Review of The Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z60

The Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z60 is a 6 megapixel Digital camera, that looks as if has been on a diet since birth. This thing is slim! It is seriously only 1 1/2 cm thick. It can fit in your back pocket, however the manual does not recommend this, seeing how you can sit on it, or have it fall out of your pocket, and break. Not good! Not cool! So store it in a safe place.
Although it is skinny, and about the same size as a credit card, it by no means feels cheap or flimsy. It's a nice hard sturdy little camera.
I would however advise you to buy a padded pouch or case for it for protection against scratches or falling, seeing how this camera does not come with one.
I'M GOING BIG SCREEN!
There is a 2.5 inch LCD screen, it is huge compared to most cameras available these days, and It is also very crisp and clear when viewing photos on it. The LCD screen is positioned to the right side of the camera on the back, on the left side of the screen are your search function buttons.
"CHHHAAARRRGGGGEEEE"
The EXILIM also came with a rechargable lithium battery that is located at the bottom of the camera. This is the same slot that the SD memory card is inserted. You simply click out the battery by pressing it; It will pop up. (I find this difficult, seeing how they don't give you a whole lot of finger room in there) You now can insert it into the charger; it clicks right in. It only takes it about an hour to fully recharge. It's really no big deal seeing how the battery will last hours upon hours. Mine was able to last through an entire 1gb memory card worth of pictures, and some before draining.
*The Exilim It does not come with an SD card, so you are going to want to purchase at least a 1gb card or more. The 1gb card will hold 300 or more photos.
The camera does have a built in memory, but it will only hold 10 photos at once. So unless 10 photos at a time is cool, I'd buy an SD card.
You can purchase them from $20-40 depending on what card you get. You can place this card right in the butt of the camera with an easy click in, click out release chamber.
FAST!
Once the camera is turned on, it is ready to take pictures in approximately 1.4 seconds! Once you press the shutter, the photo is taken almost instantly, with approximately 0.002 second release time lag. Basically, you won't miss a single moment. You want that perfect shot of when your baby smiles, or took his or her first steps. You're not going to miss it.
LIGHTS, CAMERA ACTION!
To view photos that you have previously taken you simply hit the 'PLAY' button that is located directly next to the LCD screen. You then hit the arrow keys to locate previous photos. You also are given the option to delete photos you do not wish to keep. You simply use the arrow keys to get to the 'DELETE' button, and click it. It will ask you if you are sure.
SHARE THEM, OR PHOTO SHOP THEM!
The Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z60 Digital Camera comes with a CD that you can use to view and upload your photos on to your computer through an available USB hub (the camera will come with the wires you will need to do this). Its very quick and easy to install the CD into the computer.
You can also simply stick the SD card into your computer if you have the available slot, or a multimedia computer that allows for this type of action. If you do have this available slot, it is the fastest way to upload your photo onto the computer. From here, you simply save the ones you want. You can now send them through email, or fix them up in any available photo restoration program you are using on your computer.
BAM, POW, ZOOM!
The EXILIM also comes equipt with a 3x optical zoom lens. I was able to take a really scary shot of a regular daddy long leggers, lightning bugs, ladybugs, etc... the shots came out incredibly, and the quality was equal to a shot you'd find in a magazine. It could of also made an awesome DVD cover if your into making independent films.
FUN FEATURES
This digital camera comes loads with tons of features for taking photos. I will kindly take my time and go through each individual one, and how well they worked for me.
1. You've got the option to use 'BEST SHOT'. This is a setting the camera will use if you do not choose any other settings. It programs itself to the best setting depending on your location. The quality of these photos are always superb.
2. PORTRAIT- This is used for face shots mostly, or shots of simple household objects. This setting in my opinion takes the same quality shot as 'best shot' does.
3. SCENERY- This setting would be used for just that. The quality is crisp and clear. You really get wonderful shots if you are photographing mountains, deserts, beaches...etc.
4. CANDLE LIGHT PORTRAITS- This setting is used in situations such as birthdays. The photo comes out clear and beautiful. You don't get that squiggle mark line in candles like other cameras do. However it tends to make the scene all around it yellowish. It for me is just okay.
5. PORTRAIT WITH SCENERY- Same as 2 and 3. Just together. This setting is nothing special, and also sort of not needed. You can simply use best shot for the same effect.
6. CHILDREN- Why this setting was added is beyond me. It is another feature that one does not have to use. You can use BEST SHOT for this as well. It comes out exactly the same.
7. SPORTS- This setting is used for moving shots. You get no blur if you use this setting, ex. while someone is kicking a ball, or jumping. It really is a nice added feature and works great.
8. PARTY- This setting makes photos have an yellow tint like the candle light shot. I'm not impressed with it at all.
9. PETS- Like the 'children' setting. It is the same as best shot. Nothing special here, and also not bad though. Takes a good clear crisp photo every time.
