Kyocera Announces World’s Smallest 5-Megapixel Camera

October 2002 – Kyocera Optics, Inc., a leader in digital camera technology, announces two new additions to its family of digital cameras, the Kyocera Finecam S5, the world’s smallest 5-megapixel digital camera, and the Kyocera Finecam S3L. No bigger than a credit card and weighing only 5.8 ounces, these sleek, silver-finished cameras are packed with features and easy to use.

"These two new exciting products now extend our Finecam family of digital cameras, offering consumers a choice from very affordable to pro-sumer,” explained Ben La Marca, President of Kyocera Optics, Inc. “Both cameras offer an array of new and improved features including a technologically improved LCD monitor, longer battery life and voice message capability.”

The Finecam S5 is a high-precision, high-performance digital camera with 5-megapixels for superior image quality. A 3x optical zoom lens covers the focal length from 7.3mm to 21.9mm and is equivalent to a 35mm to 105mm zoom in 35mm format. This 3x optical zoom coupled with the 4x digital zoom achieves a maximum 12x zoom, perfect for shooting landscapes and distant subjects. The 3.2-megapixel Finecam S3L offers 3x optical zoom and 2x digital zoom for a maximum of 6x zoom.

According to Lee R. Middleton, Director of Marketing of Kyocera Optics, Inc., “A fantastic improvement to Kyocera’s digital cameras is the enhanced new “Day Fine’ 1.6” TFT color LCD monitor, which makes it easier than ever to view images while outdoors, in very bright conditions.”

Kyocera has pioneered a new technology for the monitor called the “Day Fine” LCD display. Utilizing Dual Backlight design, light passes through the LCD and is absorbed through a special optical film and then reflected back through an exclusive Wave Guide Filter. This increases the brilliance and contrast of the LCD even under the brightest outdoor conditions.

A new Lithium-ion battery with an increased capacity of 1000 mAh and power saving function extend battery life on both cameras to approximately 180 minutes of continuous playback time. The new resizing function allows for quick and easy downsizing of any images that are too large. The number of recordable images has also increased to 160 images, (full battery charge, 50% of images captured with flash).

The AVI movie mode on both cameras now gives users 120 seconds to make movies with sound. The video images can easily be replayed on the camera's LCD, computer monitor or home television. Another great feature new to the S5 and S3L is the voice message recording capability. A recorded message, up to 30 seconds, can be attached to each image with this very exciting feature, making it simple to remember when and where your picture was taken.

Both cameras offer multi-shooting modes. The macro mode allows the camera to focus as close to 4.8 inches to the object. Five flash modes handle all lighting situations: auto flash, red-eye reduction auto flash, fill-in flash, flash-off or nighttime portrait. Other mode choices include: landscape, color (color, sepia, b/w), white balance (auto, preset, daylight, tungsten, cloudy, fluorescent), sharpness and chroma. Exposure compensation is also adjustable.

A customized start-up screen is just one more sophisticated feature found on both the S5 and S3L digital cameras. Similar to a desktop, the user can view their favorite image when the camera is first turned on.

Both the Finecam S3L and S5 feature 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.

Kyocera’s new Finecams use Secure Digital (SD) or Multi Media Cards (MMC) for memory, commonly used with PDA's and Kyocera Smart Phones. Images are downloaded to any PC via the included USB cable. Both cameras come with a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and ArcSoft’s Pixela Software. An optional Quick Time battery charger and custom fitted Leatherette case are also available.

The retail price for the Kyocera Finecam S5 is $599.95; the retail price for the Kyocera Finecam S3L is $399.95.

For a listing of authorized dealers, visit us at www.yashica.com.

For more information, visit www.kyocera.com.