Casio Exilim EX-Z75 Digital Camera Review

by Karen M. Cheung
Published on August 24, 2007

Navigation
Intro	Testing / Performance
Components	Design / Layout
Modes	Control Options
Image Parameters	Connectivity / Extras
Overall Impressions	Conclusion
Sample Photos	Photo Gallery
Specs / Ratings

The 7-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z75, announced in January 2007, continues Casio’s tradition of good-looking, ultra-thin digital cameras. It carries a 3x optical zoom lens, a redesigned 2.6-inch LCD screen, and Casio’s anti-shake DSP system. The Casio EX-Z75, with an original price of $229.99, dropped to $199.99, is currently Casio’s lowest-priced model.

Physical Tour

Front (8.0)
The Casio Exilim EX-Z75 features a colored aluminum alloy exterior. The right half of the front surface is dedicated to a silver extending lens, marked with black text, “EXILIM OPTICAL 3x” and focal length specifications “f=6.3-18.9mm 1:3.1-5.9.” The left of the front is almost completely flat, with the exception of the straight groove between the “EXILIM” brand name and 7.2-megapixel count. The top of the front s features the Casio name and a moderately-sized, off-center flash. There is a tiny hole for the microphone to the right of the lens and an auto assist lamp underneath it.

Back  (7.0)
The 2.6-inch LCD monitor covers the majority of the Casio EX-Z75’s back side. It is raised slightly from the surface. The LCD monitor has a black border with the Exilim logo in the lower left corner.

The right side of the back carries the control panel. The top right-hand corner features two tiny zoom buttons that control the zoom lens and the zoom in Playback mode. To the left of the zoom toggle is the operation lamp. When in the Shooting mode, the operation lamp turns green when the shot is in focus. Underneath the zoom toggle is a capsule-like groove that houses the itty bitty green Playback and red Record buttons. Halfway down the back is the circular four-way controller with “SET” engraved into the center. “DISP,” for display, and Flash and Trash icons are printed above and beneath the controller to indicate its multiple functions. Finally, there are two small bottom buttons, one marked Menu and the other “BS” for Best Shot mode.

Right Side (7.0)
The right side of the Exilim EX-Z75 is essentially bare except for a rounded nub that acts as a wrist strap eyelet. Two tiny screws on the brushed-metal panel are surrounded by the black alloy surface that makes up most of the camera body.

Left Side (7.0)
From this angle, the Casio EX-Z75 looks like an old school beeper. The left side, much like the right side, features a silver metal panel screwed to the aluminum alloy camera body. The specs are engraved on the metal side panel: “7.2 MEGA PIXELS DIGITAL CAMERA EX-Z75.”

Top (6.5)
The camera’s front and back panels join in a seam along the rounded top of the Casio EX-Z75. The tiny power button and shutter sliver sit on the camera’s top right side and are surrounded by a plastic gray platform.

Bottom (3.0)
The narrow bottom of the Casio EX-Z75 makes it prone to tipping over. With its thin 0.63-inch base, the camera doesn’t have the best foundation for self-timed shots. The bottom of the camera houses the battery and memory card slots, covered by a door with the serial number printed on it. In the middle of the bottom is a tiny bit of a thing that acts as the USB/AV connector port. The last features on the camera’s bottom are the off-center tripod socket and six speaker holes.