Jump to a part
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Introduction
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01.Testing / Performance
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02.Physical Tour
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03.Components
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04.Design / Layout
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05.Modes
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06.Control Options
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07.Image Parameters
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08.Connectivity / Extras
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09.Overall Impressions
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10.Conclusion
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11.Specs / Ratings
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12.Photo Gallery
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13.Comments
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Casio Exilim EX-Z700
First Impressions Review
Previous: Page 8
Connectivity / ExtrasNext: Page 10
ConclusionValue (5.75)
The Casio Exilim EX-Z700 is fairly priced at $299. This is about the going price of a point-and-shoot digital camera these days. Its pricier features include the 7.2-megapixel imaging chip, the extensive Best Shot modes, long lasting battery and the bright LCD screen. Casio cut some corners on the 3x lens and the included software though.
Comparisons
Casio Exilim EX-Z750 – The Z750 was released about a year and a half ago, but still has many of the same features that are included on the new model. Both cameras have a 7.2-megapixel imaging sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens. The Z750 has a similarly sized body that is 0.9 inches wide but the control interface is completely different on this model. Instead of a square-shaped multi-selector, there is a circle with a joystick in the center to navigate. The boxy aluminum body also has an optical viewfinder and a large mode dial on the back where the right thumb rests. This makes mode changes much simpler than the menu setup. The Casio Z750 has 29 Best Shot modes; the list has ID Photo, Cross, and Pastel Illustration modes, but does not have the For eBay, Auto Framing, and two Layout modes that are included on the Z700. The old Casio Z750 has manual control over the shutter speed and aperture and adds more movie mode options, including a Past Movie mode that records five seconds before the shutter release button is pushed. The camera’s burst mode shoots a little slower at 2 fps, but it lasts longer with 6 frames. The Casio Z750 has a 2.5-inch LCD screen that has less resolution with 115,000 pixels. It also comes packaged with a camera dock. When it first hit the market, the Z750 retailed for $449 but now sells for about the same price as the Z700.
Canon PowerShot SD700 IS – This digital camera has a sleeker design but is still about the same width as the Casio camera. It has 6 megapixels, a 4x optical zoom lens, an optical viewfinder, and a 2.5-inch LCD screen with 173,000 pixels and a brightness control. The SD700 has about the same level of manual control: shutter speed and aperture cannot be manually adjusted but exposure compensation, ISO, and white balance can all be tweaked. The ISO range is considerably better on the PowerShot with 80-800 manual settings, so decent low light images are possible. The SD700 has only 11 scene modes, which are satisfactory until you want to sell something on eBay or automatically frame a moving subject. The Canon PowerShot SD700 IS’s movie mode is much better than the Casio’s too. It records television-quality video and keeps it steady with its optical image stabilization system. The optical zoom is not available in the movie mode, but users can change the white balance and use one of the many My Colors modes. My Colors, a palette of in-camera editing features and color filters, can be applied before or after recording. The Canon PowerShot SD700 only gets 240 shots per charge from its battery and doesn’t have the extensive list of scene modes, but is easy to use and has a great movie mode. It went on sale in spring 2006 for $499 but can be found now for about $350.
Fujifilm FinePix F20 – Fujifilm’s F-series cameras have built a reputation of taking really great pictures with hardly any shutter lag in a compact package. The F20 is the most recent model with its larger 1/1.7-inch image sensor that has a few less megapixels at 6.3. This digital camera has a 3x optical zoom lens and an i-Flash system that reaches up to 21.3 ft and automatically determines the intensity of the flash based on the lighting from the subject and the background. The FinePix F20 has 15 scene modes and an aperture priority mode, so it has a little more manual control than the Casio Z700. Its ISO range is impressive at 100-1600, and the F-series is known for keeping the noise under wraps despite the generous offerings of sensitivity. The camera body is boxy and a little thicker than the Z700; 1.1-inch width still isn’t too bad. The Fujifilm F20 has a very similar 2.5-inch LCD screen on its back with the same 153,000 pixels. We haven’t seen the F20 yet, but we’ve tested the F30 and F10 and they’ve both taken fabulous pictures. It is expected that this camera would do the same. The best part? It retails for $299.
Kodak EasyShare V603 – The Kodak digital cameras are well known for their ease of use and clean layouts. The V603 is typical. Its body is 0.9 inches thick with a telescoping 3x optical zoom lens. The 6.1-megapixel camera comes in red and black colors and retails for $279. It has a designated Share button to help speed along printing. Users can also save "favorites" here, much like the Z700. The camera’s manual controls are very similar to the Casio’s too. The Kodak EasyShare V603 has 22 scene modes including a panorama mode. Its burst mode snaps along at the same 3 fps rate, but it lasts one frame longer as it maxes out at 4 shots. The Kodak V603 has Perfect Touch technology built-in to the playback mode so users can automatically fix lighting and red-eye issues. Users can also view their pictures on the 2.5-inch LCD screen that has 230,000 pixels. The V603 tops off its features with 32 MB of internal memory and an extensive software package.Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – The Casio Exilim EX-Z700 has all the right features for this audience. With vast amounts of scene modes, point-and-shooters will never really need to enter the recording menu – although the option is certainly there.
Budget Consumers – At $299, the Z700 is reasonably priced for what it is. Its ultra-slim nature and vast amount of shooting modes make this Exilim a decent candidate for the money-minded consumer.
Gadget Freaks – There aren’t any great innovative gadgets or features on the Casio Z700. There are interesting features like a 3x self-timer and supposedly a keystone fix (strangely accessed by the color correction option), but there’s not much beyond that.
Manual Control Freaks – After searching vainly for a mode dial, these consumers will discover that there are only a handful of manual controls but a vast number of automatic modes. This will be enough to scare them away from the Z700.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists – For the same reasons this camera works for point-and-shooters, it will not work for professionals and serious hobbyists. It is considered a mid-tier camera.
Shop for the Casio Exilim EX-Z700
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