Buy Casio Exilim EX-Z2 Digital Camera - Purple (12.1MP, 3x Optical Zoom, 2.7 inch LCD)Casio Exilim EX-Z2 Digital Camera - Purple (12.1MP, 3x Optical Zoom, 2.7 inch LCD) Product Description:
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
By lerm182
First of all, lets be realistic; This camera costs under £100 - Under £90 from this particular site. The previous reviewer was evidently expecting a little too much for his/her money and was understandably dissapointed. If your more serious about photography, or want to capture unusual/technically chellenging images - you're going to have to spend a little more than this. This camera is the low end of the Exilim range - so if your a casual snapper, or want to capture day to day pics then this is all you'll need. Now thats out of the way I'll give a fair review of what this camera does, without comparing it to more expensive and up-market models!The finish and feel of the camera is ok, nothing special. Its a nice shape and not too thin so you can grip it quite well. This bodes well for nights out, holiday snaps, emergency pics etc, as its easy to just grab and shoot. Start up time is pretty quick too which is nice.Colour reproduction is good (for a compact) and pictures are detailed and well balanced. If you start shooting in low light, decent results can be had with a little tinkering in the menu's. There are quite alot of settings and modes and "Best Shot" (as always) provides an excellent way for novices to set up pictures in a variety of situations. Face detection works well, autofocus is speedy, zoom is also fast.IMO, 12.1 megapixels is far more than you need with a camera like this - as is always the case with this end of the budget - & the quality of the sensor means you could acheive the same results with 5-8 megapixel range. (for example my 5 megapixel Sony-T7 from 5 years ago actually creates more detailed images, granted it cost £245 at the time so I won't compare them, but you can see what I mean!) Bottom line is there's more than enough detail in this cameras pictures, if you want more detail or better depth then you need to look up the price scale!Video works well - clear audio and vibrant colours. Just don't zoom in too much otherwise you'll see alot of judder on playback. I've seen this advertised in several places as having "HD Video" - this is untrue, it doesn't record in HD (for £90, thats fairly obvious though!)My one problem is somthing that seems to be a running theme with the cheaper Exilim models - a low resolution screen. Its enough to allow you to review your pictures, but they appear grainy and a little washed out. Once you put them on your PC or print them off you'll realise that they're far more detailed and vibrant than they appear on the camera!All in all, good little camera in its own right, great pictures and features for this price. Don't expect the same results as you would get from further up the price scale and you'll be pleased.Pros:Shape feels good in the handUnder 3 second start-upBest Shot mode is usefulGood pictures for the priceCheap price, not cheap specs!Good battery lifeDecent flash compared to the competition - can also set the brightnessCons:Battery door is a little flimsyMight feel a bit plasticky for someCoating on the front scratches too easilyNo case/sleeve included (to prevent the above!)Low resolution screen doesn't do your pictures justice - view them on your computer for a truer representation!USB transfer seems slower than some cameras...
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
By J Baines
One of my all time favourite digital compact cameras is the Casio Exilim EX-Z1000, the 10.1 mega pixel offering which offers all round great performance in a sturdy, compact, metal body. So when I received the Casio Exilim EX-Z2 it was with some excitement that I opened the box only to be instantly disappointed. The first thing that struck me about the EX-Z2 was the difference in feel and overall presentation, the first thing that sprung to mind was "Urgggh! Plastic!". I have no idea what Casio's logic has been but the Ex-Z2 simply cries out 'cheap!'. Whereas the EX-Z1000 was a solid feeling metal bodied unit, Casio, in their wisdom, have housed the EX-Z2 in a black plastic back and metal front making it look and feel like a shoddy and budget camera from a no-name company. Even the metal front scratches easily and you have to wonder what the camera will look like after living a few months in a bag or pocket..... no need to wonder though, I can tell you: it's scratched and permanently has smudges which, no matter how much you polish, always come back to compliment the little scratches and grazes. When you hold the old EX-Z1000 and the EX-Z2 in each hand, the older model feels the sturdiest and with its brushed metal finish doesn't appear as battered and worn as the EX-Z2. Aesthetics aside, how does the shiny EX-Z2 perform as a camera?Well, once again, Casio seem to have compromised on function as well as looks. I have used the EX-Z2 in all sorts of conditions and it performs well in only one environment I could find: balanced light conditions with close range subjects, otherwise it is a nightmare trying to obtain good image reproduction. In low light conditions the camera's flash is abysmal having very poor range making the optical zoom pointless, you're zooming in only to make your image dark because no matter how far you can zoom you simply know the flash isn't going to reach. Having recently taken the EX-Z2 to a gig I had all of my views confirmed, the camera is useless beyond being a simple point and click device to pop in a bag or pocket for those candid moments such as parties and or maybe scenery. Don't risk your precious memories with the EX-Z2. At the gig I watched the result of a Panasonic Lumix (TZ5Panasonic DMC-TZ5 Black Digital Camera) user produce absolutely perfect images time and again in low level light, with no flash. The images off stage (we were stood maybe 50 feet away) were absolutely perfect with no aberration at all and no noise. Light was balanced across the image and colours were sharp. Not so with the EX-Z2: flash on produced muddied, unclear shots with over exposure on those pictures that actually came out without too much blur and noise; flash off produced under exposed pictures that appeared flat, bland and lacking in any kind of life. The camera was responsible for missing some excellent shots of a rare intimate gig with one of my favourite artists.Given that the EX-Z2 boasts a dedicated video record button designed to give a one touch video recording experience, I suppose I should comment on the video capabilities. Once again, in close proximity environments the EX-Z2 takes decent enough video and sound reproduction is good but expand your expectations to something larger (such as a 2000 person venue such as the Barrowlands in Glasgow) and the camera is completely out of depth. Video reproduction is sketchy but acceptable given the lighting and distance from subject but the sound is absolutely atrocious with the two songs I tested the video on being only fit for the 'delete' option with play back consisting purely of noise and no sound definition whatsoever.Verdict: for a point and click standby then the EX-Z2 is very average, for anything more serious forget it and buy yourself an older Casio such as the EX-Z1000 or a Panasonic Lumix (TZ range) if you can afford a little more.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
By BOBAJOB
Bought this as a used item from Amazon and have been delighted . Pctures are excellent , camera is easy to use and very well made.Have tried maany 'pocket' cameras and this is really amongst the very best . If you can get a good used model you will not regret it .
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