Agfa Introduces Two Print-Ready ePhoto Digital Cameras - the CL20 and CL34

Agfa Corporation's Consumer Digital Imaging Group (USA-CDI), a leading provider of award-winning digital cameras and desktop scanners, last week introduced two print-ready, dual-mode ePhoto digital cameras (the CL20 and the CL34) at Photokina 2000 in Cologne, Germany.

In addition to taking digital still or video images, the new ePhotos come equipped with a PhotoPrint button. Pressing the button immediately uploads the images to AGFAnet Print Service software from which they can be transmitted to a photo lab for professional photofinishing.

In video mode, the cameras also can be used for live video conferencing. Agfa designed the dual-mode cameras to satisfy user needs for fast, high quality, electronically ready images as well as traditional photographs. The ePhoto CL34 The ePhoto CL34 features an optical viewfinder and 1.8" color LCD Screen, perfect for framing shots or playing them back. Maximum resolution is a true 1.3 MP (megapixels). The camera provides 2MB of internal memory. It also has a CompactFlash slot for expanded storage.

The CL34 offers a "videoclip" capability for recording live action on location. Users also can choose a USB connection to their computers for online video conferencing. Maximum video resolution is 320x240 ppi at 30 frames per second (fps).

The ePhoto CL20
Priced lower than the ePhoto CL34, the CL20 offers the same rich features as its sister camera but without an LCD display. It has a convenient optical viewfinder and a CompactFlash slot for additional capacity. The internal memory can hold up to 4 images at the highest resolution (1.3 MP with PhotoGenie) and 24 images at VGA resolution.

The CL20 offers live video only with the USB interface at a maximum resolution of 640x480 at 20 fps or 320x240 at a higher 30fps.

Both ePhoto cameras offer USB (universal serial bus) connectivity for easy installation. The USB interface is 10 times faster than serial communication, so image data transfers quickly.

The new cameras come with Agfa's exclusive PhotoGenie image-enhancement software. PhotoGenie removes image artifacts, such as those from JPEG compression, pixelation, jagged edges, and posterisation, which are common in digitally captured images. Agfa also includes Corel Print Office 2000 and Corel Photo House 5. Corel Photo House is an image-editing application to touch up, enhance or alter an image before adding it to a document. With Corel Print Office 2000 users can create photo greeting cards, invitations, illustrated documents and Web pages.

Both cameras operate on AA-sized alkaline batteries; the CL20 uses two and the CL34 four.

Easy-To-Use Application Software
The cameras are bundled with Agfa PhotoWise 3.0 for managing digital photos, and ArcSoft VideoImpression 1.6 for editing video clips.

PhotoWise 3.0 is an easy way to capture, edit and share photos. PhotoWise allows users to organize their valuable photos in albums, create multimedia slide shows, greeting cards, calendars or build HTML pages with selected photos. With PhotoGenie QuickFix images can be enhanced automatically. Agfa PhotoGenie also provides easy red-eye removal.

VideoImpression 1.6 enables users to animate, edit, and create desktop video presentations for home, business and the Web using video clips and images from your ePhoto. Easy-to-use editing tools let users decide where to start and end their video and add text. They can also select from a variety of transitional effects. With VideoImpression users can create self-playing multimedia presentations and attach them to emails.

Price and Availability
Manufacturer's suggested retail price for the ePhoto CL34, which will be available mid-December, is $229. The ePhoto CL20 will be available in November at the manufacturer's suggested retail price of $149.

AGFAnet Print Service.
AGFAnet online photo print service is a convenient, yet innovative solution for the steadily growing group of digital-image users who want high-quality hardcopy output. Its client software is designed to make ordering prints quick and easy. Via an Internet connection, the AGFAnet Print Service client sends the images and the ordering information to a central server, which automatically transmits the order to the selected lab for processing. Within two to three days the photographs are returned by mail.

About Agfa
Agfa Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of the Agfa Group, one of the world's leading imaging companies. Agfa develops, produces and markets analog and digital systems, primarily for the graphics industry, medical radiography, nondestructive testing, micrographic and motion picture film, and the consumer imaging and photography markets. Headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium, Agfa employs 22,000 people in 40 countries. Worldwide sales for 1999 were approximately $4.7 billion. In the U.S., Agfa is headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, and employs 4,500 people. Product and company information can be found on Agfa's home page on the World Wide Web at www.agfa.com.

Source: Agfa