Casio Exlim EX Z1000

Guide price: £249.00

Compact 10 megapixel, 3x zoom digital camera. The latest exciting addition to CASIO's stylish series of Exilim Zoom digital cameras, the EX-Z1000 captures images of remarkably high quality for its very compact size.

The Exilim Zoom EX-Z1000 packs a powerful punch in a sleek, compact package. Small enough to be held in the palm of the hand, this 10.1 Megapixel digital camera still captures super high-resolution images that reproduce crystal-clear even at poster size.

The EX-Z1000 has 10.1 million effective pixels, powered by a large 1/1.8-inch format, high resolution CCD. Add the Exilim Engine high performance image processor, and the camera delivers highly expressive images and reproduces a wide tonal range.

With its wide-format Super Bright LCD display, the EX-Z1000 not only gives users the power to enjoy their shots instantly, but CASIO also makes the most of this extra screen space to offer great new functions like simultaneous viewing of a wide angle and a telephoto shot, and a convenient optimal side located icon control.

EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z1000 MAIN FEATURES

* 10.1 million effective pixels.
* A high dynamic range, 1/1.8-inch CCD, which delivers low-noise imaging.
* The ability to zoom between 4.3X and 17.1X*1 with no reduction in image quality.
* BEST SHOT function with high--sensitivity shooting mode, up to a maximum of ISO 3200.
* Anti Shake DSP, which is built into the EXILIM Engine image processor, reduces blurring due to unsteady hands or moving subjects.
* Rapid Flash function enables up to three shots per second, enabling high-speed flash photography.
* Fast power-on function, so the first shot can be taken just 1.3 seconds*2 after switching on.
* Release time lag of only approximately 0.002 seconds,*3 allowing the shot to be captured practically instantaneously with the push of the shutter button.
* High-speed picture playback of approximately 0.1 second interval.
* Super Life Battery allows up to 360 shots*4 to be taken, measured by CIPA standards.

*1 This applies with image size set anywhere from VGA to 5 megapixels. Zoom ratio can be enhanced by cropping an image.

*2 Using internal memory, with built-in flash off.

*3 With built-in flash off.

*4 With LCD display set to standard brightness.

Large, wide-format LCD display built for ease of viewing

* Large, 2.8-inch, wide-format LCD monitor lets users enjoy high-impact images of their shots.
* High-resolution, 230,400 pixel display presents clear, detailed images and data.
* Wide and Bright display (brightness: 1200cd/m2 *5) makes viewing in bright outdoor light easier than ever before.
* Display button can be used to change display formats with just one touch.
* Display utilizes a vertical stripe pixel array, ensuring that the menus are clear and easy to read.
* Right edge of the display shows operational icons, enabling easy operation and quick review of settings.
* Multi-image function can display 12 images on a single screen.

*5 On the highest brightness setting, measured at the center of the screen.

Photographic functions designed to take advantage of the camera’s high resolution

* The revolutionary Zoom Continuous Shutter mode allows the user to compare a wide angle and a telephoto shot in the same display and to take both shots simultaneously with only one press of the shutter button.
* Revive Shot refreshes the faded colors of old photos, bringing them back to life in digital format.
* Quick Zoom feature enables instant switch to a preset zoom ratio with just one touch of a button.
* 37 different types of BEST SHOT sample images. Users can choose one of these samples to make sure their photos come out just right.
* Movies can be taken in VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) at 25 frames per second (Motion JPEG).

Other functions for intuitively easy operation

* Quick Shutter function allows for fast focusing, reducing focusing error.
* Auto Macro mode allows for automatic switching between auto focus mode and macro mode.
* 9-Point Multi AF function clearly shows areas of auto focus when photographing subjects with multiple focus points.
* Direct On function allows users to press a single button to quickly start the camera in either shooting or playback mode.
* Multi-function cradle can be used to recharge the battery, connect to a PC to download images, and connect to audiovisual equipment. The cradle also functions as a photostand, allowing users to view an image slideshow.

EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z1000 SPECIFICATIONS
Effective Pixels 10.10 million
Imaging Element 1/1.8-inch square pixel color CCD (total pixels: 10.37 million)
Image File Format Still images: JPEG (Exif Version 2.2), DCF standard, DPOF compliant
Movies Motion JPEG, AVI format
Audio WAV (monaural)
Recording Media Built-in flash memory (image area: 8.0MB), SD Memory Card/ MultiMediaCard compatible
Image Size ((Pixels) Still images: 3648 x 2736, 3648 x 2432 (3:2), 3648 x 2048 (16:9),
2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480
Movies 640 x 480 (HQ), 640 x 480 (Normal), 320 x 240 (LP)

Data Size:
Image size ((pixels) Image quality/
recording time File size Built-in memory (8.0MB) SD Memory
Card
256MB *1
Still Images

3648 x 2736

Fine/Normal/
Economy

Approx.
4.2MB/
2.8MB/
1.4MB

Approx.
1/2/5

Approx.
56/84/162

640 x 480

Fine/Normal/
Economy

Approx.
360KB/
240KB/
120KB

Approx.
20/30/57

Approx.
625/938/1742
Movies

640x480 (HQ)

Maximum
Recording
Time per File

Until memory
full*2

Approx.
10.2 Megabits
per Second
(25 frames/second)

Approx.
6 sec.

Approx.
3 min. 16sec.
640x480 (Normal)

Approx.
6.1 Megabits
per Second
(25 frames/second)
Approx.
10 sec. Approx.
5 min. 27sec.
320 x 240 (LP)

Approx.
2.45 Megabits
per Second
(12.5 frames/second)
Approx.
26sec. Approx.
13 min. 35sec.

*1. When using Panasonic (Matsushita) 256 MB card.
*2. Within limits of memory and battery life.

Lens/Focal Distance: F2.8 to 5.4, f=7.9 to 23.7mm (equivalent to approximately 38 to 114mm on a 35mm film camera), 7 lenses in 5 groups, including aspherical lens

Zoom: 3X optical zoom, 4X digital zoom (Image size: 3648 x 2736 pixels, 12X in combination with optical zoom)

Focusing Contrast Detectiont: Auto Focus∞

Focus Modes: Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Pan Focus (movie recording only), Infinity Mode, Manual Focus.

AF Area: Spot or Multi; with AF assist lamp

Approximate Focus Range Auto Focus: 15.75” to ∞, Macro: 2.36” to 19.69”, Infinity Mode: ∞, Manual Focus: 2.36” to ∞ *Range is affected by optical zoom

Exposure Control: Metering: Multi-pattern, center weighted, spot by imaging element

Exposure: Program AE

Exposure Compensation: -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)

Shutter: CCD shutter, mechanical shutter
Still images (Auto): 1/2 to 1/2000 second (at ISO 50), Still images (night scene): 4 to 1/2000 second (at ISO 50) **Shutter speed range may be different depending on the BEST SHOT scene or sensitivity setting

Aperture: F2.8/F5.6,*3 auto switching
*3 Brightness converted
* Using optical zoom causes the aperture to change

White Balance: Auto, fixed (6 modes), manual
Sensitivity: Still images: Auto*4, ISO50, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400
Movies: Auto
*4 When using Anti Shake function, maximum is ISO 800. When using BEST SHOT “High Sensitivity” function, maximum is ISO 3200
Recording Functions: Still images; still images with audio (maximum around 30 seconds); macro; self-timer; continuous shutter (normal speed, high speed, rapid flash, zoom continuous), BEST SHOT, movies with audio, voice recording

Self-timer: 10 seconds, 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer

Built-in Flash::Flash Modes: Auto, On, Off, Soft Flash, Red Eye Reduction
Flash Range: Approx..33 to 11.81’ (W), approx. 1.31’ to 6.23’ (T)
Flash Continuous Shutter: approx. 1.97’ to 6.89’ (W), approx. 1.31’ to 3.61’ (T)
Monitor Screen: 2.8-inch TFT color LCD (14:9), 230,400 pixels (960 x 240)

Timekeeping Functions:

Date and time: Recorded with image data;
Auto Calendar: To 2049
On-image time stamp function
World Time: 162 cities in 32 time zones, City name, date, time, summer time
Input/Output Terminals: USB cradle connector, USB2.0 (Full-Speed) compatible

Power Requirements:

Rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-40) x 1
Battery life: Approx. 360 still images (CIPA Standards)
Continuous playback: approx. 13 hr. (still images)
Continuous recording: approx. 3 hr. 15 min. (movie)
Continuous recording: approx. 8 hr. (voice recording)
Dimensions:3.62” (W) x 2.30” (H) x .88” (D) (excluding projections, .78” at thinnest part)
Weight: Approximately 4.9 oz (excluding battery and accessories)

Bundled Accessories: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, USB cradle, USB cable, AV cable, Special AC adaptor, strap, CD-ROM

Hilary's Conclusion: Incredibly able camera that can produce results that will blow you away! Plus you can crop pictures massively and still end up with a quality picture. If you are tempted my the huge pixel count this camera will not disappoint!