Product Description

The EX-Z750's 7.2 megapixel CCD imaging element delivers superior picture quality with remarkably high definition, while the optical 3X zoom lens and large 2.5-inch liquid crystal display assure enjoyable operation. In addition to manual operation, an extremely versatile array of shooting functions enables a variety of photo effects. Using MPEG-4 format, high quality movies can also be taken in VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 frames per second. Of course, longer battery life enables the shooting of approximately 325 shots (CIPA standards)* on a battery charge. When set in its cradle, A/V signal output allows the user to view the photos or movies taken on an external video monitor such as television. The EX-Z750 is ideal for consumers who are looking to create superior images in challenging lighting conditions. Photographers can select aperture priority, shutter priority, or simply select from several unique Best Shot modes to enhance the images. The 0.9-second continuous shooting mode and low light assist, help capture sharp images such as fast action or low light scenes. The pre-record or Past Movie mode continuously captures 5 seconds of video automatically into buffer memory to ensure that the user records the critical video prior to pushing the shutter. Consumers can also select from several different Movie Best Shot modes and do simple video editing within the camera. ... Read more

Features

• Super-life battery enables up to 325 shots on a single charge
• Powered by Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included, with charger); stores images on SD cards (camera features 8.3MB of internal memory)
• 7-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; large 2.5-inch LCD display
• High-speed start-up enables shooting approximately 0.9 seconds after the power is turned on

Reviews (3)

A pocket camera for people who appreciate photography
I have been giving less and less credibility to the so-called digital camera reviewing websites lately as cameras get past the gee-whiz-gadget stage and become true instruments of photography.The sites are ok when they talk about their interpretations of published specs but they leave me cold when it comes to how good a digital camera is at making a memorable photograph.Things like start-up time, internal memory capacity, and battery life are good to know because if a camera scores really badly on certain specs it can become a chore to use.I have preached the mantra that "more megapixels doesn't mean a better picture" for years and I still believe it, but I also believe that some of the newer high megapixel cameras are also giving us better lenses and processors, which are the two main things that makes one digital camera better than another.And I've resisted getting suckered into the thing about some manufacturers putting exotic-sounding names on their lenses.All that means is that they paid to license the lens name, it doesn't mean each lens is hand made in the Black Forest by old bearded craftsmen.Those same review sites mentioned above seem to kiss the feet of anything with the name Canon on it to the point of putting their independent review status in severe jeopardy.Yes, Canon makes some good cameras but they really don't have any more real experience in the business than most other DIGITAL brands and in my estimation they consistently fall just short of the mark.Yeah, most people buy them, but then again most people eat at McDonalds.So what do I think is the very best all around digital camera on the market?To me it's the Nikon D70S - priced right, near perfect design, and slightly more accurate at capturing images than the Canon counterpart.But I don't want to lug a huge camera and a bag of lenses around with me all the time, that's why I was so excited when digital cameras were invented, so I could leave my old Nikon SLR on the shelf and be prepared to make good photographs wherever I happened to go.Since I semi-retired the old film camera, I have had digital cameras from Panasonic, Canon, Olympus and HP and they were all adequate but suffered from that "chore" syndrome mentioned above with their horrendous shutter lag, dismal startup time and wretched battery life.This time I wanted a camera I could truly carry in my pants pocket, yet has a good (no make that great) lens, excellent battery life, as many manual features as I could get in a tiny package, and something that didn't feel like a plastic toy.I considered Panasonic Lumix, Canon, Nikon and Sony.The other brands had some good stuff but didn't seem to fill my desire for a true photographer's quality instrument.Sony got the boot fairly fast.They are such a fine company, why can't they make a camera that actually takes a great picture?I am intrigued by Lumix, the quality of the pictures seems first-class, I love the image stabilizer, and they are very feature-rich, but most of the pocket-size models feel just a little cheesy.Canon makes pocket cameras that take good pictures, but I feel Canon is resting on their reputation instead of trying to build a product that's worth the asking price.And Nikon would have come in a strong second, just missing first place in the area of weak ergonomics.I never seriously considered Casio, ok maybe for a watch or calculator, but I asked myself what they would know about photography.Turns out they know a lot.They've actually been making digital cameras longer than almost anyone, and when it comes to the right buttons in the right place they are geniuses.I'll go further than that, the whole concept of the Exilim EX-Z750 is genius.It you total up all it offers I would have to give it the honor of being the only perfect pocket-size digital camera on the market.As soon as I touched on I was impressed by its quality.It feels like it's machined out of block of solid aluminum (its not).The controls give you nearly everything you will every want using buttons that make sense and don't require you to go many levels deep in the menu.I love the HUGE 2.5" LCD screen but no LCD screen is fully useful in direct sunlight no matter what anyone says, so Casio thoughtfully brought back the optical viewfinder.It seems 9 out of 10 reviewers who mention the optical viewfinder say they hate it because it's so tiny.Who cares?It's there when you need it, and it's sharp and clear.If it makes the difference between getting a priceless picture or missing it, I'll take a tiny viewfinder anytime.The EX-Z750 starts up and is ready to shoot by the time I get my finger from the off/on switch to the shutter release.Can't be any faster than that.I have still not found any instance where shutter lag has caused me to miss what I wanted to capture, in other words there really isn't any shutter lag in real life.Rather than go into every detail of the camera, I'll mention a few of the biggest high points that sets this camera apart from every other one in the category.

1. The EX-Z750 remembers the zoom position when you turn it off and back on again.I have dreamt of a feature like this!There are so many times I have had the camera all set up and had to turn it off to wait for something to be ready, only to have to turn a camera back on and make several readjustments.With the EX-Z750 I can turn it back on and EVERYTHING is set exactly the way I left it.
2. Some cameras have some limited function to remember favorite settings, the EX-Z750 seems to have the ability to remember nearly everything without having to commit it to a special "favorites" position on a switch or dial.So if I like -1 saturation (and this camera is slightly oversaturated in its default position) I can leave it at -1 forever.
3. You can turn the camera on and off with the on/off switch, or you can turn it on and off using the "record" "play" buttons to go directly to that mode.How cool is that?
4. The EX button makes it possible to very quickly adjust four of the most important shooting parameters without ever going into the menu mode.
5. The movie mode is incredible, and offers several unique features.After seeing the quality I wonder who in their right mind would lug along a camcorder no matter how small it is on those trips to Disneyland when the EX-Z750 can take outstanding still pictures AND decent video in a camera you can hide in the palm of your hand.
6. Live RGB histogram?On a camera the size of a deck of cards (smaller actually)?WOW!
7. Battery life is one of the best in the industry.
8. 30 scene modes!Yeah I know I said I wanted something to take professional quality photographs and I wanted manual overrides, but sometimes you don't want to spend 10 minutes setting the camera like when the sun is setting in 30 seconds.I can't believe how versatile the scene modes are.

Last but not least, the picture quality is shocking.I compared two pictures taken at the same time of the same scene with the EX-Z750 and the Nikon D70S.I showed them side-by-side to several people who should have been able to tell the difference.Nobody could.

The negatives?Slight oversaturation as it comes out of the box.For snapshots it may help most people make a blah picture look a little more exciting.For someone more critical, just set the new default to -1 and you've got yourself a D70S.To the reviewers who can't figure that out, get over it and go get a job at McDonalds.

The other small negative is that I love panorama assist.I take a lot of panorama pictures and I can't figure out how Casio missed putting in this one obvious feature.Must be some fear they have of absolute total perfection ;-) I rate the Casio EX-Z750 a 10 out of 10

Great Technological Marvel!
Pros: Movie mode, easy to use, compact, great battery life!

Cons: Included software is not great. Can't convert to Casio's M4S2 video format (MPEG-4 codec)

Question: What great name brands do you think of when you hear "digital cameras"?Certainly Kodak, Sony, Canon, Olympus... but Casio?I didn't even know Casio made digital cameras until I bought this camera!

In early May 2005, I was looking into purchasing my first digital mini camcorder from Panasonic. In fact, I had already ordered it when I came across this gem. I immediately returned the camcorder and ordered this camera.

The video quality is awesome at HQ mode 640 x 480 30 fps. Yes, it may not be as good as DV quality but who really wants to work with DV or mini-DV tapes (the whole concept seems so primitive). Anyway, working with SD cards is so much faster and easier. A 1GB SD card can store over 30 minutes of video at its highest setting, and twice that amount at its standard setting. So, I went ahead and purchased a 2GB to give me over an hour of high quality video recording.

Along with its digital video features, I also got a 7.2 megapixels digital camera which has now officially replaced my Sony P52. This camera is easier, faster, slimmer than my Sony and I love the quality of the pictures. I also love that I can actually put it in my shirt pocket and take it anywhere.

In addition, I like the dock station since I have it plugged next to my TV and watch the videos and pictures on my TV. And yes, you can transfer pictures and videos via a card reader which most people already have (so you don't need the dock to transfer videos and pictures if you have a card reader for your PC).

At eBay I purchased an extra battery charger and battery for about $25 and those generic brands work just as well (just type "NP-40 battery").Amazon also sells the generic NP-40 battery for less than $14.00 vs $39-$49 for the Casio brand.

The only drawback has been the M4S2 video MPEG-4 codec that Casio used. Some video editors can't read the format without a video conversion.Ulead VideoStudio 9 and Adobe Premiere Elements reads M4S2 codec without any trouble.

Likewise, it would have been great if Casio had included a video converter (like Panasonic's MediaStage and MovieStage software) so that you can transfer your PC videos or edited videos back to the camera for easy viewing on its whopping 2.5" screen or TV. In fact, if this was possible, the Casio EX-Z750 could even become a portable video player as well (a la Archos or Creative Zen Player).I understand that AVS Media and VideoCharge will be working and updating their software to convert to M4S2 format. I can't wait!

Overall, this is a great digital camera and mini video recorder for a great price! Casio is going to make a lot of money on this camera and will become well respected for its digital cameras.... and rightly so!

Features abound without compromising the ease of use
People might go to Cannon for camera expertise, but Casio once again proves to be a leading authority that I prefer over other top companies for digital cameras.I bought a 4 megapixel Exilim 2 years ago and it's still impressing me even past its initial excitement and facilitation of a segway for me into the world of photography. This Exilim improves upon this line of camera's already easy interface with countless new features.Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this camera will quench your photography cravings on the spot and capture any type of scene the way you remember it.

