Front
The right side of the front is where the 3x optical zoom lens protrudes from the EX-Z57. Around the rim of the lens are the words, “SMC Pentax Zoom Lens, Optical 3x, 5.8mm-17.4mm.” Above the lens and in the top right of the camera’s front is a microphone and an LED light. The microphone is a single black hole into the camera’s body; the LED to its right is slightly larger and indicates when the self-timer will activate. In the top left corner of the Z57 is the brand name “Casio” in polished silver lettering. To its right is an oval-shaped built-in flash. Below these features in the center of the camera’s body is a raised rectangular panel that is the same color as the rest of the body, and simply adds visual interest. On the left side is a polished vertical bar that extends slightly above and below the panel; this acts as the finger grip. Between the grip and the lens is a square-shaped panel with the words “5.0 Megapixels.” In the bottom left corner of the EX-Z57 is the word “Exilim.” The simplicity of the overall design on the front is both pleasant on the eyes and logically arranged.

Back
With a massive 2.7-inch LCD screen on the left, the Casio Exilim EX-Z57 brings the notion of a “visible screen” to new heights; an attractive control panel on the right completes the look. All of the buttons are balanced and symmetrical. In the top right are the zoom buttons; the one on the left zooms out to a wide angle and the one on the right zooms in for close-ups. Directly below those buttons are two other, circular controls: the Playback button on the left and the Camera button on the right. Below is the navigational dial, which looks like a polished, shallow silver bowl. A notch in each direction shows the user the proper direction to push the dial. In the center of the bowl is a button labeled “Set.” The bottom portion of the dial also controls the flash settings in the recording mode and deletes pictures in the playback mode. The top part of the dial switches into macro mode while shooting and prints photos in playback mode. Each function has a small representative icon on the dial. The left and right sides of the dial are left for the user to choose the function. Below the dial on the bottom are two rectangular buttons; the left one is labeled “DISP” and the right “MENU.”

Left Side
The left side is largely free of features. A steel-colored band runs down the center of the silver-colored camera body. Other than that, there are four screws holding the metal casing together. On the slope between the left side and the back of the Z57 are three holes that serve as the camera’s built-in speaker.

Right Side
The right side of the metal frame only features a polished loop for a wrist strap in its center. Like the left side, there are four visible screws holding the sturdy casing together.

Top
The top of this digital camera is fairly simplistic. The top has a steel-colored band running from the middle to the left side of the camera; this band extends down the left side of the Z57. Printed on the band are the words, “5.0 Megapixels Digital Camera EX-Z57.” To the right of this band is a raised oval-shape section of the top, which has two buttons on it. The circular button on the left is labeled “On/ Off.” The button to its right is the large, oval-shaped shutter release button.