News
KYOCERA's New Finecam S5R Digital Camera Offers RTUNE(TM) Technology
World's Fastest 5-Megapixel Digital Camera Ensures the Shortest Lag Time and Unlimited Continuous Shooting at 3 Frames Per Second; Pocket-sized Model Features "DayFine" LCD Monitor
Somerset, NJ -- February 12, 2004 -- Kyocera Optics, Inc., the imaging arm of Kyocera Corporation, offers a solution for digital camera fans who have been frustrated by "missing the moment" due to the combination of the shutter speed lag time and slow "shot to shot” speed. The company’s Finecam S5R with RTUNE Image Processing Technology offers the World's Fastest Continuous Capture Mode for a 5 Megapixel digital camera. In combination with a virtually non-existent shutter lag time of 0.07 seconds (*1), it can capture images at an incredible unlimited three frames per second (FPS). (*2) For instance, you can fill a high-speed 256MB SD card with continuous images at 3 FPS, then go back, review the shots and pick the ones you want to keep. This new feature removes the restrictions imposed by other manufacturers' camera models.
Kyocera's RTUNE Image Processing Technology accomplished this by eliminating the barriers that limited the transfer of the digital image to the card. The pipelined operation removes the bottlenecks for non-stop image capture at 10-12 times faster than the competition.
The real world benefit is that you will be able to take images with the Kyocera Finecam S5R that were missed before. Imagine being able to capture the very moment the flame is extinguished on your daughter's first birthday cake or your son sliding into home plate with the winning run! Any action sequence can be captured, printed and shared with the new Kyocera Finecam S5R featuring RTUNE technology.
“Kyocera is bringing revolutionary new image processing technology to the market that solves many of the problems that irritate digital camera users," explained Ben La Marca, President of Kyocera Optics, Inc. "RTUNE Image Processing Technology is at the heart of our new digital cameras, and has never been available in a Prosumer/Consumer digital camera before. Great pictures don’t wait, and Kyocera is providing a robust solution through RTUNE on our two newest digital cameras as well as future models."
The new RTUNE high-speed imaging processor provides the world's fastest consecutive shooting of any digital camera. (*3) The RTUNE Image Processing Technology provides the combined features of Continuous Capture at 3 FPS with improved image quality and dynamic range. In addition, the "DayFine" LCD Monitor displays the subject in real time during consecutive shooting. RTUNE is the perfect solution for subjects on the move such as pets, children and sporting events.
The Finecam S5R packs all its innovation into a small and light body (3.6" wide x 2.3" high x 1.3" deep) that weighs approximately 6.3 ounces and sports high-quality stainless steel covers. Additional functions include six shooting modes and a movie mode with VGA sound that is available at the maximum capacity of your memory card. Kyocera’s “DayFine” LCD Monitor ensures brilliant screen representation even in bright lighting conditions.
The Kyocera Finecam S5R is also loaded with a full range of features such as a maximum 11x zoom (consisting of a 3x optical zoom lens and 3.7x digital zoom) with continuous AF for precise tracking of moving subjects. The six scene modes enable the user to adjust the Finecam S5R for any situation. The modes include Standard for general photography; Sports Action perfect for capturing fast moving subjects; Night View for night scenes; Night Portrait, which fires the flash for illumination while capturing the background; Macro; and Landscape.
With conventional digital cameras, the level of each RGB color in captured images is controlled by adjusting the white balance after converting the analog image information from the CCD to the digital signal processor. However, this method requires compensating an uneven signal level for each RGB color at the analog stage with the digital signal processor, so if the signal levels in the shadow areas are not sufficient, the result is poor image quality.
The RTUNE image processor incorporated into the Finecam S5R adjusts the output level for each RGB color at the analog signal stage before it is converted into a digital signal. Then the image processor converts it into a digital signal to provide fine detail that faithfully reproduces the original image.
Thanks to RTUNE Imaging Processing Technology, color noise is reduced in 16-bit A/D calculations. The A/D conversion of analog image information into digital signals is performed with accuracy of 16 bits internally, and outputted as 12 bits. Since detailed resolution reduces color noise, which tends to occur in a single color or in a dark area of an image, it faithfully reproduces subtle darkness and lightness as well as shade and shadows of color.
