Casio Exilim EX-Z500

Opinion: I bought this camera to replace a Sony DSC-U30 mini camera, and it just may also replace my larger Sony DSC-S80 as well. I had four criteria: Less than $275, will fit in my breast pocket, and takes an SD card rather than Memory Stick, Xd or MiniSD, and image quality, of course.

At first, I was a little hesitent on the image quality as there was a lot of noise on the display when in Rec mode in the store, but no such problems on the actual picture or later in brighter conditions, must've been the relatively low light in the store.

Setup is mostly reasonably straight forward via the menus, but I wish a few of the functions were accessable directly from the physical controls as on my S80.

On the S80, I can change the exposure mode and metering mode and use the self-timer with a single button, and I kept the image size selector as the last menu item used so changing image size was also a one-button access (for me). All of these you have to scroll through menus to access on the EX500.

For ME, since I usually set-and-forget the options, it's not much of a deal... until I need/want to change one and have to scroll through all of the settings because I can't remember if, forex, "Size" is a Rec option or a Qaulity option.

Opinion: What you gain in size (small), you lose in image quality...

+ plus
it is a very small and handy camera to bring with you everywhere, lcd screen is not easily scratched, big lcd screen!

- minus
the focus is very loud

Opinion: I am more and more impressed with this camera the more I use it. Hard to take a bad picture, and the flash is great for "point and shoot". Do yourself a favor and buy this camera if your are considering it!

Opinion: Easy to use with an excellent image quality.
the battery is amasing and the photos taken indoors with poor light are excellent.

Opinion: That's the first digital camera that ı ve bought but ı think ı bought the best one for this money. The LCD screen are glarious 2.7 inc and the quality are good. YOU CAN BUY ONE

Opinion: Bought this for a nice pocket size camera and the 500 photos on a charge really clinched the deal. Only had it a few days - have taken over 270 photos and the battery is still showing full. The 2.7" LCD is really awesome too.

Starts up really quickly and flash recharges fast.

Best Shot features work really well and accessing movie mode is very quick (BS, right button, select).

Opinion: Bought this for my mother: Nice slim design, with respectable megapixels, long battery life, and anti-shake.

I found the autofocus noisy compared with our Casio z750. I found the image quality somewhat poor (noisy/grainy). The z750 also has direct access buttons to most features, whereas the z500, you have to use a menu to select movie mode, etc.