Casio's new 5-megapixel Exilim EX-S500 digital camera

The 3.2 megapixel EX-S100 was already our digital camera of the year for 2004. Now, Casio (God luvem) just announced the new 5 megapixel Exilim EX-S500 which increases the screen to 2.2-inches, provides a full 3x optical zoom, and adds VGA MPEG4 video all in a slimmer (by a smidge) so-swank body in "meister gray, fiesta orange, and nordic white." Oh, and they've thrown in an Anti Shake DSP (blur-free photos) since they know you'll be quivering like a newborn gnu whenever you get your mits on this pr0n. Available in Europe in July for around €380 ($465US).

[Thanks, Josh]

[Rich @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Hmm, this or a Sony DSC-T33 to buy as my next camera?

Choices, choices.

[Tony C @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Looks like a sweet ultracompact! I'll have to demo the little guy and see how it performs. Hopefully that lens setup doesn't introduce too much barrel distortion or color fringing. Lens starts at a pretty bright F2.7, but falls to F5.2 at full telephoto. A little iffy on the software-based image stabilization too -- I'm used to optical and Casio's implementation may mean too much image post-processing in the camera. Ah well, can't have it all...

They retail for $399.99 in the US:
http://www.casio.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.detail&catalog=Cameras§ion=EXILIM%20Series&product=EX%2DS500

US product page:
http://exilim.casio.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cameras.features&exp_id=1A5770F3-C9FD-45EC-992C-F6A411DB509A

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I can't seem to find any deets on the storage capacity of these things. Anyone know? Uses a smart card or what. How many picts can you fit on it out of the box?

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Aw maaaan! I bought the EX-S100, this cam's predecessor, and it's the best compact camera ever. Just the fact that it takes great photos and is so THIN at the same time...

Now i'm gonna have to sell that one and buy THIS one! =)

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

THe SONY T7 is the better ultracompact. The Casio has moving parts for a lens and as any digital camera user knows, after a while, lenses tend to suffer from lockup.
I perfer the T7 but I do like the Exilim's lack of a fron't slide cover.
When the T7's next release nixes the slide in favor of a snapshut cover (T33) then I'll be really happy.

[Erik Cohen @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Nope, DSC-T7 is still thinner and has a bigger LCD.

[Malfoy Roark @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

If its like the EXS100 (which I own and love) it's using SD Matt. I wish it took pictures faster but eh what can you say, its small, sleek, and takes really good pictures. But a warning, DON'T LET IT OPEN WHERE IT CAN'T EXTEND ALL THE WAY. I bought the case and occasionally in my pocket itll try to open(something presses on the case which presses on the button) and a black dot will come on all your pictures after enough of these incidents. I'm on my 3rd camera now. But aside from that, love it. :)

[gary @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

"The Casio has moving parts for a lens and as any digital camera user knows, after a while, lenses tend to suffer from lockup." Yeah like I'm really going to keep a digital camera that long...Something sexier will come out and this thing will be in a drawer somewhere! PS that antishake makes this thing practically a must have, it makes a big difference

[andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

dang...i was just about to buy the ex-z75 next week. not any more...this will def. be worth the wait. this thing is sick (even compared to the T7).

[TIMMAH! @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I really don't like this trend. COULD WE GET AWAY FROM THE WIDE AND THIN CONCEPT AND GO FOR SOMETHING POCKETABLE AND TINY PLEASE!!!

[Lee Gibson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Timmah, I have two suggestions:

1) Decaf.

2) Don't buy one of these if it doesn't suit you. Are narrow, thick things more "pocketable" in your estimation? I really don't see what you're after.

[DanAmpX @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

GAH!!! Stop it with the really thin cameras!! Its stupid looking. D:

[sturmnacht @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

No viewfinder for EX-S500.

Hmm...no. Not interested.

[Malfoy Roark @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Timmah, exactly how small are your pockets?! In my avg pants pockets I can fit an ipod photo[in a belkin case], the exs100[in a casio case] in one pocket, my wallet and phone in another with room to spare.

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Ken Rockwell gave the S100 a glowing review, so this one looks like a clear winner to me. His biggest praise for the camera had to do with speed of operation and ease of use (like saving hundreds of presets if you want); important stuff that most reviews don't usually give a lot of importance to. It also has a ton of weird extra features. I wouldn't count in the anti-shake being very good though. I think it results in a smaller image, meaning it sounds about as useful as digital zoom (in other words, useless).

[Alric Lopez @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I wonder how the video compares to the Sanyo DMX-C5. I am looking for some sort of tapeless camcorder with good video.

[io_data @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

If you think about it, the T7 might not be a better choice. The proprietary Memory Stick DUO format is more costly than SD.

[CasioFan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I have a Casio 5mp camera right now that takes awsome images, but is too thick to be confortable in my pocket.

I have been watching for the price on the Casio 750 to go down. (By far the best compact camera out there right now read the reviews) but this one is very tempting now.

As far as Sony, until they stop raping world by overpricing their memory cards I will never buy a Sony product.

[Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

It is SD, and you can record continous video upto 1 hr with 1GB card 640x480 30fps. ..it took them long enough!! I was getting very tired of my EX-S2 and I didn't want join the Sony cult.

[Ditch @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

As for the Sony T7, I bought one and returned it. Really nice design, slim and well built, but... the T7 took really mediocre pictures on average. Flash/indorr shots were often overexposed and/or blurry and you have to use an adapter to either sync with your computer or remove the MS Duo. The included cradle simply serves as an adapter for a tripod mount.

Also according to the specs, the Casio will be smaller than the Sony. I did like the internal lens on the T7 but am willing to live with the extended lens on the S500 so long as it takes more constantly sharp pictures.

Don't get me wrong, I really liked the Sony T7, but it was only an average performer for a 5MP camera and for about $450, that simply wasn't acceptable.

When is the Casio due to hit the stores here in the US?

[natok @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I hear August 15th on Amazon.

[Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I have too been looking to buy a slim, pocket-size camera. The choice was between Casio Z750 and Canon SD500. I read many reviews with posted photo samples. The two cameras have almost identical picture quality. But, SD500 is more popular for some reason (out of stock in the local store). Sony T7 was not rated too high. Very short battery life. Poor picture quality. Recently, I came across the news anouncement of Casio EX S500. It is 5mp (not 7mp as in Z750 and SD500), but has a blur-free DSP. I always wanted to have something like that in a camera when trying to take pictures in a dim light. I still can't decide on the camera. I read the PC Mag reviews about these cameras. While they give Casio EX S500 four out of 5 stars (same as Canon SD500), they note that its resolution is only slightly better than the 4mp Canon SD300. Perhaps I should just buy Casio. It is not a car after all.

[thomas neece @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Does anyone know where I can get a user manual (in english) for the Casio Exilim EX-S500? Thanks!
[e-mail]

[Lewis @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Just bought this puppy what a fantastic point and squirt camera, Thomas the camera comes with the manual on the CD supplied. Hope that helps

[Siggi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

theres a german testreview, for the german reading here ;)

http://casiovscanon.ca.funpic.de/

[martin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Does anyone have an idea if casio ex-s500 cameras are made in Japan? If so, where can I buy?
My model is made in China. No problems with it, just interested.
Thanks all.