Casio Releases Compact EXILIM® Camera with Hybrid GPS
World’s First Camera Combining GPS with Motion-Sensor Driven Autonomic Positioning
DOVER, NJ, September 20, 2010
— Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd.,
today unveiled the world’s first Hybrid GPS enabled digital camera, the
EXILIM® EX-H20G. The latest model to join Casio’s EXILIM Hi-Zoom
lineup, the EX-H20G offers an impressive feature set as well as Casio’s
state-of-the-art Hybrid GPS technology, which makes the camera perfect
for traveling. Thanks to Casio’s Hybrid GPS system, the EX-H20G offers
ultra-precise location data for the geotagging of photos and videos and
is also the first camera able to geotag indoors. Additionally, the
EX-H20G can display the user’s current location - as well as geotagged
photos and videos - on a map which can be viewed right on the camera
itself.
“Geotagging has increased in popularity, especially with
the advent of photo-sharing Web sites and as consumers look to do more
with their images,” said Toshi Iguchi, Senior General Manager, Digital
Imaging Division, Casio America Inc. “With the new Exilim EX-H20G, Casio
is taking the geotagging experience to a new level by incorporating
exciting technologies which consumers can now leverage to make the
process fun, easy and completely seamless. No matter where in the world
you take an image, whether it is indoors or out, the EX-H20G will know
exactly where it was taken.”
The EX-H20G’s Hybrid GPS system sets
a new standard for geotagging and offers exciting new ways to use a
digital camera. Casio’s Hybrid GPS system combines GPS with autonomic
positioning, which is made possible by an internal motion sensor. This
enables the EX-H20G to track a user’s last known satellite-acquired
position against map data stored in the camera’s internal memory, even
while the user is indoors. In addition to these features, the camera is
pre-loaded with information regarding 10,000 sightseeing photo spots
around the globe. When in the vicinity of one of these photo spots, the
EX-H20G will automatically alert the user, identifying the locations as
points-of-interest.
The industry-leading GPS and geotagging
capabilities of the EX-H20G will dramatically change how people use
their digital camera when traveling. The EX-H20G’s on-screen map allows
users to plan their travels before departing as they can view
destinations, points-of-interest and photo locations. While on-the-go,
users can then confirm their present location and utilize the EX-H20G’s
digital compass to determine the best route to their next destination.
After returning home, users can manage and share their geotagged photos
and videos captured with the EX-H20G using popular photo-sharing Web
sites and software which offer geotagging functionality, such as Picasa,
Panoramio, Google Earth, Flickr and iPhoto. These platforms will
utilize the precise location data embedded into each image’s EXIF file
to plot exactly where they were captured on a world map, giving the
photographer, as well as their friends and family, the ability to
vividly imagine their travels by making the connection with the
locations visited and images. By integrating camera and map as well as
location data and photos, the EX-H20G creates a whole new way to enjoy
traveling.
Equipped with the new EXILIM Engine HS, the EX-H20G
features all of the essential capabilities expected from a camera. When
used with Casio’s Single Frame SR Zoom function, the 24mm wide-angle,
10x optical zoom lens actually offers a 15x zoom range that maintains
the image quality needed for 14.1-megapixel high-resolution photography.
This represents 1.5 times the range of the optical zoom, with virtually
no loss in quality. Other features include 720p HD video recording
(30fps), as well as a three-inch, high-resolution 460K super clear LCD
that is easy to view even when outdoors. The EX-H20G also comes with
Casio’s advanced, fully automatic Premium Auto function for taking
beautiful shots of scenery and people with just a press of the shutter
button, and various useful functions for traveling such as Panorama
Photo mode, which can take 360-degree photos, as well as auto-time
adjustment which will automatically synchronize the camera’s date and
time with that of the user’s current location and time zone.
Starting
with the EX-H20G, Casio is positioning the EXILIM brand as “Amazing
Gear” — a brand that never fails to deliver new surprises and
excitement. Casio intends to revolutionize photography, creating new
value by developing digital cameras that go beyond the limits of cameras
in the past.
EXILIM Hi-Zoom EX-H20G
A Traveler’s Camera Equipped with a Hybrid GPS System
The first digital camera with autonomic indoor positioning through Hybrid GPS
The EX-H20G is equipped with a Hybrid GPS system that combines a GPS
engine with autonomic positioning made possible by a motion sensor. Even
if no signals are received from GPS satellites when indoors, the system
consecutively tracks the user’s location by employing an original
algorithm using a three-way accelerometer and a three-way direction
sensor. When the user goes back outside, the system automatically
updates the positional information of the indoor location based on the
exact location determined by GPS reception. Even when the camera is
powered off, the GPS system continues to search for satellite signals at
10 minute intervals. This is an ideal system for a digital camera,
allowing it to immediately track location data at any time and any
place.
