Sharp Enters Digital Still Camera Market with Two Innovative Cameras

October 2002 – Sharp Electronics Corporation, an innovator in camcorders with its Viewcam product line, is showcasing its recent entry into the digital still camera market with two new megapixel models featuring Sharp’s proprietary CG Silicon Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology.

Both units, models VE-CG30U and VE-CG40U, are outfitted with a 1.5-inch high resolution color CG Silicon LCD screen and viewfinder, which will ensure a crisp preview to properly frame a photo. They also come equipped with high-end features such as bracket exposure, aperture and shutter priority modes, gamma correction, and full manual options to give the photographer control over lighting, shutter speeds and exposure. These features offer an unprecedented opportunity for creativity with digital photography.

“Sharp is proud to introduce these exciting, feature-rich models at a time when the digital still camera category is steadily growing,” said Robert Pleyer, senior marketing manager, video products, Sharp Electronics. “Continuing to enter new product areas is extremely important to Sharp, and it reinforces our strength as a leading consumer electronics brand.”

The VE-CG30U has a 3.3 megapixel CCD, while the VE-CG40U features a 4.0 megapixel CCD. Both models also have 3X optical zoom and 9X digital zoom, USB driver and interface, white balance control, image effects, and come with a multitude of supplied accessories such as a 16 MB SD memory card, USB cable, wrist strap and AC adapter. Both cameras weigh less than one pound. The VE-CG40U also features movie motion JPEG capture with sound for creating short video “clips” on a memory card.

The VE-CG30U and VE-CG40U CG Silicon displays offer double the resolution of traditional LCD screens, enabling the photographer to playback a higher resolution image. For example, on a 1.5-inch panel, a CG Silicon screen would display 134k pixels, while a standard LCD screen would display 61k pixels. In addition, a frame guide is superimposed on the display to help the photographer compose better pictures. Both the VE-CG30U and VE-CG40U also have an easy “Quick link” button for one-touch photo transfer from the camera to the PC. Users can simply connect the included USB cable to the camera and the computer, hit the button, and it’s complete.

The VE-CG30U will be available in October for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $499.95. The VE-GC40U will be available in October for a MSRP of $599.95.

For more information on Sharp’s full line of Viewcam camcorders contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430 or call 1-800-BE-SHARP or visit Sharp’s Web site at www.sharpusa.com.