Casio Exilim EX-Z57

Dislikes-Performs slowly
-Poor performance in Auto ISO mode (high noise)
-Colors were inaccurate and lacked vibrancy
-Large LCD has limited resolution
-Limited manual controls
-Menu structure could be better organized
-Included software is difficult to use  

Conclusion
With a 1/2.5-inch 5 megapixel CCD sensor and large 2.7-inch LCD screen available for under $300 online, the 3.48 x 2.28 x 0.89–inch aluminum alloy Exilim EX-Z57 appears to be an enticing package. Other attention-grabbing elements are the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that reportedly attains 400 shots per charge (CIPA standards), 23 preset shooting modes, a video capture setting, and despite the scarcity of manual controls, a custom white balance setting. The graphical design of the menu is perhaps the most impressive element of all. The interface graphics are well structured to provide optimal visibility in direct light and dark shooting situations.

However, the camera only appears enticing at first glance. Look closer and the camera has some cardinal deficiencies. While the oversized LCD screen might sound attractive, the Z57’s 2.7" screen sounds far better than it actually performs. The 115,200 pixel monitor displays images with minimal sharpness and poor color reproduction. The screen itself consumes 3/4 of the back of the frame; a problem when there is no mode dial and the back of the camera houses all controls other than the shutter and power buttons. The cramped layout will limit the camera’s audience, and users with larger hands might forgo the Z57 entirely rather than deal with the headache (or hand ache) of operating it.

Also, image quality and performance feel like afterthoughts on the EX-Z57. The camera performed slowly (except for its minimal shutter lag time) and colors were imbalanced and lacked vibrancy. The camera handled noise far more effectively when the ISO setting was manually set, rather than automatically controlled by the camera. This will present a problem for a large number of the camera’s targeted audience, who presumably won’t want to bother with manual controls. Additionally, the weak flash and limited 50-400 ISO range, coupled with the Z57’s poor noise performance at the 400 setting, casts the camera as a daylight imager only – losing effectiveness after dusk and indoors. Although, even well-exposed images with the EX-Z57 also lack sharpness.

But the EX-Z57 does have an audience, limited though it may be. This camera is ultimately for a certain specialized sort of point-and-shooter: one who doesn't want manual control, whose typical subjects don't include action, and who likes to show other people pictures as they are taken. With its poor image quality, the camera is for users who aren't too discerning about color, and perhaps ones who don't plan to make prints of their images at all.

The EX-Z57 is a good portable photo viewer at best, but a sub-par camera at worst. For those consumers searching for a camera with strong image quality and moderate speed, there are plenty of other offerings with 5 megapixels and 3x optical zoom that are worth looking into.