Casio Exilim EX-V8

Viewfinder (0.0)
Casio is known for making point-and-shoots that utilize large LCDs instead of optical viewfinders. The Casio Exilim V8 is no different. The camera lacks an optical viewfinder, which seems to be an endangered feature on contemporary point-and-shoots. For most beginners, the viewfinder won’t be missed since users can frame their photos via the LCD screen. The only drawback is that a viewfinder can help squeeze out of a few last shots when the battery is running low and offers visibility in direct sunlight.

LCD Screen (7.5)
The ample-sized TFT monitor measures 2.5 inches diagonally. Casio added more pixels to the resolution with 230,400 pixels, up from 230,000 pixels on the earlier V7. Even with the increased monitor resolution, the LCD surprisingly displays only mediocre-looking pictures with some pixilation. The spotty images may leave some picture-takers squinting to find details in photos. While an above-230,000 pixel resolution is admirable, Sony point-and-shoots are opting for a revolutionary 920,000-plus resolution, which may be a consideration for shooters who want to use their cameras as portable photo albums.

The LCD does fine displaying images when parallel to the shooter’s line of vision. At extreme vertical angles, though, the monitor solarizes, making it difficult to see the live preview from low angles or over-the-head and makes it difficult to shoot at low angles or over-the-head with the live preview.

The monitor takes about 2 seconds to display the image on the screen once the shutter button has been pressed.

Overall, the LCD’s mediocre size and resolution isn’t all that dazzling, batting about average compared to other point-and-shoots in the $300 category.

Flash (4.5)
The V8’s flash is safely hidden under the tracked sliding door that also protects the lens.

While the flash provided sufficient overall coverage, there is one major design flaw that can inhibit good pictures – the blinding auto assist lamp. The assist light pre-fires for accurate flash output. This unique lamp provides extra illumination (that can be turned on or off) during Movie or Self-Timer mode. While most other point-and-shoots employ lamps a fraction of this size, the V8 uses an unusually large lamp that will literally cause subject to shield their eyes from the headlight-like glare. The V8 auto assist lamp, while effective, could leave subjects seeing spots.

In Normal flash mode, illumination has an effective range of 0.33 to 8.54 feet in wide angle shooting and 3.28 to 5.58 feet in telephoto shooting. In Rapid flash, the camera has an effective range of 1.31 to 7.22 feet at wide angles and 3.28 to 4.59 feet in close-up shooting. In all the flash modes, the camera provides sufficient illumination for those distances. For anything closer than a foot, however, users should turn off the flash.

Users can control flash output by turning the flash on or off or letting the camera decide in Auto Flash mode. Users can also select Soft for subtle light output or Red-Eye Reduction for portrait shots.

It takes less than 4 seconds for the camera flash to recharge, an average time for point-and-shoots.

Oddly enough, the flash control doubles as the trash button, but shooters shouldn’t be too concerned about accidentally erasing their photos. The trash button is only active in Playback mode, while the Flash is engaged during Record mode.

Zoom Lens (8.0)
A main reason consumers might look to the V8 is its 7x optical zoom lens. With a midrange 7x zoom, the Casio lens touts a zoom capability that exceeds the standard 3x optical zoom of most point-and-shoots. While customers can find non-SLR zooms up to 18x, the benefit of the V8 is that the longer zoom comes in a petite body because the lens is built into the flat design. The built-in lens is also a plus for travelers or beachgoers who want to avoid the sand or dust particles that can get stuck in a tiered barrel; vacationers should opt for an embedded lens like the V8. Adjustment to the zoom can be a little tricky. Casio opted for a vertical switch located closer to the LCD, instead of at the camera’s corner where most manufacturers have placed the zoom toggle. Read the Design / Layout section for more on button placement.

The placement of the lens itself is also an annoyance. Flushed to the left edge of the camera body, the lens position lends itself to occasional pictures of your left pinkie.

The camera has focal length of f/6.3 to 44.1mm, which is equivalent to 38 to 266 mm in 35mm film terms. The extended zoom allows users to comfortably shoot long shots, such as a picture of a basketball player from the sidelines. Users should note, though, that after passing the 7x optical zoom point, the camera operates at an additional 4x digital zoom, for a combined total 28x. Passing the optical zoom threshold leaves cameras more sensitive to camera shake and deteriorated image quality.

To compensate, the Exilim V8 lens comes with image stabilization that uses four mechanisms of Casio’s Anti-Blur Technologies: CCD Shift for camera shake, Anti-Shake DSP ISO for moving subjects, motion analysis, and electronic stabilization in Movie mode. The four-part stabilization system is effective in keeping blurry photos at bay.

In Auto Snapshot mode, the lens automatically sets aperture from f/3.5 to f/5.3. In Aperture Priority and Manual mode, users have a choice of three stops: f/3.4, f/4.6, and f/9.2. The expanded aperture range in these two modes gives some flexibility for more depth of field in pictures.

Aside from an overpowering auto assist lamp and poor zoom toggle placement, the zoom lens comes with an admirable optical zoom range to produce close up shots.