Agfa Introduces ePhoto CL50 Digital Camera

Agfa ePhoto CL50

WILMINGTON, Mass.--Feb. 8, 1999--Agfa Desktop Products Group (DTP), a leading provider of award-winning digital cameras and desktop scanners, introduces the ePhoto CL50 - a high-performing digital camera targeted to business professionals and technology enthusiasts who require advanced features, ease-of-use and a photo-quality, mega-pixel image.

The CL50 offers an optical resolution of 1.3 million pixels (1280 X 960) and through Agfa's PhotoGenie(TM) image enhancement technology, produces 1600 X 1200 images. The ePhoto CL50 features four resolution settings (1600 X 1200 - Super, 1280 X 960 - High, 1280 X 960 - B/W text, 640 X 480 - VGA) and four flash modes. In addition, the ePhoto CL50 features a 3X optical zoom lens and a 2X digital zoom - in both capture and playback mode.

Many advanced features make the ePhoto CL50 unique to the marketplace, including:

  • LCD with SunCatcher(TM) -- To address the issue of battery consumption and an LCD that "washes out" in bright sunlight, the ePhoto CL50 includes a built-in prism which directs sunlight behind the LCD screen, conserves battery power and enhances its overall brightness.

  • Sound -- The CL50 is the first camera in the ePhoto family with a built-in microphone for adding voice or sound to each image.

  • Burst Mode -- Another first for the ePhoto family, the CL50 features a burst mode, allowing users to hold the shutter for continuous shots at half second intervals. The burst mode, allows up to 10 continuous pictures in VGA mode (640 X 480) resolution.

  • QuickReview -- The ePhoto CL50's QuickReview allows users to control whether to keep or erase a photo immediately after capturing it.

  • Panorama -- A panorama mode is available with the ePhoto CL50, allowing users to tag shots for creating panoramas. Photos marked for panoramas are "stitched" together to create panoramas using PhotoWise (Version 1.8) (included).

The ePhoto CL50 outfit includes cables (PC, Video), PhotoWise with PhotoGenie software, 8MB SmartMedia card, four AA-sized alkaline batteries, four AA-sized NiMH rechargeable batteries and a charger and a soft protective case. In the U.S., the ePhoto CL50 will be available in March for the suggested price of .

Info On the New Agfa ePhoto CL50

This info came from reader Mitch Rosen in response to questions he posed to the Agfa folks.

Q  Is the lens threaded to accept filters and accessory lenses (as on the ePhoto 1680)??

A  The CL 50 doesn't have a thread, but there is a solution to add additional filters/lenses. There will be a part that will screw into the tripod mount and will hold a filter/lens in front of the existing lens. We don't have anything now, the camera won't be shipping for a couple of months.

Q  Does the camera have aperature-priority and shutter-priority exposure modes? What are the min/max aperature values? What are the min/max shutter speeds?

A  It does have aperture and shutter priority or manual exposure which lightens or darkens a photo. The aperture settings are 2.8 - 8.0 on wide and 4.7 - 13.5 on telephoto. The shutter setting is 1/2 to 1/500.

Q  Is there a maximum size Smartmedia card that the CL-50 can use?

A   The CL50 will take up to a 16 MB, 3.3 volt, SmartMedia card. We do have some info on our web page--under "Agfa News" there is a ePhoto CL50/CL30 link on the lower left side of the page.