The Casio Exilim EX-S5 aka the Casio EX-Z1 in Europe is an ultra-slim and stylish compact point-and-shoot digital camera with 10 megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom lens and 2.7-inch LCD screen. It is a budget digital camera.

The Casio S5’s 3x optical zoom is not the longest one and the lens is not very fast - f/3.1 at the wide end and f/5.8 when it’s fully zoomed out. The camera’s 2.7 inch LCD has a wide viewing angle from left to right, but its resolution is rather poor - just 114,960 dots. There is no optical viewfinder on this model.

The EX-S5 is an extremely well-made, very compact digital camera, with a shiny metal body in the choice of 6 colors and excellent overall finish. The only minor drawback is the lack of any handgrip on the front.

The camera has an Easy Mode targeted at beginners, it effectively sets all of the camera options apart from the flash, self-timer and image size. The Casio EX-S5 offers Auto and a range of 23 different scene modes as well.

Among its other useful features are Face Detection, electronic anti-shake, YouTube mode for uploading video and 16:9 wide-screen format movies.

Camera Reviews:

Photographyblog.com:
As it’s a budget model, the EX-Z1 isn’t going to impress you. Image quality is satisfactory rather than outstanding, with noise and loss of detail at relatively slow ISO speeds, significant barrel distortion at the wider-angle focal lengths, and a disappointing macro mode.

Sample Photo Galleries: photographyblog.com.

Casio Exilim EX-S5 – Specifications:

• 1/2.3 inch CCD Sensor
• 10.1 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 3648 x 2736 pixels
• 3x Optical Zoom
• Aperture Range: F3.1 (W) to F5.6 (T)
• Focal Length Equivalent: 35.5 to 106.5mm
• 2.7″ LCD with 114,960 pixels
• Exposure Metering: Multi-pattern, centre weighted, spot by imaging element
• Shutter Speed: 4 to 1/2000sec
• Sensitivity: ISO64 - ISO3200
• YouTube(TM) Capture Mode
• Face Detection
• BESTSHOT (23 predefined scenarios)
• Contrast Detection Focus
• Continuous Mode: 0.7 frames per second
• Movie Mode: 848×480 or 640×480 pixels at 30fps
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Battery Life: 210 still images
• Recommended Price: £149.99 / $159.99

The Casio EX-FC100 is a compact digital camera that features speedy performance and slow-motion controls of the larger and more expensive EX-F1 and EX-FH20 in sleek form. The EX-FC100 shoots 9-megapixel images and HD video with a 5x zoom lens.

The camera houses a 1/2.3″-type CMOS image sensor the choice of which has been made with speed in mind. You can shoot at 30, 15, 10, 5 or 3 frames per second and also specify the burst depth - either 30, 20, 10 or 5 shots.

A High Speed Best Selection mode will help you to choose the ideal photo from a burst - it selects the image automatically judging by blurring, and whether your subject is blinking or smiling.

The FC100 also offers the ability to precapture images and then save up to 25 frames from immediately before the shutter button was pressed. Another unusual function is the ability to combine multiple burst shots into one single image, in-camera.

In movie mode, the EX-FC100 captures high-definition 720p (1280 x 720 pixel) video at 30 frames per second. It’s also possible to shoot at higher framerates of 210, 420, or even 1000 frames per second at reduced resolution.

High-Speed Anti-Shake and High-Speed Night Scene modes are said to allow for great low-light shots without a tripod. The camera’s specs list also includes sensor-shift image stabilization.

Camera Reviews:

Digitalcamerainfo.com:
In terms of straight-out image quality, at the price of the EX-FC100 you can get a better camera. Its resolution performance is underwhelming, mostly due to low sharpness, and it doesn’t have very good color accuracy (on the plus side, image noise was quite low). However, you won’t be able to get the same speeds out of any other brand.

Reviews.cnet.co.uk:
Casio’s right to keep pushing its High-Speed Continuous Shutter technology, because it offers something new and unique in the camera world. Though it lacks a wide-angle zoom and is rather expensive.

Sample Photo Galleries: digitalcamerainfo.com.

Casio Exilim EX-FC100 - Specifications:

• 9.1 Megapixels
• 1/2.3 inch CMOS Sensor
• 5 x Optical Zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 37-185 mm
• Aperture Range: F/3.6-4.5
• 2.7 inch LCD Display with 230,000 pixels
• Sensitivity: ISO 100 - 1600
• Shutter Speed: 1/1000 s - 4 s
• Exposure Metering: Multi-segment, centre-weighted, spot
• 15 Scene Modes
• Continuous Shooting: 1fps at full resolution, up to 30fps at 6 megapixels fps
• 32 MB Built-in Memory
• Metal Body
• Li-ion Rechargeable Battery
• Body Colors: gray or white
• Price Tag: $329

Official Information: casio.com.

What’s new: Cameras.co.uk have reviewed this camera!

Casio EXILIM EX-S12 is a new 12.1-megapixel digital camera from Casio that features 3x optical zoom, 2.7 inch LCD and HD movies shooting capabilities. Improving on the Exilim S10 from last year, Casio’s new Exilim S12 measures in at just .58 of an inch thick. It is Casio’s thinnest camera.

It sports a 12.1-Megapixel imaging sensor, high quality 2.7-inch LCD screen, eBay and YouTube modes, Auto Best Shot (BS) selector, Dynamic photo tool, and a dedicated video record button that allows the camera to record video without switching record modes.

The new Dynamic Photo function allows the photographer to cut out the main subject of interest in an image that has just been captured and then combine it with another image to form the background.

The 9-point AF system has options for Spot AF (center only), Free (auto selects one of nine AF areas), Tracking AF, Macro AF, Pan Focus, Infinity and Manual Focus.

The S12 features 3 different auto shutter modes: Blur detect mode,Panning mode and Detect Smile mode.

The camera uses a proprietary NP-60 lithium battery pack that can power the camera for up 270 (CIPA) still images.

Camera Reviews:

Steves-digicams.com:
Image quality from our outdoor samples is excellent. They show a crisp image from side to side with great exposures and bright, vivid colors. The camera’s auto white balance does a good job of adjusting colors for most lighting conditions, including when using the flash. Portrait shots are incredibly easy, thanks to Casio’s face detection software and smile shot software.

Cameras.co.uk:
Although the Casio Exilim EX-S12 does a fair job and is very easy to use there are better value models around.

Sample Photo Galleries: steves-digicams.com, cameras.co.uk.

Alterbatives/Rivals: Canon SD780 aka Ixus 100 IS.

Casio EXILIM EX-S12 - Specifications:

• 12.1 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4000×3000
• 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor HD Movies: 1280*720
• Focal Length Equivalent: 36 - 108mm
• Aperture Range: F2.8 (W) - F5.3 (T)
• 3x Optical Zoom
• 2.7-inch Super Clear LCD Monitor LCD with 230,160 dots
• Contrast Detection Auto Focus
• Focus Mode: Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Pan Focus, Infinity Mode, Manual Focus
• Exposure Metering: Multi Pattern, Center Weighted, Spot by CCD
• Shutter Speed: 4 - 1/2000 second
• Sensitivity: ISO64 - ISO3200
• EXILIM 4.0 Image Processing Engine
• Continuous Shooting: 2fps
• Face Detection
• 35.2 MB Internal Memory
• Rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-60)