Highly accurate and speedy position tracking with low power consumption
The EX-H20G employs Casio’s advanced low-power technology, which
ensures that the camera consumes only a small amount of power. Power
consumption is suited for the various situations in which the EX-H20G
will be used, including power-on and power-off, satellite acquisition
and even while the three-way accelerometer and direction sensor are
working in the background while the camera is off. With the EX-H20G,
users can rest assured knowing that they won’t need to sacrifice battery
life to enjoy highly precise and speedy position tracking.
Complete with a wide range of functions useful for traveling
- Contains world atlas data including detailed maps of 140 world cities and 12 cities in Japan
- User’s location and photos and movies taken are displayed on a map
- Photos are saved with the location information, including longitude and latitude, shooting direction, and place names
- About 10,000 photos of popular sightseeing spots around the world are included in the internal memory
- Users can leverage the camera’s digital compass and map to determine the most appropriate route
- A
location name database with approximately one million items is included
, enabling the camera to display the name of the shooting location on
the screen
- Location name and other data can be embedded in the photo when taken
- H.264 video format grants longer recording time for 720pD Movies
- Travel memories can be reproduced vividly on a large-screen TV in a slideshow with a map using an HDMI terminal
Premium Auto function produces beautiful photos with just a press of the shutter button
Premium Auto enables the camera to automatically analyze the scene
being photographed — including distinguishing night scenes, back
lighting, a blue sky, green trees or a sunset — as well as sensing
whether there is a face in the frame, the movement and position of the
subject, and whether a tripod is being used. It simultaneously optimizes
settings for exposure, ISO, sensitivity, focus location, photo blur
correction, tonal range and color balance, and level of noise reduction.
Images are analyzed pixel by pixel to apply different correction to
people and backgrounds. Premium Auto delivers an advanced level of full
auto photography, ensuring high quality photos with just a press of the
shutter button. Landscape Makeup processing, which creates clearer
landscape photographs, operates automatically.
Equipped with newly developed EXILIM Engine HS
The newly developed EXILIM Engine HS for advanced image processing
boasts a multi-CPU and two parallel image processors, enabling the
EX-H20G to accurately capture the genuine character of photo subjects
with high-speed.
Powerful zoom that maintains high-resolution image quality through 15x
The EX-H20G is outfitted with a 24mm ultra wide-angle, 10x optical zoom
lens which offers a 35mm film equivalent focal length of 24mm-240mm. To
enhance the zoom range even further, Casio incorporated its Single
Frame SR Zoom in the EX-H20G, which extends the camera’s 35mm film
equivalent telephoto focal length to 360mm, for 1.5 times the optical
zoom or a total zoom range of 15x. Furthermore, the EX-H20G features
built-in CCD-shift image stabilization to help reduce photo blur from
hand movement. These features allow users to photograph any kind of
scene, from enormous structures in sightseeing areas to scenic views at a
distance.
Dynamic Photo function for creating composite moving images
These EX-H20G also features Casio’s Dynamic Photo function, which
makes it easy for users to create “moving photos” right on the camera by
cutting moving subjects from the background in images taken with
continuous shooting, and combining those images on a different still or
moving image background. With Dynamic Photo, it is possible to make
multiple characters move independently of each other against a
background of moving images up to as long as 20 seconds. These
capabilities encourage users to explore their creativity and make it
more fun to create images. Sharing is also simplified as included
software makes it easy to upload images to YouTube™ or post them to a
blog.
The EX-H20G will be available November 2010 for $349.99.
