Casio EX-V8 Optics

Zoom
A 7x optical zoom lens that performs moderately well. Digital zoom performance is about average.

The Casio Exilim Hi-Zoom EX-V8's optical zoom covers the equivalent of 38-266mm, a much broader range than most consumer digital cameras offer. At full wide angle, detail is pretty strong though definition a little fuzzy. Corner softness is noticeable, as is coma distortion in the top of the frame. Results at full telephoto are better, with less noticeable blurring in the corners and better detail. The camera's 4x digital zoom is about average, with strong losses in detail definition and resolution, and a pixilated appearance that almost looks illustrative rather than photographic.

Macro
An average-size macro area, though very good detail and resolution. Flash exposure is uneven, however.

The Casio EX-V8's macro setting performed about average, capturing a minimum area of 3.35 x 2.51 inches (85 x 64 millimeters). Detail and resolution were both very good, with a lot of fine detail in the dollar bill and coins, and minimal blurring in the corners. (Most cameras have some softening in the corners in macro mode.) Exposure was a little dim, however, resulting in a yellow cast. The EX-V8's flash produced an uneven exposure, with shadows in the left corners of the frame and a hot spot on the brooch.

Distortion
High barrel and pincushion distortion.

The Casio Exilim Hi-Zoom EX-V8's 0.9% barrel distortion at wide angle is higher than average, and quite noticeable in its images. At the telephoto end, the EX-V8's 0.6% pincushion distortion is also very high. This is the tendency for the lens to bend straight lines outward (like a barrel -- usually at wide angle) or inward (like a pincushion -- usually at telephoto).

Chromatic aberration
High and bright at wide angle, lower at telephoto. Very noticeable effect on some images in the corners toward full wide angle.

Chromatic aberration is quite high at wide angle, showing about 8-10 pixels of very bright coloration on either side of the target lines. However, at telephoto, the effect is not as strong, nor as bright. (This distortion is visible as a slight colored fringe around the objects at the edges of the field of view on the resolution target.)

Corner Sharpness
Moderately high blurring in the corners of the frame at wide angle, stronger blurring in the top right corner at telephoto.

The Casio EX-V8 produced soft corners of the frame at full wide angle, with consistent blurring in all four corners compared to the center of the frame. At full telephoto, blurring was slightly stronger, but strongest in the upper right corner compared to center (which was also a little soft).

Coverage
Very good accuracy with the LCD monitor.

The Casio EX-V8's LCD monitor proved quite accurate, showing about 103% frame accuracy at wide angle, and about 98% at telephoto. Results at wide angle were actually a little loose, but still good.