Released by Casio:

CASIO’s award winning EXILIM range gets a boost with the launch of the all new6-Megapixel EXILIM PRO

Stylish and fast new flagship EXILIM model - EXILIM PRO EX-P600

February 13th 2004, LONDON, UK – CASIO Electronics Co.Ltd. today announces an exciting new development in the fast-growing digital camera market with the launch of EXILIM PRO. This marks the beginning of a whole new category of camera, offering something for the increasing number of intelligent digital camera users who want the superior features and functionality of a high-end semi-professional camera without losing the elegance and stunning good looks of an EXILIM.

The EXILIM PRO EX-P600 is an exceptional new addition to the growing family of EXILIM digital cameras. Combining an ease of operation typically expected in compact cameras with a high-performance 6-megapixel CCD and a large diameter Canon 4x optical zoom, the EX-P600 allows users to reach new heights of photographic creativity through its multitude of functions.

The new EXILIM PRO EX-P600 retains CASIO’s class leading start-up time along with a 0.01 second shutter release lag time - perfect for reportage photography or simply capturing special moments as they happen. In addition, CASIO’s revolutionary new four layer Stack MCM technology1, or ‘EXILIM Engine’, greatly improves the speed of the camera as well as reducing power consumption. When coupled with CASIO’s new SuperLife battery, the EX-P600’s battery life is extended radically. High-speed continuous shooting made possible by the ‘EXILIM Engine’ allows users to shoot at an enviable 3 frames per second, capturing moving targets perfectly.

A hybrid auto focus system incorporates the ability of normal contrast auto focus with a phase detect sensor that also sets the depth of field. The EX-P600 offers multi-bracketing, letting users can take a number of shots whilst varying the parameters of AE, WB and AF ensuring that they always capture the perfect picture. High-speed manual setting, available by pressing the proprietary “EX button”, lets the user display and adjust the levels for white balance, ISO sensitivity, metering, and auto focus area settings all on a single screen. When shooting manually, changes to these settings can be done quickly and easily.

The EX-P600 offers not only the style and features of a compact camera, but represents a new series of digital cameras with quick response offering functions usually found only on fully-fledged high-end models; and all in a portable size. The EX-P600 creates a whole new definition of excitement in photography, with a flexibility that hasn’t been possible with today’s fully automatic cameras.

The EX-P600 features high-speed play back that allows users to scroll through a large number of images quickly – up to 100 in under 10 seconds – and encompasses a high-definition 2.0“ TFT LCD screen. A new ‘EX-Finder’ display system, showing the camera’s aperture, zoom, shutter speed and battery consumption visually, allows advanced users to intuitively understand the performance of the camera and make the correct manual settings.

In addition, the EX-P600 enables users to expand the possibilities of their photography by connecting to an outsider strobe and conversion lenses. Movies with audio, limited only by the available memory, are possible and can be viewed on a TV screen via the AV out capability. Finally, if that wasn’t enough, the EX-P600 is the world’s first high-end digital camera to incorporate EXILIM’s trademark stylish ‘stainless steel’ body.

By combining all the best features of CASIO’s popular EXILIM range with the latest in high specification digital photography functions, it is expected that when the EX-P600 becomes available in March 2004 it will be a massive hit with consumers looking for an advanced and easy to use camera, yet who are not prepared to compromise on style.

About CASIO & EXILIM
In 1995 CASIO were the first company to launch a consumer digital camera with the introduction of the QV-10. In the following years a number of innovative and stylish products have been launched from wrist cameras to three and four mega pixel compact cameras, and from shock resistant to pro-sumer five megapixel, fully manually adjustable cameras.

The EXILIM range captures all the best attributes of a digital camera and then adds additional ergonomic precision and engineering to make it a most sought-after product. CASIO’s impressive history in miniaturisation means that EXILIM is all that any style conscious individual could wish for: - individuality, functionality, and personality all within a sharp, sleek and lightweight body.

With the launch of EXILIM PRO CASIO is once again breaking new ground with original consumer driven products and exciting design principles. As consumers become increasingly knowledgeable about digital photography EXILIM PRO will combine the best features of top-end cameras and EXILIM’s heritage of elegance to keep pace with the changing demands of a challenging market.