New QV-R Series Digital Camera Features 6-megapixel CCD EXILIM Engine and large 2.0-inch LCD screen in compact body

August 25, 2004, TOKYO, JAPAN – CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD. released the QV-R61, a 6-megapixel digital camera in the popular QV-R range with improved image quality and responsiveness thanks to the incorporation of CASIO’s proprietary EXILIM Engine. In addition, several new advanced features have been included to enhance overall performance. This compact model is the flagship in the QV-R series, and features a large 2.0-inch LCD screen and a 3X optical zoom lens in a compact aluminum body.

CASIO’s proprietary EXILIM Engine incorporates highly advanced circuitry to further enhance image processing and functional performance of the QV-R61, delivering superior images with remarkably high resolution and lower power consumption, including nearly instantaneous startup, astonishingly fast 0.01 second release time lag, and high speed continuous shooting of up to 3 photos in 1 second. This equates to approximately 280 photos at full 6-megapixel resolution, according to the CIPA* standard for measuring battery life. The new QV-R61 is even ahead of its QV-R51 sibling, a camera that won the prestigious 2004 DIMA (Digital Imaging Marketing Association) Digital Camera Shoot-Out Award, beating more than 50 other digital cameras from 13 manufacturers, to take the prize for best picture quality in the US$300 to $399 price range.

Operation is extremely easy, with a large 2.0” LCD screen that clearly displays all information on shooting and photographic effects. With advanced operating features such as One-Touch direct REC and Play Modes, Best Shot Mode with 23 types of settings, and more, the QV-R61 represents the ultimate in high quality photography with carefree operation.

QV-R61 MAIN FEATURES

1. 6-megapixel CCD with 3X optical zoom
High-resolution images are assured by the 6-megapixel CCD imaging element and 3X optical zoom. A 4X digital zoom is provided for a combined zoom of 12X.

2. Comprehensive high-speed design
Attention to faster response throughout the operation cycle has resulted in a start-up time of approximately 1.0 second and a 0.01 second release time lag. The QV-R61 also features a high-speed continuous shooting function for taking up to 3 photos in 1 second.

3. New high-performance functions

4. Flash Assist-- Operates during flash photography to compensate for underexposure in areas which are not reached by flash

5. Auto Macro -- Automatically switches between Macro mode and AF mode

6. Business Shot – Business Shot function compensates for photos taken at an angle and records them as though taken from straight ahead

7. Icon Help-- Uses pop-ups to guide the user during the switching of settings


*CIPA standard “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. For more information about CIPA, see www.cipa.jp/english/index.html.

QV-R61 General Features

-Large 2.0-inch TFT LCD scratch-resistant acrylic panel monitor

-Direct On function for one-touch recording and playback.

-Up to 280 snapshots can be taken on a single battery charge, according to the CIPA standard

-Can use regular AA alkaline or lithium batteries

-Compact aluminum body with high-quality rounded finish

-Advanced image noise reduction processing for improved image quality, particularly when shooting at night

-Movies (without audio) can be recorded up to the limit of the memory

-Multi-Auto Focus for automatic selection of the optimum focus point location

-High-speed playback scrolls at 0.1 second per image for faster and easier image searches.

-The Best Shot Mode accesses 23 camera setups in an instant. Simply select a sample scene similar to the image you want, and exposure compensation, white balance, and other settings are configured automatically.

-Full-month calendar screen shows a thumbnail of the first image recorded on each date.

-The Alarm function sounds an alarm and displays a specified image at a preset time.

-World Time lets you select one of 162 cities in 32 time zones around the world as your home time. When traveling to another time zone, simply select the applicable city, and time and date settings are adjusted automatically.

-Triple Self-timer records three consecutive images, so you can select and keep the best one.

-The camera stores images in a Web browser-viewable format that allows you to browse images in an on-screen album.

-Internal 9.7 MB flash memory, with a card slot that supports use of an SD memory card or MMC (memory card not included).

-Favorites folder lets you store your favorite or private images so they are not displayed during normal playback.

-Connects directly to PictBridge and USB DIRECT-PRINT compatible printers.

-Complies with ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) and PRINT Image Matching III.

