Casio Exilim EX-V8

Value (6.25)
The 7x optical zoom market isn’t too competitive, with the main competition between Casio, Pentax, and Samsung. For the hefty price of $329.99, the Casio V8 is one of the most expensive of the 7x optical zoom bunch. Most of that money goes to the Casio’s advanced functions for video, mechanical, and optical image stabilization, which makes it a strong competitor, but consumers might want to avoid having to fork over their wallets while less expensive 7x zoom cameras sit on the same shelf. 

Who’s this Camera For?
Point and Shooters – The V8 is most definitely marketed toward point-and-shooters. With its compact design and automatic functions, the Exilim camera is tailored for this demographic.

Budget Consumers – At $329.99, the Casio Exilim V8 isn’t the least expensive camera around, but it is still affordable compared to mid-range zoom cameras.

Gadget Freaks – Techies will enjoy the 7x optical zoom, sliding power door, and YouTube software, but overall, the V8 doesn’t suit this population too well. Early adopters would be more likely to buy touch screen or Wi-Fi-enabled cameras.

Manual Control Freaks – Manual control freaks won’t be too interested in the controls of the V8. With mostly automatic settings, this demographic would likely opt for more hardcore manual controls for aperture and shutter speed.

Pros / Serious Amateurs – Professional photographers most likely have no desire to buy the V8, even as a backup vacation camera. Professional photographers tend to gravitate toward SLRs.

Comparisons
Casio Exilim EX-V7 – Frugal consumers may be tempted to purchase the older V7 since the camera is less expensive online for $220 (original price $399.99) than the newer V8 ($329.99). These sibling cameras look like twins, with the same body dimensions and design. Both have 7x optical zoom lenses, blur reduction technology including CCD shift, and auto tracking AF. The major upgrade is that the V8 boosts the resolution to 8.1 megapixels, up from the 7.2-megapixel CCD on the earlier camera. The V8 also sports the YouTube Capture function. Aside from the slightly higher 230,400-pixel monitor resolution, up from 230,000 pixels on the equally-sized 2.5-inch LCD, a higher megapixel count and the YouTube feature really aren’t worth paying an extra $100. Users will be just as satisfied with the V7.


Pentax Optio Z10 – Customers looking at the Casio V8 might also consider the Pentax Z10. At a $249.95 introductory price, the Pentax entered the market at the same time as its Casio competitor, for $80 less. The Pentax Z10 and Casio V8 have comparable LCD screens. The Pentax Z10 has a 2.5-inch, 230,000 pixel monitor, while the Casio V8 has a 2.5-inch, 230,400 pixel screen. Both have 8-megapixel CCD sensors, face detection technology, and non-extending 7x optical zoom lenses. The difference between the two cameras is that the Casio V8 has CCD-shifting blur reduction, while the Z10 only has Digital Shake Reduction. With a zoom beyond the standard 3x zoom, mechanical or optical image stabilization, as found on the V8, is crucial.


Samsung L77 – Both the Samsung L77 and Casio V8 claim to be among the slimmest in their categories. No need to fight to see who is skinnier. The cameras run equal waist sizes at 0.82 inches at their thinnest parts. The 7.1-megapixel Samsung camera has a lower megapixel count, but both tout 7x optical zoom lenses. The Casio uses mechanical image stabilization, while the Samsung camera uses only electronic picture stabilization. The Casio touts expanded movie functions with its wide 848 x 480 resolution, surpassing the standard 640 x 480 Samsung movie resolution. Consumers should also note that Samsung L77 only accepts SD media, while the Casio V8 is compatible with SD, SDHC, MMC, and MMC Plus. The Samsung L77 can be found online for $250 (original price $399.99), about $80 less than the Casio V8.

Samsung NV7 OPS – It’s easy to be tempted by the Samsung NV7’s Smart Touch interface. Equipped with touch-sensitive buttons, Samsung’s nod to the iPod, the Samsung camera carries an impressive, innovative feature that Casio cameras haven’t yet explored. Both cameras have 7x optical zoom lenses; the Casio with CCD-shift, and the Samsung with Optical Picture Stabilization. The NV7 has an extended lens, while the Casio V8 has a lens built in. The Casio V8 boosts a higher 8.1-megapixel count compared to the 7.2-megapixel Samsung NV7. Both products have equally sized monitors at 2.5 inches. The Casio, however, has slightly higher screen resolution at 230,400 pixels versus the Samsung NV7’s 230,000 pixels. At $250 (original price $449.99), the Samsung NV7 stands as a viable, less expensive alternative to the Casio V8.