Casio Exilim EX-H10 Packs 10x Zoom and 1,000 Shots Per Charge

Casio's new Exilim EX-H10 camera packs a 12.1 megapixel resolution and 10x optical zoom...and can take up to 1,000 pictures on a single battery charge.

Casio has formally announced its Exilim Hi-Zoom EX-H10 digital camera, aiming at the high-end point-and-shoot market with a slim profile design that offers high resolution, a big LCD viewfinder display, a wide-angle 24mm lens with powerful zoom, and long battery life—Casio says the camera can take up to 1,000 pictures on a single battery charge.

“The development of the ultra-wide angle 24mm continues Casio’s dedication to creating digital cameras that are packed with innovative features and new technology,” said Casio’s senior general manager for digital imaging Toshiyuki Iguchi, in a statement. “This new feature gives our camera enthusiasts the opportunity to capture their extraordinary moments in a variety of shooting environments.”

The H10 includes an ultra-wide angle 24mm lens with a 10× optical zoom, along with a 12.1 megapixel resolution so make sure photographers get the most out of their photos. The H10 also sports a 3-inch LCD display, but crams everything into a body under 1 inch thick, making the unit convenient to carry around and for traveling. Travelers will also love the battery life: Casio says the camera can take up to 1,000 photos on a single batter charge—although it runs on a rechargeable lithium ion battery rather than AAs, so there’s no real swapping out batteries for store-bought replacements while on the road.

The H10 also features a Dynamic Photo function that can create composite images putting a subject on a different background, all in the camera itself, and a series of shots can be saved as a Motion JPEG file. Casio has also rolled in a new landscape mode that enhances only “the most important colors” in a shot, and can also make misty scenes seem clear and bright. A “makeup mode” is also provided for portraiture, evening out harsh shadows and adjusting the smoothness of subject’s skin.

The H10 can also capture high-definition movies (at 1,280 by 720 pixels) and offers a handheld night scene mode for dim lighting or backlit conditions—Casio claims sensitivity down to ISO3200.

Casio says the EX-H10 will be available in mid-July for a suggested retail price of $299.99; it will launch in Japan for ¥40,000 on July 3.