Timing & Performance

Like all the Casio Exilim cameras we've tested recently the EX-V7 feels fast and responsive in use, and our measurements show it to be well up with the best in its class when it comes to the important stuff like focus speed, shutter lag, file writing and and so on.

Timing Notes

All times calculated as an average of three operations. Unless otherwise stated all timings were made on a 3072 x 2304 Fine JPEG image (approx. 3,000 KB per image). The media used for these tests was a 1.0 GB Sandisk Extreme III card.

Action	Details	Time, secs
Power: Off to Record		1.6
Power: Off to Play	Image displayed	1.1
Power: Record to Off	All activity ceased	1.5
Power: Play to Off	When buffer is empty, lens cover already closed	~0.7
Power: Play to Off	When buffer is empty, lens cover open	~1.4
Record Review	Image displayed	~0.8
Mode: Play to Record		0.7
Play: Magnify	To full magnification (8x)	1.0
Play: Image to Image	Time to display each saved image	<0.2 *1
Play: Thumbnail view	3 x 3 thumbnails	~0.2
Zoom from Wide to Tele	38 to 266 mm (7 x)	2.6
Half-press Lag (Focus time)	Any AF mode	~0.2-0.5 *2
Half-press Lag (Focus time)	Any AF mode	~0.4-0.7 *2
Pre-focus Lag (S1>S2)		~0.05
Full-press Lag (0->S2)	Wide angle, multi-area AF	~0.2
Off to Shot Taken		~2.0
Shot to Shot	Flash off	~ 1.3
Shot to Shot	Flash on / red eye mode	~ 1.4 / 3.0

Continuous drive mode

The EX-V7 offers pretty much the same continuous shooting options as the other models in the Exilim Z range. There is a 2.1 frames per second 'high speed' option (though the limit of 3 shots per burst is a bit restrictive) - the standard no-limit continuous mode offers approximately 1.3 frames per second. The EX-V7 also has the 'Flash Continuous' mode seen on the most other recent Exilims, allowing a 3-shot burst to be taken with flash (albeit at a reduced power, so it's better for subjects not too far away).

File writing / playback performance

The EX-V7 takes around 1.4 seconds to save a 3.0MB 7MP/Fine JPEG; not bad going for a camera of this type - the EX-V7 will certainly benefit from using faster cards. Playback is also very speedy, with full size images taking less than 0.2s to display (though you have to wait half a second or so for the full image to load if you want to magnify or edit). If you want to whiz through hundreds of saved shots you can hold down the left or right arrow key and the EX-V7 will scroll through low res previews of the images on your card at about 10 per second.

Battery life

Battery life is - at around 240 shots per charge (CIPA standard) - not bad for an ultra compact; if you like to take a huge amount of shots in a day a spare NP-50 will set you back $40-50. The battery is charged in-camera using the supplied dock.