Agfa Introduces ePhoto CL30 Digital Camera.

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 1999--

Newest Addition to Agfa's Digital Camera Family Offers Mega-Pixel

Resolution and USB-Compatibility, For Less Than $400

Visit Agfa at CES, at Booth 4913

Agfa Desktop Products Group (DTP), a leading provider of award-winning digital cameras and desktop scanners, introduces the ePhoto CL30 -- a high-performing, easy-to-use mega-pixel digital camera for under $400. The ePhoto CL30 expands the range of camera choices by offering high-end features, including a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface and a true resolution of one million pixels, for the price of a entry-level digital camera. Designed for the SOHO market, the ePhoto CL30 is ideal for anyone who requires high-quality, mega-pixel images at an affordable price.

"The ePhoto CL30 is the complete package for almost every level of digital photography" said Christophe Fremont, director, Agfa DTP. "This camera is packed with features usually reserved for higher priced models. We are confident that it will satisfy the requirements of most people looking for a digital camera, including anyone looking to incorporate digital images into work or home environments."

The stylish and compact ePhoto CL30 features both an optical viewfinder and 1.8" color LCD screen -- perfect for framing shots or playing them back. The LCD screen features an "on" and "off" switch, so the user can make the most of his or her power supply. The digital camera operates on four AA-sized alkaline batteries and ships with a 4 MB CompactFlash(tm) card -- enough storage capacity for 6 to 36 images depending on the resolution setting.

The ePhoto CL30 offers image resolution of 1.5 million pixels (a true 1 million pixel image enhanced by Agfa's PhotoGenie(tm) technology) and a 2X digital zoom.

In addition, the CL30 features both USB (Universal Serial Bus) and Serial downloading capabilities, satisfying the requirements of all digital camera users. The USB interface allows for extremely fast data transfer -- up to 10 times the rate of serial communication. USB also gives true meaning to the phrase "plug-and-play", allowing users to plug and unplug the ePhoto CL30 for convenient switching with other USB devices, without having to reboot the PC or to "chain" multiple peripheral devices.

PhotoGenie and Easy Pilot

Agfa's ePhoto CL30 delivers best-in-class quality pictures from a 1 million pixel CCD sensor using the company's breakthrough PhotoGenie technology. Agfa's PhotoGenie removes image artifacts, such as those from JPEG compression, pixelation, jagged edges, and posterization -- which are common in digitally captured images. PhotoGenie also increases the resolution of pictures taken using the ePhoto CL30's highest capture mode, to produce photo quality images with 1440 X 1080 pixels -- or 1.5 megapixels. No other megapixel digital camera outside the ePhoto family has this unique capability.

Pictures taken with the ePhoto CL30 in the "P-Genie" setting (1440 x 1080 pixels) can be used to output prints of at least 8" x 10" on any photo-quality inkjet printer. For smaller prints, Web publishing, proofs or other applications, users can choose from other modes: High (1152 X 864 pixels), Medium (1024 X 768 pixels) , Low (640 X 480 pixels) and "Text", a mode for capturing high resolution images (1152 X 864) in grey-scale.

All camera settings on the ePhoto CL30 are accessed using the EasyPilot(tm) button. The EasyPilot is a powerful, multi-function control that works like a computer mouse. The feature lets users scroll through menus, while providing point-and-click selection control.

Agfa's PhotoWise Software

The ePhoto CL30 ships with Agfa's award-winning PhotoWise(R) software (V 1.7), a full-featured application for accessing, managing and enhancing digital photos. PhotoWise provides complete OLE 2.0 support for drag-and-drop, as well as in-place editing for any OLE compliant application. With PhotoWise, users can organize images on their computer, print contact sheets or 8" by 10" prints, and create slide shows that can even be viewed by those who don't have the PhotoWise application.

PhotoWise runs under Windows(R) 98, Windows(R) 95 and Windows(R) NT.

Pricing and Availability

The ePhoto CL30 is a complete, out-of-the-box solution for most applications. Included are: the camera, cables (PC, Video), powerful software, a 4MB CompactFlash removable memory card, one set of four AA-sized alkaline batteries and a soft protective case. In the U.S., the ePhoto CL30 will be available in February for the suggested price of $399.

An international (multilingual) version of the CL30 is expected to ship in March of this year. It is expected that this unit will work on both PC and Macintosh(R) platforms.

(ePhoto, PhotoGenie, FlashTrack and EasyPilot are trademarks of Agfa. Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Color images of Agfa desktop products are available for download from Agfa's press site on the World Wide Web at http://www.agfapress.com or by contacting Scott Signore (of Agfa DTP) at 978/658-5600, ext. 5567.

Product and company information can be found on Agfa's home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.agfahome.com.