Casio Exilim EX-Z75

Picture Quality / Size Options (7.0)
The Casio EX-Z75 allows users to capture still images suitable for e-mail all the way up to an 11x17-inch print. The camera has the following size options: 7M (3072 x 2304/A3 Print), 3:2 (3072 x2048/A3 Print), 16:9 (3072 x 1728/HDTV), 5M (2560 x 1920/A3 Print), 3M (2048 x 1536/A4 Print), 2M (1600 x 1200/3.5x5-inch Print), or a base VGA (640 x 480 / E-mail) resolution. Users can access the picture size options through the Quality menu or through the shortcut on the main four-way controller. There are Fine, Normal, and Economy file compression options for still photos or HQ (640 x 480), Normal (512 x 384), or LP (320 x 240) options for movie clips. Casio does a good job of spelling out numeric pixel resolution for technical abbreviations new photographers might not be familiar with.

Picture Effects Mode (7.75)
The Casio EX-Z75 offers a variety of picture effects, although they are oddly placed in the Quality menu when they should be listed under the Record menu. Once users find the effects modes, they may be surprised with the good number of options. Most point-and-shoots offer plenty of post-capture editing modes, so it’s nice to have effect modes possible during shooting itself.

The camera includes eight Color modes, called Filter modes, including traditional black & white and sepia, with the addition of red, green, blue, yellow, pink, and purple tints. The Filter modes allow users to shoot in varied tints for both still images and video, instead of applying the color after capture. For users who aren’t familiar with how to use these picture effects, the camera has live preview so novices can see exactly how the picture will look once captured..

Users can also control sharpness, saturation, and contrast in +/- 2 in whole steps for still photos or movies, a nice addition that other point-and-shoots don’t often include. While the camera includes a live preview for sharpness, saturation, and contrast, it isn’t very distinguishable between interval steps. I couldn’t tell the difference between -2 saturation and +2 saturation. Users are better off checking the image after capture when using Sharpness, Saturation, and Contrast modes.

The Z75 doesn’t offer as many picture effects options as its extended family of higher-end Casio point-and-shoots, but it does offer built-in shooting effects competing manufacturers don’t. Users should be satisfied with the Picture Effects modes offered on the camera.