On first glance you'll notice its miniscule size.Its display is a huge 2.5" and crystal clear.The new bestshot picture mode has over 30 presets and there is also a new bestshot video mode with several cool effects for video.On the video bestshot mode there is a setting so your movies will look like old Silent Films.A monochrome filter is set and the speed is slightly faster so it looks like an old time movie.Other new presets to this camera are Soft Running Water, Sports, Anti-Shake in addition to the others that cover any picture opportunity right when it happens.

The response time in all aspects of the interface is blazing fast.The selector wheel is a good new touch for the Exilim and it's large enough to manuever well while not compromising the camera's tiny size.There are many ways to access the menu from buttons on the side and back.The speed, aperture, etc are all able to be manually selected so this camera is perfect for a first timer as well as an avid photographer.The only downside is the price, but for 7.2 megapixels?I'll take it.

Some might say there is no use in getting a 7.2 megapixel pocket sized camera, but I mean to tell you that the pictures this Exilim takes are absolutely stunning.Not only are almost double the size my 4mp takes but the clarity and definition creates a world that's worth a million words.You can't lose with this camera if you've got the cash.And if you don't have the cash, pick the Exilim within your budget and you'll still be thrilled. ... Read more

Features

• 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 body
• Large 2.5-inch digital interface TFT LCD screen
• High quality lightweight aluminum body with comfortable handgrip

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 13-by-17-inch enlargements
• Pentax SMC 3x optical zoom lens with 4x digital zoom
• 2-inch LCD display; movie mode with sound; PictBridge compatible
• Store images in 9.3 MB of built-in flash memory or on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (memory card not included)
• Powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack (included with charger)

Product Description

Image resolution up to 2816 x 21124x digital zoomDirect On function for one-touch recording and playbackRecords movies in AVI formatCompact aluminum body with high-quality rounded finishBestShot Mode accesses 23 camera setups in an instant: select a samplescene similar to the image you want and exposure compensation whitebalance and other settings are configured automatically Advanced image noise reduction processing for improved image quality especially when shooting at nightHigh-speed playback scrolls at 0.1 second per image for faster and easier image searchesPictBridge compatible3 1/2 W x 2 2/5 H x 1 3/10 DUses SD or MMC memoryUses two AA alkaline or Li-Ion batteries or AC adapterIncludes 9.7MB built-in flash memory two AA alkaline batteries USB cable strap and software ... Read more

Features

• Powered by AA-size batteries, nickel metal-hydride battery included
• 6-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for 2,816-by-2,112-pixel images
• 3x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom
• 2-inch TFT LCD scratch-resistant screen
• Store images on 9.7 MB flash memory, or using SD/MMC memory slot

Reviews (1)

Good camera for daytime photos; not so good for night photos
This is a compact camera with solid metal construction.Startup times and shutter lag are extremely fast for a digital camera.Daytime and flash pictures are excellent.Macro pictures of flowers are pretty sharp.I'm also happy that the camera runs on AA batteries. Low light focusing is very good.Nightime pictures illuminated by street lights are okay when the camera automatically chooses a shutter speed of 1/8 sec and ISO of 250.However, anything darker than that requires the use of the nighttime scene best shot mode.Under nighttime scene best shot mode, the camera chooses a shutter speed greater than 1/8 sec.Often it may chose between 2-4 seconds, which means that one absolutely needs a tripod to avoid image blur caused by camera shake.It would have been nice if the camera offered manual control of the shutter and aperature settings because I can take reasonably shake-free photos up to a shutter speed of 1/2 sec and sometimes I don't want the camera to automatically chose a shutter speed longer than I think is necessary.Another annoyance is that the noise reduction system takes on average about ten seconds to process long exposure pictures. I suppose this frustration made me to return the camera and get a Canon A85 camera with manual controls instead even though the Canon A85 operates slower than the Casio QV-R62. ... Read more

Features

• A 3.2-megapixel CCD for superior high-resolution imaging and photo printing up to 10 x 14 inches
• Only 16.7 millimeters thin with a stylish stainless steel body that's the size of a business card
• Large 2.0-inch digital interface TFT LCD screen for easy viewing
• Rapid start-up allows pictures to be taken approximately 1.4 seconds after the power is turned on (with the flash off)
• All-metal construction from body and lens down to the screws for a true feeling of high quality

Product Description

Image resolution up to 2560 x 19204x digital zoomDirect On function allows use in approximately one secondRecords QVGA movies up to 60 seconds at 15fps in AVI format21 Best Shot shooting modes3 1/2 W x 2 1/5 H x 1 3/10 DUses SD or MMC memoryUses two AA batteries or AC adapterIncludes 9.7MB built-in memory two AA batteries USB cable strap and software ... Read more

Features

• Store images on 9.7 MB flash memory, or using SD/MMC memory slot
• Powered by AA-size batteries
• 5-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for 2,560-by-1,920-pixel images
• 3x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom
• 2-inch TFT LCD scratch-resistant screen

Product Description

The EX-Z57 EXILIM Zoom for brilliant picture viewing - The extra-large 2.7-inch liquid crystal display represents an astonishingly easy-to-view screen for brilliant picture viewing without compromising its compact?s stylish design. The EX-Z57 features a 5 megapixel CCD and an optical 3X zoom lens to take photos of remarkable picture quality. Extra-long battery life of approximately 400 shots (CIPA standards) on a single battery charge assures users that they can enjoy shooting and looking at their pictures over and over again without ever worrying about the battery life. EX-Z57 EXILIM Zoom Features High Performance Operation in an Easy-to-Use, Compact Design Equipped with a large, easy-to-view 2.7-inch digital interface TFT liquid crystal display that brings out the true brilliant quality of the pictures. High-resolution images captured by the CCD with 5 million effective pixels. Optical 3X zoom lens in a very compact design Sleek, stylish lightweight aluminum body with a comfortable grip Super Life Battery For Extended Shooting on a Single Battery charge Same battery life as the EX-Z55 - but with a larger 2.7 inch LCD - Approximately 400 shots can be taken on a single battery charge (CIPA standards). Quick Response Thanks to High-Speed Design The camera automatically selects fixed-focus Auto Pan Focus mode for instantaneous response when the shutter is depressed at one push. Direct On function for one-touch operation of either picture taking or playback modes ... Read more

Features

• Powered by Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included, with charger); stores images on SD cards (camera features 9.3MB of internal memory)
• 5-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; extra-large 2.7-inch LCD display
• Fast shutter speed--images are recorded approximately 0.01 seconds after the shutter is released
• Approximately 400 shots per battery charge

Reviews (4)

A Quality Product
I purchased this camera to replace my old and bulky Dimage S414. The dimage used to take a few snaps on a single charge. This camera has a marathon battery life. I used it for my whole graduation ceremony, and coupled with a 1GB card, it served as a great digital video camera too. The profile is slim with an excellent form factor. This does not compromise on the image quality however as it does not use the new type lenses like the Canon T33, T1. (The technology is beta).
Finally, the LCD truly makes the viewfinder obsolete.
A camera from Casio thats better than anything from anybrand short of a digital SLR.

Great camera, loaded with features
Despite reading positive reviews, I initially hesitated before buying this little camera -- I wasn't sure how a Casio would stack up against brands like Canon and Nikon. But a local shop strongly recommended this model, and I decided to give it a try. I'm glad to say that I've been very pleasantly surprised by the EX-Z57's excellent performance and features.

The reason I was buying a new digital P&S in the first place was that my old Nikon Coolpix (a 775) was really, really slow; I missed way too many perfect moments or expressions waiting for that thing to actually take a picture. (In all other respects, I love the Nikon.) My other camera -- a Canon Digital Rebel -- is absolutely awesome, but it's too big and heavy to take with you without a definite reason. For day-to-day shooting around town, I wanted something we could toss into a pocket or bag. (The best way to take good photos is to actually have a camera with you when the opportunity comes up!!!)

So I was looking for a fast, small, high-quality camera. The Casio is fast -- very fast -- when starting up, shooting, and displaying images or menus. The size is perfect. And the quality of the images and performance has been very high.

While researching the Casio, I wondered about the lack of a viewfinder. Again, I've been pleased. The huge LCD is entirely sufficient for shooting pictures -- I haven't missed the viewfinder at all -- and it's great to have such a large screen to work with when you're scrolling through the various features. For example, if you want to check out the "best shot" pre-set modes, you can scroll through screens that have a title, a sample photo, and a one-sentence description of the settings/purpose. It's a lot of useful information that you simply can't display on cameras with standard screens.

The menu and controls are inuitive and easy to learn. The manual provides next to no information, but once you know what the features are -- the Casio site describes them in detail -- it's easy to become proficient.

The image quality has been great -- even for indoor photos. The "docking station" is cool, too -- you can simultaneously charge the battery and transfer images.

So while we've only had this for a few weeks, we've already taken a few hundred photos, and we're really pleased with this little camera. It's loaded with features, easy to use, and seemingly very well made. With the 5 megapixel capacity, I think it's a great buy, especially compared to comparable big-name brands.

Great product
I purchased the EXZ57 and found it to be excellent. The large digital viewer is fantastic and the overall functions is easy to use. The long life battery is a plus and the picture quality is perfect. Highly recommend!

Largest LCD in a digicam, but no more optical viewfinder
My local camera store just got their first shipment of Casio's new Exilim EX-Z57 super-slim digital camera, and I eagerly hopped over to check it out.

The EX-Z57 is a very slight upgrade (and one downgrade... read on) of the very popular EX-Z55 model.The Z55 had a 2.5" LCD screen that was considered "huge" just a year ago, but now that so many other digital cameras also sport a 2.5" LCD, Casio decided to release a 2.7" LCD model, hence the Z57.Amazingly, the overall physical size hasn't changed, and the EX-Z55's industry-leading amazing battery life (over 300 even with flash on and LCD on full-time) has been retained, making the EX-Z57 another battery life champ.

As far as I can tell -- and from what the sales clerk told me -- the internals of the EX-Z57 are identical to those of its immediate predecessor.This means very good image quality from such a small camera.Three important issues to keep in mind as you shop for this camera or a similarly ultracompact model:

1. The tiny lens and tiny sensor necessarily limit the sharpness of the picture.If you shoot at the maximum 5MP and print out at up to 5x7", you probably won't be disappointed by the sharpness of the picture.However, as you print larger pictures, you'll see the pictures tend to be softer and noisier than from larger cameras.This is simply a result of the law of physics, and it's a trade-off between size and quality.

2. The small camera also means a small, limited-power flash, so your indoor pictures when the ambient lighting is dim will not come out very satisfactory.Again, this is entirely due to the small form factor.If you want to use this camera to shoot a small group of friends at a dinner party, it's okay.But you should know that as you near the flash range and go beyond, you'll get horrible-looking pictures.

