Toshiba Announces New Three-Megapixel PDR-M71 Digital Camera for
IRVINE, CA, September 12, 2001 -- Toshiba Imaging Systems, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., is advancing the state of consumer digital photography by announcing today the new PDR-M71, a powerful 3.2 megapixel digital camera with a breakthrough MSRP of (U.S.).
An ideal first digital camera or upgrade for users at all levels, the affordable PDR-M71 offers the same advanced feature set as competitive digital cameras retailing for hundreds of dollars more. Although value-priced, its performance is matched to the highest standards of digital photography with extra care being taken in designing its superior optics for vibrant, lifelike photographs.
Significant new features include: a built-in five mode flash system with red-eye reduction; AVI movie/audio recording; a Canon® all-glass aspherical zoom lens with Macro; SmartMedia® storage; a full range of shooting modes and options; USB connectivity; and enhanced signal processing technology for fast, continuous shooting and quick operation.
The PDR-M71 gets high marks for its precision Canon® lens with 2.8x optical zoom, 2.2X digital zoom, plus a macro mode that enhances the detail of the brilliant 2048 x 1536 resolution, especially in quality-sensitive close-ups. Coupled with the camera's powerful 3.2 megapixel sensor, this professional-grade lens helps photographers capture extraordinary digital images characterized by their true-to-life color saturation and accurate representation of even the subtlest tones. The all-glass, glare-free lens is equivalent to an f=35-98mm on a standard 35mm camera. To encourage photographic creativity, the PDR-M71 is able to accept third-part accessory lenses, such as wide angle, telephoto or fisheye.
The PDR-M71 is intuitively easy to understand. Its control dial and zoom are set so that they can be manipulated with either a thumb or index finger. Each function of the camera is clearly indicated on the control dial with an icon, plus the ample shooting modes and options are all easily accessible through the menu system displayed on the LCD.
In fully automatic mode the PDR-M71 focuses and adjusts its settings for perfect pictures every time. This flattens the learning curve, making the camera easy to learn and use straight out of the box.
For the advanced shooter seeking greater flexibility, the camera has manual controls including Program AE, Full Manual (shutter and aperture), Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, ISO sensitivity (100/200/400), flash (auto, red-eye, forced, slow sync, force off), white balance, and exposure compensation. Unique to digital cameras, the PDR-M71 also has a histogram function that enables photographers to check the distribution of brightness levels on the LCD once a picture is taken.
In addition to the camera's automatic and manual settings, photographers choose the resolution (2048x1536, 1024x768, 640x480) and the JPEG format compression (fine, normal, basic).
Convergence of technology is a cornerstone of Toshiba innovation. The company's integration of new capabilities into traditional product categories is clearly evident in the PDR-M71. In addition to taking outstanding still images, the camera has an exciting AVI movie mode that lets users film up to three minutes of video at 160 x 120 resolution (15 fps), or 60 seconds at 320 x 240 (15 fps). Sound can be recorded during the filming by using the camera's built-in microphone.
When the video is finished it can be viewed on a computer monitor, a television (NTSC/PAL), or on the camera's 1.5-inch polysilicon color LCD. Like the photographs, the AVI video can be easily uploaded to a web page or used as an e-mail attachment.
Surprisingly lightweight (8.5 oz) and compact, the sporty PDR-M71 is a breeze to take along anywhere, whether it's a business trip, a ball game or a family picnic. Its fashionable all-black exterior makes a striking impression, while the ergonomic design fits easily in the palm of the user's hand.
Accessories include an 8MB SmartMedia card, a USB cable for fast downloading of images, serial cable, wrist strap, protective lens cap, a soft carrying case, and a CD-ROM containing a USB driver and Sierra Imaging's popular ImageExpert® software for managing, editing and accessing images. The camera is Windows® (98/2000/NT) and Macintosh® (OS 9+) compatible. Four AA-sized batteries power it.
