Rugged Casio EXILIM EX-G1 Camera Announced [Casio EX-G1 Becomes First Camera in new Casio EXILIM G Range]

Following on from Alex covering the new Casio EXILIM EX-FH25 superzoom earlier this week. Casio have also just introduced their new EXILIM EX-G1rugged point and shoot camera which, along with boasting enhanced shock resistance, resistance to dust and waterproofing, also happens to be the first ever EXILIM G series camera in what’s sure to prove an evolving line-up.

The Casio EXILIM EX-G1, which falls very much into the point and shoot category of digital cameras, along with boasting a durable yet particularly sleek design (the EX-G1 measures in at a mere 0.78” in thickness), sports a 12.1 megapixel sensor along with all the auto features you’d expect from a P&S camera whilst additionally introducing a number of other features into the equation – such as interval shooting and multi-image capture functionalities.

“Whether it is the lifestyle that you have chosen or your career path that requires you to carry a camera tough enough to endure life’s elements, the EXILIM G EX-G1 offers an endurance level that will withstand the demands of your daily routine,” says Toshi Iguchi, senior general manager of Casio’s Digital Imaging Division. “The EX-G1, Casio’s toughest camera to date, is a prime example of Casio’s constant devotion to creating cameras to accommodate all levels of photographers.”

Casio EXILIM EX-G1 Key Features:

Slim-line Design with Toughness Construction

• Shock Resistance: The EXILIM G EX-G1 offers the world’s thinnest profile* of .78 inch (excluding protruding parts) in a shock-resistant digital camera. The camera passed multiple drop tests of seven feet based on Casio’s own standard.
• Waterproof/Dustproof: The EX-G1 offers waterproof performance corresponding to IEC/JIS Protection Class 8 (IPX8) waterproofing, and can be used for 60 continuous minutes at a water depth of 10 feet. It also withstands water jets corresponding to IEC/JIS Protection Class 6 “IPX6” waterproofing, and can be directly rinsed under running water. The EX-G1 is also impervious to dust, with performance corresponding to IEC/JIS Protection Class 6 “IP6X” dustproofing.
• Freezeproof: Withstanding ever the coldest of temperatures, the EX-G1 endures through temperatures as low as 14 °F.

Shock Resistant/Waterproof Construction and Design

• Exterior: The outer body of the EX-G1 is made from stainless steel to withstand external shocks while a polycarbonate cover absorbs shocks to the body side near the shutter. The camera’s wrist-strap holder is made of die-cast zinc to withstand drops while a rotating lock secures the external memory slot cover. For additional protection, the EX-G1 comes with two types of detachable protectors to absorb shocks.
• Internal Construction: The waterproof inner body of the camera is made from polycarbonate reinforced with fiberglass while a buckle-lock construction is added to absorb impact, using fewer screws to secure the inner body. Additionally, the camera’s frame comes equipped with speaker and microphone filters to prevent water from penetrating the camera.
• Lens: To prevent damage to the camera’s lens, a resin ring as been added around the glass casing to ease shocks to the lens area. With the addition of a reinforced, glass lens cover, the EX-G1 is tooled with a multi coating that is water-repellent and prevents light reflection from ruining pictures. To further protect the camera from impact, high-performance damping material has been added to protect the lens unit from external shocks.
• LCD panel: The acrylic plate to protect the LCD from water pressure and shocks is 1.5 times thicker than conventional point-and-shoot cameras. The LCD panel features a resin mount to ease shocks to the LCD panel area.

Additional Key Features:

• Interval shooting: The interval shooting function allows users to automatically take still photos or movies at fixed intervals while engaged in action sports such as cycling, snowboarding, and wind surfing. With the EX-G1, users can take powerful photos from inside the action, the kind which are usually almost impossible to capture. The shooting interval can be set at 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, or 3 minutes, and the capture time for movies may be set at 3, 10, 20, or 30 minutes
• The BEST SHOT function enables users to take beautiful photos just by selecting the desired subject scene. The EX-G1 includes additional BEST SHOT settings suitable for various outdoor situations, such as “snow” and “beach” scene settings, which automatically adjust to prevent subject underexposure due to the brightness of snow or sun. There is also an “underwater” setting to control the tendency of underwater photos to come out looking too blue.

The Casio EXILIM EX-G1 is set to hit the shelves next month (December ’09) in either black or red and will carry a price tag coming in at just shy of $300.

[via | Geeky Gadgets]