– Optical viewfinder replacement enables smaller, thinner digital cameras –

– TOKYO, Japan, October 14, 2009 – Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson", TSE:6724) today announced that it has begun volume production of a new high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT color panel for electronic viewfinders. Measuring just 0.47 of an inch (1.2 cm) diagonally, the new panels offer SVGA (800 x RGB x 600) resolution in red, green and blue for a total of 1.44 megapixels. The new panels are targeted at camera manufacturers for use as electronic viewfinders in mid- to high-end digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.

Competition in the digital camera market has reached a fever pitch. Companies are launching new products with higher resolutions and more features at even lower prices. In recent years, more and more consumers have been switching from compact cameras to SLR units in pursuit of better performance and image quality, driving the need for smaller and thinner DSLR cameras with video and other features. Epson's new panels meet this need and open a whole world of possibilities for DSLR cameras.

Until now, no electronic viewfinder has been able to offer the resolution and fidelity needed to replace optical viewfinders and to focus the image. Epson's new panel, developed using HTPS technology, not only makes this possible but also uses an analog driver to recreate smooth gradations and a natural softness. This panel will allow camera manufacturers to eliminate the mirrors and pentaprisms needed for optical viewfinders, enabling much smaller and thinner camera bodies and letting users capture the image they see. In addition, the use of a color filter prevents the color breakup that tends to occur with other color systems when shooting fast-moving subjects and while panning.

Epson has long developed HTPS panels to meet the high-definition, high-resolution needs of its market-leading projector business. Using technology developed for projectors, Epson created this new product to meet the needs of the digital camera market.

This panel is the first in Epson's new "ULTIMICRON" series of compact, high-resolution HTPS panels that display full color on a single screen for electronic viewfinders and other compact displays. Epson will continue to offer new solutions for the growing DSLR camera market by expanding its lineup with higher resolutions, better image quality, and smaller sizes.

Epson's ULTIMICRON L3F04S-80300 color LCD for electronic viewfinders. Photo provided by Seiko Epson Corp.

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Features of the new panel

• Compact
  
  

  • Small 0.47-inch diagonal screen enables compact, thin cameras

• High resolution
  
  

  • High pixel density with SVGA resolution (800 x RGB x 600, 1.44 megapixels)

• Color filter
  
  

  • Not affected by color breakup that occurs with fast-moving subjects and panning shots when using a field-sequential color system

Advantages when used in a DSLR camera

• High resolution enables easy focusing

• Can capture images as they are seen

• Viable alternative to optical viewfinder
  
  

  • Avoids the blackout of optical viewfinders when shooting video

  • Enables smaller cameras by eliminating need for mirrors and pentaprisms

  • Eliminates mechanical time lag caused by mirror

New panel specifications

Overview of panel structure

Related information
To learn more about the advantages of HTPS panels, visit http://www.epson.jp/e/products/device/htps/.

Product exhibition
The new panels will be on display from at the International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition (Inter BEE 2009) to be held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan, from November 18 to 20. Epson will be at booth number 8205 in hall 8. We hope to see you there.

For sales enquiries, please locate your regional Epson electronic device sales office at:
http://www.epson.jp/device/e/device_worldwide.htm

About Epson
Epson is a global imaging and innovation leader that is dedicated to exceeding the vision of customers worldwide through its compact, energy-saving, high-precision technologies, with a product lineup ranging from printers and 3LCD projectors for business and the home, to electronic and crystal devices.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises over 70,000 employees in 108 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and the communities in which it operates.http://www.epson.co.jp/e/