Readers familiar with Sanyo's past models will remember that shortly after the announcement of the 2 megapixel DSC-MZ1 model in June 2001, the company followed up with a 4 megapixel version called the DSC-AZ1 in September that had a few minor updates but was otherwise almost identical to the MZ1 with the exception of the imager. The DSC-AZ3 follows this precedent, with the camera being pretty much identical hardware-wise to the DSC-MZ3 that was announced last month, with the exception of the 4 megapixel imager instead of a 2 megapixel chip like its predecessor. There are a few minor updates to the specs, for example Auto ISO now goes up to 400 (which was previously available only as a manual setting); likewise the shutter speeds and digital / playback zoom are slightly different. As might be expected considering the much higher imager resolution, the camera's movie capabilities are also significantly reduced, with the MZ3's 30fps and 640 x 480 movie capabilities absent in the higher resolution model.

In Japan, the DSC-AZ3 will ship in mid-November at a cost of ¥87,000 (US$710 / €720 / £452 ignoring currency fluctuations, taxes and duties). Monthly production will start at 5,000 cameras, and like its partner, the camera will be available in silver only (Japanese digital cameras are often produced in a range of different colors to suit the buyer's tastes). Specifications courtesy of Sanyo Japan follow:

Sanyo DSC-AZ3
Model	DSC-AZ3
Effective Pixels	Approx. 4,000,000 pixels
Image Sensor	1/1.8" 4,130,000 pixel primary color CCD
Recording Medium	CompactFlash Type-I/II and Microdrive
Image Format	Still Image: JPEG, TIFF (uncompressed); complies with DCF, DPOF and Exif v2.2 Movie: QuickTime PhotoJPEG with mono WAV audio
Image Size	Still Image: 3264 x 2448 and 2880 x 2160 (interpolated), 2288 x 1712, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 Burst Mode: 2288 x 1712, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 Movie: 320 x 240, 160 x 120 (15 frames per second)
Lens	F=7.7mm - 23.1mm (35mm equivalent: 37mm - 111mm); 3x optical zoom f2.7 (wide) - f4.9 (tele) auto focus
Focusing Range	Macro: 10cm - 50cm Normal: 50cm - ∞
Shutter Speed	Still Image: 16 - 1/2500 second (1/30 - 1/2500 second with flash on) Burst mode: 1/30 to 1/2500 second Movie: 1/30 to 1/2500 second
Digital Zoom	Record: Up to 4x at 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 pixel Playback: Up to 51x at 9 megapixel interpolated
Exposure Control	Program AE / Shutter Priority AE / Aperture Priority AE / Manual Exposure Compensation: ±1.8EV in 0.3EV steps Metering: Area, center-weighted, spot
Sensitivity	Auto: ISO 100 - 400; Manual: ISO 100 / 200 / 400
White Balance	Auto: Full Auto TTL; Manual: 5 presets
Flash	Built-in modulated strength (Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Reduction)
Sound	Microphone: Built-in monaural; Speaker: Built-in monaural
LCD Monitor	110,000 pixels (approx.) 1.5" low temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD. (100% coverage when in still image record mode, and AV cable not connected).
Viewfinder	Optical real-image zoom
Interface	Video (composite NTSC / PAL); Sound (mono proprietary jack); USB 1.1 (proprietary jack)
Power Source	Lithium Ion battery (DB-L10, bundled); AC adapter (DSA-47, optional)
Battery Life	LCD on, record mode: 270 images Playback: 180 minutes
Size / Weight	99 (W) x 55 (H) x 32.5 (D) mm excluding projections 210 grams (camera only)
Accessories	Proprietary AV and USB cables, Sanyo Software Pack 6.2 CD-ROM, Lithium Ion battery and charger / power cord, hand strap
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