Last update 04 September’09 – Review and Sample Photos @ CNET
Casio Exilim EX-S5/EX-Z1 announced on January 8, 2009 is a 10.1 megapixel compact digital camera that features 3x optical zoom, 17.8MB built-in flash memory, best shot mode, 2.7 inch LCD, ISO range from 64 to 1600, camera dimensions are 3.81” (W) x 2.22” (H) x .70” (D) (excluding projections ; .62” at thinnest point) and it weighs 3.5 oz. (excluding battery and bundled accessories).
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Review Index – (updated 04 September’09)
CNET
“I can’t recommend it if you’re trying to shoot sports, kids, or pets with it, or portraits of impatient people for that matter; the 1-second shutter lag in bright conditions is just too long for moving targets. Everything else about the S5 is solid, though, so if you can deal with the performance issues, it’s a pretty sweet deal.”
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PhotographyBlog
“So in summary, the Casio EX-Z1 is one of the better budget digicams on the market, hitting the right balance between style and substance. It might not be the most exciting cameras around, but it is a very well-balanced, easy to use model for all the family.”
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Trusted Reviews
“When everyone else is making 12x zoom travel cameras with HD video, the Casio Exilim EX-Z1 is something of a throwback. It’s a relatively unsophisticated camera, but it is at least well made and looks good. Unfortunately its poor handling, slow overall performance and lack of low light ability make the Z1 a poor choice for social snapshot photography. There are better cameras for less money, including several from Casio. “
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]Sample Photos
[Image Quality Samples @ PhotographyBlog]
[ISO Performance Photos @ Trusted Reviews]
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Press Release
LAS VEGAS, NV, JANUARY 8, 2009 — Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., released some exciting details about its upcoming digital camera models today. Soon to be released are the slim, compact High Speed EXILIM models EX-FS10 and EX-FC100 featuring high-speed burst shooting faster than an SLR camera, and the EXILIM models EX-Z400, EX-Z270, and EX-S12, which make the most of Casio’s high-speed image processing engine to enable users to cut and paste moving subjects onto still backgrounds.
Casio has been a pioneer in digital cameras for over ten years. The new models maintain Casio’s long tradition of innovation and creativity. In 1995, Casio introduced the QV-10, the world’s first consumer digital camera with an LCD monitor so users could view the images they had just taken. In 2002, the company released the EX-S1, a card-sized camera so thin that it could be carried anywhere. In 2008, Casio launched the highly anticipated EX-F1 and EX-FH20, boasting high-speed burst shooting capabilities to ensure that users would never miss a crucial moment again, not to mention the ability to record high-speed movies that capture motion too fast for the human eye to perceive.
Casio’s effective use of fast digital technologies to deliver unprecedented high-speed burst shooting and high-speed image processing of these new models has exceeded all expectations of what digital cameras should be able to accomplish. These stylish cameras are the first bold step in a major transformation of the traditional definition of the photograph, offering users entirely new ways of enjoying still and moving images.
Casio has set up a special website (www.exilim.com/dp/) that demonstrates many interesting ways to use the Dynamic Photo function. Following the release of the cameras, Casio will offer new services that expand the fun of the Dynamic Photo function
Also to be released at this time is the EXILIM EX-S5 — a camera with a compact body based on a new design concept — which makes high-quality photographic functionality simpler to use than ever before.
“Casio is dedicated to creating ‘out of the box’ features and new technology packed into our digital cameras,” said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Sales for Digital Imaging Division at Casio America, Inc. “We continue to be at the forefront of the digital camera market, providing new levels of convenience for the consumer taking photographs and shooting high-quality videos.”
Newly developed EXILIM Engine 4.0 built in
Representing a significant upgrade from the EXILIM Engine 3.0, the EXILIM Engine 4.0 is a powerful electronic package comprised of an ordinary CPU and a high-speed dedicated image processing CPU. It delivers outstanding color reproduction and a rich tonal range that guarantees superior visual expression. Noise reduction at high-sensitivity levels also helps to produce high-quality, beautiful images. Even better, despite the new image combination functionality and other functions that entail complex processing, energy consumption is about 30% lower than before, which means longer battery life. The new engine successfully combines the pursuit of radical new functionality with improvements to many conventional camera features.
Dynamic Photo function, where the subject moves against a still background
Thanks to the high-speed image processing capability of the new engine, a moving subject can be cut out of a number of images that have been shot and combined with a different still shot that forms the background. A unique digital camera image where only the main subject in the photo is moving can be created using just the camera, with no editing on a computer.
Other functions that utilize the new image processing engine
Hand-held night photography (EX-Z400 and EX-Z270 only), and shooting in adverse lighting conditions
In cases where it can be difficult to get a good shot, such as with night scenes which tend to result in photo blur, or where backlighting can cause poor exposure of faces or the background, these cameras automatically analyze the situation and make the most appropriate settings. This means that all the user has to do is to press the shutter button to take beautiful pictures.
Tracking AF
Using the image analysis technology in the new engine, the ability of the auto focus function to automatically follow a moving subject has been refined. In addition to improvements to the accuracy of auto focus tracking, when a subject leaves the frame the camera makes a record of it, and when the same subject once again enters the frame it is recognized by the camera, and auto focusing is resumed.
Makeup function
In addition to recognizing faces and adjusting focus and exposure accordingly, these cameras can make adjustments to smooth skin in images and soften facial shadows caused by sunlight, creating beautiful photographs of people’s faces. The photographer can choose from one of twelve levels of skin beauty using different strengths of image processing, and can shoot after viewing the results in the LCD monitor.
HD Movie function
Just by pressing the dedicated movie button, these cameras will record beautiful HD movies at a size of 1280×720 pixels.
EXILIM EX-S5
A “Sleek & Sturdy” digital camera with a compact design
Design achieves a lightweight, yet durable image
Designed to fit the concept of “Sleek & Sturdy,” this camera has a compact form, measuring just 3.8” wide x 2.2” high x .7” thin. The edging that frames the body presents a light, casual feel, but at the same time gives the user the sense that this camera is tough and reliable. In addition, the camera color is not limited to a single hue. Rather, the control panel, frame, and rear casing boast contrasting colors, presenting a whole new idea in camera color schemes.
An effective 10.1-megapixel camera with a 3X optical zoom lens
In addition to offering the ability to reproduce a detailed image of the subject, this camera is very responsive and easy to operate. It has an effective 10.1-megapixel resolution, and delivers excellent performance. Images taken at high resolution can be enjoyed as beautiful photographs whether printed large or cropped before printing.
Easy-to-see 2.7-inch widescreen LCD
This camera features an easy-to-see widescreen 2.7-inch LCD monitor. Shooting information is shown in an “operating panel” on the right hand side of the screen, which makes it easy to quickly change camera settings while shooting.
Fun widescreen movie recording
Just by pressing the movie button, widescreen movies can be recorded with an aspect ratio of 16:9. The camera also offers YouTube Capture Mode, which records and saves movies at the ideal settings for the world’s largest video sharing site, YouTube. Recorded video can be easily uploaded to YouTube using the special included computer software.
Customizable focusing frames and menu screens
Focus frames
As well as the rectangular focusing frame usually displayed on the LCD monitor, users can choose designs such as a heart or a butterfly for the frame design. When the camera is correctly focused, a beautiful heart can be displayed, and when correct focus is not achieved the heart pattern breaks up. This makes it easy to ensure correct focus, and it is fun, too.
Menu screens
Menu screens can be freely selected from a total of six colors — black, chocolate, cinnamon, rose, sky blue and olive green.
