Here's two cheapass new cameras from NHJ, and they can both record MPEG-4 at 640 x 480. You get what you pay for, as always, in that they can o­nly record at 12 frames per second at this resolution.

But whatever, here they are.

NHJ Corporation will release the "Che-ez! Foxz3," a low priced digital camera with 12mm thickness in early December. In addition to the standard silver, it will be available in blue, clear, and orange trimming variations, making for a total of four colors. The price is Open Price. It is estimated around 12,800 yen.

Also, the "Che-ez! v:u2" MPEG-4 video camera will be released in early December. The colors are silver and black. It is also Open Price, but indicators suggest it should cost around 12,800 yen.

Before either of those are released, however, the "Hello Kitty Version" of both of cameras were released o­n November 29th. They are Open Price, but the Foxz3 should be around 21,000 yen, and the v:u2 around 18,900 yen. Sales will be conducted at nationwide Sanrio Shops, Sanrio Corners, Sanrio' direct sales sites, Nissen Mail Order, and NHJ's direct sale site.

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-Che-ez! Foxz3

This is an upper level model of the "Che-ez! Foxz2" thin-style digital camera. The effective resolution has been increased from 2MP to 3MP, the LCD monitor from 1.5" to 2", and the internal memory from 8MB to 16MB. Also, it can now record 640 x 480 video at 12fps, and 320 x 240 video at 20fps, because of MPEG-4 (ASF). The Foxz3 does not however include the waterproof case as was included with the Foxz2.

A 3.14MP CMOS sensor is used for the image sensor. The recording resolutions are 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, and 800 x 600. Recorded images can be stored in either the internal 16MB of memory, or o­n an SD memory card. Supported SD cards are 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256MB.

The lens is a simple focus of F2.8 with 2 layers of glass, 2 layers of plastic, and an infrared filter. The focal distance is 35mm conversion at 45mm. The minimum photograph distance is 1.5m.

Power comes from lithium polymer rechargables. Connection with a PC is done by USB 1.1. Supported operating systems are Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, as well as Mac OS 9.2 and above. The external dimensions are 100 x 12 x 58mm (W x D x H), and the camera has a total weight of 86g (not including batteries or accessories).

The Hello Kitty model features a Hello Kitty print and cherry pink trim o­n the exterior. Hello Kitty also appears o­n the startup screen when the camera is turned o­n.



Product Information (Che-ez! Foxz3):
http://www.che-ez.com/jp/foxz3/index.html



Product Information (Che-ez! Foxz3 Hello Kitty Model):
http://www.che-ez.com/jp/foxz3_sanrio/

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-Che-ez! v:u2

This is a small video camera that records video in the MPEG-4 (ASF) format. It contains the same 3.14MP image sensor as is o­n the Foxz3, in that the recording resolutions of still images and video are the same.

The lens is a 35mm conversion, giving a 46mm F3 simple focus. The minimum photograph distance is 1.5m. o­n the left side of the body is a folding 1.4" TFT color LCD monitor. Power is supplied by two AA batteries. Using alkalines, the camera has an approximate battery life of 50 minutes for video, and 140 consecutive images for still imges.

Connection with a PC is done by USB 1.1. Supported operating systems are Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, and XP. It also features a TV output jack. The external dimensions are 86 x 34 x 74mm (W x D x H), and the camera weighs about 190g without any batteries or accessories.

The Hello Kitty model is designed around the same cherry red base as the Foxz3. o­n the reverse of the monitor and the inside next to the monitor "Hello Kitty" is written.



Product Information (Che-ez! v:u2):
http://www.che-ez.com/jp/vu2/index.html



Product Information (Che-ez! v:u2 Hello Kitty Model):
http://www.che-ez.com/jp/vu2_sanrio/

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Inspired by:
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/compact/2004/11/30/552.html