10. FLOWER- Same as best shot, pet, and children settings. Nothing new, nothing bad.
11. NATURAL GREEN- This setting is used for when you happen to be in a lush green forest or jungle. Don't ask. It makes green things seem more green than they are. They do look more crisp though.
13. AUTUMN LEAVES- This is a nice feature if you want to take a shot of your kids playing in leaves. It is a crisp nice shot. However I find it not needed.
14. SOFT FLOWING WATER- River rafting anyone? It takes a good shot, and freeze frames flowing water. It does look neat, however I don't see why it was needed. You could also use best shot and get the same results.
15. SPLASHING WATER- Like the flowing water, it freeze frames splashing water. I find this to be neat, however also very dangerous for your camera to be in this situation.
16. SUNDOWN- Say you want to get a shot of a sunset.. well now is your chance. It takes a really nice photo, and does not leave an squiggles or blurry spots on shots.
17. NIGHT SCENE- It's used just for that. It's also very effective if you happen to be in Las Vegas at night. Takes awesome shots of buildings without the squiggle worms. This setting won't clash a scene and make it look like day. Results are nice.
18. BACKLIGHT- This setting is used for just this situation. I am not a 'photographer' and at times find this setting hard to use. I never seem to have the right backlight, and the photos either come out too dark, or too light. I guess this setting is great for those with some time in photography school under their belts.
19. NIGHT SCENE PORTRAIT- This setting sort of works the same as NIGHT SCENE. I don't really see a difference in the quality of photos.
20. FIREWORKS- This setting is awesome for firework shots. They come out perfect every time. The firework is not distorted, no squiggle lines. I'm really surprised at how great this setting works.
21. FOOD- Works the same as the best shot setting.
22. TEXT- I was also surprised at how well the camera worked under this setting. Why it is needed is beyond me though; but it does work well. It will take a perfect shot of any text. Say an assignment, book or small sign. Does the job to the tee.
23. COLLECTION- Say you want to get a photo of a bunch of dolls, toys, or anything really. This would be the setting for you. I find it ridiculous though. You again, can use best shot for such things.
24. FOR EBAY- Now this is one feature I like. This camera will take a shot in ebay format, so you don't have to play around with it afterwards to get it to work on ebay. Very very neat feature for ebay sellers.
25. ANTI-SHAKE- Now I find this setting hard to use. I guess you need a tri-pod for it. If you shake the photo comes out blurry. It's strange and I still haven't figured out how to use it properly.
26. HIGH SENSITIVITY- This setting makes your photos red. It's used for high sensitive locations. You can get a nice shot of a fireplace with this setting however.
27. MONOCHROME- Black and white! This is really one of my favorites. It seriously makes boring photos look mysterious. I love this feature. Takes really nice quality photographs.
28. RETRO- This setting takes a yellowish photo. It's supposed to make your shots look retro. However to me they just come out looking dull.
29. TWILIGHT- This setting is best used for city scape. They do come out looking nice and clear. But you can get the same sort of result using NIGHT SCENE.
30. OLD PHOTO- This is another favorite. It is used to take photos, of old photos. It works like a charm, and is great for older photos that you just want to restore on the PC, or to save for safe keeping.
31. BUSINESS CARD OR DOCUMENT- Same as text really.
32. WHITE BOARD- Also takes the same shot as text does. Nothing spectacular.
33. VOICE RECORDING- Yes, you heard it. You have the option to record your own voice. Leave yourself a reminder, or record a professor. Works great. Will allow you to record as long as your SD card has enough space. The larger the SD card, the more time you have.
34. MOVIE- Another awesome feature from this camera is the ability to take home movies. Again depending on the size of your SD card will determine how much video time you get. Really neat feature. Love it! Also very neat for (www.myspace.com) freaks who love video blogging.
To get into these 34 different setting simply push the "BS" button on the right bottom side of the camera next to the LCD screen.
AND THERE IS MORE:
Out of all 34 settings most of them, for me, were not really needed. However the settings that did provide different quality photos were awesome. Most of them however really showed no difference in the quality of my photos.
Other features include 'rapid flash'. This allows you to take 3 consecutive photos in only 1 second. SWEET! Soft flash prevents over exposure of your photo, and revive shot will make your old photographs look like new ones.
EXPOSURE WARNING:
An exposure warning will pop up on your screen if you are in too light of a setting, or too dark. You can than adjust it by choosing the appropriate shot setting.
OVERALL
I have been completely satisfied with my Exilim camera. I spent only $199 at Walmart, and it truly is money well spent. This camera always provides me with fast and high quality photos, and I love how small and convenient it is.
YOU KNOW YOU WANT ONE!
So go and get it!
The Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z60 is a sleek and sexy camera that I would recommend to anyone who wants to take high quality photos without the hassle of a bunch of photography equipment. It is user friendly and it is easy to use. Beginners will be taking fabulous shots in seconds.