3. A camera this small makes it very hard to hold it steady.Many people with tiny cameras like this complain about blurry pictures.This is because as you press the shutter button, you'll move the camera ever so slightly.With a larger camera body (e.g., a digital SLR), the much heavier camera body requires more effort to hold which has the side benefit of providing a counteracting force to the shutter-pushing force.Hence, with a small camera like the EX-Z57, you must remember to hold the camera very steady as you press the shutter.

Whereas the older EX-Z55 had an optical viewfinder, Casio opted to remove it in order to accommodate the enlarged LCD screen without changing the overall size of the camera.Yes, the Z55's optical viewfinder was tiny and hard to use, but at least it was an option -- and looking through the optical viewfinder instead of at the screen actually helps steady your shots because you hold the camera close to your body (think the principle of leverage).Also, when you are really low on battery, switching to optical viewfinder can squeeze out a few more shots.For a camera purish like myself, it's a pity that the optical viewfinder is no more on the Z57, but for most casual photographers (the Exilim's target audience) this will likely be a non-issue, since they probably would never use the optical vewfinder to begin with.

In summary, the Z57 provides an unbeatable small form factor yet a crowd-pleasing huge LCD screen, amazing battery life and very good image quality (for a camera this size).You can also record movies (albeit only at a stuttering 15 frames per second) as well as sound.It's very intuitive to use, and my friends who have the Z55 are all very happy with it (once I gave them the tip about holding the camera super-steady or on a tripod to avoid blurs).While I don't have money to buy another digital camera at the moment, but if I had some extra spare dough, I would definitely buy this just for the HUGE 2.7" LCD.To a gadget freak like me, it's priceless to be able to impress my friends with something this cool.:) ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Keep shooting picture after picture without worry of losing battery power with the Casio Exilim EX-Z40, which features a new imaging processor that saves on power and increases battery life. The 4-megapixel EX-Z40 also features a docking cradle for image transfer and battery charging, a quick start-up time of 1.6 seconds, an approximate 0.01-second release time lag, a 3x optical zoom, 2-inch LCD screen, 9.7 MB internal memory (compatibility with SD and MMC memory cards), and a movie mode with audio.

Optics and Resolution
The Exilim EX-Z40 has a 1/2.5-inch square pixel primary color CCD that captures up to 4 megapixels of detail (2304 x 1728). It also offers the following resolution modes: 2304 X 1536 (3:2), 1600 X 1200 (2MP), 1280 X 960 (1MP) 640 X 480 (VGA). The lens uses a three-segment telescoping mechanism that makes it possible to provide 3x optical zoom capabilities in an amazingly thin camera configuration. The Pentax aspherical lens (6 lenses in 5 groups) has a focal range of 5.8-17.4mm (equifalent to 35-105mm in 35mm photography).

Video and Audio
A multimedia multitasker, the Exilim EX-Z40 operates as a digital voice recorder in addition to capturing video with audio. The camera's movie mode records video in AVI (motion JPEG) format at 320 x 240 pixels and 15 frames per second (fps). The internal 9.7 MB memory can hold approximately 30 seconds of video or 40 minutes of audio recordings.

More Features
The Exilim EX-Z40 incorporates the Casio Exilim Engine, a newly developed compact image processing module with a 3-layer stack LSI that achieves high picture quality and speedy response using a 1.8V low-power system and makes the camera's compact dimensions possible. This camera has a battery life 2.5 times longer than the previous model (the EX-Z4), allowing up to 360 photos to be taken on a single charge.

Other features include:

• 2.0-inch digital interface TFT color LCD, 84,960 pixels (354 x 240)
• Best Shot mode provides sample images, allowing you to choose the photos you want
• 7-point multi-auto focus for automatic selection of the optimum focus point location
• Built-in flash with auto, flash on, flash off, and red-eye reduction modes (approximate range - 0.5 to 3.4 meters)
• Calendar function shows thumbnail images of photos on the day they were taken; World Time function lets you select one of 162 cities in 32 time zones as your home or destination time

Direct Printing
The Exilim EX-Z40 offers PictBridge functionality, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer without a PC or image-editing software. Images can be viewed and selected for printing right on the camera's LCD, with menus for print quantity, date, and index print.

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored in the built-in 9.7 MB memory, or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards. The internal memory can store approximately 4 Fine and 6 Standard 4-megapixel images. A docking cradle is included with the Exilim EX-Z40, which charges the battery and transfers images to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1 connectivity.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included), which provides power for approximately 360 snapshots or approximately 5 hours of voice recording. It measures 3.43 x 2.24 x .91 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 4.27 ounces (excluding battery and accessories).

What's in the Box
This package includes the Exilim EX-Z40 digital camera, docking cradle, USB cable, AC adapter, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with image editing software. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor (2304 x 1728) captures enough detail to create photo-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom for 12x total
• Includes docking cradle for charging battery/connecting to PC; 2-inch LCD; long battery life
• 9.7 MB internal memory; compatible with Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards
• Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery; connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (18)

Great styling, okay picture quality
The Exilim EX-Z40 is a small wonder to look at and hold ... and to actually use. It's arguably the best-looking digital camera on the market today. One look at it and you'll want to buy one. The matching cradle is also just as "cute."

Picture-quality-wise, it's good, but not as good as Canon's offerings. There's a certain softness to the pictures it takes, and you cannot adjust the sharpness level like you can on many (admittedly larger) cameras. The 2" LCD is just totally wonderful, but does put on some drain on the dimunitive battery.

All in all, a pretty good package if a bit expensive. It's definitely something you can impress a lot of people with.

Love My Casio!
I love my Casio. This is the second digital camera that I have owned, my first being a Sony Mavica. The size on this camera makes it so convenient to bring anywhere. It is very easy to use, especially with the accompanying camera dock to upload your pictures to the computer. Battery lasts forever. I can't find a bad thing to say about the Casio Exilim.

Great Little Camara!
If your looking for a good, pocket type camara with a lot of features, look no more. This camara is great. I love the quality and the awesome size. The battery is great, it lasts for 360 shots! The controls are great to, and the LCD is huge. Its bigger than most camara LCDs. Is shoots great movies(for a digital camara) and it can also has a recording voice feature. I love all the shots i've taken, they are alot better than my previous camara(Konica Minolta XG). The camara has a good grip for such a compact camara. You can put it in your pocket and take it anywhere. If your looking for a small, take it anywhere camara, with good photo quality and long battery life this is the camara for you.

Poor Quality, worst under low light
We bought this camera thinking we could take nice pictures in night events, sports, etc, because it has multiple ISO and shutter speed settings.

But you can't control speed or exposure, and we can't have good night shots, unless it's just an scene.

I'd rather buy a Canon or Sony the same price, not this fancy but useless Casio.

Normally a canon lover, but this camera is AWESOME
I have been a Canon user all my life, and often recommend my customers to the Canon name (I work for a major electronics store in the camera department). So initially I was a little leary at purchasing a Casio camera... but I am not at all disappointed in the quality. Granted, I purchased it only two days ago, but I have taken over 70 pictures... and I am extremely impressed. The macro mode is phenominal, better then that of the Canon S400, allowing me to get practically on top of a flower with a clear picture. The other shooting modes on the camera are remarkable as well, even though I haven't had much of an oppurtunity to play with them. For instance, there is a sunset mode, which adds a reddish filter to the image, there is a portrait mode which blurs the background adding an effect to the subject, a landscape mode, and some other fun tools that allow you to take pictures of fireworks, to stitch yourself into a picture if there are only two people, and a black and white as well as sepia filter. The best part is the ease at accessing all of these modes.

Some of the best features I have seen from this camera are the battery, allowing the user to take over 300 pictures with one charge with the LCD running , the memory which by using SD allows the speed of taking pictures to be incredible, and of course, the lens quality which is made by Pentax . The actual size of the camera is what sets it apart from the rest- it's thin and compact, perfect for throwing into a shirt pocket, or a purse.

The only drawbacks I can see are the LCD in REALLY low light conditions tends to be a bit grainy, and the actual view finder itself is tough to use- especially for those who have vision problems- but since the camera is more or less designed to solely use the LCD, it works out. The only other recommendation I have is don't use the camera on normal mode- use it on fine if you want amazing quality pictures. Otherwise you may notice a grainy quality.

The bottom line is whether you are a new user, a novice, or a professional, you will be impressed with the sleek style and professional quality this camera has to offer. The average user will be impressed with the bonus features, and the person without a computer will be impressed with the editing abilities on the camera itself. I can not speak enough about this camera, its docking cradle, or the features it contains (if you couldn't tell). Its so intuitive- so user friendly, you have to wonder why other camera manufacturers haven't made it this easy. I am glad to see that Casio is getting back into the market, and the Exilim Z40 is definately a phenominal product. I hope if you purchase it, you enjoy it as much as I do. ... Read more

Product Description

The EXILIM PRO EX-P505 is a stylish digital camera equipped with a 5.0 megapixel imaging element and a 5X optical zoom. It not only takes superbly detailed digital photos, it is also capable of shooting extended video scenes with high-image quality. All this from a camera that will sit in the palm of your hand! The EXILIM PRO EX-P505 is a high-performance digital camera with an amazing high- quality video capability. The EX-P505 features a 5X optical zoom, an imaging CCD with 5.0 mega effective pixels, Casio's EXILIM engine , and a large 2-inch TFT color rotating screen that makes angle shots a snap. It offers the same manual operation made famous by the EX-P600, as well as high-quality video shooting capability of 30 frames per second, in VGA size, thanks to the incorporation of MPEG-4 technology. Authentic manual operation puts the user in control - With a CCD imaging element with 5.0 mega effective pixels, along with the advanced Exilim engine, remarkably detailed images can be taken with ease. The 5X optical zoom lens has macro capability down to 1 cm, as well as aperture priority or shutter priority automatic setting, along with manual exposure mode for completely manual operation. High quality video shooting - The adoption of MPEG-4 technology enables full-scale high quality video shooting in VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 frames per second. Movie BEST SHOT allows the user to select from sample scenes for a wide range of shooting styles. ... Read more

Features

• Aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual exposure modes; MPEG-4 format for long-playing video shooting
• Powered by Lithium-ion battery; records images on SD or MMC cards
• 5.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 5x optical zoom with macro focusing as close as 1 centimeter
• High-speed start-up enables shooting only 0.8 seconds after the power is turned on

Reviews (2)

Almost perfect!
I'm very happy with this purchase. I've had it for a month now and it has worked flawlessly.It takes great stills, on par with other 5mp cameras, but that's not why I got it.I wanted something that could do decent stills & videos - so I wouldn't need my camcorder anymore. The vids are not quite as good as a DV camcorder, but I'll settle for 90% of dv camcorder quality for the joy of leaving the camcorder at home. Another thing - tape sucks! It takes forever to get a movie on tape into my computer for editing/burning.Saving movies on a SD card rocks!

