Pros: Tiny, light, lots of options, great resolution, good zoom...
Cons: Buttons may be a bit small--but it's a small camera, what do you expect?
The Bottom Line: This new Casio is a practical but flexible replacement for less practical and flexible older digital cameras. I'm VERY impressed by the EX-55.
lambchops's Full Review: Casio Exilim EX-Z55 Digital Camera
Three years ago, I got my first digital camera. The Olympus Camedia C-3000 did me well. With 3.34 megapixels resolution and a 3x optical zoom it was at the top end of consumer models. Time has not treated the old dinosaur well. It now is heavy, bulky, ugly, and unmanageable. I just couldn't stand lugging that camera and case with me any longer.
My husband's gifted solution to my dilemma? A Casio Exilim EX-55. Less than half the weight and a fraction of the dimension, this is a fantastic solution for folks looking for a digital camera with more than just the basic point-and-click features that doesn't sacrifice style for function (or vice versa). Despite not being a common brand in America, Casio is a popular one worldwide. They were the first company to offer a compact consumer digital camera with LCD screen--the QV-10 quickly became the best selling digital camera in the world.
The Exilim was introduced in 2002. Marketed heavily because of its tiny size and impressive lag time, it too became popular among gadget freaks. Over the years, Casio added an optical zoom, higher megapixels, and a super-life battery. In September/October 2004, the EX-55 and EX-S100 were introduced. The former is slightly larger but includes a 3x optical zoom, a 5.0-megapixel CCD, and an impressively large 2.5" LCD screen. The latter on the other hand has a 2.8x optical zoom, a 3.2-megapixel CCD, and a 2.0" LCD but is much slimmer. I'm pleased my industrious hubby chose the former for me. It is still tiny but with the high resolution, big view screen, and nice optical zoom make it the optimal option. Plus, the EX-55 has a leg up on the EX-S100 because of the super-life battery.
Simply put, I am incredibly impressed by my Casio Exilim camera. It is not just cool looking, it also works well. I am continually impressed by the battery charge. It's one thing to market a so-called "super-life battery" but a whole other thing to make it actually work. The camera holds a charge for approximately 400 pictures. Even better, it fits easily in a purse or pocket. Need a compact video camera? A voice recorder? A point-and-click model? The EX-55 fulfills my every consumerly desire.
Outside of the fantastic battery life and miniscule size and impressive resolution and wow-factor optical zoom, this camera is chock-full of built-in features and goodies. You can fiddle with the focus in a variety of ways (manual, automatic, pan-focus, infinity focus, macro focus), play with ISO speed, change shutter speed, adjust the flash to a variety of environments, and alter the white balance. The camera is highly customizable--something that will certainly appeal to gadget freaks but its ease of use will also work for the techno-illiterate.
One additional thing I really like is the BESTSHOT option. There are twenty-three presets that are easy to choose and fun to play with. Check out the portrait (enhanced flesh tones, telephoto zoom), scenery (infinity focus, hard sharpness, high saturation), portrait with scenery, coupling shot (two separate areas to combine two shots), pre-shot (shoot background first, then photograph somebody in front of background), children (enhanced flesh tones, high sensitivity), candlelight portrait (soft sharpness, daylight white balance), party (high sensitivity), pet, flower (macro mode, high saturation), and many many others for some real viable solutions. I have tried the presets in a variety of conditions. In fact, I particularly have enjoyed the portrait, pets, and modes the included macro (collection, food, and flower). They made the close up pictures look lovely. One word of caution though, the longer shutter speed of the candlelight, fireworks, and nighttime modes make it necessary to hold the camera very still. For folks with shaky paws like myself, this is something of a challenge.
A few other things worth mentioning are the 9.3MB built-in memory (the camera uses secure digital cards for added memory--I've got a 1GB card), various included accessories (software, USB cable, cradle, AC wall adapter), an adjustable multiple self-timer, red-eye reduction, and a built in speaker. Plus, I want to mention that this is a camera that does what you tell it when you tell it. Press the "take a picture" button and there is very little pause before the photo is taken. I'm particularly impressed by this functionality as it's a MAJOR benefit over contemporary models and my old Olympus model which had a long lag. The lag is almost absent and the write times are nearly imperceptible--approximately .01 seconds. The only exceptions for the write time are for the video and slow shutter speed options--they take longer to write. As far as picture playback goes, there is little if any lag. It is a very fast camera in every way. One additional time bonus is that it is ready to use after turning on in just 1.5 seconds. Worried about any of these lovely features breaking? Casio provides a 1 year parts and labor warranty.
I've used the Casio Exilim EX-55 in many different conditions including indoors and outdoors and in various low-light situations. The flash is customizable (including red eye reduction) and it is easy to either rely on the automatic function or just flip to the proper flash. In a hurry, I just rely on automatic but I do prefer to change to the proper flash for the proper situation. The camera performs beautifully, but as with most things it performs even better if you take a second to manually choose your options. Otherwise, I am pleased with all the auto functions. The red eye function seems to work well. It's pretty quick (not much time between the flashes) and red eye is nicely reduced in the lowlight situations I've tested it. The colors in these pictures are accurate and true to eye (something I couldn't say about my Olympus). Even more impressive though is the sharp focus. It is clear and crisp at any distance.
My Olympus C-3000 made a lot of noise. When you would move, the auto focus would click. Not so in ANY situation with the Exilim. It is silent. I can't hear any noise outside of the optional digital shutter click. As far as visual noise and at various ISO levels go, I don't see any unless I fiddle with the (unnecessary) digital zoom or don't use the flash in low light situations.
I am incredibly impressed with my little Casio Exilim EX-55. It represents a huge move up the food chain in digital cameras. The price is higher than some bulkier models and those lower in megapixels and/or optical zoom, but it "cool" factor most certainly outweighs any possible misgivings. Want a convenient upgrade? I can't help but recommend this fabulous digital camera.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Resolution: 5 megapixels
Zoom: 3x optical (digital zoom 4x)
Lens: Aperture Range f2.6/f4.8 (w/t) ISO Speeds Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400 Shutter Speed 4 - 1/2000 sec White Balance Auto, Manual
Screen: 2.5" LCD
Focus: Automatic & Manual
Shutter: CCD electronic/mechanical shutter; 4 seconds to 1/2000 second shutter speed (including night mode)
Sensitivity: Auto; ISO 50, 100, 200, 400
Self-timer: 10 seconds or 2 seconds; triple self-timer
Built-in flash: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Red Eye Reduction
Approximate range: 0.4 to 2.6 meters (wide); 0.4 to 2.0 meters (telephoto)
Playback: Zoom display (4x); 9-picture display; calendar; Photostand function
Battery: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Input/output terminals: USB cradle
Dimensions (W x H x D): 87 by 57 by 22.4 millimeters (excluding protrusions; thinnest point 19.7 millimeters)
Weight: 121 grams (excluding battery and accessories)
Warranty: 1 year parts & labor
Bundled accessories: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, USB cradle, USB cable, AC adapter, strap, CD-ROM
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 350 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
High-resolution images captured by the CCD with 5 million effective pixels for photo-quality prints up to 13x17 inches 3X optical zoom in a compact bo...More at Amazon Marketplace
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