I was very happy with my
the FujiFilm FinePix S3000. The problem is its size. I wanted a pocket camera. I went with Consumer Reports pick which is the Casio Exilim EX Z75. You can find it for around $200 or less. We bought it online and it came with a case, another battery etc. so we paid a bit more.
The Camera:
The camera comes with an 8MB digital card storage, a rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-20) x1, a small charger in which the battery goes for 90 minutes to get recharged and a hand strap. It also comes with a built in flash, USB cable and a CD for uploading pictures. The manual is online and – no kidding – is over 200 pages. I am technologically challenged but getting better. Since this is my second camera and I’m the picture taker I wasn’t totally overwhelmed by the manual. There were a few features I had to go over a few times such as the exposure compensation.
This is a 7.2 megapixel camera. That gives me the following still images: 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 2048(3:2), 3072 x 1728(16:9), 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200 and 640 x 480 (www.casio.com). I read elsewhere that someone was unhappy because the 7.2 gave him grainy pictures. Let me explain. There are modes this camera will function in. One is easy mode and one is best shot. The 34 best shot modes give me a whole host of options allowing me to take the best possible picture. For example if I am taking splashing water versus scenery or slow moving water versus fireworks I can pick the mode I want. In order to get the best picture I do have to play around with the modes, the flash modes (dusk, daylight, overcast, etc.) and the megapixels. You can just put the camera in easy mode and have everything on auto and not have to play with anything. For many you’ll be very happy with this camera. However if you want more, you have more – much more with this Casio.
It has a 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom (Image size: 3072 x 2304 pixels, 12X in combination with optical zoom). Again on the right setting I can get a picture of something quite far away nice and clear.
My camera is small measuring about 3.75" wide x 2.38"high x .77" deep. It weighs about 4 and a half ounces. The LCD is 2.6 inches which is nice and large. It is also one of the only disappointments I have. In bright sunlight it is harder than, let’s say the comparable Kodak, to see. I find myself looking for the viewfinder!
It comes in blue, pink and silver. I got the silver.
There is a 1-year warranty from Casio.
Using the camera:
What I like
~ I like the fact I can record my voice without a picture!
~ I like the fact that I can video record and the picture comes out really well.
~ I like the compact size.
~ I like the setting information on the right hand side. This makes it really easy for me to change from auto flash to no flash or to soft flash or to change the millimeters.
~ I like the self-timer that gives me 3 options: 10 seconds, 2 seconds, or triple self-timer which shoots 3 pictures off of the same timed picture.
~ I like that I can change the function to continuous and I can press down on the shutter and get picture after picture.
What I don’t like:
~ I guess I prefer old fashioned batteries. We are told that I’ll get about "230 still images on one battery; continuous playback is approximately 4 hr. 20 min. (still images);
continuous recording is approx. 1 hr. 45 min. (movie) and; continuous recording: approx. 4 hr. 20 min. (voice recording)." This is from www.casio.com.
What happens is that I can take 100 pictures and then record one or two things. That really drains the battery so I have to always, always have an extra battery with me. Since the battery charger works on electricity I have to have access to electricity which when traveling I don’t often do. So that brings me to having two batteries and just buying two more – just in case! I also just bought a car charger which will help this whole situation.
Regarding the memory. It was pointed out to me that 8MB memory) may not hold all that it seems to hold i.e. 100 pictures, videos, etc. We bought an additional 2GB memory card through the package I referenced above.
~ I don’t like the flimsy piece of plastic that covers the port of the camera in which the USB cable goes.
~ I’m not crazy about how the battery comes in and out. If you don’t have long nails you may have a little trouble.
The pictures and other thoughts:
I am extremely pleased with the quality of the pictures at all sizes. Initially I had some lighting issues but as I said right from the beginning you’ll have to play around with this.
Although the Casio EX–Z75 may not be right for the professional I think that it's great for someone like me who wants nice pictures rather than just ok pictures and can play around to get that quality. It isn't hard to master. The manual is daunting though!
I am very glad I went with the Casio and work around the not so perfect LCD. Obviously you shouldn’t be shooting right into the sun. If you do not only will your picture not come out great but you won’t have a chance of seeing what you are shooting so you literally will be shooting in the dark. I would give the Casio 5 stars if the LCD were just a bit better.
For those of you who want them here are some of the specifications not mentioned:
The shutter release time is about 0.004 seconds; image playback is 0.1 second an image and shot to shot time is about 1.3 seconds.
The lens focal distance is F3.1 to 5.9, f=6.3 to 18.9mm (equivalent to approximately 38 to 114mm on a 35mm film camera), 6 lenses in 5 groups, including aspherical lens.
The approximate focus range is Auto Focus: 15.75" to infinity; Macro: 3.94" to 19.69"; Manual Focus: 3.94.
The exposure compensation is -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps).
from www.casio.com
