Casio have announced today the release of the new EXILIM® EX-ZS100 camera, the latest addition to the EXILIM family of digital cameras. This compact model with powerful zoom and 14.1 effective megapixels offers easy functionality even for beginning photographers.

Equipped with a 24mm wide-angle lens and 12.5x optical zoom, the new camera is still thin and compact and convenient enough to take anywhere. It takes amazing pictures of expansive landscapes, confined interiors, and even distant subjects that are hard to approach thanks to the wide angle lens and powerful zoom. There is also a Macro function for shooting things as close as one centimeter from the lens.

Casio's goal was to create a camera that is easier than ever to use, even for first-time photographers. In addition to dedicated buttons for the basic digital camera operations of capturing, reviewing, and deleting images, the EX-ZS100 features an "easy Mode" interface, which clearly displays frequently used functions with large lettering and icons. By following instructions from the on-screen guide, users can take photos with the optimal photographic settings. Also, merely by pointing the camera at a subject, the EX-ZS100 automatically focuses on the face of the subject or on the landscape. Even if the subject is moving, the camera still maintains focus. Once the focus frame turns green, the user just presses the shutter button, and a focused image is captured.

The EX-ZS100 also features a Silent Mode, which instantly changes the camera's settings to avoid disturbing others nearby. This includes silencing the camera operation sounds, disabling the flash, and deactivating the self-timer. This is helpful when taking pictures in a museum, aquarium, or restaurant. Of course the camera is packed with other features such as BEST SHOT Mode, which optimizes photo settings for the type of scene the user wants to photograph, HD movie recording that can shoot beautiful video at 1280x720 pixels, and charging via USB. The camera is available in three colors: silver, red and black.