Casio Exilim EX-S100 review

EX-S100 Features:

• 3.2-Megapixel effective CCD imager
  
• Credit card-size stainless steel body, only 0.66" thick
  
• Still Image: 2048x1536, 1600x1200, 1280x960, 640x480
  
• Uses world's first transparent ceramic 2.8x optical zoom lens
  
• Lens covers 36-102mm (in 35mm equivalence)
  
• AVI 320x240 Movies with audio, length limited only by available memory
  
  
• Contrast type AF selectable between spot, multi
  
• Focus modes include pan focus, macro mode, infinity, and manual focus
  
• 23 Best Shot scene modes, plus 1 custom mode
  
• 9.3 Megabytes of internal memory
  
• 4 to 1/2000 sec. shutter speeds
  
• Built-in flash with Red Eye Reduction
  
• 2" TFT color LCD monitor
  
• 4X playback zoom magnification
  
• USB 1.1 data transfer to PC or Mac computers
  


• Lithium rechargeable Casio NP-20 battery and charging cradle included


• Secure Digital/MMC card slot for memory expansion
  
• DPOF, Exif Print, Print Image matching, and PictBridge compatible
  

The Casio Exilim EX-S100 was developed to be the flagship of the Exilim "S" series, and as such, embodies all the brand concepts. Key features of the EX-S100 include a 3.2-megapixel CCD image sensor. The Casio Exilim Card EX-S100 is a 3 megapixel digital camera with a 2.8x optical zoom lens that offers a focal length of 36-102mm and a large 2-inch LCD screen and rechargeable np-20 battery.

The Casio Exilim Card EX-S100 is no different with dimensions of 88mm (W) x 57mm (H) x 16.7mm (D) and weighing just 113g without the battery and storage card fitted. All of this is housed in a stylish and hard-wearing metal casing. But is the Casio Exilim Card EX-S100 just too small for its own good? Carry on reading my extensive review to find out if it's actually a good camera or not.

The Casio Exilim Card EX-S100 has a 3.34 megapixel, 1/3.2 inch CCD that delivers 3.2 effective megapixels. The camera's 2.8x optical zoom lens is equivalent to a 36-102 mm lens on a 35mm format camera. There is also a 4x digital zoom available. There are 5 image sizes (2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360 (3:2), 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 pixels, powerful NP-20 battery) which are recorded as JPEGs in one of 3 image quality settings (Fine / Normal / Economy). The EX-S100 supports SD and MMC memory cards and there is also 9.3MB of built-in memory.

The Casio Exilim Card EX-S100's dimensions are 88mm (W) x 57mm (H) x 16.7mm (D), and it weighs 113g without the NP-20 battery and storage card fitted. The camera is powered by Casio's proprietary rechargable lithium-ion battery. There is a metal tripod mount in the left of the bottom of the camera. The PC interface is USB 1.0 (via the supplied cradle). There are no NTSC / PAL AV outputs, so you can't connect the EX-Z55 to your TV. Printouts can be made without going through a computer, though, by directly connecting the Casio Exilim Card EX-S100 to a PictBridge-compliant printer.

The EX-S100 features a stainless steel body, a hallmark of the EXILIM CARD series, which has been polished to a brilliant shine through a special process. It is created entirely of metal, right down to the screws, for a true feeling of high quality. The front of the camera has been given a fresh look, with a theme of circular patterns to highlight the shape of the lens, while the back of the unit features a more square look that matches the impressively large 2.0” TFT LCD screen. In keeping with the distinctive form of the other models in the EXILIM CARD series, the lens area itself protrudes slightly from the body of the camera. Its NP-20 battery can last about 3 hours.

Casio Exilim EX-Z60 camera review

The Casio Exilim EX-Z60 is a six megapixel digital camera with a three times optical zoom lens and strong power battery(np-20). It is a fairly slim model and will slip into a large pocket. It is a simple digital camera and it should not take long to get to grips with it. In terms of price this is one of the cheapest cameras of its type that I am aware of. Therefore the Exilim EX-Z60 is likely to appeal to anyone who is looking for a straightforward point and shoot camera that is easy to carry around and will not break the bank.


