Casio introduces the world’s slimmest* digital camera with a wide-angle 4x optical zoom

Features CCD-shift anti-shake function and a large 3.0 inch LCD display

DOVER, NJ, JULY 14, 2008 ― Casio America, Inc. announced today the release of the newest model in its EXILIM® digital camera series ― the stylish, slim EXILIM Zoom EX-Z150, which features a wide-angle zoom lens, a CCD-shift anti-shake function, a 3.0” LCD monitor and an 8.1 effective megapixel resolution.

The EXILIM Zoom EX-Z150 contains the features and functions needed to meet the demanding requirements of today’s digital camera users, all within a slim form factor. The EX-Z150 comes complete with a built-in wide-angle 28 mm (35 mm film equivalent) and 4X optical zoom lens, at just .79” thick (.74” at the thinnest section).

“This camera is the perfect accessory for the picture taking enthusiast as it is compact, attractive and comes equipped with face detection technology which is a popular feature,” said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Casio’s Digital Imaging Division. “The EX-Z150 stays true to the user-friendly features that have become standard to the EXILIM Zoom series.

To complement the slim, stylish look, the new EXILIM offers all the premium functionality you would expect in a much bigger digital camera, including a CCD-shift anti-shake function and face detection technology. It also features a large 3.0 inch LCD monitor, a first for the EXILIM series, making it even easier to compose shots and adding to the fun of viewing the images taken.

* As at July 14, 2008, for a digital camera with a wide-angle 28 mm equivalent 4X optical zoom lens. Based on Casio survey.

Available at retail in September, the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z150 will be available in silver and black, as well as colorful red, pink and green with an MSRP of $199.99.

MAIN FEATURES OF THE EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z150

8.1 effective megapixel model for high resolution photography

Slim, compact size: 3.81” wide x 2.26” high x .79” thick (.74” at the thinnest section)

28 mm-equivalent wide-angle 4x optical zoom lens enables users to conveniently photograph scenes such as tall buildings or get shots of big groups of people in a small room, while still allowing zoom photography to capture distant subjects

CCD-shift anti-shake function for beautiful image quality, free from effects of camera-shake

Face detection technology that senses people’s faces

Large 3.0 inch, high resolution LCD monitor with 230,400 dots

EX-Z150 Specifications

					EXILIM Zoom
					EX-Z150
Number of Effective Pixels					8.1 million
Image Sensor					1/2.5-inch square pixel CCD
	Total Pixels				8.29 million
File Format	Still Images				JPEG (Exif Version 2.2, DCF 1.0 standard, DPOF compliant)
	Movies				AVI format, Motion JPEG, IMA-ADPCM (monaural)
	Audio (Voice Recording)				WAV format (monaural)
Built-in Flash Memory (Image Area)					17.9MB
Recording Media					SDHC Memory Card, SD Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, MultiMediaCardplus compatible
Number of Recorded Pixels	Still Images				3264 x 2448, 3264 x 2176 (3:2), 3264 x 1840 (16:9), 2816 x 2112, 2304 x 1728, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480
	Movies				640 × 480 (HQ/Normal, 30 fps), 320 × 240 (LP, 15 fps)
Recording Capacity (When Set at Maximum Image Size)	Still Images	Built-in Flash Memory			Approx. 3 shots (Fine) / 7 shots (Normal) / 10 shots (Economy)
		SD Memory Card 1GB*1			Approx. 210 shots (Fine) / 392 shots (Normal) / 578 shots (Economy)
	Movies		Recording Time		Maximum Recording Capacity per File: 4GB*2
			Built-in Flash Memory		Approx. 11 seconds
			SD Memory Card 1GB*1		Approx. 11 min. 43 seconds
Operating Speed	Power on to First Shot*3*4				To be advised
	Shutter Release Time Lag*3*4				To be advised
	Shot to Shot Time*4*5				To be advised
	Normal Speed Continuous Shutter*5				To be advised
Lens	Construction				7 lenses in 6 groups, including aspherical lens
	F-number				F2.6 (W) to 5.9 (T)
	Focal Length				f= 4.65 to 18.6mm (4X)
			35mm Film Equivalent		Approx. 28 to 112mm (4X)
Focusing	Focus Type				Contrast Detection Auto Focus
	Focus Modes				Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Pan Focus, Infinity Mode, Manual Focus
	AF Area				Spot, Multi
Focus Range*6 (From Lens Surface)	Auto Focus				Approx. 15.75”  to ∞ (W)
	Macro				Approx. 5.91”  to 19.69”  (W)
	Infinity Mode				∞ (W)
	Manual Focus				Approx. 5.91”  to ∞ (W)
Exposure	Exposure Metering				Multi-pattern, center weighted, spot by imaging element
	Exposure Control				Program AE
	Exposure Compensation				-2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)
Shutter Type					CCD electronic shutter, mechanical shutter
	Shutter Speed*7			Auto	1/2 to 1/2000 second
				Night Scene (BEST SHOT)	4 to 1/2000 second
Aperture*8					F2.6 (W) to F7.7 (W)*9, auto switching
White Balance					Auto WB, Daylight, Overcast, Shade, Day White FL, Daylight FL, Tungsten, Manual WB
Sensitivity (SOS/REI)*10	Still Images				Auto, ISO64, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800, ISO1600
	Movies				Auto

Other Recording Functions	BEST SHOT	Included: 22 scenes
	YouTube™ Capture Mode	Included
	Face Detection	Included
	Voice Recording	Included
Self-timer		10 seconds, 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer
Built-in Flash	Flash Modes	Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Red Eye Reduction
	Flash Range	Normal: approx. .49’ to 10.50 ‘ (W), approx. 1.97’  to 4.92’ (T)
Monitor Screen		3.0-inch TFT color LCD, 230,400 dots (960×240)
Timekeeping Functions	Date and Time	Recorded with image data
	On-image Time Stamp Function	Included
	Auto Calendar	To 2049
	World Time	162 cities in 32 time zones, city name, date, time, summer time
Input/ Output Terminals		USB/AV port
	USB	USB
Microphone		Monaural
Speaker		Monaural
Power Requirements		Rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-70) x 1
Battery Life	Number of Shots*11	Approx. 280 still images (CIPA standards)
	Continuous Playback	Approx 4 hr. 20 min. (still images)
	Continuous Recording	Approx. 4 hr. 50 min. (voice recording)
Dimensions (Excluding Projections)		3.81” (W) x 2.26”  (H) x .79  (D)
		Thinnest part: .74”
Weight (Excluding Battery and Accessories)		Approx. 4.44 oz
Bundled Accessories		Rechargeable lithium ion battery, lithium ion battery charger, AC power cord, USB cable, AV cable, strap, CD-ROM

Specifications subject to change without notice.

*1. When using Panasonic (Matsushita) Pro High Speed 1GB SD Memory Card. *2. Within limits of memory and battery life. *3. When using built-in memory. *4. With built-in flash off. *5. When set at maximum image size and normal image quality. *6. Range is affected by optical zoom. *7. Shutter speed range may be different depending on the BEST SHOT scene. *8. Using optical zoom causes the aperture to change. *9. F7.7 is the aperture when an ND filter is being used. *10. SOS: Standard Output Sensitivity. REI: Recommended Exposure Index. *11. Auto Mode, standard brightness monitor setting.

EXILIM is a registered trademark of CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. “FSE” is a product provided by Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. For more information about “FSE”, visit OKI’s website at http://www.face-sensing-engine.com. YouTube is a registered trademark of YouTube, LLC. Any other company or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of those companies.

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