LAS VEGAS – In addition to unveiling its Tryx new concept camera,
Casio Computer (booth 11006) is showing an assortment of 2011 Exilim point-and-shoot
digicams and a prototype watch designed to link to smartphones via Bluetooth to
run forthcoming apps.
In addition to the unusually styled Tryx, Casio America will
present five Exilim point-and-shoot models including the EX-H30 ($250 suggested
retail), ZR10 ($250), ZR100 ($300), ZS5 ($100) and ZS10 ($120).
The EX-H30 features 16.1 megapixel resolution, a 12.5x optical
zoom lense starting at a 24mm wide angle, and the ability to capture up to
1,000 photos on a single battery charge.
The camera body measures under an inch thick (.95-inches), and
built-in Slide Panorama technology allows users to capture natural panoramic
images.
The EX-H30 employs a 16MP CCD with sensor-shift technology and
the Exilim Engine 5.0 system offers clear and bright tonal color gradation. It
records HD video in 720p format, and includes a 3-inch (460,000 pixel) LCD.
The H30 will ship in March in a choide of sliver, black, red, and
gold.
The Exilim ZR10 and ZR100 cameras, meanwhile,
The new Exilim flagship model ZR100, will ship in March and
features 12.1-megapixel backside illuminated CMOS sensor with strong low-light
performance, and a new Exilim Engine HS system using dual core processors that
work together for high-speed shooting and processing,
Also included in the ZR100 are: 1080/30fps HD video recording,
sensor-shift image stabilization, built-in stereo microphone, full 12.5x
optical zoom, and high-speed burst shooting for still at up to 10 megapixel
resolution, while recording video.
Also included is a high-resolution (460,000 dot) 3-inch LCD, HDR
functionality with HDR-Art, slow motion video recording (up to 1,000fps), and
Slide Panorama.
Shipping in January is the EX-ZR10, which was previously announced
at the 2010 Photokina Expo.
For lower-cost offerings, Casio unveiled the Exilim EX-ZS5 and
EX-ZS10 models, each with a number of high-performance features including 14.1
megapixel resolution and 26mm wide-angle lenses with a 5x optical zoom range.
The EX-ZS10 adds high definition 720p video capture, while the ZS5
records in up to VGA (640 by 480) SD video resolution.
Both include a variety of shooting modes including Best Shot
technology, which presents 23 scene modes, with photos and descriptions to help
users learn when to use them.
The cameras both have 2.7-inch LCD screens and USB charging of
the battery.
The EX-ZS10 will be available in black, silver, red, pink and
blue, and the EX-ZS5 will be available in black, silver, orange and pink. Both
ship in March.
The company also announced the February launch of its Imaging
Square (
), an online service that will enable users to
transform photos into art. The new service was said to have been based on the
theme “New Art for My Life,” also expressed in the high dynamic range (HDR)
functions of the new EX-ZR100 and Tryx cameras.
HDR is a shooting mode that will program the camera to take
several shots with different exposures and instantly combine them into a single
image with a high dynamic range.
The Imaging Square service is said to bring HDR-ART functionality found in some of its
higher performing cameras is brought to
the world so that everyone can enjoy their photos in a whole new way and create
their own new collection of Digital Photo Art. Imaging Square will be a
one-stop shop for freedom of expression through Digital Photo Art and will be
compatible with images taken from any brand of digital camera or device.
Service features will be open to all, and will enable users to upload their
image to make creative edits. Finished “digital photo art” can be saved on the
Web site, shared with others or sent as a greeting cards.
Initial services will include: Digital Craft – convert photos
into compelling artwork; HDR-Art craft and virtual painter; My Atelier to store
photos and projects; and Gallery for publishing and sharing photos. Casio said
the services will be continually expanded over time.
In other introductions, Casio is showing a prototype Bluetooth
watch that shares a two-way data link with a smartphone. The new prototype
communicates with BLE-equipped smartphones, which Casio said will be available
in the near future to connect to networks of various kinds of devices.
Casio said it expects wireless linking between smartphones and
watches to gain in adoption, as the universe of smartphone applications using
watches grows.
Casio said it expects to produce the first Bluetooth Low Energy
Watch in 2011, and is calling for partner companies to develop apps for compatible
smartphones.
