Connectivity
Software (4.0)
The Casio P505 comes with two different CD-ROMS, one with still image software and the other with a program for movie clips. The first CD has Photo Loader version 2.3 on it, which syncs photos already on a computer into an organized calendar. This CD also has a PDF file of the user manual, Photohands version 1.0 editing software, and the USB driver on it. This software must be downloaded before users can upload pictures from the Casio P505.
The Photohands editing software looks like a kids' computer game. The left side has four buttons with brightly colored animals. When users mouse over the buttons, the animals move. For instance, the top button has a green iguana's head on it. When the mouse pointer glides over it, the iguana's head turns red and blue and a small banner across the top reads, "Retouch." The other three buttons are Resize, Rotate, and Print. This software is quite primitive. Users can resize, but cannot crop. The only editing options available are ones that are also available within the camera: contrast, brightness, saturation, sharpness, and filter. The only unique option in this editing software is the noise removal function - and it is only an On or Off function. The simplified Photohands program has a help menu in case users can't figure out how to move the sliding bar that adjusts contrast.
The other CD-ROM has Ulead Movie Wizard software, which is almost as useless. Users can edit movies more effectively in the camera, as this program doesn't cut clips like the P505 can. There's not much editing that goes on at all in the Ulead software. Users can put the movie clip to music and add templates for wedding and sports videos and such. It would be an easy way to come up with a presentation at the Little League banquet at the end of the season, but users must have a perfect clip to start with. Perhaps the coolest feature in Ulead software is that it can sync with the P505 or other webcams and record video straight to the computer. Overall, users will have to purchase or download editing software if they want to cut movie clips or crop still images.
Jacks, Ports, Plugs (7.0)
The Casio Exilim P505 has two jacks located beneath a rubber port cover. The DC in jack takes the top spot while the USB and A/V out cables share the bottom jack. The A/V out jack is NTSC and PAL selectable, so photographers can use this camera in Europe or America.
Direct Print Options (6.5)
This Casio is direct print compatible with PictBridge compliant printing systems. The P505 can print from the DPOF option in the Playback menu. Frames from movie clips can even be printed as well; users can print single frames or nine consecutive frames for a “motion print.”
Battery (6.5)
The Casio EX-P505 has a skinny lithium-ion battery that can be recharged with the included charger. The charger plugs directly into the wall. The battery supposedly has a life of 200 shots, and in testing it performed at about this level.
Memory (3.5)
The Casio P505 has internal memory, but just enough to say it has it. With only 7.5MB of internal memory, this digital camera can only capture three full resolution pictures or 14 seconds of its highest quality video. Since this certainly won’t be enough to satisfy even the occasional point-and-shooter, be sure to plan on purchasing additional memory. The P505 accepts SD or MMC cards. With the vast expanse of movie modes, users will want at least 256MB to experiment with this model.
Other Features (8.5)
Real Time Histogram – The histogram shows the overall exposure, as well as red, green, and blue channels in the images. It’s a cool feature and an incredibly useful way to attain maximum information, but it’s so tiny that it’s hard to use.
ND Filter - The Exilim PX-P505 has a neutral density filter that can be turned on and off in Manual and Aperture Priority modes. It lessens the amount of light allowed into the lens by 2 exposure values. Casio includes this for photographers who want to take portraits in bright light and desire a short depth of field to blur out some of the background.
Display Modes – The EX-P505 can display a plain screen, grid lines, shooting information, or shooting information in the most interesting setup. That last option is extremely difficult to describe, but looks something like an astronaut’s control board and is just as difficult to navigate.
Self-Timer – The Casio P505 has three self-timing options for photographers who want to jump in their own pictures. The camera has the standard 10 and 2 second options, as well as a triple self-timer that takes a picture every ten seconds for thirty seconds.
Sounds – Have you ever waited for something or someone and got out your cell phone to play useless games just to pass the time? The Casio P505 has an equivalent way to pass your time, should you want it. The Sounds menu is embarrassingly fun to scroll through. Users can adjust the playback and operation volume, as well as the sounds made when the camera starts up, when the shutter is partially pressed, and when the shutter is completely pressed. Sounds include traditional beeps and shutters to alien whooshing noises to crickets, frogs, and beeping horns. Scrolling through this menu will remind you of a Nickelodeon television show.
Voice Memo – Users can take a picture, then attach up to 30 seconds of audio with it. This can come in handy if photographing plants in different locations or artifacts with a history behind them that you want to record.
L/R Key - Photographers can choose to program the left and right sides of the multi-selector to access the white balance, ISO, metering, and self-timer. This way, users won’t have to dig through menus. However, the strange thing about this is that most of these options come straight from the EX menu, which is supposed to have the same purpose.
Icon Help - This mode displays text with icons in the menus. However, if users want to use the icon help with metering, white balance, or the self-timer, they must first assign those functions to the L/R Key. That seems pretty complicated for a help guide.
World Timing – The Casio P505 has timing for 162 cities in 32 time zones; it even lists the city name, date, and time. Users only need to select their zone from the menu.
Box Contents - The Casio EX-P505 digital camera comes in a nice black box with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a battery charger, USB cable, A/V cable, wrist strap, lens cap, cap holder, lens hood, and CD-ROM.
