Casio EX-S100 Digital Camera (3.2MP, 2048x1536, 2.8x Opt, 9.3MB Built-In Memory)

Casio Exilim EX-S100

EX-S100 Digital Camera (3.2MP, 2048x1536, 2.8x Opt, 9.3MB Built-In Memory) Review, by Tracey Capen March 3, 2005

Show More Show Less

0 Comments | 0 Topics | Print Only This Review

• Reviewed by: dacyjp

  Strengths: Ultra slim and light. Large LCD

  Weaknesses: None so far

  Overall: When I get this one, it's amazing sizewise. I love this kind pocket size and BIG BIG LCD screen. It still has 2.8X optical zoom though(good enough for this thickness). Metal case is strong enough to withstand most of impacts from outside unless you drop it. With a price $169.99 from CompUSA(with instant $30 gift card and the original was 199.99), it's such a great great deal and nobody can beat this for a while. The AC adapter/charger cradle has free volt capability that helps to travel worldwide without power shortage. After all, it was a wonderful choice.

• Reviewed by: skasundr

  Strengths: SMALL, SMALL, SMALL, Large LCD, Very Long Battery Life

  Weaknesses: Not the best picture quality, but more than great for computer and small prints.

  Overall: This camera is great in large part because of its size (you will not realize how important size is in a camera until you get it). The smaller a camera is, the more likely you are to use it. I took more pictures with this camera during various functions than I ever did with any other larger camera I have owned. The LCD is HUGE, considering the size of this camera. And the battery lasts forever (even with constant on and off, which is the hallmark of this camera: put it in your pocket, pull it out at the right time, take a picture, and put it back in your pocket......the small size is SOOOOO convenient). The only part of this camera that could be seen as a weakness is its picture quality.....but then again, this is a 3.1 megapixel camera, and that is more than enough for computer viewing and most small to medium sized prints. Expect to get comments on the size and "beauty" of the camera!

• Reviewed by: actg121

  Strengths: Slim body. Easy to use. Large LCD screen.

  Weaknesses: No printed user guide (Only in CD rom). No camera case.

  Overall: This camera has a very thin and stylish design. It is also very easy to use for someone who is a first time digital camera user like me. It would have been better if the user manual is printed rather than in the CD. The package only comes with a basic manual that does not explain any of the detail things about the camera's operations. I have expected that the package would include some kind of a camera case, but none is included with this camera.

• Reviewed by: nativechen

  Strengths: long battery life, ultra thin design,large LCD screen

  Weaknesses: the picture quality is not very satisfying, LCD pixels are too few

  Overall: With a price slightly greater than 200 dollars, it is a very satisfying camera with wow effect. This is my first camera, I chose it as a family using one, turns out, it gives me very good picture. Besides, all of my family like the large LCD screen, which makes the picture much easier to see. The battery life is so long that I dont have to recharge it after a touring day. Notice if you would like a more professional camera, this is not a good choice, but for daily use, this is definitely a once in a life time deal.

• Reviewed by: tampagirl74

  Strengths: Extremely minute, feature-rich, stylish

  Weaknesses: Sketchy bundled software

  Overall: Naturally, the first thing that needs to be said about this camera is that it is tiny. It really is only a little larger than a credit card (significantly thicker, of course- but still only about 16 milimeters at the most). It is also extremely stylish, sporting a metal casing throughout, with stainless steel screws holding everything together. Aside from the amazing and powerful features, this camera has some other distinct advantages over others in the same class. First of note is power-on speed. It takes little more than a second from the press of the power button to full-functionality. Furthermore, there is no noticeable delay between shutter-press and capture (this seems to be a recurring trend among even some of the better digital cameras, saddly). This, of course, does not apply to low-light conditions and some manual settings. Also, the image playback speed is excellent. Almost immediately after pressing the button, it will display the last photo taken, eliminating the need to have the photo preview (which can be toggled), allowing multiple action shots. Finally, the battery lasts forever, even with the flash on! Features include a full suite of manual settings to adjust ISO, color saturation, sharpness, backlit corrections, as well as an EV-shift histogram, which conveniently displays the RGB shift in graphic form to assist amateur photographers perfect shots in certain light conditions. Another photo assist function, called "best shot" mode adjusts all the manual settings automatically for twenty-odd tailored scenarios. One needs simply select the scenario (eg, "scenery", "portrait", "white board", et cetera), then compose the photograph. The flash comes with three modes, including a red-eye, and also has adjustable intensity. Video capture (with audio) comes in at lower-than-average resolution, so probably not the best bet if that's your bag. Although infinitely more attractive, sleek, and sexy than comparable models from other manufacturers, there are some drawbacks. Sony's closest competitor camera is a 5.0MP, whereas the EX-S100 is capable of only 3.6. The Sony is only slightly larger, and also sports the nifty Carl Zeis lens that sounds as spiffy as it is. We must remember, however, that this is the price you pay to have the world's smallest optical-zoom camera (bragging rights worth the 1.4MP difference). It's not really a price, either, if you consider you'll be paying an average of an additional 50-70 dollars for the Sony (at press time). All of that notwithstanding, there is one disadvantage that needs to be harped on. The bundled software was weak and uncompelling. The camera doesn't even need any driver installation, so this reviewer ended up uninstalling all the software after a brief (and disappointing) trail run. The photo editing suite is generic and the printer software was confusing and cumbersome (and, hopefully, unnecessary. Simply a copy of Photoshop Elements would have been more than satisfactory. All-in-all, the author believes five stars is completely justified insofar as the only disappointment hasn't anything to do with the camera itself. This product is a completely remarkable camera. Although not a revolution of technology, it still stads out against the competition with it's function-packed portability. With it's elegant styling, and attractive stainless-steel chasis, you will certainly be proud to whip it out in parties!