In addition to its compact and stylish design, the EX-Z60 functions include “Old Photo” Best Shot Mode, which refreshes faded colors of old photos by bringing them back to life in digital format, automatically adjusts for obliquity even when photos are shot while still in the album. The Rapid Flash function enables three consecutive, high-speed flash photos in only one second, ensuring that no special moments are missed. The Easy Mode setting provides a simplified, easy to understand, and convenient version of the settings menu and camera interface, designed especially for first time users but also helpful to those who prefer a basic camera settings interface as well. The BEST SHOT Button enables convenient, one-touch access to 33 scenes chosen from an image menu and providing the user with a wide range of camera settings for taking hassle-free photos every time. But different from the old's,Z60 Camera have high capacity and power rechargerable battery(casio np-20) for you.



The EX-Z60 has features like: “Auto Macro” mode which allows for automatic switching between macro and auto focus modes. “9-Point Multi AF” clearly indicates the areas of focus when photographing subjects with multiple focus points. The “Quick Shutter” function reduces mistakes by facilitating simple and easy high-speed focusing. “Flash Assist” mode compensates for poorly illuminated areas within the shot. “Exposure Warning” mode warns over or under exposure via an on-screen display. The “Icon Help” function provides icon guidance when adjusting camera settings. The “Direct On” button allows quick startup in both shooting and playback modes.

Features:

• 6-Megapixel effective CCD imager, 3x optical zoom w/auto macro


• A rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-20 battery)


• Stylish, durable and light-weight aluminum body


• Large 2.5-inch TFT color LCD, twice as bright as EX-S500


• Anti Shake provides higher sensitivity, faster shutter speed prevents image blurring to hand or subject movement


• High-speed start-up enables shooting approximately 1.4 seconds after power up.


• Release time lag of only 0.002 seconds after the shutter is pressed.


• Rapid Flash, 3 high speed flash photos in one second


• Continuous shutter function enables photos to be taken in 0.9 seconds intervals.


• 33 "BEST SHOT" scene modes set the camera for easy to difficult situations.


• Attach up to 30-second audio memos to still images at capture or later.


• Record voice-only audio, approx. 25 minutes on internal memory.


• MPEG-4, VGA(640×480 pixels), 30 frames/second high quality movies


• Movie Best Shot, Past Movie, Short Movie and in-camera movie editing.


• 9-point autofocus system with selectable AF modes: Multi or Spot AF.


• ISO sensitivity from 50 to 400, ISO 800 with Anti Shake.


• Built-in flash with Red Eye Reduction and Flash-assist function.


• USB data transfer to PC or Mac computers.


• Super-Life battery enables up to 180 shots on a single charge.


• Li-ion rechargeable battery and charger included.


• 8.3 Megabytes of internal memory and SD card slot for memory expansion.


• ExifPrint, PRINT Image Matching III, USB Direct-Print, and PictBridge compatible.

Ease of Use

Casio have made the Exilim EX-Z60 very easy to use. If you take a look at the back of the camera there are very few buttons compared with other digital cameras. My only complaint is that if you want to shoot a movie you will need to dip into the menu system to place the camera in movie mode. Otherwise everything you need to take a picture is at your fingertips.



The menu system itself is well designed. It is basically a case of scrolling through the menu until you find what you are looking for. Nothing is hidden or tucked away and all the options are described in plain English without the use of symbols or abbreviations.



To cut the menu options to a bare minimum you can put the camera in easy mode. This makes it even more straightforward to use.

Batteries and Memory Card

A rechargeable lithium ion battery (rechargerable casio NP-20) is used to power the Exilim EX-Z60. Casio supplies both a battery and charger with the camera. Casio estimate you should be able to take around 180 shots before the battery needs to be recharged.


There is 8.3mb of storage built into the camera. Therefore a memory card is not supplied with the camera. I was able to take just four photos before the memory became full. This is very poor indeed. You are strongly advised to buy a high capacity card to go with the camera. It is compatible with both SD and MMC cards.




Casio's Exilim EX-Z60 makes a better fashion accessory than a camera.it hava a strong casio np-20 with longer battery life. If you're looking for style and photographic substance in the same price range, I suggest you check out Canon's SD series or Nikon's S series of cameras.