My only gripes are the included software and camera computer interface.
Each time you take a movie clip, it is saved on teh SD card as a seperate mpeg4 file. That's OK, except Casio doesn't include an easy way to link the clips together again. The included Movie Wizard software will let you link together clips, but you must save them as dv or mpeg1/2 files which are much bigger and the conversion process is very slow. I searched the net and found a program called avi joiner to quickly splice together mpeg4 clips.
As for the camera computer interface, I have had trouble moving large video files from the camera to my HDD. The process errors out and I get a message that the connection to the camera is lost. I have to cycle power on the camera and try again. I always get them off eventually, but it is a pain. I haven't tried it with a different computer, so it might not have anything to do with the camera.

But overall I am very happy with the EX-P505

No business like.....CASIO....business


PROS:
Me...with this camera! Casio, I'm ready to be assimilated!
(preferably as creative consultant?) I KNOW you're watching..

CONS:
Also me, if I divulge any of the results of my 'reverse engineering' efforts....(gulp)


There I was, minding my own business....faithfully taking my 'meds' for years.Having seemingly 'conquered' my 'paranoia' that had given rise to the rather melodramatic "Alien consipiracy" phase I went through in the mid to late nineties.

Well...now ALL bets are OFF!

I just HAD to do it....I just had to go and satisfy my curiosity....that's just like me. When will I ever learn!

Crap! I don't have much more time.

I wish I had time to share everything I have learned....the alien/govt/megacorp collusion has produced amazing technologies.After being puzzled over several freakishly innovative aspects of the Casio Exilim Ex-p505, and upon closer examination of the camera, I began to make a startling realization....Now I have the PROOF I need!

It's all there, Crap! They are definitely on to me. I've been at this public IP terminal too long...

Great, just great. Now I'm gonna get alien probed and interrogated, and for WHAT!Just so probably a few schmoes will see this.

They probably won't believe a word of my storrrrrrfv ... Read more

Features

• With a 7.2-megapixel CCD sensor, create brilliant images that can be printed up to poster size
• Features an ultra-fast Canon 4x optical zoom lens
• Innovative functions and fully adjustable manual settings
• With a high-performance Super Life battery, approximately 260 images (according to CIPA standards) can be taken per battery charge
• Extraordinary performance is complimented by an exceptionally attractive design

Features

• 4-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 11 x 14-sized enlargements
• 3x optical zoom lens; audio playback and voice recording
• 2-inch color LCD screen; 0.01-second shutter lag; built-in lens cover
• Store images in either 10 MB built-in memory or on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (memory card not included)
• Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included with USB docking/recharging station)

Reviews (52)

GREAT camera for casual photographers...
What I mean is.. this camera works GREAT for people like me who just want to take pictures at family events and parties, not for people who are heavy in to photography and want alot of control over their camera.

This camera is tiny (about the size of a credit card, but 1/2" thick) so it fits easily in to a jeans pocket or coat pocket. It's incredibly easy to transport. It's also incredibly easy to operate! It turns on super quick, you flick the switch to picture taking mode and hit a button. There aren't 20 million buttons and switches on this camera, so even a novice like me can easily operate it.

It has some faults - the zoom feature takes HORRIBLE pictures - so don't use it! It also doesn't take very good movies. But for taking pictures at family events, or taking pictures of a new baby, or new puppy (in my case!) it works GREAT. I absolutely adore this camera and I use it all the time! I highly recommend it as a camera for digital camera dummies like myself!

Everything I expected
I've had the camera about 1 week now and love it. So many features /and controls you've got to read the manual to use/understand them all! I doubt anyone will use them all but it's nice to know they are there. The camera is very easy to personalize if you like. Takes GREAT pictures (digital zoom is basically worthless although it is on most cameras). Most liked features: Small size, large 2"sreen, very versital. Dislikes: only one so far... it is too easy to "format" your memory card by accident(which erases all pictures on the card even if they are protected). It should require more than one push of a button to do this. I wrote to Casio suggesting a prompt "Are You Sure?". This has happened twice... once by me learning the camera and once by someone familar with digitals checking out the camera. So be careful! Oh and it should come with a case! Not having movie capability was not important to me. Only improvement I'd like to see is ability to direct connect to TV for viewing of pictures on-screen (my daughters Olympus has that feature!)

Handy product with big LCD, but NO VIDEO RECORDING
I bought this product from Amazon which at the time still adverticed video capability as well, which this product is really lacking. As I was only visiting US soil at the time, the offering from Amazon to return the product was not applicable.

Otherwise the product has proven to be handy - but this lack of camcorder feature is really a handicap.

It's a good camera!
This camera is a great camera. The only bad thing is the zoom... it's blurry. But I love it. And I don't leave my house without it.

Great value - recommended
Couldn't disagree more with some of the other reviews. We bought this camera as our second digital on the recommendation of the salesman at the local Apple store. We went to buy another Nikon Coolpix for my wife, but the size and quality of this camera blew us away. I have taken hundreds of photos in the last month or two - indoor and outdoor weddings, museums, family trips, professional shots for websites, etc. Indoor photos are great, if you remember the basics of flash photography (film or digital) e.g. long distance + small flash = crappy picture (No surprise here.) One of the best tricks to use is to turn the auto flash off indoors. You'll be amazed at how good the shots come out using ambient light.

The only two criticisms we can think of are the digital zoom is not much use, but that's true for about all the other digital cameras I've used. The other is that manual does not describe the Movie record function that is advertised. But hey, if it's that important, buy a camcorder.

Do yourself a favor and buy a 256MB SD card at Costco, Staples or Office Max for ~$60 and you'll be happy. This camera fits in a pocket or purse (even an evening bag), battery has great life, photos are great - can't ask for much more, especially at this price.

Highly Recommended!!!! ... Read more

Features

• 3.34 million total pixels; 3.2 million effective pixels
• Shoots still and video motion images
• Built-in flash memory 9.7MB and slot for adding SD memory card/Multi Media card for additional memory
• EX-Z30's Recorded Image Sizes -Snapshots -2048 X 1536 (3 - 2) / 1600 X 1200 / 1280 X 960 / 640 X 480 pixel ; Movies -320 X 240 pixels
• Zoom -3X optical zoom; 4X digital zoom (12X total when optical and digital zooms are used in combination)

Features

• 5-megapixel resolution for photo-quality poster-sized enlargements
• 3x optical zoom lens
• 0.01-second shutter lag time; 2-inch LCD display; aluminum body
• Store images in 9.7 MB of internal memory or on optional Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (SD card not included)
• Powered by 2 AA-size batteries (rechargeable lithium ion battery included; can also use alkaline); connects to PCs via USB

Reviews (6)

A digital camera that lasted less than half a year
I bought this dig camera when there was no customers reviews, so i basically risked it. Well, my consequence is that I have to send it back to the Casio Company for repair. I bought it in March, 2004 and now tons of lines appeared on the screen for i don't know what reasons. They said maybe I drop it, it went through some scanning problem, or just there are some problems with it! v.v ... Other THAn that.. this dig cam is pretty good .. but I don't know what the say.. not only half a year yet~ The pictures are pretty nice, great functions, it would be better if this 5 mp dig has sound for the video mode. Hopefully the problems will be fixed or else I guess risking is baD.

Good camera, red eye a problem
I like the camera a lot but the red eye thing is really hard to get away from since the flash is so close to the lens axis. The camera is small, easy to use and with a 512 KB card can really take a lot of photos. The video feature is useless, but so what, that's why I have a video camera. I like the battery charger's small size and the ability to use commonly available batteries while the rechargeable ones are in the charger. All in all an easy to use and carry camera that does a decent job of taking pictures and with careful placement of people and using the red eye elimination feature can do good close up work. Oh by the way my wife reminded me that one of the more important reasons that we got this camera is the larger view screen.

easy to use, picture quality was lacking
Like so many other people I researched digital cameras before I bought this one. I played with it for a week and was disappointed in the picture quality I got. Any pictures taken later in the day produced red-eye, even with the red eye reduction feature on. You also have to hold absolutely still. If you don't you get fuzzy pics. If your subject moves, same thing. The camera was great, and easy to use. I was just expecting more. I have played with my family and friends cameras and they get much better pictures with less hassle. I did load my pics onto my computer to fix them, but the software that comes with it is useless. In order to get rid of the red-eye, I had to use other software that I already had on my computer. I decided that if I didn't have the extra software to fix my pics, I would be very unhappy with this product. That's why I returned it. I do understand that I will not get perfect pics all the time with other cameras, but I was getting more pics to "delete" than I was to "save".

Very Pleased
We are very pleased with this little camera. We got it for a trip to Disney and were concerned about the print quality. Ultimately, we just wanted great prints. Well, they exceeded our expectations! Here's what else we liked:

-Great price for 5MP camera.
-Easy to use, but with a few extra features (like a histogram and various adjustable settings) for those who want to use them.
-2 NIHM AA rechargable batteries (with a charger that is great for travel) that last a long time (a full day at Disney, plus some--about 150 shots)
-Small, compact camera size makes it easy to carry around.
-21 settings on the camera help you to set the best shot. (Like a "Fireworks" setting that we used in the evening at Disney; also Scenery, Portrait, Monochrome, Night Scenes and others.)
-Zippy start-up time when you turn it on
-Can take short, silent movie clips

What we don't like:
-Red eye on some shots--even with the reduction feature.

You'll want to play around at first to learn the best settings, but the great thing is you can always just delete what you don't like. This was a GREAT replacement for our film camera! Well worth the price!

BEST value, most usable digital camera around!
This Casio QV-R51 is really SUPER! You have to THINK about what you are buying, and why. For starters, this uses 2 of the most available AA batteries, period - NO special $30 to $50 batteries. Then, even if you should crash the TWO INCH (about 1/3 LARGER than usually found on cameras of this type) VIDEO viewfinder, there is ALSO an OPTICAL viewfinder that also works with the optical 3X Zoom lens so you can SEE what you are looking at.
The QUALITY of the pictures is great, and you can print them directly to most Epson printers, and many others that allow it, without going thru a computer. The software included makes quick downloads to any USB equipped computer. You can also shoot up to 60-second MOVING PICTURES (60-seconds at a time). While there is no sound available for this, and the quality reminds me of when my father took 16-mm movies of me a zillion years ago- - it is like a freebee, and not why I bought this camera. They don't come much smaller, and they don't come any better. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Early Adopters Pick: September 2002. The smallest digital camera that comes with a 2-megapixel sensor, 12 MB of built-in memory, full-motion movie recording, MP3 player, and voice recorder.

