Released by Kyocera:

Finecam M400R/M410R: Fast Zoom Giants

• Kyocera presents two super-zoom cameras with 4 megapixels and 10x zoom lens
• RTUNE technology allows unlimited continuous shooting with 3.3 fps
• Electronic viewfinder with ferroelectric LC technology and a resolution of 300,000 pixels



Hamburg, 16 February 2004 –it takes a lot of courage to look a tiger in the eye – or a superzoom camera from Kyocera. At the CeBIT 2004 the Japanese camera manufacturer Kyocera will introduce the models Finecam M400R and M410R with optical 10x zoom lenses and 6x digital zooms.This brings photo hunters 60 times nearer to their subject at the push of a button. The 4 megapixels cameras are equipped with the Kyocera RTUNE technology which allows continuous shooting with 3.3 fps (AF locked). The efficient autofocus can focus on 2 images per second. A newly developed electronic viewfinder (FLC = Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal) provides high visibility with a worldwide unique resolution of an equivalent 300,000 pixels. Additionally an adapter ring for the M410R allows the use of filters and wideangle/tele converters.

Optical 10x zoom
The Finecams M400R and M410R are the first compact digital cameras from Kyocera featuring 10x zooms. The focal length range from 5.7 – 57mm corresponds to a focal length of 37 – 370mm in the 35mm format. The 6x digital zoom allows photographers to record even extremely distant subjects down to the last detail. With its f-stops of 2.8 – 3.1 the zoom lens is extremely fast and ensures excellent pictures over the total zoom range. The eleven elements are arranged in nine groups.

Autofocus with two fps
The high-power lens and the high-resolution 4.2 megapixels 1/2.7" CCD are joined by a high-performance autofocus system. This enables the Finecam M400R/M410R to focus on two images per second and ensures brilliant sharpness for every single shot.

"With the Finecams M400R and M410R aficionados of specially high-power zooms will have every photographic situation under control. The superfast autofocus and the continuous shooting mode ensure that every snapshot will be a success", says Dirk Hülsermann, Manager Marketing and Corporate Communication at Kyocera. Hülsermann: "The technical features of the Finecams M400R/M410R reflect the high standard of development and the future of digital photography – they are fast, strong and very versatile."

RTUNE technology
Like all the latest Kyocera camera models the Finecams M400R/M410R are equipped with the RTUNE technology which allows unlimited continuous shooting. When using a high-speed SD card with a transfer rate of about 10MB/sec both 4megapixels cameras achieve a shooting rate of 3.3 fps and the highest resolution of 4 megapixels. Thanks to the minimal shutter lag time fo 0.07 seconds the Finecams M400R/M410R deliver on the promise of the digital snapshot.

Electronic viewfinder with 300,000 pixels equivalent
One of the outstanding features of the Finecams M400R/M410R is the electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a resolution of an equivalent 300,000 pixels. The advantages of the EVF as compared to conventional LCD viewfinders are more homogeneous colours as well as more detailed reproductions even in adverse light conditions. The EVF reacts without any lag time to fast panning and subjects' movements.

"PictBridge" and USB 2.0
Another important innovation is the "PictBridge" support . This allows the Finecams M400R/M410R to communicate with a "PictBridge" compatible printer via the USB interface. This means the user can select images in the camera display and initiate the printing order from the camera itself. Both models feature a USB 2.0 interface for a fast data transfer from camera to PC and printer. Even large amounts of high resolution images can so be transferred from the camera in a very short time.

Improved quality of VGA videos with sound
The Finecams M400R/M410R are capable of more than taking photos.Even high quality video sequences in VGA resolution (640 x 480) and 30 fps do not pose any problem. Resolution and frame rate can be selected, which allows the photographer to weigh quality against disk space. Two gradations of resolution are possible: 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 pixels. A frame rate of 15 fps for extending shooting time is also available. The length of video sequences is only limited by the size of the memory card, the set resolution and the frame rate.

White balance and programme AE
The optimal white balance is controlled by one automatic mode, five preset ones (daylight, clouds, incandescent light, fluorescent lamp and flash) and one user defined setting which can be adjusted to the available light. The shutter speed is 1sec to 1/2000sec, long-time exposures are also possible. The camera selects the correct value itself between ISO 100 and 400 thanks to ISO auto. Values between ISO 100 and 800 can be set manually.

The Finecams M400R/M410R feature four different programme modes (portrait, sports/action, night, night-portrait) as well as two photo modes ("single shooting auto" and "continuous shooting auto"). With these, even less experienced users have all subjects under control.

