New Cameras - Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z750 & EX-Z57

Casio has joined the pre-PMA annoncement parade, making the Exilim Zoom EX-Z750 and EX-Z57 official. They offer 7.2 and 5 megapixels and feature Casio's largest LCD display to date at 2.7 inches. Both cameras will be available at retail in April, MSRP is $449.99 for the EX-Z750 and $399.99 for the EX-Z57.

Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z57

Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z750

The release with extensive details follows: 

  -- The EX-Z750 EXILIM ZOOM for truly enjoyable digital photography

    The EX-Z750's 7.2 megapixel CCD imaging element delivers superior picture
quality with remarkably high definition, while the optical 3X zoom lens and
large 2.5-inch liquid crystal display assure enjoyable operation. In addition
to manual operation, an extremely versatile array of shooting functions
enables a variety of photo effects. Using MPEG-4 format, high quality movies
can also be taken in VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 frames per second. Of
course, longer battery life enables the shooting of approximately 325 shots
(CIPA standards)* on a battery charge. When set in its cradle, A/V signal
output allows the user to view the photos or movies taken on an external video
monitor such as television.

    * CIPA "Standard Procedure for Measuring Digital Still Camera Battery
      Consumption":

    Until recently there has been no standard measurement for battery life.
This has resulted in inconsistencies between camera products and their
catalogs and instruction manuals. As of December 2003, CIPA (Camera & Imaging
Products Association) established the Standard Procedure for Measuring Digital
Still Camera Battery Consumption, and hopes to reduce confusion among
consumers by having this adopted by the world's digital camera manufacturers
and retailers.
    The EX-Z750 is ideal for consumers who are looking to create superior
images in challenging lighting conditions. Consumers can select aperture
priority, shutter priority, or simply select from several unique "Best Shot"
modes to enhance the images.  The 0.9-second continuous shooting mode and low
light assist, help capture sharp images such as fast action or low light
scenes.  The pre-record or "Past Movie" mode continuously captures 5 seconds
of video automatically into buffer memory to ensure that the user records the
critical video prior to pushing the shutter.  Consumers can also select from
several different "Movie Best Shot" modes and do simple video editing within
the camera.

    -- The EX-Z57 EXILIM ZOOM for brilliant picture viewing

    The extra-large 2.7-inch liquid crystal display represents an
astonishingly easy-to-view screen for brilliant picture viewing without
compromising its compact and stylish design. The EX-Z57 features a 5 megapixel
CCD and an optical 3X zoom lens to take photos of remarkable picture quality.
Extra-long battery life of approximately 400 shots (CIPA standards) on a
single battery charge assures users that they can enjoy shooting and looking
at their pictures over and over again without ever worrying about the battery
life.

    EX-Z750 MAIN FEATURES

    7.2 Megapixel quality with versatile shooting functions

    -- Imaging CCD with an effective 7.2 megapixels, along with a 3X optical
       zoom lens enables high-quality, high-resolution photographs.
    -- Super-Life Battery enables up to 325 shots on a single charge (CIPA
       standards).
    -- AF assist light makes focus operation easier even in dark settings.
    -- High-speed start-up enables shooting approximately 0.9 seconds after
       the power is turned on. *1

        *1: with internal flash off, using internal memory

    -- Release time lag of only 0.007 seconds means images are recorded
       approximately 0.007 seconds after the shutter is released.*2

        *2: with internal flash off

    -- High-speed picture playback of approx. 0.1 seconds interval.
    -- Continuous shutter function enables photos to be taken in approximately
       0.9 seconds intervals (using normal photo quality, 3072 x 2034 size).
    -- Manual exposure mode enables greater creativity for more enjoyable
       picture taking.
    -- Various manual settings can be quickly set on a single screen with EX
       Button.
    -- "Zoom continuous" enables automatic framing function that crops and
       resizes pictures to create optimally framed images, taking 2 images
       with a single press of the shutter.
    -- "ART SHOT" function enables pastel, illustration or cross-filter effect
       processing on the liquid crystal monitor during shooting to enable the
       creation of artistic photographs.
    -- ID photo function enables, with a single press of the shutter, the
       automatic layout and shooting of five differently sized portrait photos
       saved as 1 image, ideal for resumes and drivers licenses.
    -- "BEST SHOT" *3 function enables the user to choose the desired setting
       from samples.

        *3 Includes ART SHOT (pastel, illustration or cross-filter), ID photo,
           and Business Shot

    High Quality Movies

    -- Using MPEG-4 format, videos may be shot in VGA size (640 x 480 pixels)
       at 30 frames per second.
    -- "MOVIE BEST SHOT": select a scene (includes fireworks, against the
       light and silent) from the samples to achieve the desired shooting
       effect.
    -- Approx. 2 hours and 50 minutes of movie shooting on a single battery
       charge (continuous recording).
    -- Past Movie function enables video recording to begin from five seconds
       before the shutter is pressed.
    -- Short Movie function enables the user to shoot a short video of
       approximately 8 seconds, centering on the time the shutter was pressed.
    -- "MOTION PRINT"  function enables either 9 or 1 frames to be converted
       to a still photo.
    -- Movie Playback Zoom function enables zoom display during video
       playback.
    -- During Movie Playback Zoom, the position of the enlargement can be
       moved.
    -- Three types of Movie Editing op