The high-resolution, 3x optical zoom lens provides a maximum of 11x when used with the newly developed 3.7x digital zoom. In addition, up to 8x digital zoom can be used when playing back images. The Finecam S5R incorporates high-resolution optics, which provide a projected resolution of at least 200 lines/mm at the image center at focal lengths of 7.3 mm (wide-angle) to 21.9mm (telephoto). These focal lengths correspond to approximately 35mm to 105mm for 35mm format cameras. The lens combines a compact size and high performance through the technologies developed by Kyocera’s optical division. By using special low-dispersion glass, four aspheric lenses and continuous Auto Focus (AF), the camera provides the highest-quality images.
The Finecam’s S5R’s macro mode enables close-ups down to 12cm. Setting the camera to macro in scene mode allows the photographer to photograph a subject from a minimum of 12cm from the front of the lens. This is possible in both the telephoto and wide-angle lens settings. In the telephoto mode, the user can fill the image area with a subject measuring just 3.4cm x 4.5cm, allowing them to enjoy macro photography beyond typical magnifications.
The Finecam S5R enables the user to easily shoot movies with audio at 30 frames/second up to the maximum capacity of the memory card. The recorded file is in AVI format and can be played back easily on the “DayFine” LCD monitor, a television or a personal computer. (To play back movies on a personal computer, it is necessary to install QuickTime 4.1 or later). When the Finecam S5R is connected to a television, the viewer can watch a movie at 30 fps/VGA full screen.
The customized start-up screen allows the Finecam S5R user to select a favorite image as the start-up screen. The image appears whenever the camera is turned on for a personalized experience.
It is easy to resize captured images with the Finecam S5R down to 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels after being captured. This is the ideal solution for emailing images to family, friends and co-workers. From the menu selection, you can select from three image resize options: whole, quarter and one-sixteenth area. The area to be resized can be selected via the selection button. This unique function in combination with a PDA incorporating an SD memory card slot, allows the user to easily create an image size suitable for display.
The Finecam S5Rincorporates a 1.6” “DayFine” LCD Monitorwhich is easy to see in the brightest sunlight conditions. In addition to the conventional back light system, “DayFine” technology includes a special optical film and exclusive light transmission circuitry that harnesses the power of the sun by absorbing incoming light and then reflecting the light back through the LCD, adding to the brilliance and contrast of the display.
When it comes to navigating the menus, the Finecam S5R makes it easy from setup to capture to playback. To make it intuitive, the camera offers an easy to use control button that works on the principal of a joystick. Along with the logical screen selections and functions, the camera is easy for anyone to use.
The Finecam S5R is provided with a USB cable that is perfect for uploading images to a personal computer. The cable complies with the USB mass storage class of accessories and images can be read via the cable as a mass storage devise on a computer.
The Finecam S5R features Epson’s revolutionary new PRINT Image Matching (PIM) technology, enabling them 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.
Additionally, the camera is shipped with the highly rated Adobe Photoshop Album software.
The street price for the Kyocera Finecam S5R is$499.99 and the camera started shipping in September 2004. Visit us on the web at http://www.kyoceraimaging.com
For product images, contact Michael Steavenson (Michaels@hwhpr.com) or Russ Rowland (russr@hwhpr.com) at (212) 355-5049.
Notes:
(*1) The time from pressing the shutter button halfway to completely pressing it in order to start the exposure.
(*2) Compared to other compact digital cameras as of July 1, 2003. Full-memory, consecutive shooting means shooting consecutively until the full capacity of the memory card is used. It is available when using a SD memory card with a recording speed of at least 10MB per second for high-speed recording.
About Kyocera:
Kyocera Optics Inc., the company that brings you the Kyocera Finecam, Contax, Carl Zeiss and Yashica brands, serves the consumer/prosumer/serious amateur/professional photographer customer segments. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego, Calif.
Kyocera International, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation, is Kyocera’s North American headquarters and holding company.
Kyocera Corporation, parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems, semiconductor packages and electronic components. During the year ended March 31, 2003, the company’s net sales totaled 1.069 trillion yen ($9.06 billion) with net income of 41.1 billion yen ($348 million).
