Casio Exilim EX-Z3 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom and Dock

Amazon.com Product Description
Early Adopters Pick:May 2003 One the tiniest 3.2-megapixel digital cameras in the world, the 0.9 inches thick Casio Exilim boasts a 3x optical zoom, a release time lag of about 0.01 seconds and a 2-inch LCD screen.

With a super-slim design and measuring the height and length of a credit card, the Casio Exilim EX-Z3 is sure to turn heads as you effortlessly snap high-quality digital photos. Don't let the size fool you, the EX-Z3 is equipped with a 3.2-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, 10 MB of built-in memory, and full-motion movie recording.

Optics and Resolution
The 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor captures sharp and brilliant images of up to 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, which can printed at sizes of up to 11 by 14 inches. The lens of the EX-Z3 uses a new three-segment telescoping mechanism that makes it possible to provide 3x optical zoom capabilities in an amazingly thin camera configuration. The stylish card design of the camera is made possible by stacking chips to reduce space requirements by about 40 percent (as compared to the Exilim EX-S2 and EX-M2). The EX-Z3 also features a 4x digital zoom.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on 10 MB of internal memory, which stores about eight images with settings at 2,048 x 1,536. If you want more memory, the expansion slot is compatible with any MMC or SD memory card. You can quickly and easily transfer your files onto a PC or Mac using the USB port for computer editing and sharing with friends and family.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Exilim can also record AVI movie clips. The movie can be as long as 30 seconds at a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels.

More Features
The EX-Z3 is ready to shoot in less than 2 seconds after it is activated. A release time lag of only 0.01 seconds (from when the shutter release button is fully depressed with the monitor screen and built-in flash turned off, and focus locked) helps to ensure that the user is able to capture the image seen in the viewfinder when the shutter release is pressed.

The big 2.0-inch TFT LCD monitor screen included on the EX-Z3 features a digital interface for a clearer display of images.

Each date of the full-month calendar screen shows a thumbnail of the first image recorded on that date. This visual diary of images makes it possible for you to quickly search for and locate specific images.

Many of the Exilim's settings can be modified, such as programmed exposure, white balance, and flash. When you shoot in the "best shot" mode you can select a stored photo that looks similar to the photo you want to take and the camera automatically configures to achieve that look.

Power, Size, and Contents
The Exilim comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has an approximate battery life of 65 minutes. The camera itself measures 3.43 by 2.24 by 0.9 inches and weighs 4.44 ounces without the battery. Other standard accessories are a hand strap, CD-ROM with imaging software, USB cradle and cable, and AC adapter for cradle.

Product Description:
###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################

Casio Exilim EX-Z3 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom and Dock
Average customer rating:

No charge!

Expensive to fix...

It started out great....

Better than the Optio S

Nice, handy little camera - good pictures, but some drawback

Casio Exilim EX-Z3 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom and Dock

Manufacturer: CASIO
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

Digital Cameras | Casio | Camera & Photo Brands | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics
Digital Cameras | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics
All Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics
3 to 3.9 Megapixels | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics
Under 4x Optical Zoom | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics
Accessories:

Casio NP-20 Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery for the Casio Digital Camera

SimpleTech 256 MB Secure Digital Card (STI-SD/256)

Vivitar V-2200GX Video/Photo Tripod

Samsonite Worldproof 1.2 Blue/Black Compact Camera Pouch with Pocket

Product Features:

3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14

3x optical plus 4x digital (12x total) zoom lens with autofocus

Store images on 10 MB internal memory; compatible with Secure Digital/MMC cards

Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery included

ASIN: B000087L95

Amazon.com Product Description

Early Adopters Pick:May 2003 One the tiniest 3.2-megapixel digital cameras in the world, the 0.9 inches thick Casio Exilim boasts a 3x optical zoom, a release time lag of about 0.01 seconds and a 2-inch LCD screen.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Exilim can also record AVI movie clips. The movie can be as long as 30 seconds at a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels.

