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Casio G'zOne Brigade brings whole new level of rugged insanity to the QWERTY clamshell

by Paul Miller posted Nov 5th 2009 at 11:21AM

We've seen some crazy phones in our day, many of them from Casio, as it turns out, but the G'zOne Brigade really pushes the envelope. It's a ruggedized, weatherproof, Push to Talk QWERTY clamshell, with some of the odder physical protrusions we've seen on a handset this decade. Unfortunately, the QWERTY keyboard, which is populated with large and very clickable keys, is arranged in possibly one of the least sensible layouts conceivable. Software-wise the handset runs the full gamut of V CAST apps and also includes a document viewer for opening Microsoft Office files and PDFs. Price and availability info will be revealed "closer to launch."

Gallery: Casio G'zOne Brigade hands-on

Casio Exilim CA003 and CA004 uncloaked in KDDI au's winter lineup

by Ross Miller posted Oct 19th 2009 at 6:02AM

KDDI au's unleashing its winter lineup, and among them sits Casio's latest cameras phone, the 12.17 megapixel Exilim CA003 and 8 megapixel CA004. The higher-tier former boasts a 28mm wide angle lens with 3x optical zoom and autofocus, and a 3.3-inch WVGA OLED screen. It'll also shoot a quick burst of 20 pics per second when you need to capture the exact moment and aren't exactly sure when that is. Other amenities include microSDHC card slot, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM radio, and a handful of color options. Not wanting all that horsepower? The CA004 has smaller resolution shots, support up to 2GB microSD, and a 3.1-inch WVGA OLED screen, but is otherwise touting the same features. Akihabara News has some hands-on shots of the beaut you might wanna check out, unless you're the type who gets violently jealous by phones that aren't hitting American soil.

[Via Engadget Japan]

Read - KDDI au lineup
Read - CA003 / CA004 hands-on

Casio Exilim EX-H10 gets new blue and gold outfits

by Vladislav Savov posted Oct 2nd 2009 at 8:46AM

The Exilim EX-H10 superzoom looks just dandy in its minimalist black exterior, but Casio has decided to furnish its Japanese customers with a couple more options. To be fair, our far-Eastern brethren have had to choose between a less classy silver affair and a zany pink number, so they'll probably welcome the newfound diversity. The specs remain the same, of course, with a highly competent 12.1 megapixel sensor, 10x optical zoom and 720p video recording being the highlights, so we wouldn't expect the as yet unannounced prices to differ either. The blue version above will be joined by a gold variant (picture after the break) when the two are released on October 9.

[Via Akihabara News]

Continue reading Casio Exilim EX-H10 gets new blue and gold outfits

Casio's Poptone Cubic Puzzle watch is a riddle in an enigma wrapped around your wrist

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 29th 2009 at 3:16AM

Alright, so Casio's new Poptone Cubic Puzzle watch may not actually contain any puzzles (or games of any sort, for that matter), but it does boasts some buttons that kind of, sort of resemble Tetris pieces, and it in comes in blue, which is good enough for us. Otherwise, it looks like you'll get all the usual watch functions you'd expect from a watch, including 12 or 24 hour time settings, a stopwatch, an alarm clock, and a backlight -- not to mention an "animated display," which remains something of a puzzle. Sold? Then you can grab one right now in your choice of black or blue for just under $90.

[Via OhGizmo!]

NEC, Casio, and Hitachi forming mobile joint venture next year

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 14th 2009 at 5:11AM

It took a little longer than anyone had thought, but that rumored three-way deal involving NEC, Casio, and Hitachi in Japan to create a superpower mobile joint venture is now official. Two of the three -- Casio and Hitachi -- have already had their mobile units united in holy matrimony since 2004, so NEC is the new kid on the block joining in the fun to help spread out R&D costs a bit further, achieve even more spectacular scales of economy on component orders, and pull sophomoric pranks on Fujitsu to score popularity points with the cool companies. The deal's expected to close in April of next year, at which point the combined venture will be the second-largest in Japan behind Sharp and the idea of NEC bringing devices to the States won't seem that far-fetched -- Casio Hitachi already does through Verizon, after all.

