Casio unveils 8.1-megapixel EXILIM Zoom EX-Z9

While Casio -- along with most everyone else -- took the time to roll out a gamut of shooters at CES, the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z9 is sashaying in fashionably late. This 8.1-megapixel camera sports a 2.6-inch LCD monitor, face detection technology, anti-shake DSP, a 3x optical zoom, 18.6MB (and not byte more) of built-in storage, an SD / SDHC / MMC expansion slot, a video mode capable of capturing at 848 x 480 pixels and a rechargeable Li-ion for good measure. You'll also find a USB / AV output socket and 23 "Best Shot" modes for those who just love choices, but the hard part will be deciding which of the four colors (pink, silver, black and orange) is really worth your $159.99.

Casio unveils 8.1-megapixel EXILIM Zoom EX-Z9

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 12:18PM]

lol...18.6mb?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 12:24PM]

Truth in advertising?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 12:28PM]

I think everybody got at least a 2gb SD card at home ...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 3:41PM]

I don't have a 2GB card... but I do have a handful of old 128MBs, a couple of 512MBs, a 1GB, and now a smokin' 4GB.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 12:25PM]

Enough to Take, What 2 photos at the full 8 MP

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 12:47PM]

isn't the token amount of built-in Flash memory so that manufacturers can save a few cents in not bundling a (relatively) expensive memory card of equivalent capacity?

In that context, it makes perfect sense (how many of you can honestly say they use their 16MB bundled card that came with their old cam?) :p

I like how they say:
"Casio's Face Detection technology for maintaining a sharp focus"

then on the bottom of the press release they say:
"FSE" is a product provided by Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. For more information about "FSE", visit OKI's website at http://www.face-sensing-engine.com.

:)

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 12:52PM]

What no dock? I love the docks older Casio Exilim cameras came with - so easy to charge and transfer pictures without having to take the SD card and battery out of the camera.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 3:53PM]

I hadn't known the older models came with a dock. I have a Casio EX-Z1050, 10MP, and all it came with was a USB transfer cable. Using it's an inconvenient mess. Quite a shame, actually. I usually remove the SD card (which is really a MicroSD Adapter), remove the Micro SD card, and use a MicroSD USB drive to connect directly to my computer. Now that I've typed that all out, it sounds more complicated than it is. Worth the inconvenience though, because that thing takes remarkable photos. Link to my most recent photograph at the end of this post.
Also, hello to a fellow Andrew.

http://andrew-campbell.deviantart.com/art/Deep-Freeze-79260449

[smcquade Posted Mar 6th 2008 4:27PM]

the dock was a major reason for buying one of these happy snappers a couple of years ago (for my wife). Works well enough if you don't pretend it's an SLR.

[markgm Posted Mar 6th 2008 12:53PM]

Are they actually improving anything over previous models? Does it startup faster? Charge the flash faster, have better image stabilization? I really don't get the latest generation of digital cameras.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 3:39PM]

Hey cool! The Canon ELPH now comes in colors! Oh wait...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 3:55PM]

The built-in memory isn't a token amount that you are meant to use for capturing photos. (Although you can capture a few on there if you want)

It holds all the best-shot modes, and you can customize save and download new modes to the camera.

It is also on-board memory which you can use to store low-res copies of your favorite pictures kind of like a wallet photo-book.

[Sgt Beavis Posted Mar 6th 2008 4:43PM]

Cool, my wife and I were just about to give her old Casio Exilim to my Mom. This will make a nice replacement. Good price too...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2008 6:12PM]

I actually have an Exilim Z-55 I bought after much consideration about 4 years ago and it still works perfectly. The picture quality is excellent for a small camera and the videos are decent and good sound leveling for recording gigs, even for an old camera. The battery life is amazing, way ahead of its time. I convinced my girlfriend to buy one (the newer model) and it was even better - smaller, 640x480x30fps video, quicker startup (which was already amazingly quick). I would really recommend this line of camera.

[(Unverified) Posted May 14th 2008 1:50AM]

i just bought the casio Exilim ex-z9 and works great, love the quality on the images and the video is very good too. i totally recomend this product

[(Unverified) Posted May 29th 2008 6:51AM]

Okay, I bought this camera about a month ago and I STILL can't get pictures onto my computer. I've done everything the manual has told me to do, but the computer doesn't detect my camera. If you guys know how, please tell me.