-Complies with Epson USB DIRECT-PRINT, so you can print directly on a USB DIRECT-PRINT printer* without using a computer.

*For further information on "USB Direct-Print" compatible printers, please contact: Regional Epson Sales Companies

QV-R61 Specifications

Recording Element 1/1.8-inch square pixel primary color CCD (6.37 million total pixels; 6 million effective pixels) Image File Record Format Snapshots: JPEG (Exif. Ver. 2.2), DCF standard, DPOF compliant Movies: AVI (Motion JPEG) Recording Media Built-in flash memory (9.7MB), SD memory card/MMC memory card Recorded Image Sizes Snapshots : 2816 X 2112 / 2816 X 1872(3:2) / 2048 X 1536 / 1600 X 1200 / 1280 X 960 / 640 X 480 pixels Movies :320 X 240 pixels Recorded File Sizes Image Size (Pixels) Resolution Approximate File Size Approximate Memory Capacity (Images) Built-in Memory (9.7MB) SD Memory Card* 64MB 2816 x 2112 Fine 2.9 MB 3 20 Normal 2.3 MB 4 25 Economy 1.6 MB 5 36 640 x 480 Fine 190 KB 46 294 Normal 140 KB 61 386 Economy 90 KB 98 618 Movies Image Size (Pixels) Approximate File Size Approximate Memory Capacity Built-in Memory (9.7MB) SD Memory Card* 64MB 320×240 300 KB/second (15 frames/second) 30 seconds 3 minutes 25 seconds * Matsushita products. Capacity differs according to manufacturer. Lens F2.8 (W) to 4.9 (T); f=8 (W) to 24 (T) mm (equivalent to approximately 39.0 to 117.0 mm when converted to 35mm film) Zoom 3X optical zoom; 4X digital zoom (12X total when optical and digital zoom are used in combination.) Focusing Contrast type Auto Focus (selectable between spot and multi); macro mode; infinity mode; manual focus Approximate Focus Range Normal: 60cm to ∞ ; Macro: 10 to 70cm Exposure Control Metering: Multi-pattern by imaging element, central focus, and spot Control: Program AE; Exposure Compensation: -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps) Shutter CCD electronic shutter/mechanical shutter; 4 to 1/2000 shutter speed (including Night mode) Aperture Auto; F2.8/F4.8 White Balance Auto; Fixed (6 modes); Manual Sensitivity Auto, ISO 64, ISO 125, ISO 250, ISO 500 Recording Modes Snapshot; movies ; Best Shot; Business Shot; Auto Macro; Flash Assist; Icon Help; Sharpness/color saturation/contrast/flash intensity settings Self-timer 10 seconds or 2 seconds; Triple Self-timer Built-in Flash Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Red Eye Reduction Approximate Range: 0.6 to 2.6 meters (W); 0.6 to 2.1 meters (T) Viewfinder Monitor screen and optical viewfinder Monitor Screen 2.0-inch digital interface TFT color LCD (84,960 pixels; 354 X 240) Playback Functions Still/movie; 4X zoom; calendar; 9-image screen; Slideshow Timekeeping Functions Date and time recorded with image data; auto calendar up to 2049 World Time 162 cities (32 time zones); city names; date and time; summer time Other 10 language setting; trimming; resize; histogram; grid; album feature; Favorites folder; copy; alarm with image; key customize Input/Output Terminals External power (DC3V); USB (Mini-B) terminals Power Requirements AA size Nickel metal-hydride battery x 2; AA size lithium ion battery x 2; AA size Alkaline battery x 2; separate AC adapter Battery life Approx. 280 snapshots (CIPA standard) Continuous recording: approx. 900 snapshots* (approx 2hr.30min.) *recording wide / tele alternatively each 10 secs, LCD on, flash off Continuous playback: approx 4 hr. 20 min. (snapshots) When using the bundled nickel metal-hydride batteries Dimensions 88.3(W) x 60.4(H) x 33.4(D) mm (excluding projections) Weight Approximately 168g (excluding batteries and accessories) Bundled Accessories Nickel metal-hydride battery x 2; Battery charger; USB Cable; Strap; CD-ROM