EX-H20G Specifications
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EXILIM Hi-ZOOM
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EX-H20G
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Number of Effective Pixels
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14.1 megapixels(/million)
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Image Sensor
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1/2.3-inch square pixel CCD
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Total Pixels
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14.48 megapixels(/million)
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File Format
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Still Images
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JPEG (Exif Ver2.3), DCF2.0, DPOF
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Movies
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MOV format, H.264/AVC, IMA-ADPCM (monaural)
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Built-in Memory
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It has not yet been fixed
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Recording Media
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SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card compatible
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Number of Recorded Pixels
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Still Images
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14M(4320x3240), 3:2(4320x2880),16.9(4320x2432),
10M(3648x2736),6M(2816x2112),3M(2048x1536), VGA(640x480)
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Movies
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HD: 1280x720(30fps) / ST: 640x480(30fps)
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Recording Capacity
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Still Images
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It has not yet been fixed
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Movies
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Lens
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Construction
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11 lenses in 10 groups, including aspherical lens
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F-number
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F3.2(W) - F5.7(T)
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Focal Length
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F=4.3 - 43.0mm
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35mm - Film Equivalent
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Approx. 24 - 240mm
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Zoom Ratio
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10X optical zoom, 15X Single SR Zoom, 4X digital zoom,
159.4X maximum digital zoom (in combination with HD Zoom, VGA size)
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Focus
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Focus Type
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Contrast Detection Auto Focus
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Focus Mode
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Auto Focus, Macro, Super Macro, Infinity Mode, Manual Focus
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AF Area
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Intelligent, Spot, Multi, Tracking
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AF Assist Lamp
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Yes
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Focus Range*1 (From Lens Surface)
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Auto Focus
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Approx. 6 in. ~ Infinity (W)
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Macro
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Approx. 3 in. ~ 19.7 in. (First step from Widest Setting)
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Super Macro
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Approx. 3 in. ~ 19.7 in
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Infinity Mode
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Infinity
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Manual Focus
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Approx. 6 in. ~ Infinity (W)
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Exposure Control
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Exposure Metering
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Multi pattern, Center Weighted, Spot by CCD
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Exposure Control
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Program AE
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Exposure Compensation
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-2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)
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Shutter
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CCD electronic shutter and mechanical shutter
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Shutter Speed*2
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Auto
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1 ~ 1/2000 second
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Night Scene
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4 ~ 1/2000 second
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Aperture*1
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F3.2 (W) ~ F7.5 (W)*3
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White Balance
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Auto WB, Daylight, Overcast, Shade, Day White Fluorescent, Daylight Fluorescent, Tungsten, Manual WB
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ISO Sensitivity
(SOS/ REI*4)
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Still Images
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Auto/80/100/200/400/800/1600/3200
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Movies
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Auto
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Other Functions
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CCD-shift image stabilization, GPS, BEST SHOT, Premium Auto, Dynamic Photo(Play mode only)
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Self-Timer
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10 seconds, 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer
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Built-in Flash
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Flash Mode
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Auto, Flash off, Flash on, Soft Flash, Red eye reduction
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Flash Range
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It has not yet been fixed
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Monitor
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3.0 in. TFT color LCDSuper Clear LCD), 460,800 dots (960 x 480)
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Timekeeping Function
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Date and Time
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Recorded with image data
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On-image Time Stamp Function
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Yes
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Auto Calendar
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To 2049
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World Time
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162 cities in 32 time zones, City name, date, time, summer time
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External connection terminal
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USB port (Hi-Speed USB compatible) / AV output terminal(NTSC/PAL), HDMI™*5 output(Mini) *6
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Microphone
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Monaural
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Speaker
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Monaural
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Power Requirement
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Rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-90)
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Battery Life
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It has not yet been fixed
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Dimensions
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W x H x D
(CIPA Standards)
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4.04 x 2.66 x 1.13 in.
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Weight (CIPA Standards)
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Approx. 7.62 oz. (Including Battery and Memory Card*7) / Approx. 6.07 oz. (excluding Battery and Memory card)
|
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Bundled Accessories
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Rechargeable
Lithium Ion Battery (NP-90), Lithium Ion Battery Charger (BC-90L), AC
Power Cord, USB Cable, AV Cable, Strap, CD-ROM
|
- Range is affected by optical zoom.
- May differ according to camera settings.
- F7.9 is the aperture when an ND filter is being used.
- SOS: Standard Output Sensitivity; REI: Recommended Exposure Index.
- HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.
- 1080/50i output is not supported for PAL output using an HDMI™.
- When using Panasonic Pro High Speed 1GB SD Memory Card.
EXILIM,
Dynamic Photo and BEST SHOT and Hybrid GPS are trademarks or registered
trademarks of CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. YouTube is a registered
trademark of YouTube, LLC. Any other company or product names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
About Casio America, Inc.
Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio
Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading
manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions,
established in 1957. Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards,
digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label
printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic
products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of
“creativity and contribution” through the introduction of innovative and
imaginative products. For more information, visit
www.casiousa.com.
