Casio Exilim EX-Z700 First Impressions Review

Connectivity
Software
The Casio Exilim EX-Z700 is packaged with a CD-ROM that has multiple programs on it. Included are a USB driver, Photo Loader 3.0, Photohands 1.0, Photo Transport 1.0, Microsoft Direct X 9.0c for viewing videos, and files of user manuals for the many software programs. After downloading all of the software, users with an internet connection will be prompted to join the Kodak EasyShare Gallery and get a few free prints in the process.

The Photo Transport program is very simple to use; it really only requires a click of the mouse to transfer photos. Some computers don't even require that though, and just transfer pictures automatically when a camera is connected and turned on. The Photo Loader program isn't very intuitive, but helps users organize their pictures into libraries.

The Photohands 1.0 software is the program for users to edit their photographs. It isn't very easy to use at all. The only text on the opening screen says "Photohands" and there are no instructions on how to load photos or how to do anything really. There is a question mark in the top right corner that users can access for help in deciphering all the strange nuances of this software. There is also an open folder icon up that way where users can browse and load photos.

The program shows a large preview on the right side of the screen and three thumbnails on the left side. There are two arrows that users can press to scroll up and down through the thumbnails, but there is an annoying lag time between when the button is pressed and when the thumbnails actually move. On the far left side are four blocks with pictures of animals in them. This makes the Photohands program look more like a children's video game. However, these animals actually mean something. Sort of.

Somehow, users are supposed to intuitively know that an iguana is a symbol for "retouch." The kangaroo resizes, the koala rotates, and the dog prints. The following retouching features are available: contrast, brightness, saturation, sharpness, noise removal, and filter. Overall, the Photohands software isn't very user friendly despite the elementary look of the characters and layout.

Jacks, ports, plugs
The Casio Exilim EX-Z700 has only one port on its body; this USB port connects to the included camera dock. The dock charges the battery and provides AV and USB hookups. The USB function must be specified to Mass Storage for transfer to computers or PictBridge for direct printing within the setup menu. The AV function can be specified to NTSC or PAL standards too. Some users prefer the docking station setup because it makes image transfer simple if the dock is always connected to the computer – and the camera can charge its battery simultaneously. However, some users prefer a more compact setup so they can travel abroad and not have to carry eight different cables and pieces.

Direct Print Options
The Casio Z700 has a DPOF option in the playback menu that allows users to create print orders. Pictures can be added to the order one at a time or all at once, with copies of each picture selectable from 0-99. A date stamp can be turned on or off too. For movies, users can print single frames or nine frames on one sheet, with four thumbnails on the top and bottom and a larger frame in the center. There is no designated print button on the camera body, so transfer isn't entirely intuitive. Users must rest the camera in the dock, which connects to the printer with the included USB cable. Users must choose the PTP PictBridge option in the setup menu in order for pictures to properly transfer. Then users can print from the playback mode. The Casio Z700 seems to be geared toward users who won't do much post-processing because of its many in-camera editing features and the included software program which is awful. With that in mind, the direct printing function should be easier to use than it really is.

Battery
The Z700 uses a Casio NP-40 lithium-ion battery that is skinny and small. Despite its diminutive size, it can get 460 shots per charge. This is pretty incredible considering the bright 2.5-inch LCD screen and on-screen mode and exposure changes. The battery did seem to go and go and go. It also helps that the camera comes with a docking station that allows users to charge the battery within the camera body while also transferring photos or printing. If users wish to purchase a backup battery, they retail for about $50 on the Casio web site.

Memory
The Z700 has a speck of internal memory – 8.3 MB to be exact. This shouldn't be used for normal picture taking though. It is used to store Favorites and custom user scene modes. And at the top resolution, this amount of memory can only hold one picture. Thus, it is recommended to purchase a separate memory card. The Z700 accepts SD, SDHC, and MMC media to hold its 7.2-megapixel images. Casio recommends using a card that has at least a 10 MB per second transfer speed or movie frames could be lost. In the playback menu, users can copy pictures from the internal memory to the card and vice versa. Cards and internal memory can be formatted in the setup menu, but formatting the internal memory will lose the protected images, favorites, and best shot custom modes.

Other features
Voice Recording – The audio stinks in the movie mode, but does much better when users are speaking within six inches of the camera. There are several ways to record audio. Up to 30 seconds of audio can be added in the playback mode as a WAV file. In the Best Shot mode menu, there is also a Voice Recording mode that can record lectures, notes to self, and other such non-photographic stuff. Voice recording takes up very little space on the memory, so users can record up to 25 minutes of audio with the tiny amount of built-in memory.