Casio EX-Z800 Review

Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z800 Overview

Posted: 08/03/2010

The Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z800 is based around a 1/2.3", fourteen megapixel CCD image sensor behind an EXILIM branded 4x optical zoom lens which features a useful 27mm-equivalent wide angle, with output processed by Casio's latest EXILIM Engine 5.0 image processor. To help fight the effects of blur from camera shake, the Z800 includes sensor shift image stabilization. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.2 to f/5.9 across the zoom range, and focusing is possible to a minimum of just eight centimeters in Macro mode. Images are framed and reviewed on a 2.7-inch LCD display with 230,400 dots of resolution, as the Casio Z800 doesn't include any form of true optical viewfinder.

The Casio EXILIM Z800 uses contrast detection autofocusing, with both face detection and tracking capabilities. AF modes are multi or spot, while the metering is fixed to multi-pattern for all but a few of the Best Shot modes, which are fixed to center weighted metering. Spot metering is not possible with this camera. Shutter speeds range from 4 to 1/2,000 second. The Casio EX-Z800's ISO sensitivity ranges from a minimum of ISO 50 equivalent, through to a maximum of ISO 3,200 equivalent. Images are stored on Secure Digital cards including the higher-capacity SHDC types, or in 14.5MB of internal memory. Power comes from a proprietary NP-80 lithium ion rechargeable battery, rated as good for 280 shots on a charge to CIPA testing standards.

Some of the more unusual features of the Casio EXILIM EX-Z800 include its landscape and makeup modes. In the former, the Casio Z800 owner can capture either Vivid or Mist Removal landscape photos, with two-step control over the strength of the effect. In the latter, the Casio EX-Z800's face detection function is used to locate subjects' faces, which are then automatically adjusted to yield smooth skin tones and softened shadows, with 12-step control over effect strength. There's also a Dynamic Photo function which can isolate a subject from a single shot against a uniform background, or from the combination of a pair of images with the same background but the main subject present in only one shot. The subject can then be extracted, scaled as desired., and placed against a moving background to create a movie clip up to twenty seconds in length. Art Shot and Art Effect functions replicate the look of oil painting, crayon, or watercolor images, with the two functions respectively working before or after image capture. Finally, Casio's Premium Auto function aims to identify specific scene types, whether faces are present in the scene, and whether a tripod is in use -- then automatically sets up the camera appropriately for image capture.

The Casio EXILIM EX-Z800 goes on sale from September 2010, with a choice of silver, pink, orange, black, or blue body colors available. Pricing is set at $150 in the US market.