Casio Expands Exilim Digicam Line

Some of Casio's digital cameras may be tiny, but their selection is growing: The company is now shipping four models in its credit card-size Exilim line.

Now available in limited quantities is the $399 Exilim Zoom EX-Z3, a 3.2-megapixel model that features a CCD that boasts 3.2 megapixels and a 3X optical zoom lens. It shipped first in Japan.

Also recently released in North America--after earlier shipments in Asia--are the EX-S2, EX-M2, and EX-S3. All of the tiny cameras measure approximately 3.5 inches wide by 2 inches tall and less than an inch thick. All Exilim models sport stainless steel cases and a "Best Shot Mode" feature, which provides a selection of preset scene modes. The Exilim adjusts its internal settings to deliver the best results for the shot.

Zoom EX-Z3 Specs

The 2-inch TFT LCD monitor screen included on the Zoom EX-Z3 features a digital interface; the monitor screen can be used to compose images. It also has a calendar mode, in which each date of an on-screen full-month calendar shows a thumbnail of the first image recorded on that day. This visual diary of images makes it possible for you to search for and locate specific images.

The EX-Z3 also offers the Best Shot Mode for instant setups. However, it has a total of 21 sample scenes built in, including Coupling Shot (to allow the photographer to get in the picture) and Pre Shot (to take photos against any specific background, by selecting the background and pressing the shutter release).

The 3.2-megapixel camera also comes with a triple self-timer (which records three consecutive shots with a single shutter-release button operation), world time/alarm functions, an automatic photo loader, and "Photohands" (which provides image-editing capabilities for color, contrast, brightness, and other parameters).

The EX-Z3 stores images in a Web-browser format that allows you to browse images in an album layout. The album feature uses HTML, which means you can incorporate an album directly into a Web site--and print directly from the album.

In addition to 10MB of built-in flash memory, the EX-Z3 also supports use of Secure Digital memory cards and MultiMediaCards. To keep special images private, 320-by-240-pixel images can be copied to a Favorites folder located in the camera's built-in memory. Images in the Favorites folder don't display during normal image playback.

The EX-Z3's key customization enables users to assign recording mode, exposure compensation, white balance, ISO sensitivity, or self-timer functions to the left/right controller buttons. These settings may be changed by pressing the buttons.

EX-S3 Specs

The $350 Exilim EX-S3 offers 3.2 million effective pixels and a 2.0-inch LCD monitor screen in a thin configuration. A lens barrier protects the lens from impact and dust by opening and closing whenever the camera is turned on and off.

The EX-S3's Photo Stand Feature allows you to place the digital camera onto its cradle and press the Photo button to start a slideshow of images currently in memory. You can set up the camera to display the images you want whenever it's placed on the cradle.

The EX-S3, also available now, has a calendar mode, triple self-timer, photo loader, world time/alarm functions, Photohands feature, key customization, a Favorites folder, support for SD and MMC cards, and the capability to store images in a Web browser-viewable format. It also has the Best Shot Mode, but it comes with 15 sample scenes built in (including Coupling Shot and Pre Shot). The EX-S3 has 10MB of built-in flash memory.

EX-S2, EX-M2 Available Now

Casio's Best Shot Mode feature on the EX-S2 and EX-M2 provides a selection of six preset scene modes (portrait, night scene, retro style, twilight, monochrome, and scenery).

Initially released in Japan, the EX-S2 and EX-M2 are available now. The EX-S2 is priced at $280 and the EX-M2, $400.

The EX-S2 and EX-M2 are equipped with a self-timer and movie-recording and -playing functions, allowing for up to 30 seconds of video capture. The EX-M2 also has an integrated MP3 player.

The digital cameras come with 12MB of internal memory and support SD/MMC cards for optional extended memory capacity. The optical viewfinder is supplemented by a 1.6-inch TFT color LCD display.

The Exilim cameras have a lens of F3.2 and a fixed focal length of f=7.5mm (equivalent to a focal length of 36mm for 35mm cameras). The cameras' built-in flash is automatically activated in unfavorable lighting conditions.