Casio EX-V7 zooms up to 7x without breaking a sweat

It's been a few months since we saw the latest EXILIM, Casio's line of super-tiny shooters. But this is the time of year when nearly every product line is getting updated, and fortunately for us, Casio didn't disappoint. Enter the EX-V7 digicam, a 7.2 megapixel number with a 7x optical zoom (yes, you read that right -- this is a 38mm to 266mm equivalent in a tiny little ultracompact) kept nicely tucked inside the body. Furthermore, the EX-V7 apparently has new software that will lighten up aspects of a darkened photo, which is a feature that not every photographer will want to use -- but surely your non-techie grandmother might appreciate it. We're still waiting on the sticker price and the release date, so just sit tight for now.

[GJP303 @ Jan 8th 2007 7:08AM]

If its Below 300 dollars, it's mine. I'm not that into photography so this looks great, and it'll slide into my pocket. But before I buy, I'm also interested in how big the LCD is.

[Rick Lyon @ Jan 8th 2007 9:32AM]

FINALLY!! Something more than 3x zoom that isn't a SLR size camera. Whoa, 7x zoom on that little guy? I want to see/know more!

[stretchsje @ Jan 8th 2007 9:38AM]

Cameras of this type always make horrible compromises in picture quality and usability. A 38mm wide-angle is terrible (can't zoom out enough for indoor pictures) and at F3.4 isn't very bright, meaning indoor picture quality will be either grainy or blown out with too much flash. On the long end, the slow F5.3 aperture and extreme zoom will be totally unusable without good optical image stabilization.

[resource @ Jan 8th 2007 10:19AM]

My first camera...

It's time the 3X zoom is put to rest.

[Walter @ Jan 8th 2007 10:21AM]

Panasonic TZ-1 FTW

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06021405panasonictz1.asp

[Jason @ Jan 8th 2007 11:24AM]

You guys have to realize that more zoom range is usually a bad thing when it comes to tiny cameras. Sure you have a fun gimmick, but it usually trashes the picture quality. And by the way, Kodak has had a camera nearly this small with a "10x" zoom range for quite a while now. Instead of asking for more Xs you guys should be asking for less noise and more manual controls.

[Xinyu @ Jan 8th 2007 12:13PM]

Here are the full spec. This thing has Optical image stabilization and
record H.264 MPEG movies. Looks very nice and I want it.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0701/07010803casioexv7.asp

[irus @ Jan 8th 2007 5:45PM]

the pic quality gets trashed only if its digital zoom in this case it's optical zoom so on loss in pic quality

[Jason @ Jan 8th 2007 12:40PM]

Wow! So Casio is finally using some true image stabilization. I hope this turns out well.

[Steve Edwards @ Jan 8th 2007 2:27PM]

Cameras of this type always make horrible compromises in picture quality and usability. A 38mm wide-angle is terrible (can't zoom out enough for indoor pictures) and at F3.4 isn't very bright, meaning indoor picture quality will be either grainy or blown out with too much flash. On the long end, the slow F5.3 aperture and extreme zoom will be totally unusable without good optical image stabilization. Holding a small camera steady is both extremely important at extreme zooms and impossible with such a small, lightweight camera. In short, while the camera has a few impressive specs, they are not practical at all. There's a reason most manufacturers use more realistic specs. However, Panasonic does make one reasonable 10x zoom compact (though even it is a far cry from their own larger cameras).

[cheaplikeafox @ Jan 8th 2007 5:53PM]

GJP303, it's going to cost $399.99 and be available in March. It has a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

[kaztm @ Jan 8th 2007 6:43PM]

Casio's press release, FYI.
http://www.casio.com/news/content/072C28FC-5E45-45C7-8C0C-18281B0A4445/

[Z @ Jan 11th 2007 12:35AM]

More electronic image stabilization. Blech. All EIS does is boost the ISO and degrade picture quality.

When is Casio going to wake up and go with optical image stabilization? Canon did it. Why can't Casio?

EIS is worthless. Only OIS is worthwhile.

[Kryptoze @ Jan 11th 2007 10:09PM]

what about you read a little before posting crap. This thing is mecanically stabilized.

[Z @ Jan 13th 2007 7:23AM]

Well, whataya know. My bad. But posting crap? Be nice Tarzan. Fresh air good. No go outside, baaaad.

[ML1Media @ Jan 15th 2007 10:34PM]

Saw this at CES-Vegas a few days ago. Spoke to rep and picked up a spec sheet. Ship date is March '07 (wouldn't be more specific). Retail is $399. Specs include 7.2MP ccd; 2.5" LCD and 7x opt zoom. Also noted that it does mpeg4 movie mode and has something called 'continuous flash'. It is very small for the capabilities --I liked it enough to put off pursuing the Olym 750 until this one gets 'street' priced. It also had a little opening on th efront with the label "Stereo' which I took to be the mic for movie mode.

John /ML1 Media

[yo @ Feb 7th 2007 6:13PM]

this thing is frickin awesome. h.264 movies (with optical zoom!) + mechanical anti-shake + 7x internal optical zoom + 1 inch thick = dream camera. btw, the kodak 10x zoom is like 5 times the size of this thing.

sample pics and vids
http://dc.casio.jp/product/exilim/ex_v7/gallery.html

[yo @ Feb 8th 2007 4:22AM]

this thing is frickin awesome. h.264 movies (with optical zoom!) + mechanical anti-shake + 7x internal optical zoom + 1 inch thick = dream camera. btw, the kodak 10x zoom is like 5 times the size of this thing.

sample pics and vids
http://dc.casio.jp/product/exilim/ex_v7/gallery.html

[bob @ May 29th 2007 7:38PM]

And the kodak is 5MP