Casio EX-Z40 - Press Release

[Photo-John]

CASIO ANNOUNCES A NEW EXILIM ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA
WITH LONG BATTERY LIFE

The EX-Z40 is a thin, stylish, 4 megapixel digital camera
with 3X optical zoom and
up to 2.5 times longer battery life

DOVER, NJ, February 25, 2004 – Casio, Inc., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, today announced the 4-megapixel EX-Z40, a new model in the EXILIM ZOOM line of digital cameras with long battery life and 3X optical zoom. The camera will be available at retail the end of April, with an MSRP of $399.99.

Over the last few years the digital camera market has undergone rapid change. Not only have there been improvements in picture quality because of higher resolution, the great usability of digital cameras has also been the focus of attention as they became more compact with faster response and larger LCD monitors. One area of particular concern has been the battery life of these cameras per charge, with many users asking for digital cameras offering longer operation times.

“Casio’s new EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z40 incorporates an EXILIM Engine, a newly developed compact image processing module with a 3 layer stack LSI that achieves high picture quality and speedy response using a 1.8V low-power system and makes the cameras’ compact dimensions possible,” said John Clough, president of Casio, Inc.

This new camera has a battery life of 2.5 times that of previous models (comparison between the EX-Z4U and EX-Z40), allowing up to 360 photos to be taken on a single charge (based on CIPA standard battery life measurement*).

“This means that the camera is not only handy for travel and work applications,” said Clough, “but it is ideal for any occasion when a lot of photos must be taken,” he added. Another handy feature is Auto Pan Focus. When photos need to be taken in a hurry, one rapid push of the shutter button will make the camera use pan focus, thus removing the need to wait for auto focus. “In combination with the approximate 1.6-second high-speed start up time and approximate 0.01-second release time lag, the features of this camera allows for even faster, more satisfying photography,” Clough concluded.

Other impressive features of the EX-Z40 include the large 2.0-inch TFT LCD screen and the Direct On function for one-touch record and play modes. In addition to being USB DIRECT-PRINT compliant for direct connection to printers, the EX-Z40 is also compatible with the PictBridge standard.

EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z40 FEATURES

• Thin card-size body incorporating 3X optical zoom lens
• Large, easy to see 2.0 inch digital interface TFT LCD monitor (with acrylic scratch-resistant panel)
• The Direct On function for one-touch recording or play modes
• New, easy to hold grip with a high-quality light weight aluminum body

• CIPA standard for battery life indicates 360 photos on a single charge

• Rapid start-up time allows you to start taking pictures approximately 1.6 seconds (with the flash off) after turning on the power
• Release time lag after pressing the shutter is approximately 0.01 seconds (with the flash off)
• Second high-speed playback scrolling of photos

• The ‘Best Shot’ mode provides sample images allowing you to take the photos you want
• Noise reduction processing makes night scenes more beautiful
• 7-point Multi-Auto Focus for automatic selection of the optimum focus point location

• A ‘Photostand’ feature that lets you view a slideshow of images with the camera on its cradle
• A ‘Calendar’ feature that shows thumbnail images of photos on the day they were taken
• World Time lets you select one of 162 cities in 32 time zones as your home or destination time
• Store special photographs or photos you don’t want others to see in the Favorites folder
• Create HTML albums in the camera that can be viewed directly by web browsers

• 9.7 MB built-in flash memory / SD memory card slot/ Multi Media card compliant (memory card not included)
• Menu can be displayed in 10 languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese
• “Photo Loader” software is included to allow automatic transfer of images to a PC with one touch of the USB cradle button
• Complies with ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) and “PRINT Image Matching II”

For more information visit the web site at www.casio.com