Contax Expands Popular "T" Series with New Digital Camera

October 2002 -- Kyocera Optics, Inc., a leader in digital camera technology, announces the first digital addition to its popular Contax T Series cameras with the Contax TVS Digital. The T Series is known for its superb quality, and the 5-megapixel TVS Digital continues the tradition. Designed to meet the needs to both professional and consumer photographers, the TVS Digital features a titanium body, a newly-designed Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar Lens with T* coating, a built-in diopter and infrared wireless remote control.

Ben La Marca, President of Kyocera Optics, Inc. said, "The Contax TVS Digital will be a benchmark in 5-megapixel pro-sumer cameras. It combines the superior optical quality from the newly designed Carl Zeiss T* Vario Sonnar lens with the cutting-edge technology that Contax is famous for."`

Utilizing the latest in optical technologies, the TVS Digital achieves superior image quality by offering 5-megapixels with 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom for a maximum of 12x zoom. The Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* f/2.8-4.8 lens includes three aspherical elements that cover the focal length of 7.3-21.9mm, which is equivalent to a 35mm to 105mm zoom in 35mm format. The T* coating on the lens elements dramatically reduces flare and increases contrast.

According to Lee Middleton, Director of Marketing, Kyocera Optics, Inc., "This is the first Contax pro-sumer digital product available on the market that offers the highly regarded and legendary Carl Zeiss T* lens coating."

A new advance in LCD technology by Kyocera allows the Contax TVS Digital monitor to be viewable in the brightest lighting conditions. This has always plagued digital camera users, as many LCD's are difficult or impossible to view in direct sunlight. Kyocera has announced the new "Day Fine" 1.6" TFT color LCD monitor, which utilizes Dual Backlight design. Light passes through the LCD, is absorbed into a special optical film and is then reflected back through an exclusive Wave Guide Filter. This increases the brilliance and contrast of the LCD even under the brightest outdoor conditions.

The Contax TVS Digital features various multi-shooting modes. The macro mode allows the camera to focus as close as 3.7 inches. Five flash mode options are available (auto flash, red-eye reduction auto flash, fill-in flash, flash off and nighttime portrait). A variety of other modes are offered, including landscape, color, sepia, b/w, white balance (auto, preset, daylight, tungsten, cloudy, fluorescent), sharpness and chroma. Manual exposure compensation (+/- 2 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments) is also available.

A well-designed control layout makes for quick and easy use of the camera's menu. Two set-up modes for customization allow the user greater flexibility. One mode, Set-up "C," changes camera functions (flash mode setting, change of exposure compensation range, etc.), while the other mode, Set-up "D," changes digital functions (electric beeping tone, electronic zooming, start-up screen setting, etc.). Another feature is a customized startup screen, which is similar to a PC desktop. The user can choose an image taken with the camera to be displayed on the screen each time the camera is turned on. An AVI movie mode is also featured on the new Contax TVS Digital and can hold up to 60 seconds. For the user who wants to be a part of the picture, a remote control makes it easy.

The Contax TVS Digital features Epson's revolutionary new PRINT Image Matching (PIM) technology, enabling it to work perfectly with the newest generation of EPSON Stylus Photo printers. With PRINT Image Matching, critical image specific parameters for printing are recorded by the camera and saved in each image data file. PRINT Image Matching-enabled Epson Stylus Photo printers use this information to ensure that they accurately reproduce the image created by the camera.

The size of the TVS Digital is 4.4" W x 2.4" H x 1/3"D and weighs 7.4 ounces. Images are downloaded via the included USB cable. A long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery (1500 mAh) and proprietary software is included with the camera.

The Contax TVS Digital will be available for a street price of $999.95 beginning December 2002.

For more information, please visit www.contaxcameras.com .

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