Casio Exilim G EX-G1 review

Casio's Exilim G EX-G1 camera made a solid enough first impression with us when we got our hands on it in January, but we've now had a chance to use it a fair bit more both indoors and out, and reach some firmer conclusions about it. The short verdict is that the camera, like any other rugged device, comes with its fair share of compromises. If you value ruggedness over everything else, the Exilim G definitely deserves some serious consideration (especially in this price range). On the other hand, if you're looking for an all-around, everyday point-and-shoot that just so happens to be a bit more durable than the rest, you may well find yourself disappointed. Read on for our full review.

Casio Exilim G EX-G1 hands-on

Design and ruggedness

Unlike some other rugged cameras, the Exilim G doesn't exactly look like a rugged camera, but it is definitely distinctive. Available in your choice of red or black, the camera's angular design is accented with some hints of metal, and a pair of rubber protectors that can optionally be attached to one side of the camera for a bit more shock protection. What's noticeably lacking, however, is any sort of lens cover, which isn't really a problem in terms of protection (the lens has a hard plastic shield), but it does mean you'll have to be careful to clear any snow or dirt away from the lens before you take your pictures -- which will likely happen quite a bit with a camera designed for use in the great outdoors.

Another minor annoyance is the battery compartment, which is well protected from the elements (as is the memory card and micro USB port area), but can be a bit of a pain to open. Casio even provides a special tool for opening it (designed to be attached to the wrist strap), but you can also use anything small and pointy (even your fingers, if you're nimble enough) to open the compartment if you happen to lose the tool.

Those minor issues aside, we're actually quite taken with the look of the camera, and there's little question about its durability when you hold it in your hand. We didn't go all out in trying to destroy the camera, but it did hold up to some dunks in the snow and some cold, Canadian winter temperatures, and it should be equally adept in less wintery conditions that unfortunately weren't available to us. Of course, it's not indestructible, and there are more rugged cameras out there for especially demanding folks, but you can rest easy that you'll be able to toss the camera around with the rest of your gear and leave any pesky camera cases at home.

Image and video quality

Again, trade-offs are to be expected with a rugged camera, but we have to confess to being a bit disappointed with the Exlim G's image quality. For a point-and-shoot, the images aren't terrible, but in one condition after the next (even a clear, sunny day) our photographs just seemed a bit dull and unimpressive, and certainly not on par with many other non-rugged $300 cameras. Video quality is much the same story, but you do get a somewhat unique 848 x 480 widescreen shooting mode, and a dedicated YouTube mode to make uploads a bit easier.

Like other Casio point-and-shoots, you'll also get a generous supply of automatic "Best Shot" modes (even including an eBay mode), although manual controls are expectedly quite a bit more limited, and some of them (like the higher ISO settings) are probably best left untouched. Check out the gallery below to get a general idea of how the camera performs.

Casio Exilim G sample photos

Wrap-up

So, the Exilim G likely won't win over any professionals or would-be professionals looking for a compact camera to complement their DSLR, but we can't help but be a bit charmed by it. Its combination of slimness and ruggedness makes it more "grabbable" than most cameras and, in the old sense that the best camera is the one you have with you, that's not an insignificant consideration. Then again, it is something of a tough sell at $300 (considering some more capable cameras like the Canon SD980 IS in the same price range), but some retailers are already selling it for upwards of $50 off the list price, and if it ever dips down to the magical $200 mark, it'd be a downright bargain. One thing's for sure, we'll be looking forward to Casio's follow-up to the camera, and hoping all the while that it comes with a sensor that's a better match for the camera's rugged good looks.

[katman Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:08PM]

Is Wednesday Engadget review day?
nice work!
Also nice camera, not for me though

[kappachinoja Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:27PM]

@katman
Me neither, i like water proof cameras...that can be submerged

[djameson Posted Mar 10th 2010 3:05PM]

@kappachinoja
this camera can be submerged, to 10 feet for an hour.

[CHICHIgetdaYAYO Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:25PM]

Looks rugged..like a man's camera..Unlike my Cybershot..:(

[htd Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:28PM]

still prefer my panasonic ts1 to this

[Jeff Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:29PM]

Can it withstand a beating against the sharp corner of my desk?

Am I the only one who has wanted to do that to a gadget?

[QuiggityBiggity Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:32PM]

There may be some compromises but you can't deny that the thing is sexy

[photoguy622 Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:33PM]

No image stabilizer, no sale.

Olympus, Canon, Panasonic, and now Sony, all have mechanical/optical image stabilizers in their waterproof and shockproof cameras. If this Casio had some other great feature it would be another story, but it's just a run-of-the-mill camera that happens to be rugged.

I do like the look of it though.

[richb93 Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:33PM]

Saw it on The Gadget Show a couple of days ago; withstood taking pics underwater, being in very dusty environments as well as quite a few knocks while attached to a go kart; although it did drop a few frames of video. Dunno why though considering its all solid state.

[foggyflute Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:40PM]

Even $150 exilim can do high speed and this one cant? I dont know what they think anymore, high speed is the only reason make me consider buying a Casio PnS...

[MrBeast Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:44PM]

Be interesting to see how the Sony tx5 compares. I've had the tx7 for a couple days now and have to say it is excellent. The panoramic mode is impressive to say the least.

[arnavdesai Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:53PM]

Danger Will Robinson! Danger Will Robinson!

[Nitesh Posted Mar 10th 2010 1:00PM]

Come on Engadget, where is the "drops till it breaks" benchmark?

[MightyY Posted Mar 10th 2010 1:31PM]

I bought this camera a week ago. The image quality is definitely disappointing, but the build quality is superb. At full wide, the edges are terribly distorted. All pics are less than sharp and also appear to have a haze about them, with or without Best Shot, indoors or out.

Having said that, I'll compromise the quality for the ruggedness. I needed a camera I could beat up a bit for my outdoor adventures. When I need quality, I'll bring my DSLR.

[gellnerd Posted Mar 10th 2010 1:37PM]

Ill take it off of your hands once youre done with it!!!

[zramdani Posted Mar 10th 2010 2:05PM]

I bought this camera right after Engadget's preview for my trip to Jamaica.

I liked the fact that I was able to take it anywhere and not worry about sand or water - took great underwater videos.

But Engadget is right about the image quality, it's mediocre..

[questionexclamation Posted Mar 10th 2010 7:36PM]

I'd really really like a slushie right now...

[TheWB Posted Mar 11th 2010 7:45AM]

You call this a review? How can anyone make a judgment of picture quality on cropped down pictures.

Don't waste our time with mini-reviews like this.