With a super-slim design and having the height and length of a credit card, the Casio Exilim EX-M2 is sure to have heads turning as you effortlessly snap high-quality digital photos. Don't let the size fool you, the EX-M2 is equipped with a 2-megapixel sensor, 12 MB of built-in memory, full-motion movie recording, MP3 player, and voice recorder.

Optics and Resolution
The 2-megapixel CCD sensor captures sharp and brilliant images of up to 1,600 by 1,200 pixels, creating prints with sizes of up to 8 by 10 inches. Focusing is fixed for effortless operation, and the 4x digital zoom brings you up close to the action. Most other digital cameras are slow in operation, but the Exilim's speedy start-up time, lens, and CPU get to work so that, when the camera's turned on, a photo is taken in 0.01 seconds of pressing the shutter, capturing that otherwise lost moment.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on 12 MB of internal memory, which stores about 24 images with settings at normal resolution. If you want more memory, the expansion slot is compatible with any MMC or SD memory card. You can quickly and easily transfer your files onto a PC or Mac using the USB port for computer editing and sharing with friends and family.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Exilim can also record AVI movie clips with sound. The movie can be as long as 30 seconds at a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels.

More Features
Many of the Exilim's settings can be modified, such as programmed exposure, white balance, and flash. When you shoot in the "best shot" mode you can select a stored photo that looks similar to the photo you want to take and the camera automatically sets up to achieve that look. You can easily keep track of all these modes using the large 1.6-inch color LCD screen.

The Exilim also plays MP3s of various frequencies and bit rates, and is even VBR-compatible. The voice-memo function can record up to 50 minutes on the internal memory.

Power, Size, and Contents
The Exilim comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has an approximate battery life of 65 minutes. The camera itself measures 3.46 by 2.16 by 0.49 inches and weighs 3.2 ounces without the battery. Other standard accessories are a hand strap, CD-ROM with imaging software, USB cradle and cable, AC adapter for cradle, remote controller with LCD, and stereo headphone. ... Read more

Features

• 2-megapixel sensor creates 1,600 x 1,200 images for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches
• MP3 player and voice recorder; record up to 30-second movie with sound
• 4x digital zoom autofocus lens
• Includes 12 MB of built-in memory--also expandable via Secure Digital memory cards
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port; powered by rechargeable lithium ion batter(included)

Reviews (14)

Good in size, bad in quality.
when i just bought it, its compactable size seemed to be its biggest advantage. however,its battery life isn't that good as it could only last for at most 2,3 days. sometimes, lesser than a day if many pictures were to be taken. also,its metal finish ain't that good as it is scratchable easily.Not good if you were prepared to have it with you for the rest of you life.thus, i find that only its size and mp3 function is a big plus for this little camera, without the fact of its poor quality of pictures. but hey, wad can you expect from a 2 megapixel camera...

style & convenience=5 stars, pictures=3 stars
I am overall pleased with my purchase.
PROS:
1. really nice style; eye-poppingingly small; attractive aluminum finish; fits in pocket/take it with you everyday.
2. fast response (due to fixed focus lens which is also a con); ready to take a picture almost instantly.
3. video mode is very fun; takes decent mpeg videos with sound even in low light; i use this feature a lot.
4. mp3 function is awesome; except included earbuds are useless (too big for ear hole); good battery life.

CONS:

1. picture quality only fair; fixed focus optimal for subjects around 3-5 ft away. closeups & landscapes not so sharp. low light stiuations for stills pretty bad (i dont like to use flash).
2. quality of remote unit for mp3 is bad. after only 2 months the wire crapped out (must jiggle and hold in a certain position for sound to come through).
3. battery life for stills & videos could be better but not really bad.
4. only 8MB built in memory; i recommend buying 256MB SD card (i wasted money on separate 64 & 128 cards)

you could get better optics in a similarly small package (the sony dsc-u20 for example; sharper pictures but poor video quality, no sound or mp3, cheap plasticy case); but the combination of the mp3 function, fast response as well as attention getting style made this the choice for me.

very cute camera.
I purchased this camera instead of a higher quality camera because of its size and its functions. The mp3 player part of it is awesome and the size of it is very convenient. its a great camera, although the quality of the pictures arent that great. i recommend this camera for people looking to take everyday pictures, but if you're looking for quality, this camera might not satisfy you. i bought a 256 memory card with it, and it allows me to have as many things on my camera as i desire. great design very stylish.. =]

A thing of beauty
I bought my girlfriend the Exilim S2 about a year ago, she got fed up with me using it, so I had to buy my own. The thing is just amazing. Simple to use, in a beautiful, sturdy, magnesium, credit-card sized body. And the battery lasts ages. Picture quality on the lower resolution settings isn't so good, and the digital zoom is rubbish, but that's hardly the point. This is a camera for snaps, moments where you just want to reach into your pocket and snap what's in front of you. The computer interface is a doddle - I use it with my Mac, and all the file formats are standard so you can use it with just about anything. I know about five people that have gone out and bought this camera after I demonstrated it to them, I should be getting commission from Casio!

A cute, sleek and wonderful product
Functions are ver attractive, image quality are good. it is really compact for the travel lover to carry this multi-funciton digital camera with MP3 recorder. But I haven't figured out how to download the MP3 from computer to the camera?? can somebody make it in details and post it here? thanks a lot!! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Casio QV-R4 incorporates the latest in digital-imaging technology at an agreeable price. It boasts a 4-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, full-motion movie mode, and 11 MB of built-in memory to compete with today's best digital cameras. The sleek and stylish stainless-steel body is solid to withstand heavy use, and is compact for easy traveling.

Optics and Resolution
The 4-megapixel CCD sensor captures razor-sharp images of up to 2,304 by 1,712 pixels, creating prints with sizes of up to 20 by 30 inches. You won't miss any of the action with the 3x optical zoom and, when combined with the 3.2x digital zoom for a total magnification of 9.6x, the QV-R4 will capture that subtle moment. Focusing can be set to automatic for ease of use, manual for more precise control, and infinity or macro for more specific needs.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on 11 MB of internal memory, which stores about 23 images with settings at normal resolution. If you want more memory, the expansion slot is compatible with any MMC or SD memory card. You can quickly and easily transfer your files onto a PC or Mac using the USB port for computer editing and sharing with friends and family.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the QV-R4 can also record movie clips of up to 30 seconds at a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels.

More Features
Many of the QV-R4's settings can be modified for photographers in need of more creative control, such as exposure, white balance, and flash. There are also several different shooting modes, including interval, continuous, and night scene. With the "best shot" mode you select a stored photo that looks similar to the photo you want to take and the camera automatically sets up to achieve that look. You can easily keep track of all these modes using the large 1.6-inch color LCD screen.

Power, Size, and Contents
The QV-R4 comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has an approximate battery life of 100 minutes. The camera itself measures a compact 3.5 by 2.3 by 1.2 inches and weighs 7 ounces without the battery. Other standard accessories are a camera strap, battery recharger, CD-ROM with imaging software, and USB cable. ... Read more

Features

• 4.0 megapixel sensor captures 2,304 x 1,712 images for prints at 11 x 14 inches and beyond
• 3x optical plus 3.2x digital zoom (9.6x totoal) autofocus lens
• Includes 11 MB of built-in memory--also expandable via Secure Digital memory cards
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Powered by rechargeable lithium ion batter(included)

Reviews (7)

Simple, Great Quality
Love this camera. Just point and shoot. No need to reread the manual if you don't use it for months. It has so many other capabilities that I forget to use that would make my pictures even better, but however you use it the photos come out great. The preprogrammed settings for different environments really, really works. The LCD display is amazingly clear. The battery door is a little fragile -- broke it and had to replace it, but other than that, this thing is rock-solid quality. For the other reviewer who lost the charger, they are available at www.pacparts.com

Great camera for the money
I recently purchased this new 4mp camera from Casio. The historigram is great and the overall use of the equipment is easy to use. The pictures are high quality and given the internal "auto" settings, found it to be wonderfully simple and ready to shoot. It powers up quickly and is small enough to fit in your coat pocket. The only flaw is the movie mode, sound is not a component of this camera? I wish it was so everyone could see and hear my three angels on any email I wish to send. Thanks to Casio for meeting my digital needs, I will be a return customer for sure!!!!!!

PhotoLover from AL
I have used this camera for couple of months now and I am quite pleased with it, though I am dissapointed that you can not buy the charger from the manifacturer separetly. I have lost the charger and I can not charge the battery. I have to carry an external battery unit to use the camera which really dissapoints me. I do not understand why the manifacturer does not supply the charger for the unique battery that the camera comes with?????

Great User Interface but Movie Mode is Lacking
I just picked this camera up and snapped a few photos. The user interface is wonderful: as long as you don't want to do manual focus or other manual functions, you won't even have to read a manual to figure out how to use features like "Best Shot" modes or using the special effects like "sepia". The UI is the best I've ever seen in a digital camera though I have really only used a Canon camera for more than a few minutes.

While the photos look great when imported into my Mac, the extra resolution above 1600x1200 doesn't seem to make that much of a difference (even as I zoom in to different areas). I'm going on a trip tomorrow so I'll have a chance to vary the resolution and see if it really matters. If you just want your first digitial camera, 1600x1200 resolution may be good enough for you and you'll save some money. One thing that I noticed and liked was that this camera seems to take pictures pretty quickly (less lag) as compared with other cameras I've used.

Now for some flaws. The movie mode is horrible when compared to my brother's Canon Powershot (roughly the same size and his model was cheaper than this one). For one, the Canon had sound but you don't get sound with this camera. You may argue that if you want to make movies, buy a DV camera but my brother has sent me some cool little emails of my niece and the movie mode really is a good plus. Second, the movie mode picture was much grainier than with my brother's Canon. I probably won't use the movie mode on this camera but I probably would have if it was better.

In summary: great pictures so far (even though it is a cloudy day), great size, best UI I've seen, but the awful movie mode prevents me from giving this camera 5 stars (though I guess 4.5 stars would be closer to my opnion).