NEC rumored to want in on Casio Hitachi joint venture

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 28th 2009 at 1:03PM

The big rumor out of Japan today has NEC locked in heated negotiations with existing joint venture Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications to add itself into the mix -- a JV that's currently a 51 / 49 percent ownership split between Casio and Hitachi, respectively -- with NEC wanting to pick up a total of 50 percent of the combined operation. Japan's one of the more competitive, low-margin mobile markets in the world (just ask Mitsubishi) so it makes sense that a lot of these guys would be looking to consolidate and work on their sourcing scales of economy; if it happens, the rumor has the deal targeted for an April 2010 close that would make the combined operation the second-largest in the market at 20 percent share behind Sharp at 23 percent. Does this mean they'll be more friendly toward the crazy idea of wide-scale North American launches, by chance? Please?

[Via MobileCrunch]

Casio finds one more compact camera to debut: the Exilim EX-Z33

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 21st 2009 at 1:22PM

Thought Casio was done when it rolled out three mostly similar Exilim compact cameras earlier this week? Think again, 'cause the company's now let slip its new Exilim EX-Z33 model, which offers just a little bit less all around compared to its slightly higher-end counterparts. That includes 10.1 megapixels as opposed to twelve, a 3x optical zoom instead of a 4x, and a 2.5-inch widescreen LCD instead of a 2.7- or 3.0-incher. You'll also get the usual face recognition and best shot modes, a built-in YouTube video mode to take some of the work out of uploading, and an all new Easy Mode that's supposedly even easier to use than before. No word on a price just yet, but we'd assume it'll be less than the $149 Casio is asking for its more capable EX-Z90.

Casio's Exilim EX-Z450, EX-Z280 and EX-Z90 compacts invoke more Zzzs

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 18th 2009 at 8:49AM

The EX-Z450 above is Casio's new Exilim Zoom flagship model, but you'll be forgiven for confusing it for its predecessor the Z400. Their spec sheets are almost identical: both come with 4x optical zoom, 12 megapixel sensor, 720p / 24 fps video, and Exilim Engine 4.0 -- hell, even the max ISO setting is identical at 3200, and you can upgrade that 'for free' since nobody expects your highest settings to be usable anyway. What's new? An autofocus for the ages, apparently, as the sole difference is a new Intelligent AF feature that automatically adjusts focus and exposure for photographic subjects, human or otherwise. The Z90 shrinks those innards into a more portable package, but drops to 3x zoom in the process. The two cameras are expected in early October for $199 and $149, respectively. They'll be joined by the unpriced Z280 shooter that misses out on the auto-detect magic, but gains a wide-angle 26mm lens. Full frontal shots of each camera after the break.

[Via Impress]

Read - Exilim Zoom EX-Z450
Read - Exilim Zoom EX-Z280
Read - Exilim Zoom EX-Z90

Continue reading Casio's Exilim EX-Z450, EX-Z280 and EX-Z90 compacts invoke more Zzzs

Hello Kitty limited edition Casio Exilim EX-Z2 with 12.1 meowgapixels up for pre-order

by Laura June posted Aug 5th 2009 at 12:39PM

You didn't expect Hello Kitty's 35th anniversary to pass without a flurry of new products did you? Now, this is not the first Casio digital camera we've seen carrying the HK moniker, but the Exilim EX- Z2 is the first 12.1-megapixel affair we've ever seen with the meow meow on it. Bedazzled with Swarovskis and all pinked up, this Casio boasts a 2.7-inch LCD, and a 3 x optical zoom, plus the package seems to come with some other items of interest -- a camera case, lanyard, and giant poofy pink thing! All this can be yours (available for pre-order now) for $500.

[Via Chip Chick]

Casio EX-H10 point-and-shoot (and its superzoom pedigree) get reviewed

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 22nd 2009 at 3:51PM

We covered this cam's full spec last month, but to refresh your memory, the major attractions are its 720/24p video recording and 10x optical zoom. In fact, the Photography Blog crew, who have a review unit sprawled on their test bench, reckon the H10 is both the thinnest and lightest shooter to ever pack that kind of zooming prowess. They've compared it to the Panasonic DMC-TZ7, their reigning champ in the compact superzoom category, and -- well, you'll have to read the review to find out. The impressions we can share with you include excellent battery life and a useful Anti-Shake system on the upside, but also noise issues at relatively low ISO speeds and only average image quality on the downslope. Still, hit up the read link for a full rundown -- trust us, it's worth it for the cliffhanger ending.