The big 2.0-inch TFT LCD monitor screen included on the EX-Z3 features a digital interface for a clearer display of images.

Customer Reviews:

No charge!.......2005-07-12

I also had a problem w/ camera not recharging ... just about the time the warranty expired. Don't know if it was the cradle or the camera...Casio wanted $199 to fix. No thanks! No more Casio cameras for me.

Up until then, I would give it 3.5 stars. While the size was supposed to be the selling point, I always felt it was almost too small.

Lag time between clicking shutter and "taking" the picture drove me nuts!

Expensive to fix..........2004-10-04

I received this camera as a Christmas gift last December. I thought it was a decent camera - it was compact and had a lot of great features. My only complaint initially was the lag time between shots. Then over the summer, my cradle quit charging the camera for no appearant reason. Since this was a gift, I did not have the receipt so I could not take advantage of the warranty. Casio is charging around $200 to fix the problem. This seems a little on the high side considering the camera isn't even a year old. I won't be buying any more Casio products nor would I recommend them to anyone.

It started out great...........2004-01-19

For the first 2.5 months of ownership, I was very pleased; however, the camera now has difficulty focusing. The manual indicated the topic matter did not have enough contrast. (Hmm...perhaps a manufacturing bug, identified prior to distribution?) I then tested the theory, locating high contract topics with the same results. At this point, I contacted the manufacturer and they suggested I send the camera in to be repaired. Boo! I expect a product like this to provide years of service, not months. Save your money and look for a more reliable product.

Better than the Optio S.......2003-12-04

I liked the Exilim much better than the Optio S. I am a current Pentax Optio S owner but had the Exilim previously. I used the Exilim extensively for my honeymoon and loved it! The only 2 cons I experienced with the Exilim is 1)the flash is not powerful so not ideal for taking pictures in dim light and 2) the docking station broke after the first month. If Dell, the reseller, wouldn't have hassled me about replacing the docking station I would not have returned it.

I found the Exilim to be much more user friendly and better designed ergonomically. The 2 advantages of the Optio S is that it performs better under dim lighting and is slightly smaller. My primary gripe with the Optio is with its super slow shutter speed. My goal was a simple point and shoot camera to conveniently 'capture the moment' after I have my baby. Adults can't even sustain a genuine smile/pose long enough for me to take a good candid shot let alone expect an infant to. I feel like I keep missing the moment vs capturing it. The downside outweights any potential advantage to me, unless your primary targets are still lifes in dim settings.

Though in most respects both cameras are very comparable, I still think the Exilim is a superior camera overall. In retrospect, I would've reordered another Exilim.

Nice, handy little camera - good pictures, but some drawback.......2003-10-23

EX-Z3 3.2MP Digital Camera is a great camera, fits nicely into your hand, about as small as can be and still comfortable to hold and manipulate. Pictures are sharp. With release time lag of about 0.01 seconds and a 2-inch LCD screen, it is a real good shot. There are some drawbacks, though: the flash is weak. While the electronic programming allows for just about any kind of picture you want to take, store and manipulate - and more, the menu is not very user friendly. Same with the program to transfer pictures to a computer - it is complicated, not easily understandable. As far as I could see, it has no picture-turning mode, i.e. from horizontal to vertical. It is not possible to burn photos directly from the program to a CD. An additional burn or photo-handling program is needed for that, requiring transferring of pictures, i.e. additional steps. Unless you buy an extra printer (expensive, considering cost of photo-quality printer and relatively high recurrent costs of color cartridges and photo-paper - regular color printers are OK but not great) which allows printing directly from the camera (via the docking station included in the package), you are in for a pretty lengthy process until the pictures are print-ready on a CD.

Would I recommend the EX-Z3 3.2MP Digital Camera ? - Yes, by all means. Its neat. But I would also recommend to the manufacturer some improvements along the lines described above, i.e. improved flash capacity and user-friendliness of in-camera programs, as well as those used for downloading / transferring and eventually easy burning of picures on a CD.

Electronics:

Electronics