Finecam S5R Specifications
|
Camera type |
Digital still camera with record, playback, and erase modes |
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Recording media/ recording method |
SD memory card/MMC (Multi Media Card), in compliance with DCF (*Note 1) (Exif Ver2.2), in compliance with JPEG, DPOF compatible (*Note 2) |
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Effective pixels |
5,000,000 pixels |
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Image pickup device |
1/1.8" square pixel original color filter interlace reading system CCD (total number of pixels: 5,250,000) |
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Still image sizes |
2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 pixels |
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Image quality |
Two levels, F (fine) and N (normal) |
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Moving image sizes |
640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120 pixels |
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Moving image frame rate |
15 frames/second, 30 frames/second |
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Lens |
Kyocera zoom lens (7 elements in 6 groups), 7.3-21.9 mm f2.8-4.8, 3x zoom lens(equivalent to approximately a 35-105mm in 35-mm film format) |
|
Electronic zoom |
x1.3, x1.6, x2.0, x3.0, x3.7 |
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Focal adjustment |
Video feedback auto focus (wide AF or spot AF switchable) and manual focus (displayed distance) |
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Range of shooting |
Approximately 60 cm to infinity from the CCD surface, approximately 17 to 60 cm in macro mode |
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Exposure control |
|
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Control method |
Programmed AE, aperture priority AE |
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Metering system |
Three available modes: CCD multi area evaluative metering, center-weighted metering, spot metering |
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Metering range |
LV6 to LV16 |
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Exposure compensation |
+2.0 EV to -2.0 EV (1/3 stop increments) |
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Aperture |
Fixed (f2.8, f9.6*), auto |
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Shutter |
CCD electronic shutter and programmed electronic shutter with independent aperture control ( 1second. to 1/2000 second, 2 seconds, 4 seconds and 8 seconds) |
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White balance |
Auto, manual (sunlight, incandescent, cloudy weather, fluorescent, preset) |
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Color modes |
Color, monochrome, sepia |
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Sharpness |
+3 to -1 (5 levels) |
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Color saturation |
+, 0, - (3 levels) |
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Sensitivity setting |
Auto, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800 |
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Viewfinder |
|
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Optical viewfinder |
Real imaging zoom viewfinder |
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Liquid crystal monitor |
1.6" 70,000-pixel TFD color liquid crystal monitor with dual backlight system (DayFine LCD monitor) |
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Flash |
Popup, built-in, range: approx. 60 cm to 2.5 m (in the wide mode), approx. 60 cm to 2 m (in the telephoto mode) |
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Flash mode |
Auto flash, Auto flash for red -eye reduction. Fill-in flash, Flash disabled |
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Scene mode |
Standard, Sports Action, Night View, Night Portrait, Macro, Landscape |
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Moving mode |
File format: AVI, can be selected with or without audio |
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Moving recording time |
Up to full capacity of the memory card |
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Consecutive shooting |
Approximately 3 frames/second, up to the full capacity of the memory card when using a SD type memory card for high-speed recording (SD memory card with a recording speed of at least 10MB per second is needed) |
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Voice memo |
Up to 30 seconds of audio for each image |
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Playback mode |
Multi image display (six images), single display, after-recording (audio memo for each still image), protect, erase (single image), erase all images, rotate, slide show, resize, DPOF setting, close-up playback, thumbnail playback, playback of recorded movies, information display |
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Setup function |
AF mode (SAF, CAF), brightness adjustment of the LCD monitor, date set, date insertion, card format, auto power-off setting, mode lock, shutter sound/operational sound setting, language selection (Japanese, English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese), video output switch (NTSC, PAL), consecutive file number reset, setting reset, change of selected color, start screen selection, on/off switch for REC review |
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Input/output terminal |
Input terminal for the external power source, USB terminal (mini -B) |
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Power source |
3.6V lithium-ion battery 1000 mAh, |
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Number of images that can be taken |
Approximately 130 images* (when using the LCD monitor) |
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Dimensions |
3.62” wide x 2.26” high x 1.29” deep, excluding protrusions such as the LCD and lens |
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Weight |
Approximately 6.34 ounces, excluding battery and media |
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Ambient operating temperature |
32 - 113 degrees F |
- Note 1) DCF is an abbreviation of the Design rule for Camera File system, the standard of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA). The standard is intended to facilitate the use of image files primarily of digital cameras in related equipment.
- Note 2) DPOF is an abbreviation of Digital Print Order Format established by the companies, Canon Inc., Eastman Kodak Company, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., and
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. This standard is for recording specific information from images taken by digital camera, such as printed images and number of images, in recording media. - Specifications and technical information are subject to change.
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