Comparisons
Pentax Optio S6 - The Pentax Optio S6 is a bit thicker than the EX-S600, but it packs in a much better LCD. At 2.5 inches and 232,000 pixels, it's a bit bigger, but has nearly three times the resolution of the EX-S600's display. Both cameras sport 3x zooms that run from slightly wide angle to moderately telephoto, and both use 1/2.5-inch CCDs. The S6 has 23 megabytes of internal memory, considerably more than the EX-S600's 8.3. Pentax lists the S6 at “under $350,” while Casio's suggested retail for the EX-S600 is $399.
Fuji FinePix Z1 - The Fuji FinePix Z1 is another attempt at a flashy super-compact camera. With a metal body and a sliding cover, it's slick and pared-down. Fuji apparently is going for elegance, offering the Z1 in black or silver, while Casio's party colors are on the playful side. The Z1 is only a 5 megapixel camera, but it offers ISOs up to 800 in its normal mode, and the images captured at these settings look significantly better than Casio's low-light mode. The Z1's lens does not telescope out of the body, which should make it a much sturdier camera mechanically than the EX-S600. The Z1 is selling for as low as $250 online, though it listed for nearly $450 when it was introduced.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 - The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 is, like the EX-S600, a flat, super compact, 6 megapixel point-and-shoot with a 3x optical zoom. Sony takes things up a couple notches, with optical image stabilization, 58 megabytes of internal storage, a 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 pixels, and an all-internal lens. Sony's web site offers “pre-orders” for the T9 at $449.95, so it will be at least $50 more than the EX-S600, but that's not much to pay for stabilization, a good LCD, and 50 extra megabytes of storage.
Value (6.0)
Given the performance of the EX-S600 and the colors in which it is offered, the camera would just about have to be an impulse buy. For people who have to have an orange camera, the EX-S600 is the best game in town.
It is great though that the camera is made of stainless steel. The camera generally seems to be assembled well, too – parts fit together well, and the screws are seated precisely and centered in their holes. Attributes like those usually indicate durability, and Casio deserves credit. But when we see that sort of construction in a super compact camera, we expect to see internal focusing – like the Fuji Z1 or the Sony T9. The telescoping lens on the EX-S600, and many other cameras, is the most vulnerable mechanical assembly, and we expect problems with them.
On top of that, its poor image quality and slippery shape make it too impractical to recommend.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters - The EX-S600 is targeted at point-and-shooters who want a tiny, cute camera. It's adapted for them. It would almost be fair to say that this very specific market segment was Casio designers' single-minded goal. Oddly, though, it's possible to save 999 custom picture modes on the EX-S600. Who knows who they were thinking of when they added that feature, but it wasn't point-and-shooters.
Budget Consumers - The EX-S600 is not cheap for what you get. Budget consumers should look for something bigger and cheaper, with more manual controls.
Gadget Freaks - Casio might have been hoping for gadgety types with the tiny size and stainless steel, but we think they missed. The video mode is too limited, and the technology is too far from the cutting edge.
Manual Control Freaks - The EX-S600 lacks the fundamental manual controls – aperture and shutter speed. Manual control freaks are usually interested in image quality, and the EX-S600 doesn't deliver that, either.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists - We don't think the EX-S600 has the image quality this market demands, even for a take-everywhere camera.
