Casio, Inc., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, has released the newest model in its popular EXILIM digital camera series. The new EXILIM PRO EX-P505 is a stylish digital camera equipped with a 5.0 megapixel imaging element and a 5X optical zoom. It not only takes superbly detailed digital photos, it is also capable of shooting extended video scenes with high-image quality. The EXILIM PRO EX-P505 will be available at retail the end of February, MSRP $499.99.

"We are very excited about this new addition to our award-winning EXILIM line. With the new EX-P505 you can now shoot videos and take quality digital photos. Casio's top-of-the-line EXILIM cameras are engineered for high image quality, high-speed operation, lower power consumption, and extremely compact dimensions," said John Clough, president of Casio, Inc. "We achieved these objectives through the use of Casio's remarkable "EXILIM engine," an extremely compact image module that represents the crystallization of Casio's advanced technology."

The new EXILIM PRO EX-P505 is a high-performance digital camera with an amazing high- quality video capability. The EX-P505 features a 5X optical zoom, an imaging CCD with 5.0 mega effective pixels, Casio's "EXILIM engine", and a large 2-inch TFT color rotating screen that makes angle shots a snap. It offers the same manual operation made famous by the EX-P600, as well as high-quality video shooting capability of 30 frames per second, in VGA size, thanks to the incorporation of MPEG-4 technology.

The very first EXILIM PRO model, the ground-breaking EX-P600, is equipped with a 6.0 megapixel imaging element and a 4X optical zoom, along with user selectable aperture, shutter speed and other effects, assuring the exact desired results when taking portraits or other types of photos. Manual operation is so easy that beginners can enjoy taking great pictures right away. The EX-P700, the second in the series, continued the tradition of the EXILIM PRO series, and remains hugely popular with photographers of all levels.

-- Authentic manual operation puts the user in control
With a CCD imaging element with 5.0 mega effective pixels, along with
the advanced EXILIM engine, remarkably detailed images can be taken
with ease. The 5X optical zoom lens has macro capability down to 1 cm,
as well as aperture priority or shutter priority automatic setting,
along with manual exposure mode for completely manual operation.

-- High quality video shooting
The adoption of MPEG-4 technology enables full-scale high quality video
shooting in VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 frames per second. "Movie
BEST SHOT" allows the user to select from sample scenes for a wide
range of shooting styles. "Short Movie" lets users film short movies
during a single shutter, while other shooting and editing functions
such as "MOTION PRINT" can be used to obtain a still image from a
movie.

EX-P505 MAIN FEATURES

Authentic manual shooting of photo subjects
-- CCD with 5.0 mega effective pixels and the EXILIM engine assure
detailed images
-- Optical 5X zoom lens with macro shooting down to 1 cm
-- Super Life Battery gives approx. 220 pictures per battery charge (CIPA
standards*)

* 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.

-- High-speed startup enables shooting only 0.8 seconds after the power
is turned on*

* With internal flash off, using internal memory

-- Release time lag of only 0.01 sec. means images are recorded
approximately 0.01 seconds after the shutter is released*

* With internal flash off

-- High-speed picture playback of approx. 0.1 sec. interval
-- Automatic power ON/OFF when the LCD panel is opened and closed
-- "BEST SHOT" function: 22 different types of shooting possible by
simply selecting a scene from various samples
-- Flash automatically pops up when needed. (Auto pop-up flash)
-- Aperture priority, shutter speed priority and manual exposure modes
can be selected
-- "EX Finder" shows shooting information by easy-to-understand graphics
-- Various manual settings can be quickly set on a single screen (EX
Button)
Various shooting effects possible by changing the manual settings are
shown in sample images (Manual Assist)

High-quality video shooting
-- MPEG-4 format used to enable long-playing video shooting
-- VGA size (640 x 480) pixels), 30 frames/sec, stereo audio high-quality
video possible
-- Optical 5X zoom lens with macro shooting down to 1 cm
-- Movie BEST SHOT: select a scene* from among the samples to achieve the
desired shooting effect

* Note: 5 different scenes: Portrait, Scenery, Night Scene, Fireworks,
Silent

-- Approx. 2 hours 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 up to eight seconds of movie to be taken
during a single shutter
-- 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
-- Three types of Movie Editing operation (before, during or after) can
be used to eliminate unwanted scenes

Other features
-- New compact body reflects the high performance features of this
stylish line of cameras
-- Large 2-inch TFT color rotating LCD panel enables angle shooting
-- High-speed USB 2.0 compatible for high-speed image transfer
-- Both still images and video images can be viewed on a television or
monitor
-- Photo Loader PC software included to enable automatic transfer of
images to the user's personal computer
-- Windows Media Player 9 video playback software and Ulead Video Studio
video editing software included
-- Menu display can be set in 10 languages, including Chinese (simplified
and traditional), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Portuguese, Spanish
-- Compatible with PictBridge specifications for direct connection to a
printer
-- ExifPrint (Exif 2.2) and PRINT Image Matching III compatibility

