Casio QV-R40

Opinion: I've bought this camera in early 2004 for about $300 in ČR. After some time, I found bombastic thing - bestshot editor on web. That program allows me to convert this automatic camera into full-manual compact. Shutter speeds 2x-1/2000s, apertures, ISO640!! (useful when I need to shoot something in dark and details are not important), filters, combinatons etc etc..

(-) only problem is noise. Fairly usable at ISO80, but less at ISO160/ISO320. But I can say, its relatively easy to reduct this type of noise when clear pic needed.
Long flash recycling time :o/

(+) small, quicklier in everything than 90% of compacts and lag comparable with dslr. Quick zoom. LCD not lagging.
Good and sharp photos in dark. metal-covered.

Good as second camera for carrying EVERYWHERE

Opinion: Had mine since late 2003. Good value at that time. Now consider it mediocre compared to my new Canon SD300/Ixus 40.

Pros: easy to use, AA batteries, powerful flash, bright LCD, good construction

Cons: severe red-eye, red-eye reduction a joke, slow recycle time, large file size of 1.8 MB at highest resolution, skin tones are blotchy (noisy)

Opinion: I chose this camera for it's solid contruction, quality design and portabilty. The is a tank as it is almost completely enclosed in a solid metal case, this was important to me because I needed a camera that I could take any were and I did not want to carry a case. It's a perfect pocket camera that produces excellent photos. The menu was also loaded with options and easy to use. I used this camera for eleven months and absolutely loved it, then one day it just failed to power up. the play mode would still work and the camera would begin power up but the lenz would fail to extend and power up would fail at that point. The only explaination I can think of is that my wife who used it last while Christmas shopping somehow activated the camera while carrying it her pocket and the lenz was not able to extend damaging the mechanism. So that was the end of my QV-R40. Luckily I had insurance as I recommend for any camera worth more than 300 dollars and I will recieve a full refund. The difficult thing for me is I liked this camera so much that after researching nearly every digital from 250-600 dollars, the QV-R series is still my choice. I hope the problem with my camera was an isolated one and not a design issue. This problem I encountered is really the motivation for writing this review, people have to know.
I will replace this camera with the same model or an upgrade of the same model (QV-R62) or sacrifice pocketability and portability to change up to the Panasonic DMC FZ20 or FZ3. I like to get my money's worth.

Opinion: i'm juz bought it last week, still under good condition!!!

Opinion: Last Spring, I was looking to buy a Canon S-410 but I found the QV-R40 for $250 less. This is my 7th camera and the first digital one.

The camera is fast and easy to operate, takes well exposed, sharp and realistic color pictures. The pictures download like a charm on a computer hard disk without installing any driver or software.

It fits in a small pocket but is a bit heavy; the plastic battery compartment cover and hinge feel flimsy; the LCD screen is not perfectly aligned with the body; the optical viewer component on the front has a slight play.

In summary, this camera is a small marvel; I am very satisfied with it.

Opinion: Experiences from a 6-month trip through South America

Pros:
- Very fast startup time (from off to first picture taken)
- Easy user interface, wide range of pre-defined settings
- Lightweight and durable
- Long battery life: On our trip we used (non-rechargeable) Lithium-AA batteries, and we could take more than 400 pictures with one set (but a set of NiMH batteries is included with the camera)

Cons:
- Red-eye flash produces just that: red eyes ...
- Longest exposure only 2 sec
- Display insufficent in very bright outdoor conditions
- No audio capability (video recording and play-back)
- No A/V out

Summary:
If you can live with the shortcomings of this camera, it's a great, easy-to-use camera that is very suitable for taking snapshots.
Picture quality is okay, our friends were impressed with the images from our trip.

Opinion: Ok heres the topo. Pro's and cons !

PROS
Low shutter Lag. Incredible startup time. Very solid construction. Use standard AA batt. / came with 2100 nimh + charger. Good metering, Somehow easy to learn/operate, Histogram, Compact size

CONS
Need more ISO options, Average macro mode, A bit noisy, no case or sleeve included, Shot-to-shot time on the slow side, No sound in movie mode

At about 300$ CAD (200$ USD), you really get what you pay for in this cam, and more. Yes, the movie mode is somehow disappointing, but fo the rest, you'll have yourself a fast compact sized camera that is almost always ready to shot, takes well focused pics and that can generate 4 megapixel well exposed shots. They are almost perfect on 4 x 6 and 5 x 7, and also great to watch on the computer screen.

Opinion: Small, portable, good night shots