Casio's EXILIM EX-Z150 makes the 3-inch LCD ordinary

It wasn't too long ago that you'd find a 3-inch LCD only on the backside of flagship, point-and-shoot cameras. Casio's new EX-Z150 features that biggie LCD plus CCD-shift image stabilization, a 28-mm wide angle lens, 4x optical zoom, an 8.1 megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD, and face detection all from a camera that sits somewhere well south of the top of the EXILIM Zoom-series. And since this is the age of self-immolation by video humiliation, the EX-Z150 also features a YouTube capture mode -- branded marketing-speak for saying that it shoots 640 x 480 at 30fps for up to 10 minutes at a time. All this in a slim, 20.1-mm package tapering down to 18.9-mm. No date, price, or availability announced yet but we expect to hear more shortly.

[Via Fareastgizmos]

[Prokanda2oh Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:29AM]

uhm.. no.

I used to work for the only canon tech support building in the states (ches., va... and they don't export calls.. it's the only english-speaking canon call center for the US).

I haven't worked there in over a year and a half, but I distinctly remember the SD630... my roomie (still a canon employee) got his over a year ago... referb for employees... for 160 bucks. 3 inch screen, rechargeable battery, 3x optical.

so saying "blah blah blah for the masses" is not only incorrect.... but misleading.

just for reference:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/27/canons-powershot-sd630-review-roundup/ (that's right.. april 2006.. it was actually announced feb 21st)

or....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120196

you can get it's upgraded big brother (7.1mp) for less than $200. today.

personally... even when I worked at canon, I loved and will always love my kodaks.. but I figured I'd just put my 2 cents in.

[Prokanda2oh Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:36AM]

refurb? =\

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 4:41AM]

er, didn't mean to imply it was a first or unusual. Title updated to be more clear.

Thomas

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:55AM]

"brings 3 inch LCD to the masses"

yeah right, the Nikon L18 has been out for months with a 3" lcd, and a price point of only $139.99. I doubt this casio will be any cheaper when it hits. Definitely some cutting edge stuff casio (rolls eyes).

[CRA1G Posted Jul 14th 2008 6:58AM]

There's a 3" LCD on the Canon SD870IS that we've owned for a year or two, and that wasn't terribly expensive.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 10:33AM]

These things are very prone to breaking from my experience. I would never buy a casio again. If you dont believe me dig through the slugish menu very fast back and forth. I am not responsible for what happens to your cam as a result of what i just told you that you should do in the even that you want to test your investment's reliability.

[Tubalcain Posted Jul 14th 2008 11:25AM]

I have a Casio EXZ1080 10.1 MP and have never had a problem with it. In fact it takes great pictures. My parents had a Casio 5 MP back in the day and same thing no problems. I'm curious as to why you would go through menu back and forth very fast? When people say things like that it leads me to think that they buy things specifically to break them. I've heard it for cameras, game consoles,phones etc..."This broke because I did this or I wrapped it in a towel or I had it in a closed poorly ventilated environment.."

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 3:11PM]

i had an exilim. was your model one of those? nooooo. okay now. about the menu thing. The menu is slow. Nobody expects to go through a menu on a camera or any device and expect it to break the camera. All i did was browse through it i hit right and then i hit left quickly because i wanted to go back and it broke. I returned it and it was repaired... then it broke again. this time all i did was turn it on one day and the lens got stuck out. google exilim lens stuck and you will see this happens to alot of people.

[Why should I have all the fun Posted Jul 14th 2008 11:47AM]

I've had very good luck with my 4 MP Casio EXILIM. I can't remember the model because I just gave it to a friend after years of faithful service.

I just bought a Canon SD1100 because I like small cameras but I would be very tempted by this based on my previous Casio experience.

However, one thing I don't like is proprietary USB connections. Boooo

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2008 6:10PM]

To me, the big thing about this camera is the 28mm effective wide angle. There are not a lot of inexpensive ultra compact cameras this wide. BTW, I know you can stitch two images together for a wide angle view but it's not a good solution for action when you just can't step back.