Casio Releases New Exilim Digital Cameras With Entry Level Photographers In Mind

Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., today announced the release of four new models to the EXILIM® family of digital cameras: the EX-ZS150, EX-ZS20, EX-ZS12, and EX-ZS6. These compact cameras feature a powerful zoom lens and 16.1 effective megapixels and provide high-performance features that are typically not available in entry level digital cameras.

The four new models have dedicated buttons for the basic digital camera operations of capturing, reviewing, and deleting images. They also feature the “easy Mode” interface, which clearly displays frequently used functions with large lettering and icons. By following instructions from the on-screen guide, users can take photos with the optimal photographic settings. Also, by merely pointing the camera at a subject, the new models automatically focus on the face of the subject or on the landscape. Once the focus frame turns green, the user just presses the shutter button, and a sharply focused image is captured. The new EXILIM cameras are designed to be easy for everyone to operate, even novices.

Casio EX-ZS150

The EX-ZS150 is equipped with a 24mm wide-angle lens and a 12.5x optical zoom ready to capture any kind of scene, while the EX-ZS20 is equipped with a 26mm wide-angle lens and a 6x optical zoom in a slim, stainless-steel body. Both models come with Premium Auto mode, which automatically analyzes the shooting scene to choose the best settings and performs image processing. When set to Premium Auto mode, the cameras will automatically analyze the scene being photographed and simultaneously optimize settings for exposure, ISO, sensitivity, focus location, photo blur correction, tonal range, color balance, and level of noise reduction. Premium Auto mode will automatically distinguish night scenes, back lighting, a blue sky, green trees or a sunset and can sense whether there is a person’s face in the frame, the movement and position of the subject, and whether a tripod is being used. All images are analyzed pixel by pixel to apply different corrections depending on the subject. For example, if Premium Auto mode recognizes that the subject of the image is a person, it will automatically apply Makeup Mode, and will automatically apply Landscape Mode if it detects that the subject of the image is a landscape. For those who value simplicity and want to capture beautiful images with each press of the shutter, Casio’s Premium Auto is the mode to use.

Meanwhile, the EX-ZS12 and EX-ZS6 are equipped with a 26mm wide-angle lens and a 5x optical zoom. The EX-ZS12 features a slim, stainless-steel body for a high-quality look.

“Casio’s latest introductions continue to offer today’s consumers the very best digital imaging has to offer,” said Shigenori Itoh, Chairman and CEO of Casio America. “With their high-performance features and array of shooting modes, these new cameras will deliver an overall digital imaging experience that’s far from entry-level.”

All four models come in a wide variety of colors and offer BEST SHOT Mode, which optimizes photo settings when the user selects the type of scene about to be photographed. Every BEST SHOT Mode was designed to help users capture the best images possible of a wide range of subjects in just about any environment. Users will also benefit from helpful images and descriptions which accompany each mode and give a detailed explanation of when to use them and what each will provide in regard to results. The new EXILIM models also offer a self-portrait function that automatically takes a beautiful shot when the camera detects the user's face and focuses on it. What’s more is that each camera is also capable of HD movie recording (1280 x 720) for stunning clips.

In addition, the cameras feature a 2.7-inch LCD screen as well as USB charging, which provides users the ability to recharge the battery in camera while connected to a computer.

The EX-ZS150 will be available in Black, Gold, Green and Vivid Pink and will ship in April for $229.99.

The EX-ZS20 will be available in Black, Silver, White, Pink, Red and Blue and will ship in April for $159.99.

The EX-ZS12 will be available in Black, Silver, Red and Blue and will ship in April for $139.99.

The EX-ZS6 will be available in Black, Silver, Pink and Red and will ship in April for $119.99.

Specifications

*1. Converted to 35mm film format

*2. Excluding projections