Casio has today announced a 10.1-million-pixel digital compact which is due in UK stores by ?mid-May? priced a penny under £380.

Sporting a 2.8in screen (230,400 pixel resolution) the Exilim Zoom EX-Z1000 boasts an f/2.8 lens claimed to deliver the 35mm viewing angle equivalent of a 38-114mm zoom. The 7-element-in-5-group optic includes an aspheric element.

A silver-coloured version of the EX-Z1000 will be out in May followed by a black version in late July.

Features on board the SD memory card-compatible model include a 9-point AF system, manual focusing, spotmetering and a maximum ISO sensitivity of ISO 3200.

It also includes a system designed to reduce camera shake.

Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the camera has a top shutter speed of 1/2000sec and weighs 139g, excluding battery.

Exposure compensation of ±2EV is possible in 1/3EV steps, says Casio.

Also included is macro focusing claimed to go down to 6cm as well as a 4x digital zoom.

For details call Casio on 020 8450 9131.