Casio's EXILIM EX-H10 ultra-compact gets 12.1 megapixels 10x closer

by Thomas Ricker posted Jun 11th 2009 at 4:04AM

Casio's just pushed another 10x zoom compact camera into the market with its EXILIM EX-H10. Here we've got a 24-mm wide-angle lens stabilized by a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD-shift sensor with up to ISO 3200 sensitivity, a 3-inch LCD, and the ability to grab Motion-JPEG video at 720/24p. EXILIM 4.0 image processing and a 10 frames per second burst mode for 1,280 x 960 pixel images too in a point-and-shoot measuring just 102.5 x 24.3 x 62-mm. Watch for it to hit Japanese retailers first starting next month for ¥40,000 (about $400). Pink rear-end after the break.

Continue reading Casio's EXILIM EX-H10 ultra-compact gets 12.1 megapixels 10x closer

Casio EXILIM now available on Verizon, water resistance no extra charge

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 10th 2009 at 12:37PM

Long rumored as the C721, Casio's pivoting EXILIM clamshell is now available to all comers on Verizon. Though the camera goes way up to 5.1 megapixels with autofocus, image stabilization, and a 3x optical zoom, the phone doesn't stray too far from its G'zOne roots -- it's mil-spec 810F compliant for dust, shock, temperature, and water resistance. It also features expandability up to 8GB (something you'll likely need if you're taking advantage of that cam) and compatibility with Verizon's VZ Navigator service. If you really need to be taking pictures in the shower, the pleasure's going to cost you: expect to pay $279.99 on contract after rebate.

Engadget Labs: The best point-and-shoot camera for under $400

by Tim Stevens posted May 19th 2009 at 1:30PM

The summer looms, and so too does the summer vacation season. Despite the economy there are visions of great trips brewing in the backs of peoples' minds, visions that will soon turn into (hopefully) great memories -- and (hopefully) great pictures. Some folks wouldn't dream of going on those trips without an SLR slung 'round their neck or hanging at the hip, but then there are plenty of others who'd much prefer something a little more pocketable. Even for aspiring photographers there are times when lugging around five pounds of glass just isn't going to work.

There are dozens and dozens of cameras intended for casual shooters all the time or serious shooters some of the time, with models suitable for pockets of every shape and size -- and for wallets of equally varying dimensions. So, let's take a look at some of this summer's greatest, and see which comes out ahead, shall we?

Gallery: Engadget compact cam summer shootout

Continue reading Engadget Labs: The best point-and-shoot camera for under $400

Casio EX-FS10 reviewed, slides 1000 fps capture into the back pocket of your mom jeans

by Paul Miller posted May 16th 2009 at 6:40PM

Casio's really blown out the feature list on the EX-FS10, and now PhotographyBLOG has taken the compact fashioncam through its paces. Sadly, like many modern compacts, straight up image quality is a bit scarce here, with obvious noise at ISO 200 and up, no optical image stabilization, and not even the silly 12 megapixel extravagance of its counterparts to blame it on -- the EX-FS10 shoots 9 megapixel stills. The HD and slow-motion video recording is also severely hampered by a lack of zoom during shooting, bad sound, and the oversized AVI format. Still, the camera is incredibly well built, very slim, and it can pull off some really wild feats -- 720p might be growing increasingly common, but 1000 fps slow motion, burst mode for stills and pre-record shutter lag adjustment make the FS10 quite unique in its category. It's obviously a tradeoff, but at least there's some good news: while the camera was supposedly slated to retail at around $450, it's hovering pretty close to $300 at the moment.

Casio's 1,000 fps Exilim EX-FC100 unboxing

by Tim Stevens posted May 7th 2009 at 3:48PM

Sometimes 30 frames per second is enough to catch your summer moments. Sometimes, though, you need to re-live things in super slow-mo, and for those times Casio's EX-FC100 should have you covered with its 1,000 fps capture mode. We've got one in-house for testing and we'll be posting up full impressions soon (along with some gratuitous footage of random high-speed hijinx), but for now check out some time-lapse photography of how this one escaped from its cardboard confines.