Casio to Offer Exclusive Cameras on eBay to Benefit a project on GlobalGiving to rebuild 3 New Orleans Public Schools Destroyed by Katrina

 

March 27, 2006, DOVER, NJ - Casio Inc, a leading manufacturer of consumer electronics, is striving to help rebuild schools in the Gulf Coast area that were devastated by hurricane Katrina. Casio has donated Exilim cameras that will be sold for charity on eBay with the eBay Giving Works program. The cameras will be available for bid from April 4 through April 14.

 

The charity auction will include 10 Exilim "Zoom" limited U.S. edition EX-Z60 (red) and EX-Z600 (brown) cameras, and five custom colored Z850

(blue) cameras featuring eBay mode. The models, not yet readily available at retail, are also the only models in the world in these unique colors that feature the eBay Best Shot mode. All proceeds from the sale of these limited cameras on eBay will benefit the three New Orleans schools through GlobalGiving, an Internet-based philanthropy service that connects donors and individuals directly to social, economic development, and environmental projects in the U.S. and throughout the world, allowing donors to stay in control of where their money goes. Casio will work with GlobalGiving to see that funds go directly to the first three public schools in New Orleans to open after hurricane Katrina.

 

New and exclusive to the Casio EXILIM line of digital cameras in the U.S., the eBay Best Shot mode takes photos at a size that is image optimized for display on eBay, allowing picture takers to more quickly and easily create photos for selling items on eBay. eBay Best Shot mode also includes Auto Macro, an ideal setting for capturing images of small items such as jewelry, tags, etc., thus automatically adjusting the focus from acquiring fine details in close up shots to capturing large items at a distance

 

"Education is a top priority of Casio's and we are honored to be a part of a mission to benefit the students of New Orleans and to help the schools get the funding they need to continue the rebuilding process," said Bill Heuer, Senior Vice President of Sales of Casio's Digital Imaging Division. "We custom-made certain cameras to offer limited editions especially for sale on eBay, and anticipate the uniqueness of these EXILIM Zoom cameras, not yet readily available at retail, to generate a significant gift for the three New Orleans schools through GlobalGiving."

 

 

The EX-Z60, a 6.0 megapixel digital camera with 3X optical zoom is known for its simplicity and user-friendly nature. The camera features a large, easy-to-see 2.5" LCD screen, as well as an Anti Shake DSP, which, along with the Auto Macro and Quick Shutter functions, significantly reduce the occurrence of blurred images due to moving subjects or shaky hands. The EX-Z60 boasts many other convenient features, including Easy Mode, a camera menu that makes effortless picture taking possible. The eBay Best Shot is the 23rd of 33 Best Shot modes in the EX-Z60. The EXILIM Zoom EX-Z60 will have a suggested retail of $249.99, while the minimum bid for it's limited U.S. edition which will be available for bid during the auction, will be set at $175. The standard U.S. editions are expected to be available at retail in mid April in black and silver only.

 

The EX-Z600 digital camera offers 6.0 megapixel high-resolution photos in a pocket-sized package with a 2.7" Super Bright LCD screen. The camera's LCD is approximately three times brighter than its predecessor's, the EX-Z500.

The advancement makes the LCD easier to see particularly when viewed in sunlight. The EX-Z600 also boasts a Super Life Battery, taking 550 shots per charge. eBay Best Shot is the last of the 33 best shots featured on this model. New to the EX-Z600 is the Rapid Flash function, which enables three consecutive high-speed flash photos in only one second, allowing picture takers to capture the moment completely, without losing precious seconds between shots. The EX-Z600 will have a suggested retail price of $299.99, while the minimum bid for it's limited U.S. edition which will be available for bid during the auction, will be set at $200. The standard U.S. editions are expected be available at retail in April in black and silver only.

 

Offering high quality 8.1 megapixel photos, the EX-Z850 includes a 3X optical zoom and offers both manual opening and shutter speed priority AE options for advanced users who prefer to create customized images. The 2.5"

LCD screen makes outdoor photo taking easier. Notable new features on the EX-Z850, include flash functions for a variety of settings and situations, including Rapid Flash, which enables three flash photos in only one second to completely capture a given moment; Soft Flash, which prevents overexposure of subjects photographed up close; and High Power Flash, which ensures that subjects can be as far away as approximately 39.7 feet. The EX-Z850 will have a suggested retail of $399.99, while it's minimum bid for it's truly custom edition (one of five in the world which will be available for bid during the auction) will be set at $300. The standard U.S. editions are expected to be available at retail in mid April in silver only.

 

For more information please visit:

www.globalgiving.com/cb/cidi/pr/1300/proj1261a.htmlactive or www.ebay.com/casio.