Casio Exilim EX-Z75

Auto Mode (7.25)
The Casio EX-Z75 has two automatic modes: the Auto Mode, also called Snapshot mode, with plenty of control options; and the Easy Mode, which is the most automatic option and limits the user to only a few functions.

Users can access the Snapshot mode by pressing the Best Shot button, which pulls up the full list of Scene modes with the Auto mode as the first choice. Even in Auto mode, users still have control over metering, flash, self-timer, anti-shake, auto white balance, EV compensation, and time or date display.

The Easy mode, on the other hand, is a function most novice point-and-shooters will appreciate. The Easy mode limits choices to megapixel count, flash, and self-timer, and can be turned on or off. Once it is set, the Easy mode will be the default setting each time the user powers the camera on. The only problem with the Easy mode is it is buried within multiple menus, under the Best Shot menu, then the Auto menu, then additional menus within Easy mode. It may take a few steps to prepare the Easy mode, but once it is set, it is likely to be frequently used.

Movie Mode (5.75)
The Movie mode is accessed by pressing the Best Shot (BS) button. While other cameras’ Movie modes are accessed by the mode dial or a dedicated button, the user may need a few extra minutes to find the video function.

Users can record in three quality options in Motion JPEG and AVI format: HQ (640x480 at 30 fps), Normal (512x384 at 30 fps), or LP (320x240 at 15 fps). These file sizes and frame rates are typical of point-and-shoots in this price range. Even without image stabilization, the camera recorded video smoothly with monaural WAV audio. Users can zoom during Movie mode to flexibly shoot wide or close up, but only with digital zoom; optical zoom is not available during movie shooting. Users can also change focus, white balance, EV compensation, and time and date display while in Movie mode.

Auto focus in Movie mode was average. Luckily, the camera offers more options to adjust for macro, panning focus, infinity, or even manual focus. While the addition of these focus controls is nice to include, it requires extra steps to compensate for the mediocre auto focus.

Users who want to bypass the computer to edit movies will enjoy the built-in editing functions. Users can select Motion Print to make one- or nine-frame index prints, and can perform some basic editing to cut and splice the beginning, middle, or end portions of the video clip.

Drive / Burst Mode (2.0)
The Casio EX-Z75 has a drive mode called Continuous mode that can be switched on or off. While it is called a Continuous mode, it really isn’t a high-speed mode. The function essentially switches from super slow single frame shooting to slightly faster multiple-frame shooting. The Continuous mode, however does improve the shutter lag on the camera and is recommended as the default for this camera.

Playback Mode (7.5)
The Casio EX-Z75 offers plenty of options for viewing photos and videos and even includes some built-in editing tools. If users want to show off their photos, the camera includes a slide show function for displaying all the photos stored in the memory, tagged favorites, or movies. The slide shows can be customized with transition effects. There are also options to rotate and trim the photos to prepare them for print.

Images can be located by date or using the thumbnail display, which lays out a preview index of 12 thumbnails. Users can also magnify their photos up to 8x to check for focus and closed eyes. Overall, the camera provides a good amount of options for on-the-spot review and preparing the images for print.



Custom Image Presets (9.25)
Users can easily access the Scene modes by pressing the Best Shot button, abbreviated "BS." Yes, we know. While Casio might need some work on their acronyms, the Best Shot modes offer a generous 34 scene modes, in traditional Casio fashion. The camera offers plenty of custom image presets that users most likely won’t even need, but are always nice to have just in case.

The BS modes include the following: Auto, Movie, Portrait, Scenery, Portrait with Scenery, Children, Sports, Candlelight Portrait, Party, Pet, Flower, Natural Green, Autumn Leaves, Soft Flowing Water, Splashing Water, Sundown, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Fireworks, Food, Text, Collection, eBay, Backlight, Anti-Shake, High Sensitivity, Underwater, Monochrome, Retro, Twilight, Old Photo, Business Cards and Documents, White Board, Voice, Registered User.

Just in case the 34 scene modes aren’t enough, users can save specific combination camera settings with the Registered User mode. When a single photo is pulled up on screen in Playback mode, Registered User will save those image settings so users can refer to it for future shoots.

Whether Casio’s Scene modes are overkill is up for debate, but they definitely won’t leave a user wishing for more.