Digital Gadgets

Casio UK Introduces Exilim Zoom EX-Z60 and EX-Z850

Casio will introduce two digital cameras, the 8.1- megapixel Exilim EX-Z850 Zoom (left) and the 6-megapixel Exilim EX-Z60.

The EX-Z60 has a 3x optical zoom in a small form factor with nicely rounded edges. It has a 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder and a startup time of just 1.4 seconds.

Exilim models, the EX-Z60 and EX-X850. Typical of Casio pocket cams, both models are less than an inch thick and boast over 30 scene modes. And typical of consumer point-and-shoots, both cameras sport 3x optical zooms with a 35mm equivalency of 38-114mm, 2.5” LCDs, and significant resolution—the EX-Z60 offers 6 megapixels, while the EX Z850 offers 8.1. Pricing and US availability has yet to be determined.

As an upgrade to currently available Z750, the Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z850 comes with an impressive 8.1 megapixel sensor, a 0.003 second shutter lag, and some great anti-shake DSP. Get those close-up pics with the 3x optical zoom, and check out your shots on the 2.5-inch LCD. Storage comes in the way of SD cards.

Incorporating Casio’s SUPERLIFE battery, the EX-Z850 can capture 440 shots from a single charge. Revive shot is designed to be used for digitising photographs; it restores colours that may have faded. Several flash modes are found in both EXILIMs. Rapid Flash takes three flash pictures per second and Soft Flash prevents overexposure in close-up shots. The EX-Z850 includes High Power Flash, which can illuminate subjects 12m away.

Otherwise, it’s the same 3x optical zoom and 2.5-inch LCD we’ve seen before. The 6 megapixel EX-Z60 does away with the glass viewfinder on the Z850 yet fails to increase the LCD beyond 2.5-inches or lens beyond a 3x zoom in attempts to keep the all-metal package slim.

The Z60 provides 33 scene modes for the point-and-shoot enthusiast; if this is not sufficient, users can focus manually, select from three metering options of center, multi-pattern, or spot, select sensitivity from ISO 50 to 400, adjust the flash mode among 5 options and manually adjust white balance (or select from 7 presets including Auto). Like many compacts this year, the EX-Z60 also offers Anti-Shake; there is an additional ISO 800 setting available when coupled with this feature.

The higher-end Exilim EX-Z850 Zoom features an 8.1 megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom. Aimed at more advanced photographers, it also offers manual settings with both aperture- and shutter speed-priority options. It also includes image stabilization, which Casio calls Anti-Shake DSP. No ship date or pricing was available yet on either of these cameras.