DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS

Casio EXILIM EX-Z250 and EXILIM EX-Z300 Digital Camera Introductions

EX-Z300 and EX-Z250 Features New Imaging Engine for Superb Photography

DOVER, NJ, AUGUST 20, 2008 -- Cameratown --  Casio America, Inc., in conjunction with it’s parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd. today announced the release of two new high-profile additions to its EXILIM family of digital cameras. The 10.1 effective megapixel EXILIM Zoom EX-Z300 and the 9.1 effective megapixel EXILIM Zoom EX-Z250. Both models deliver beautiful high resolution images and outstanding functionality made possible by a new Casio imaging engine for high speed image processing.

EXILIM EX-Z300 and EX-Z250

EX-Z300 and EX-Z250 combine high resolution and high speed image processing to produce beautiful photos of people and night scenes
Thanks to Casio’s new EXILIM Engine 3.0*, these two cameras produce beautiful image quality with low noise and moiré. Both are high resolution models, boasting excellent resolving power and offering precise, smooth rendering of images. The image processing speed and power of Casio’s new engine make possible entirely new functions that deliver fantastic photos of people’s faces, night scenes and other subjects that have challenged photographers for years. These cameras automatically detect and correct for difficult situations, such as night scene photography where camera shake could be a problem, or backlit subjects where faces often come out too dark. This all means that users get great, well-balanced photos of family and friends against any background with no more worry than it takes to press the shutter button.

* EXILIM Engine 3.0: This is an image processing module that packages a new, dedicated high speed image processing CPU (central processing unit) with the high performance CPU used to date. Digital cameras are constantly developing and evolving new levels of “beautiful imagery” and “convenient shooting functions.” This new module quickly processes complex images, making it possible for customers to shoot and view wonderful photos with simplicity and ease.

New Makeup Function

These cameras also feature a Makeup function that creates beautiful photographs of people’s faces: high end image processing can smooth skin and soften facial shadows caused by sunlight. The photographer gets to choose to apply such image processing at one of twelve levels, from weak through strong, and can shoot while checking the results of the effects in the LCD monitor. At last, a camera that brings out all the beauty of the human face, creating images worthy of holding onto for a lifetime.

The two new cameras will be available at retail in October in the following colors:  The EX-Z300, MSRP $299.99, will be available in silver, black and pink; the EX-Z250, MSRP $249.99 will be available in silver and black.

EX-Z250 and EX-Z300 Features

One model with 10.1 effective megapixels and the other with 9.1 effective megapixels
The two new cameras are the 10.1 effective megapixel EX-Z300 and the 9.1 effective megapixel EX-Z250. Thanks to Casio’s original image processing technologies, these cameras achieve an extremely precise, smooth rendering of high-resolution images, reducing a great deal of noise in pictures taken at high sensitivity levels. This is the result of Casio’s pursuit of the beautiful image quality that users expect from cameras with very high resolution.

28mm wide angle, 4X optical zoom lenses
These lenses zoom from 28mm to 112mm (35mm film camera equivalent). Users can enjoy a wide range of shooting options, from wide angle photography that is convenient when shooting large objects or many people in a small space, to telephoto shooting which brings distant subjects close.

New functions that take advantage of the high speed image processing of Casio’s newly developed EXILIM Engine 3.0:

CCD shift stabilization
Camera shake is compensated for by the mechanical movement of the imaging element in the camera. Of course, both cameras also incorporate Anti Shake DSP, which reduces photo blur due to moving subjects by raising the camera’s sensitivity and allowing faster shutter speeds.

EX-Z300 comes with HD Movie function, which enables high definition (1280x720 pixel) movie recording
The EX-Z300 comes equipped with a high definition movie recording function, which allows beautiful movies with an image size of 1280 by 720 pixels to be recorded with just a push of the Movie button. They also feature the H.264 video standard, which records beautiful, high quality movies in highly compressed video files.

iTunes-compatible H.264 video
Both cameras use the H.264 video standard, which utilizes the AAC audio codec widely used in Apple’s iPod and other mobile devices.

Large, high definition 230,000 pixel 3.0 inch LCD monitor
These cameras use a large, clear 3.0 inch LCD monitor. The high contrast screen produces sharp, bright images that can be viewed easily from any angle, and the monitor’s high brightness means that it can be easily viewed even when the surrounding light is bright.

EX-Z250 and EX-Z300 Specifications