EX-P505 SPECIFICATIONS

Imaging pixels: 1/2.5-inch CCD (5.25 million pixels total;
effective 5 million pixels)
Recording formats: Still, JPEG (Exif Ver 2.2) / DCF-compliant /
DPOF-compatible; video: AVI system MPEG-4
compliant; audio: WAV
Recording media: internal flash memory (image recording area
7.5MB), SD memory card / MMC compatible.
Image recording pixels: still: 2560 x 1920 / 2560 x 1712 / 2048 x 1536 /
1600 x 1200 / 1280 x 960 / 640 x 480;
video: 640 x 480 (HQ) / 640 x 480 (NORMAL) /
320 x 240 (LP)

Data recording volume details:

Pixels Photo quality/ File size Internal SD memory
recording time memory card(1)
(7.5MB) 256MB

Still 2560x1920 Fine/Normal/ Approx. Approx. Approx.
photos Economy 2.1MB/1.7MB/ 3/3/5 116/131/
1.3MB photos 178
photos

640 x 480 Fine/Normal/ Approx. Approx. Approx.
Economy 190 KB/140 36/47/75 1188/
KB/90 KB photos 1559/2495
photos

Movie 640 x 480 Approx. Approx. Approx.
(HQ) Shooting time: 4.2 M bit/ 14 8 min
Unlimited(2) sec. seconds 10 sec
(30 frames/
sec.)

640W480 Approx. Approx Approx.
(NORMAL) 2.2M bit/ 28 15 min
sec. seconds 34 sec
(30 frames/
sec.).

20 x 240 Approx. Approx. Approx.
(LP) 790 k bit/ 1 min 42 min
sec 17 sec 46 sec
(15frames/
sec)

(1) When using the Matsushita (Panasonic) 256 MB card.
(2) Depending upon memory capacity and battery life.

Lens: 10 lenses in 8 groups, including aspherical lens;
F3.3~F3.6,
f=6.3 (W) ~ 31.5 (T) mm (35mm conversion; approx. 38.0
~190.0mm)

Zoom: optical 5X, digital 8X (40X when used together)

Focal point
adjustment: Contrast-detection auto-focus; spot, multi and free
auto focus; macro mode; pan focus (video only);
unlimited distance mode; manual focus

Focal lengths: Still photo, standard: approx. 15.75" ~ infinity,
closeup: .39" ~ 19.69" (W); video, standard: approx.
3.94" ~ infinity, closeup: .39" ~ 19.69" (W). Varies
by optical zoom.

Exposure control: Light measurement system; multi-pattern light
measurement by image element, center-weighted light
measurement, spot measurement;

Control systems: Program, aperture priority, shutter speed priority,
manual exposure.

Exposure
compensation: -2 EV~+2 EV (1/3 EV units)

Shutter: CCD electronic/ mechanical shutter, aperture priority
1/8 ~ 1/2000 sec.; shutter speed priority and manual
exposure 60 ~ 1/2000 sec.

Aperture: In six stages, F3.3 ~ 7.4(W) Note: varies according to
optical zoom.

White balance: Auto/fixed (7 modes) / manual

Sensitivity
setting: (still photos) Auto / ISO 50/ISO 100/ISO 200/ISO 400

Shooting and
recording
functions: Still photos: still image with audio (approx. 30
seconds), macro, self-timer, BEST SHOT, Movie (with
audio); video: Movie BEST SHOT, Short Movie, Past
Movie, MOTION PRINT, Movie Editing.

Self-timer: 10 sec./ 2 sec. triple self-timer

Internal flash: Auto pop-up flash; flash modes: auto flash/flash
off/flash on/red-eye reduction; operating range:
approx. 1.3' to 9.8' (W) Note: varies with optical
zoom.

Viewfinder: LCD panel monitor

Monitor: 2-inch TFT color rotating angle liquid crystal
display; 84,960 pixel
(354 x 240)

Clock function: Date and time; recorded simultaneously with the image
data, Auto calendar; up to year 2049

World time: 162 cities in 32 time zones worldwide, city name, date
and time, summer time (daylight savings time)

In/out terminals: DC IN, USB/AV terminal (NTSC/PAL standard compliance,
stereo audio)

Batteries: Dedicated lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Battery life: Approx. 220 images (CIPA standards); continuous
shooting: approx. 550 images (approx. 1 hour 50
minutes), wide-telephoto switch approx. every 12
seconds; display ON, flash OFF; continuous playback:
approx 3 hours 20 minutes (still photos); continuous
video shooting: approx 2 hours.

Dimensions: 3.88" W x 2.19" H x 2.89" D (except protruding parts)

Weight: Approx. 7.58 oz (without battery or accessories)

Supplied
accessories: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, quick recharger, USB
cable
(high-speed USB 2.0 compatible), AV cable, strap, lens
cap, cap holder, lens hood, CD-ROM

EXILIM is a registered trademark of CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD. CANON is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. Any other company or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of those companies.

Casio, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Casio, Inc., markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, portable color TVs, timepieces (Wrist Technology), cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio, the unexpected extra -- for more information visit our web site at http://www.casio.com.