AMAZED!
I was totally amazed by all the functions that this camera can perform. It has options that my more expensive cameras don't have. The main reason I bought this camera is to have a light weight digicam to carry in my purse at all times. I was missing too many opportunities. I have taken dozens of test shots and have not been disappointed. The color of creeks, in this part of Texas, is brown from the tannic acid, I merely use the built in blue filter and I have wonderful water! All the grass is dead and the pines have brown needles with a little green, I use the built in green filter and it looks like summer. The clarity is good right out of the camera and the images need little or no post production work. It surprised me that the battery life is so good since I thought that with a pack that small, I would run out in no time, but it's excellent. I can't say enough good things about this camera. I like it much better than my G2. The ability to regulate the flash is great, since I would tend to blow macro shots right out of the scene. The option to reduce the flash output is extremely valuable to me. The camera is unbelievably easy to use and I started shooting before having had time to read the manual and had no difficulty. I'm in the process of reading it now and it is also excellent, easy to understand and to the point. The camera is also fast, which is a definite plus! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Casio calls their Exilim EX-S2 a wearable card camera, and it lives up--or should we say down--to that name. About the size and heft of a deck of cards (at .44 inches, it's even a bit thinner), the EX-S2 can be worn around the neck and barely be noticed.

And Casio packs what it can into the tiny frame. The camera captures 2-megapixel still images and AVI movies (without sound) at 320 by 240 pixels. Its 1.6-inch TFT LCD is bright enough to use for framing shots and viewing captured images in daylight. And the built-in flash carries about six feet--some indoor images taken farther than that from our subjects appeared a little dark.

But, otherwise, images proved to be bright and crisp, with rich and realistic colors. Outdoor images were as good as much larger and more expensive cameras, while indoor shots within the EX-S2's flash range were sharp enough to print out.

The tiny docking station that ships with the camera recharges the battery and provides a link to your PC (you can't connect the camera to your computer without going through it). The EX-S2 includes 12 MB of internal memory that can be expanded by purchasing an optional Secure Digital memory card.

Of course, the small size does constrain the camera features. There's no optical zoom on the EX-S2--only a 4x digital zoom instead of a preferred optical zoom. And the 2-megapixel limit is best for snapshots and medium-quality enlargements up to 8 x 10.

But if it's portability and ease of use that you want from your camera, you won't find many that will fit as snugly in a pocket or around your wrist than this miniscule yet still powerful device. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Extremely tiny and lightweight
• High-quality images
• Good features for its size.

Cons:

• No optical zoom
• Only 2-megapixel resolution

Features

• 2-megapixel sensor creates 1,600 x 1,200 images for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches
• 4x digital zoom autofocus lens
• Includes 12 MB of built-in memory--also expandable via Secure Digital memory cards
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Powered by rechargeable lithium ion batter(included)

Reviews (29)

Small, cool, OK picture quality
I admit, I bought the thing because of the cool factor. And yes, you will get people gawking at this gadget in public. And I guess I knew going in that it was just for fun pictures, nothing serious.

Given that, it performs well. But yes, the shutter slows way down in low light causing more blurry pictures than I'd like. And the flash is only good for a few feet (up to 6ft according to the specs). But if you can learn to live with its shortcomings, it's a fun little gadget.

It has many very useful functions like white balance and exposure compensation, all within its very intuitive menu system. And you can customize the joystick to control a given feature during recording (flash mode, exposure, white balance).

I thought the tiny joystick would be a problem with my big thumb, but it's not a problem once you get used to it.

Digital zoom is fairly useless with a 2 megapixel camera; just blows things up and makes them blurry.

The built-in memory won't hold very much, so you pretty much need an extra memory card.

All in all, a fun toy that would be a lot more fun at $200. But if you must have it (and I did), go out and get one!

Extremely slick camera! Fun and big wow factor with friends
I've been using this camera for a little over two months now and I have to say I love it. It's extremely easy to use and takes great quaility pictures.

pros.
very fast startup time - you can start shooting within about 1 second after hitting the power button.

very quick review time for recents pictures - easily scan through your photos quickly and delete on the fly.

thumbstick is easy to use, very intuitive - i never once picked up the manual. just used the 'menu' button or moved the thumbstick to control all features.

upgradable - i added a 64 meg sd ram card in addition to the 12 meg onboard.

requires no software - just plug it in the cradle and turn it on and windows will instantly see it as another drive!

LIGHT AND SMALL!!! - it's the size of a credit card!! fits in a shirt pocket with tugging down on your shirt. so small, the wow factor on this thing is great!

great screen quality - a generous 1.5" screen on a camera this small.

OVERALL - just an excellent camera well worth the money!!

overall - well worth the investment for web and family and fun photos. will take up to a 1600x1200 image with no problem. fun camera all around

great battery life - no joke, i took over 150 pictures with flash each time before i got low on the battery. it charges quickly too! and you can turn off the screen if you don't want to waste battery life.

cons
no optical zoom...the digital zoom is worthless but who cares. it's tiny!

must use cradle to charge - which is kind of a hassle but the battery life is good so it's not a big deal.

Well thought out design
I bought this camera around Christmas time and I have absolutely loved it. I needed a point and shoot digital that I wouldn't have to think about adjusting, and this camera is perfect. It has the little signs of being designed well: really fast start up time, very quick shutter response, it retains settings on shutdown (my first camera chraged the flash all the time and ate batteries like there was no tomorrow), and the list goes on. It has the feel of a well thought-out product, the way something like an ipod does. I highly recommend it!

A wonderful pocket camera...
My husband bought this for me for Mother's Day, and I love it.
I've used it more times than I can remember, probably have a few thousand pics on the computer so far (!)...
I find the samll size to be a practical advantage, and not so much of a "gizmo-wow factor"...unlike our old clunky 35mm, and
the various other point-and-shoot camera's we've had, this one lends itself so well for spontanious, important moments.
Concerning image quality, etc., I can't be very objective, due to the fact my hasband is a graphic artist and runs everything though Photoshop before the world sees them!
I'm sure there are many similar camera's, and they all offer similar performance at at similar price. Bit this little Casio is what I have, and it's great.

Great camera, not that great of a camcorder...
This is a great camera for still pictures. It has a few filters such as monochrome, retro, twilight, and more. It also has the ability to creat short video clips, although they are almost too short to be of any use. The built in memory will hold about 60 economy photos. That brings me to another point, you can switch between photo quality to save space, which is a great feature.

Pros:
-The LCD display is kind of small, yet adequate
-Great quality photos
-SUPER SMALL
-Strong and durable
-Selectable photo quality

Cons:
-No audio for videos
-30 second video clips only!
-Not that long battery life ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The affordable, powerful Casio QV-R40 digital features a 4-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom lens, a fast 1-second start-up time, and a stylish, durable stainless steel body.

Optics and Resolution
The QV-R40 features a 4-megapixel resolution that captures vibrant colors and produces images up to 2304 x 1712 pixels for photo-quality prints up to 11 x 14 inches. Other resolution modes include 2240 x 1680, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480.

The QV-R40 packs a 3-segment telescoping type 3x optical zoom lens with sliding mechanism that makes it possible to fit everything into an ultra-thin, stylish aluminum body. Optical zoom provides the means to produce beautiful, low-distortion close ups. Using digital zoom in combination with optical zoom allows a total zoom of 9.6x with optical 3x and digital 3.2x combined. The 8-24mm zoom lens is equivalent to 39-117mm in 35mm photography.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the QV-R40 can also record up to 30 seconds of video (without audio) at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

More Features
With the QV-R40's Best Shot mode, both amateurs and professional photographers can take outstanding professional-quality photos without fussing over calibrations, filters or attachments. There are 21 settings within the Best Shot mode, including portrait, coupling, flower, sundown, text, food, and natural green.

Other features include:

• 1.6-inch LCD screen and viewfinder with diopter correction slider
• Built-in flash with auto, on, off, and red-eye reduction modes
• Built-in digital quartz clock with world time
• Capture an entire sequence of 1.3 megapixel images at 10 frames per second
• Focus modes: Contrast-type Auto Focus (AF Mode [AF Area: Spot or Multi], Macro Mode), Infinity Mode; focus lock; manual focus
• Color modes: Natural Color, Vivid Color, Black and White, Sepia

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NP-30, included). It measures 3.5 x 2.4 x 1.3 inches and weighs 7.4 ounces (excluding battery).

What's In The Box
This package includes the QV-R40 digital camera, rechargeable lithium-ion battery and battery charger, USB cable, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with Casio Photo Loader software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures 2304 x 1712images for photo-quality prints up to 11 x 14 inches and beyond
• 3x optical plus 3.2x digital zoom (9.6x totoal) autofocus lens
• Store images on 10 MB internal memory; compatible with Secure Digital/MMC cards
• 1-second (approximate) startup time; 0.01-second release time lag for virtually instantaneous recording
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (NiMH rechargeables included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Reviews (28)

Should be 4 and a half Stars - Great Camera
I really like this camera, it is small enough to be discrete in your pocket yet packs a powerful punch. If you look at price to performance ratio, this camera excels. It doesn't cost that much yet for the price you get a fully functionally quality digital camera. At 4 megapixels I can't complain. I took this camera around during my day to take random pictures and to see how the camera performed. I took pictures in a restaurant and outside, both pictures looked good. I had it on highest setting and it does not differ too much from other 4 megapixel cameras. The LCD screen is average size, not too big but good enough to see without strain.

I used AA alkaline batteries just to see how long they would last. Since it was recommended not to use them as they drain quickly I wanted to see for my self. The batteries lasted the whole day (I took around 70 pics) and I never had to change batteries even with using the flash for half those pictures. The charger also can charge other name brand AA and AAA batteries and those worked great for me.

Again, I don't know why casio does this but the videos that you record do not have sound. Why? I do not know. Nonetheless it is a camera and not a camcorder but if you're not going to have sound, might as well not even bother with video at all and use those resources towards something else on the camera. The camera does take a couple of seconds in-between shots but not long enough to lower my rating. The newer version of this camera, the QV-R51 takes much longer (probably because it is processing an extra megapixel of info per shot)than this one.

Overall all, even though there is a newer version of this camera, it is significantly more expensive than this and the performance of that camera is not worth the price (all you get is a bigger LCD screen that drains the batteries quicker and 1 more megapixel of resolution). This camera on the other hand is a spectacular deal in price for the performance you receive and the portability. I definitely recommend this camera, it sure hit the sweet spot for me.

Inexpensive, Compact, Fast
The feature that I like the most is the fast startup time (about 1-2 second from pressing the ON switch to taking the first picture w/o flash.) The shutter lag (the time from pressing the shutter till the time the camera actually records the picture) is very small also. Casio advertises the lag time as 0.01 second and I couldn't feel any lag time so I tend to believe them.

I bought this camera mainly to photograph my 4 month-old son, so the short startup time and small lag time is very important to me. So far, I'm very happy with this camera.