Special features of the Finecam M410R
The Finecam M410R with its black body has identical technical and optical characteristics but features a lenghtened lens barrel, allowing the attachment of an adapter ring. By attaching filters and/or wideangle/tele converters the creative scope is broadened. The slightly changed design of the lens mechanics also allows a faster extension of the lens.

The dimensions of the Finecam M400R (107 x 73 x 54.5mm) and the Finecam M410R (107 x 73 x 86.5mm) as well as the weight of approx 300 grammes make these high-performance zoom giants ideal companions. The cameras come equipped with AA alkaline batteries and other accessories. Both models will probably be available at the end of March 2004. A price has not yet been fixed.

www.kyocera.com

Specifications and Features

Camera	Finecam M400R + Finecam M410R
Type	digital still camera with record, playback and erase functions
Effective pixels	4 megapixels
Image sensor	1/2.7 inch CCD with 4.2 megapixels gross
Image dimensions in pixels (still)	2272x1704, 1600x1200, 1280x960, 640x480
Image dimensions in pixels (video)	640x480, 320x240
Video frame rate	30 fps, 15 fps
Length of video clips	unlimited, depending on size of memory card
Image quality	F (fine), N (normal)
Recording format	JPEG (Exif 2.2), DCF Standard, supports DPOF
Lens	Kyocera 10x zoom
Focal length	5.7-57 (corresp to 37-370mm in 35mm format)
Speed	F2.8-3.1
Digital zoom	6x (maximum 60x in combination with the optical zoom) 1.3x, 1.6x, 2.0x, 2.3x, 5.0x, 6.0x
Focusing control	automatic (video AF) and manual
Focusing range (from front element)	wideangle: approx 0.6m -�‡ tele: approx 2m – �‡ macro: approx 0.1m-0.6m (wideangle position), 0.9m-2.0m (tele)
Shutter speeds	CCD controlled electronic programmmed shutter (1/2000-1sec, 2sec, 4sec, 8sec)
Continuous shooting mode	AF locked: 3.3 fps in highest resolution , number of pictures limited only by the size of the memory card. With AF: 2 fps
White balance	auto and manual (bright sunlight, incandescent lamp, cloudy, fluorescent lamp, preset)
Focusing control	Video feedback, autofocus and manual focus
Focusing modes	Wide-angle AF, Spot AF, Manual

Features
Body colours	[Finecam M400R] Silver [Finecam M410R] Black
LCD monitor/resolution	1.5 inch DayFine TFT LCD monitor, 110,000 pixels
Electronic viewfinder	Ferroelectric Liquid Crystel (FLC), equivalent 300,00 pixels resolution
Programmes	1. sports/action, 2. portrait, 3. night, 4. night portrait
Flash / flash range	built-in / 0.6-4.4m (wide), 0.9-4.0m (tele)
Flash modes	1. auto 2. auto with red-eye reduction 3. daylight fill-in flash 4. flash off 5. red-eye reduction fill-in flash
Interfaces	USB, video/audio, AC adapter
Recording media	SD cards, MM cards
Recording format	Still: JPEG (exif 2.2) Video: AVI
Sound recording	up to 30sec per image in WAV format
Power supply	4 AA alkaline batteries, 4 AA NiMH rechargeable batteriesor AC adapter (optional)
Dimensions	[Finecam M400R] 107x73x54.5mm [Finecam M410R] 107x73x87.5mm
Weight (net)	[Finecam M400R] approx 290g [Finecam M410R] approx 310g
Supplied accessories	4 alkaline batteries Lens cap Video cable USB driver software, cable Neck strap

Specifications subject to change

About RTUNE
RTUNE starts very early in the imaging process and through efficient colour management reduces the amount of data to be processed by the camera. White balance, so crucial for a natural colour rendition, starts directly behind the pickup device and not, as is normal with other models, in the digital section. The result is a considerable reduction in noise.

Additionally, RTUNE prevents the so-called "cross talk" effect, in which the signal of a pixel can be distorted by neighbouring ones.This results in fewer digital artifacts and an increased purity of colour. Because the subsequent digitalizing of the signal means less computing time for the elimination of aberrations, another source of interference with colour reproduction is reduced.

The RTUNE processor works with 16 bits and so achieves an extremely differentiated, practically continuously variable conversion of grays and colours . By executing many complex image processing algorithms, the RTUNE processor accelerates the computing speed and makes the customary intermediate storage of images superfluous. Because the image files are built up more efficiently thanks to RTUNE and contain less superfluous interference, the JPEG files finally saved turn out much smaller. Correspondingly more images fit onto every costly memory card.