Casio's Exilim EX-Z57 and EX-Z750
posted February 15th 2005 9:33AM
A pair of new compact digital cameras from Casio today, the 7.2 megapixel Exilim EX-Z750 and the 5 megapixel Exilim
EX-Z57:
The five megapixel EX-Z57 sports a 3x optical zoom lens and an oversized 2.7-inch LCD screen, the largest Casio has
ever stuck on the back of a digital camera. They had to ditch the optical viewfinder to make room for that larger LCD,
but they claim that despite the extra two-tenths of an inch, the battery life on the EX-Z57 is just as good as that of
the EX-Z55.
The LCD screen on the 7.2 megapixel EX-Z750 isn't quite as large as the one on the EX-Z57—they held on to the optical
viewfinder, so the LCD's a more standard 2.5-inches in size—but like it's sibling this one also has a 3x optical zoom
lens (and honestly, they could do better, it's about time they started putting 4x or 5x zoom in these things). Other
features: a shutter release lag time of just 0.007 seconds and can record MPEG4 video clips.
The Z57 looks like an awesome camera. Does anybody know what the dimensions of the camera are?
Any chance the the Z55 and Z50 will get a lower price?
Wow... Im buying either the Z55, Z75 or if I see the price is alright on the new Z750 Im getting that... My kodak CX6330 sucked for me... i didnt enjoy it too much... although it was extremely EXTREMELY durable.. !!!
The dimensions of these cameras are pretty nice: around 3.5" x 2.5" x 0.8". Very pocketable.
And the price isn't too bad: $400 - $450 USD.
But only a 3x optical zoom? I agree that that's just stupid. Companies have a seriously unhealthy fixation with 3x zooms. They need to be 5x now - at the very least.
I've had my Pentax Optio 555 for some time now, and it has a 5x optical zoom and 5mp res. The 550 model before it, had the same. And Pentax doesn't even make these models anymore. So 5x has been around for quite some time. Pentax also makes the Optio SV which has the same dimensions as these Casios, and the SV is a 5mp camera with a 5x optical zoom.
3x zoom just isn't enough. I won't buy any new camera until I see one with at least 5mp AND a 5x optical zoom AND a 2.5"+ screen.
I like these Casios - they got the res and the screen size just right, but the 3x optical zoom just kills it for me.
5, 5, and 2.5 (MP, optical zoom, and screen size, respectively). Those are the magic numbers, IMO, that companies need to offer with their cameras - at least the ones in the $400-$500 range.
Also, they say that it records MPEG4 video. Will it record this video with sound?
I ask this, because it doesn't state so in the specs, and some Casio cameras couldn't capture video with sound - which was stupid.
Pentax's little OptioS camera could. As a matter of fact, all their cameras could.
So these cameras better, otherwise it's one more reason (apart from the lame zoom) not to buy them.
I'm seriously considering the Casio EX-Z750. Does anyone have any experience with compatibility issues with Apple, in particular the Powerbook?
Z,
Yes, the EXZ750 records sound with its video.
I was planning to buy the casio ex z 750, but recently many blogs have reported a problem with this camera, the reorts indicate that the lens tend to jam during operation, with an accompanying "lens error" message.
can anyone tell me if this is a serious problem & can it be fixed
I was planning to buy the casio ex z 750, but recently many blogs have reported a problem with this camera, the reorts indicate that the lens tend to jam during operation, with an accompanying "lens error" message.
can anyone tell me if this is a serious problem & can it be fixed
The lens error problem is real. It is a design flaw (in my opinion as a Electrical Engineer). I experienced the problem about 10 minutes from opening the box.
The sensitivity to go into the lens error failure mode is too high. Any pressure (even the slightest) on the lens at opening will shut the camera down w/error. After that, each time you try to power up the camera it will keep displaying the lens error and power down immediately. The only way to get it working again is to re-apply very slight pressure to the lens. I know this is counter intuitive and in fact scary, especially on a new camera w/warranty disclaimers on power lens failure due to the blockage / abuse. It may take several trys. You may even hear a ratcheting sound from the lens. But it works !
If necessary, you can recalibrate the autofocus by zooming in / out completely.
Turn off the digital zoom. It seemed to aggravate the probability of the lens error problem when zooming the lens in and out - specifically when switching (crossing over) to/from digital zoom mode. Digital Zoom doesn't really help anyway.
The case also has a padded insert causing the case to be way too tight - remove the padded insert !
Out of the box the unit powers on in multiple ways. This can cause inadvertant power up w/lens blocked. Turn off those power up options.
Double check the picture mode each time you start taking pictures - the dial tends to rotate when handling the camera out of the case.
The lens errors are definitely a problem with this camera. Everything else is great, though. I agree with Gregory Moxness: it seems like a sensitivity problem that could/should be fixable through firmware.
I almost always keep my camera in Best Shot (Photo) mode. If I get a recurring lens error there, it seems to go away once I switch to another mode, zoom in and back out, then switch back to Best Shot. If I stay in Best Shot, it gives me the lens error message every time I power back on and zoom in to almost the digital zoom spot.
I have looked into purchasing the EX-Z750, and indeed the lens error is a concern for me. Is Casio in fact doing anything in terms of firmware for this problem? If the camera needs to be replaced, is that an issue that Casio undertakes, or is that dependant on where the camera was bought in the first place?
The lens error is real.
The camera is unable to focus at infinity
and gives blur pictures.
When I zoom to max optical zoom to check the focus.
I get the lens error.
Casio should have a recall on the Exlim Z750.
I own several digital camera and this one only
works on manual focus and short distances.
There is no question that I operate it properly.
http://www.zlk.com/casiolenserror.html
I agree that there is a design flaw with the lens with this camera. The first one I used broke the first week I used it. The lens stuck in the 'out' position and the unit would not turn on or off, even after removal and re-insertion of the batteries. The second unit I had lasted two months, but eventually would not focus when at the wide-angle setting. The amount of light did not change the ability to focus, but if you zoomed in a little bit the focus would then work. Too bad, because otherwise this camera has a lot of features for its price. If you buy, make sure the store has a good return policy (as mine did) or buy the extended service plan.