The package contains two NiMH batteries and charger. No SD card is included but the camera has 10 MB built-in memory. The camera can use AA alkaline batteries (in emergency situations) but the batteries would not last long. At the default 4 mega-pixel resolution, each image takes about 1.3 MB, so you should definitely buy SD card to store your pictures.

The size of the camera is also very compact and light. Very suitable for spontaneous shooting.

A great camera but not without its flaws...
I already had a Sharp 4 MP camera, but the only reason that I got this camera is because of its small size. Here's some reason why I choose this camer, It uses AA batteries which NIMH batteries cost about 4 for $10, secondly, it uses SD memory card which is what my Sharp camera uses, and thirdly its very compact for a camera that uses AA battery. Further plus includes its start up time which is only about 1 second, and it includes many useful features such as cropping your photos in your camera after you have taken the photo to free up spaces on the memory card. It also have many color filters such as blue, red, green, etc... useful for enhancing the sky, ocean, etc... There is also 21 pre-settings for different situations. As for the con, there are some noise in the photo, and it doesn't focus well in dark areas. It also doesn't let you manually adjust the shutter speed and the only way to take bright and shadowless photo at night or under a weak tungsten light is to choose from the 21-preshot options which really annoys me. Other than that, this camera is terrific and i love it, because it comes in handy because of its small size and its low cost accessories (batteries, memory card, etc..) The only reason i gave it a 4 instead of 5 because of the noise that is in the photo and sometime the sky came out unaturally bluish-green. Unless you're on a tight budget or doesn't mind the amount of noise in it, I would recommend the QV-R51 because it has much less noise in the image and you can always scale the size down to 4MP to reduce image size. (See www.steves-digicams.com for sample image) For me, I got it at walmart for just $200 during clearance so it's definitly a great buy!

Unreliable...
I've had this camera for about 3 weeks now and I've been happy with it up until now. The features of the camera are great for the price but the instruction book is vague about the most important thing I believe a camera owner should have. Repair information. Yes, after three weeks, my great little camera now pops up a system error upon start up without any option to do anything. The manual simply states that it needs repair. On a 3 week old camera?! Ridiculous! However after some playing around with the USB (which BTW my pc was still able to read it) I got display and shooting back. However, any modification to the settings and it's back to system error. Mind you the screen is missing some items so I assume the software has been corrupted somehow. Sorry Casio. This camera (maybe a one in a million defect) is just not reliable enough for my memories...

The best camera for the price
This is my second digital camera and I'm glad with my choice. This camera has so many pros and few cons that it is worth for you to try.
Some of the pros are: Robust aluminum-alloy body, excellent image quality, 4.0 mega pixels, 3x digital zoom, small shutter lag (2/10 seconds), lens retracting completely into the body, flash with red eye reduction, handful preset shooting modes, video mode, two AA-size NiMH 2100mAh batteries and charger included, and many other etceteras.
The only cons I found were: 15 fps video clips with no audio up to 30 seconds each (audio recording would have been great), lack of exposure controls other than program AE, lack of a video output port.
This camera gives an impressive performance and quality for a great price, and definitively you won't regret on buying it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Adding power to its stylish Exilim line, Casio's Exilim Pro EX-P600 offers advanced features that will please both photographic pros and advanced amateurs. The compact EX-P600 has a refined stainless steel body design, 6-megapixel resolution, 4x optical zoom, ultra-fast 0.01-second shutter release lag time, large 2-inch LCD monitor, and a wide range of manual controls to help you get just the right image.

Optics and Resolution
With the EX-P600, you can capture images in resolutions up to 2816 x 2112 pixels; other resolution modes include 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480. It also has a 2816 x 1872 (3:2 aspect ratio) mode. In addition to JPEG capture, images can also be recorded directly from the CCD to TIFF format to avoid any degradation of picture quality.

This lens features a high-performance Canon 4x optical zoom lens with 10-stage aperture settings. It also has a 4x digital zoom, for a total 16x zoom. The lens has an automatic barrier for protection, and can be used in conjunction with the three optional Canon conversion lenses (X 0.7 / X 1.5 / close-up) to increase the camera's flexibility.

Movie Mode
In addition to still images, the EX-P600 can also capture video clips with audio at 320 x 240 pixels. The length of your movie is only limited by the size of memory available (either internal RAM or external memory card).

More Features
In addition to a start-up time of approximately 2-secondsand approximately 0.01 second release time lag, the EX-P600 hasa high-speed continuous shutter function to take 3photos per second--up to 6photos in succession.

By pressing the shutter button once, you can use the auto bracketing function to take either 3 or 5 photos, applying different effects to each one. In addition to exposure variation (AEB), white balance (WBB), and focus positioning (AFB), the Multi Bracketing feature also enables you to choose variations of color, portrait, sharpness, saturation, and contrast levels, letting you pick the very best shot.

The camera's photographic information, such as shutter speed, aperture, and focusing can be displayed graphically on the 2-inch, high-definition LCD monitor (115,200 pixels), making it easy to quickly adjust settings manually. By pressing the EX Button, the levels for white balance, ISO sensitivity, metering, and AF area settings can be displayed and adjusted on a single screen.

Other features include:

• Convenient wireless remote control is included for slow shutter and self-timer photos
• External flash equipment can be used with the Sync Terminal
• Photos taken with the camera in a sideways position are automatically displayed upright thanks to a built-in horizontal/vertical position sensor

Direct Printing
The EX-P600 is PictBridge compatible, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to your printer, without a PC or image-editing software. All PictBridge devices share three basic features: camera-to-printer connecting, single-image printing, and uniform error messages (in case something goes wrong)

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored in the built-in 9 MB memory, or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1 connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a proprietary, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included). It measures 3.84 x 2.66 x 1.78 inches (1.03 inches at thinnest point) and weighs 7.94 ounces (excluding battery)

What's in the Box
This package contains the Exilim Pro EX-P600 digital camera, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, battery carger, card remote control, USB and A/V cables, strap, and CD-ROM with image editing software. ... Read more

Features

• 6-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 14-by-20-inch enlargements
• 4x Canon optical zoom lens
• 2-inchTFT Color LCD Display; PictBridge support; 3 frame-per-second burst mode
• Store images in 10 MB built-in memory
• 1.5-second startup time; .01-second shutter release time

Reviews (5)

USB port is a big problem
This camera has great features [and a 247 page CD-ROM manual] but is also easy to use without all the special settings. However, less than 2 weeks after I got it, the USB port broke while attaching the cable to download images - this happened even when using the supplied cable & being careful to insert it in the correct way. Now I may have to send it to their one US warranty center, in NJ, for repair. There is another review here with a similar complaint, & others elsewhere [now that I've had this problem & looked], so it's obviously not an isolated problem.

USB port broke easily
i purchase a casio exilim pro P600 last month the camera its good i enjoy taking pictures with it,,the image quality is perfect but sometimes if u make your own settings it will give u noise on your results....the down side just less than a month the USB port went-off/detach from the PCB board now i can't use the camera to load my pictures or view it on the video monitor...hope casio can see this problem so that they can improve the mounting of their USB port

Memory Card
Ok I do like this camera very much, it has a lot of really good features, however the one disapointment I had was when i opened it up and there was no memory card, from what i can see you can get about 3 pictures on the camera with out memory card, but come on 3 pictures. So if you are interested in buying this camera please remember you kind of have to buy a memory card along with it.

Make that 4.5 stars (no option for halves!)
I bought this camera, after a long, extensive, detailed search, to replace my venerable Casio QV-4000. I originally shyed away from another Casio because they are not a mainstream player in the camera market. But after a few rounds of re-evaluating what my priorities and needs were, this one met all my requirements for a replacement:

- (Much) Faster startup, shutdown, and between-shot times
- No lens cap!
- Much smaller and lighter than the QV-4000
- More zoom
- Larger image
- Good quality optics
- No loss of manual controls
- LCD is actually usable in direct sunlight!

This one has all those features, plus several new and other things I might not have even thought of. Probably one of the most useful, after the bigger zoom, bigger CCD and faster startup, will be the ease in *getting at* the various controls. Though you can point and shoot just like any camera, you can make all sorts of settings with remarkably few button pushes.

A reviewer elsewhere mentioned how this camera doesn't use the CF memory format of the older Casios. Duh, look at the size of the camera! It's amazingly small, considering what it packs. I was slightly disappointed by the lack of a paper manual in the box. You have to read it off your computer or use a ton of paper to print it. Notice you can download it here from Amazon to find out a lot about the camera.

It starts and behaves very fast. Scrolling through photos in playback is lightning fast. I also like the *small* battery charger, and the fact that it doesn't have a big annoying cord. Just plug it straight into the wall; great for travel!

I like the large 2" LCD. I could see it fine outside on a sunny day. It has plenty of resolution for my 42 year old eyes. It would be nice if it could zoom in a little closer, but 8x is good. I also like the Best Shot feature, where the soft focus mode is very cool. Also having fun with the high-speed modes, including the one that makes 25 tiny pictures in very rapid succession on a single frame.

There is also a feature carried over from my older Casio, which I didn't see mentioned in any reviews. The flash does have three power levels. This is great if you want to "overflash" a subject that's further from the camera, or lighten it up for some gentle fill.

Highly recommended if you like a camera with lots of controls and features. I'm sure this is currently the most functionality you can get in a camera of this size with these major features.

If you're like me you need a decent-sized card. Get the Sandisk Ultra II. Best price from a reputable vendor I found right here. Also an extra battery, though the one that comes with it is supposed to be long-lasting.

Some weak points:
- Though I hated the dangling lens cap on my previous camera, I worry about the delicate lens shutter on this one. Certainly not as strong or protective from dust and moisture as a cap, but that's what a case or bag is for.
- Flash is a little weak, with short range. I guess this is to be expected from a tiny camera.
- Folder and filenames no longer have the date in them. This was real handy with my older pictures. Wherever you stuck one, you could always reference when it was taken.
- No user-friendly RAW mode. Though you can access it through an undocumented diagnostic and setup menu, there is no common software to work with the files. It would be nice if Casio enabled this.

That list is all minor stuff for me. My rating of 4.5 is just to say there's room for improvement, which is always true. I'm glad I chose this camera, even though the price has already dropped $30 in the week or so since I ordered it. Oh the fun of being an early adopter!

Excellent Compact Camera With Easy To Use Features
You know when you buy something, having a high expectation, and when you get it, you're still amazed at how great it is? For me, this happened when I bought this camera. I knew this camera would be small, fast, and loaded with a ton of features, but I didn't know just how great it would be.

