viewfinder
- Light Metering - Multi/Center Weighted/Spot Metering
- Exposure Mode - Full Auto/Programmed AE/Aperture-Priority AE/Shutter-
- Priority AE /Manual Exposure
- Exposure Compensation - 2EV to +2EV in 1/3EV step
- White Balance - Fixed (5 modes)/Manual Switching
- Recording Mode - Single Image/Continuous Panorama Mode/AEB/Movie
- Macro/Best Shot/Self Timer
- Features - Resize to create VGA file for e-mail
- Real Time Histogram in play back and record modes
- Multi-area AF/AF area close up Digital soft focus in Best Shot mode/Manual
- Focus/Infinity/Focus Lock
- Multilingual graphic menu
- External Flash Terminal
- TIFF - (uncompressed) Approx. 11 MB in 2240 x 1680
- Movie - AVI file format 320 x 240 Max 30 seconds
- PRINT Image Matching Compatible - Optimum printing results can be achieved using a printer that supports EPSON PRINT Image Matching. Images recorded using
- Best Shot can be reproduced almost perfectly.
- Image Orientation Detection - The camera automatically detects if you record an image using landscape or portrait orientation.
- Compatible with Optional IBM Microdrive.
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