Casio EX-Z450 Review

The Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z450 is based around a 1/2.3" twelve megapixel CCD image sensor behind an EXILIM branded 4x optical zoom lens which features a useful 28mm wide angle. Usefully,the Z450 includes sensor shift image stabilization to help fight the effects of blur from camera shake. Maximum aperture varies from f/2.6 to f/5.8 across the zoom range, and focusing is possible to a minimum of just four inches in Macro mode. Images are framed and reviewed on a 3.0" LCD display with 230,400 dots of resolution, as the Casio Z450 doesn't include any form of true optical viewfinder.

The Casio EXILIM Z450 uses contrast detection autofocusing, with both face detection and tracking capabilities. AF modes are multi or spot, and metering modes include multi, center weighted, or spot. Shutter speeds range from 4 to 1/1000 second. The Casio EX-Z450's ISO sensitivity ranges from a minimum of ISO 64 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 35.7MB of internal memory. Power comes from a proprietary NP-40 lithium ion rechargeable battery, rated as good for 550 shots on a charge to CIPA testing standards.

A couple of more unusual features on the Casio EXILIM EX-Z450 are its landscape and makeup modes. In the former, the Casio Z450 owner can capture either Vivid or Mist Removal landscape photos. In the latter, the Casio EX-Z450's face detection function is used to locate subjects' faces, which are then automatically adjusted to yield smooth skin tones and softened shadows. There's also a Handheld Night Scene mode, 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 into a different image.

The Casio EXILIM EX-Z450 goes on sale from early-October, with only a champagne body color available. Pricing is set at $199.99 in the US market.