I wasn't actually shopping for a 6MP camera, but all of the 5MP compact cameras really didn't cut it. But the combination of features on the EX-P600, combined with the 4x Optical Zoom (16x Digital) and 2.0" LCD said go for it. But when I started using the camera I realized I made a really smart move. Casio obviously spent a great deal of time coming up with an intuitive interface to access everything. In just a few steps you can set any feature on the camera, and the 2.0" LCD screen offers enough real estate to know what your doing.

In simple point and shoot mode, the EX-P600 offers great pictures with little wait time between shots. Auto focus is a snap, and you don't need to think about anything else. I like the Best Shot mode, which lets you select from 25 different presets for optimal results in various settings. Portrait, Nighttime, scenery, etc.. It even has a coupling mode so you can take a picture of your friend, and have your friend take a picture of you, and have it be the same image. No more asking somebody to take your picture!

If you want to get really into it, pretty much everything on the camera- focusing, exposure, white balance, color filters, are adjustable. You can even create custom presets and have it show up in best shot mode. You can not only access everything from a Menu, but it has a quick settings button where you can tab thru all the current camera settings.

Some downsides are the camera doesn't come with an SD card, so you have to buy one separately, which adds on to the price tag. Also, it doesn't come with an AC Adapter, just an external charger, so you have to take the battery out to of the camera to charge it, unless you get the AC Adapter. It also has an "ex" mode where all this data comes up when you take a picture. The plus side is you can see all the settings on the screen, the downside is it looks like you're flying an F-16. But you don't have to have it on, the regular mode tells you everything you need to know.

All in all, if you want a camera to last a couple of years, this is yet. The high resolution 6MP CCD will offer room when higher resolution printers come out, and the advanced feature set will let you have more creative control when you're ready for it, but it's not even too hard to figure out. This is a really smart camera, not just a good one. This camera even has a remote control, so no more running into the picture and wondering when the flash will be for those group shots! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Early Adopters Pick:May 2003 One the tiniest 3.2-megapixel digital cameras in the world, the 0.9 inches thick Casio Exilim boasts a 3x optical zoom, a release time lag of about 0.01 seconds and a 2-inch LCD screen.

With a super-slim design and measuring the height and length of a credit card, the Casio Exilim EX-Z3 is sure to turn heads as you effortlessly snap high-quality digital photos. Don't let the size fool you, the EX-Z3 is equipped with a 3.2-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, 10 MB of built-in memory, and full-motion movie recording.

Optics and Resolution
The 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor captures sharp and brilliant images of up to 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, which can printed at sizes of up to 11 by 14 inches. The lens of the EX-Z3 uses a new three-segment telescoping mechanism that makes it possible to provide 3x optical zoom capabilities in an amazingly thin camera configuration. The stylish card design of the camera is made possible by stacking chips to reduce space requirements by about 40 percent (as compared to the Exilim EX-S2 and EX-M2). The EX-Z3 also features a 4x digital zoom.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on 10 MB of internal memory, which stores about eight images with settings at 2,048 x 1,536. If you want more memory, the expansion slot is compatible with any MMC or SD memory card. You can quickly and easily transfer your files onto a PC or Mac using the USB port for computer editing and sharing with friends and family.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Exilim can also record AVI movie clips. The movie can be as long as 30 seconds at a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels.

More Features
The EX-Z3 is ready to shoot in less than 2 seconds after it is activated. A release time lag of only 0.01 seconds (from when the shutter release button is fully depressed with the monitor screen and built-in flash turned off, and focus locked) helps to ensure that the user is able to capture the image seen in the viewfinder when the shutter release is pressed.

The big 2.0-inch TFT LCD monitor screen included on the EX-Z3 features a digital interface for a clearer display of images.

Each date of the full-month calendar screen shows a thumbnail of the first image recorded on that date. This visual diary of images makes it possible for you to quickly search for and locate specific images.

Many of the Exilim's settings can be modified, such as programmed exposure, white balance, and flash. When you shoot in the "best shot" mode you can select a stored photo that looks similar to the photo you want to take and the camera automatically configures to achieve that look.

Power, Size, and Contents
The Exilim comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has an approximate battery life of 65 minutes. The camera itself measures 3.43 by 2.24 by 0.9 inches and weighs 4.44 ounces without the battery. Other standard accessories are a hand strap, CD-ROM with imaging software, USB cradle and cable, and AC adapter for cradle. ... Read more

Features

• 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical plus 4x digital (12x total) zoom lens with autofocus
• Store images on 10 MB internal memory; compatible with Secure Digital/MMC cards
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery included

Reviews (14)

Truly fun for point and shoot photograher
This is truly a fun camera to play with. Here's the deal: you get 3.2megapixil pictures from a machine thats the size of your credit card. What else can you want? It's true that the camera's viewfinder is a bit awkward, but the 2" display helps a lot. There's a little bit of noise in the pictures but I find the colors come out very well, even in dark settings. The size of the camera makes you want to be delicate with it, but it is made of sturdy materials. The control menu is straightforward, pretty much dummy-proof. Admittedly, the D-pad is small, but one will get used to it in hours. You can see that Casio had to make everything small for the 2" LCD screen.
The Best Shot feature will save you time with adjusting settings. At the same time, there are a couple of manual settings that you can fool around with (the EV shift and ISO settings). The video recording is decent, but it only lasts 30secs - then you'll have to make a new file.

All in all, this is not for the photography enthusiast, but instead for fun snapshooters. Definitely the Canon S-series or the Panasonic Lumix are better candidates if you want the "camera feel", but the casio is more of a fashion statement. The looks and design is remarkable. Watching the Pentax lens expand out boggles my mind every time I turn it on. If nothing else, it's the greatest conversation starter. Nothing compares to it (not even the Optio-S). Just take it out in public, people WILL turn heads.

similar to pentax optio S, but slightly bigger
pros:
- the main selling point of this camera is its small size: 3.4 x 2.6 x 0.9 in, weighing in at 5.1oz.
- 3MP resolution, 3x zoom in a very compact package.
- average three megapixel resolution.
- low image noise at low ISO settings.
- allows manual white balance.
- has 21 scene modes!
- good reliable metering.
- low image noise at low ISO settings.
- wide range of focus options including manual focus!
- histogram display in live view and play modes.
- solid build quality.
- fast startup time.
- cool feature: while in its cradle, pushing the dock's photo button turns the EX-Z3 into a small digital frame: the display shows the images it currently holds, displaying each for several seconds.

cons:
- no video out capability at all.
- some chromatic aberrations.
- some vignetting visible.
- average photo quality with soft edges.
- images noisier than competition.
- no buffering means a longer wait before you can take your next shot.
- no AF assist light.
- high redeye occurrence.
- no image parameter adjustment.
- blue cast when using flash.
- the LCD is a full 2", but is low resolution.
- metal body scratches easily.
- only JPEG format is supported.
- below average auto focus speed.
- longest shutter setting is 1 second.
- only 10MB of built-in memory provided so add $$ to your budget to buy external memory.
- proprietary battery - again, a few more bucks for a spare.
- you need to remove external memory in order to access images saved in internal memory.

the casio ex-z3 is very similar to the pentax optio S with the optio being even more compact than the casio. as such, they share most of the same strengths as well as issues. my biggest complaints are the soft images at the corners and the lack of buffering. a camera with better photo quality (but bigger and only has 2x zoom) is canon's sd100.

i hope this helps you with your buying decision. peace.

It started out great....
For the first 2.5 months of ownership, I was very pleased; however, the camera now has difficulty focusing. The manual indicated the topic matter did not have enough contrast. (Hmm...perhaps a manufacturing bug, identified prior to distribution?) I then tested the theory, locating high contract topics with the same results. At this point, I contacted the manufacturer and they suggested I send the camera in to be repaired. Boo! I expect a product like this to provide years of service, not months. Save your money and look for a more reliable product.

Better than the Optio S
I liked the Exilim much better than the Optio S. I am a current Pentax Optio S owner but had the Exilim previously. I used the Exilim extensively for my honeymoon and loved it! The only 2 cons I experienced with the Exilim is 1)the flash is not powerful so not ideal for taking pictures in dim light and 2) the docking station broke after the first month. If Dell, the reseller, wouldn't have hassled me about replacing the docking station I would not have returned it.

I found the Exilim to be much more user friendly and better designed ergonomically. The 2 advantages of the Optio S is that it performs better under dim lighting and is slightly smaller. My primary gripe with the Optio is with its super slow shutter speed. My goal was a simple point and shoot camera to conveniently 'capture the moment' after I have my baby. Adults can't even sustain a genuine smile/pose long enough for me to take a good candid shot let alone expect an infant to. I feel like I keep missing the moment vs capturing it. The downside outweights any potential advantage to me, unless your primary targets are still lifes in dim settings.

Though in most respects both cameras are very comparable, I still think the Exilim is a superior camera overall. In retrospect, I would've reordered another Exilim.

Nice, handy little camera - good pictures, but some drawback
EX-Z3 3.2MP Digital Camera is a great camera, fits nicely into your hand, about as small as can be and still comfortable to hold and manipulate. Pictures are sharp. With release time lag of about 0.01 seconds and a 2-inch LCD screen, it is a real good shot. There are some drawbacks, though: the flash is weak. While the electronic programming allows for just about any kind of picture you want to take, store and manipulate - and more, the menu is not very user friendly. Same with the program to transfer pictures to a computer - it is complicated, not easily understandable. As far as I could see, it has no picture-turning mode, i.e. from horizontal to vertical. It is not possible to burn photos directly from the program to a CD. An additional burn or photo-handling program is needed for that, requiring transferring of pictures, i.e. additional steps. Unless you buy an extra printer (expensive, considering cost of photo-quality printer and relatively high recurrent costs of color cartridges and photo-paper - regular color printers are OK but not great) which allows printing directly from the camera (via the docking station included in the package), you are in for a pretty lengthy process until the pictures are print-ready on a CD.

Would I recommend the EX-Z3 3.2MP Digital Camera ? - Yes, by all means. Its neat. But I would also recommend to the manufacturer some improvements along the lines described above, i.e. improved flash capacity and user-friendliness of in-camera programs, as well as those used for downloading / transferring and eventually easy burning of picures on a CD. ... Read more

Features

• 3.2 Megapixel effective resolution - Delivers outstanding photo with vivid colors
• 3X optical zoom with 4X digital zoom - Zoom-in on subjects far away
• MPEG-4 digital video with audio - Capture digital video for as long as memory allows
• Burst mode at 3 frames per snap Takes 3 rapid shots for action photos
• 1.6" TFT LCD dispaly Playback both pictures and videos