Casio Announces World's Smallest Optical Zoom Digital Camera World's First Ceramic Lens Debuts In Stylish and Elegant 'EXILIM(TM) CARD' EX-S100 Featuring 3.2 MP CCD and 2.8X Optical Zoom DOVER, N.J., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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. The EX-S100 will be available at retail in October, MSRP $399.99. *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 Megapixel 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 cameras 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 EX-S100 Specifications Recording 1/3.2-inch square pixel primary color CCD Element (3.34 million total pixels; 3.2 million effective pixels) File Record Snapshots: JPEG (Exif. Ver. 2.2), DCF standard, Format DPOF compliant Movies: AVI (Motion JPEG), Audio: WAV (Monaural) Recording Built-in flash memory (9.3 MB image recordable area), Medium SD memory card/Multi Media card compliant Recorded Snapshots: 2048 X 1536 / 2048 X 1360 (3:2) / 1600 X 1200 / Image Sizes 1280 X 960 / 640 X 480 pixels Movies: 320 X 240 pixels Recorded Image Resolution/ File Built-in SD File Sizes size recording size memory Memory (pixels) time (9.3MB) Card 64MB *1 Snapshots 2048 Fine Approx. Approx. Approx. x Normal 1.6MB 5 34 1536 Economy 1.2MB 6 45 630KB 13 88 640 Fine Approx. Approx. Approx. x Normal 190KB 44 294 480 Economy 140KB 58 386 90KB 94 618 Movies 320x240 Recording Approx. Approx. Approx. time: 300KB/sec. 30 sec. 3 min. unlimited*2 (15frames/sec.) 20 sec. Audio - Recording Approx. Approx. Approx. time: 4KB/sec. 39 min. 4 hr. unlimited*2 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 Normal: 15.75" to infinity; Macro: 6.69" to 19.69" Focus Range Exposure Metering: Multi-pattern by imaging element Control 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 Snapshot; audio snapshot; movies with audio; Best Shot; Functions 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 Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Red Eye Reduction Flash Approximate Range: 1.31 to 8.20 feet (W); 1.31 to 4.92 feet(T) Viewfinder LCD screen Monitor 2.0-inch digital interface TFT color LCD, Screen 84,960 pixels (354x240) Playback Zoom display (4X); 9 picture display; calendar; Photostand function Timekeeping Date and time recorded with image data; auto calendar up to Functions 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 USB cradle terminal Terminals 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 oz (excluding battery and accessories) Bundled Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery; USB cradle; USB cable; Accessories AC adapter; Strap; CD-ROM 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 http://www.casio.com/. DATASOURCE: Casio, Inc. CONTACT: Roxanne Jurtschenko of Casio, Inc., +1-973-361-5400, ; or Michael Steavenson of HWH Public Relations, +1-212-355-5049, , for Casio, Inc. Web site: http://www.casio.com/

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