Casio EX-Z1200 EXILIM Zoom Digital Camera Announced

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Casio Introduces Flagship EXILIM ZOOM Digtal Camera with 12-megapixels -- Featuring a slim, stylish look packed with superior functions like auto-tracking AF with motion analysis technology and a CCD-shift anti-shake mechanism

Casio, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced the release of the newest model in the stylish series of EXILIM digital cameras, the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z1200. The new camera is Casio's flagship EXILIM Zoom, boasting a world-leading 12.1 effective megapixels to deliver both high resolution and premium performance.

It has only been a year since Casio released the revolutionary EXILIM Zoom EX-Z1000, the first digital camera in the world to deliver 10.1 megapixel resolution in a size that fits easily in the palm of the hand. The EX-Z1000 won acclaim for making it simpler than ever to capture images at a remarkably high resolution, and its trend-setting performance put it at the forefront of the market.

"The newest addition of the slim, stylish EXILIM line represents Casio's continuing objective to produce innovative products fit for everyone’s needs," said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Casio's Digital Imaging Division. "The EX-Z1200 incorporates the same characteristics from the EX-Z1000 and adds new features such as face detection and motion analysis technology which make photographs more life like."

Now, going one step beyond the EX-Z1000, the new flagship EX-Z1200 offers 12.1 megapixel resolution -- the highest available in any compact digital camera. At this amazing level of detail, photos print crystal-clear even in large sizes or when trimmed to show just one part of the image. It incorporates CCD-shift image stabilization and the latest EXILIM Engine 2.0 image processing module with motion analysis technology. These innovative features work together to help prevent blurry shots due to shaky hands, subject movement or poor focus when photographing moving subjects such as children or pets.

In addition, the auto-tracking AF system now combines both face detection and motion analysis technologies. With this revolutionary new system, once the focus is locked in, it follows a moving subject's face, maintaining both sharp focus andcorrect exposure.

MAIN FEATURES

• 12.1 million effective pixels; 3X optical zoom
• CCD-shift image stabilization mechanism
• Incorporates the latest EXILIM Engine 2.0 image processing module featuring motion analysis technology
  • Blur-reduction technologies:
    • Automatically analyzes the velocity and vector of a moving subject and sets the most appropriate ISO sensitivity and shutter speed.
    • Anti Shake DSP reduces blur due to shaky hands and subject movement, using high shutter speeds and high sensitivity settings.
    • Movie mode with electronic camera shake compensation function.
    Tonal range control reduces loss of detail in bright and dark areas, and helps to achieve smoother expression of skin tones and clear blue skies.
• Auto-tracking AF system maintains both sharp focus and correct exposure for a human face using both face detection*1 and motion analysis technologies.
• Maximum 3 shot/second*2 shutter speed (when set at 3.0 megapixel image size)
• 2.8-inch Wide and Bright LCD display (maximum brightness of 1400cd/m2 at center of screen) makes viewing in bright outdoor light easier than ever before.

Exclusive to the Casio EXILIM line of digital cameras in the U.S., is the eBay® Best Shot mode. The eBay Best Shot mode is one of 34 Best Shot Modes featured in the EX-Z1200. eBay Best Shot takes photos at a size that is image optimized for display on eBay, allowing picture takers to more quickly and easily create photos for selling items on eBay. eBay Best Shot mode also includes Auto Macro, an ideal setting for capturing images of small items such as jewelry, tags, etc., thus automatically adjusting the focus from acquiring fine details in close up shots to capturing large items from a distance. eBay Best Shot mode allows users to capture optimized images at an ideal size for eBay. For ease of use, eBay photos are stored in a special eBay directory.

The EXILIM Zoom EX-Z1200 will have a suggested retail price of $399.99 and will be available at retail in mid-July in two fashionable colors -- silver and black.

*1. "Face Detection feature" includes a face detection technology provided by OKI’s face image processing engine, FSE (Face Sensing Engine).
*2. Number of shots can vary depending on the memory card used.

EXILIM Hi-Zoom EX-Z1200 Specifications

Effective Pixels	12.1 million
Imaging Element	1/1.7-inch square pixel color CCD (total pixels: 12.39 million)
Image File Format	Still images: JPEG (Exif Version 2.2), DCF standard, DPOF compliant
Movies	H.264/AVC, MOV format
Audio	WAV (monaural)
Recording Media	Built-in flash memory (image area: 11.4MB), SDHC Memory Card / SD Memory Card / Multimedia Card / Multimedia Card plus compatible
Image Size (Pixels)	Still Images: 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2656 (3:2), 4000 x 2240 (16:9), 3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480
Movies	848 x 480 (UHQ Wide/HQ Wide), 640 x 480 (UHQ/HQ/Normal), 320 x 240 (LP)