Casio Exilim EX-V7 Review

May 2007 | By Simon Joinson

Based on a production Casio Exilim EX-V7

Announced back in January at the CES show, the EX-V7 is the latest in a long - and generally successful - range of slim, feature-packed Exilim models from Casio. As well as an impressive set of specifications (CCD shift image stabilization, 7x / 38-266mm equiv. zoom, MPEG movies and a wealth of features) and a super-slim all-metal body (under 21mm thick at its thinnest point) the EX-V7 boasts a new version of Casio's image processing engine. This brings several new technologies to the V7; motion analysis (to ensure a higher ISO and shutter speed are used if needed to freeze fast moving subjects), Auto Tracking AF and enhanced noise reduction and tonal control. As the world's slimmest 7x zoom camera the EX-V7 is certainly an enticing product for anyone wanting a bit more lens reach without losing pocketability, but is it any good? Let's find out, starting as ever with the headline features:

59.8 mm high, 95.5 mm wide, and 25.1 mm thin (20.8 mm at the thinnest part)
Cutting-edge, non-protruding 7X internal optical zoom lens (38-266mm equiv.)
New CCD shift system actually mechanically compensates for camera shake.
Automatically analyzes the velocity and vector of a moving subject and sets the most appropriate ISO sensitivity and shutter speed.
“Auto Tracking AF” function follows moving subjects
Tonal control lets users keep bright areas of the scene bright by limiting the occurrence of dark pixels.
Offers ability to selectively eliminate noise in designated color regions, such as the sky.
Boasts faster image processing functions that enable instantaneous color correction or angle adjustment.
High-quality movies using next-generation H.264 video encoding method
Silent lens motion enables optical zooming while recording movies in stereo sound.
Records 16:9 wide-aspect movies compatible with wide-screen TVs.

Casio Exilim EX-V7 specifications

Street price	• US: $350 • UK: £299
Body Material	Metal and plastic
Sensor	• 1/2.5 " Type CCD • 7.41 million pixels total • 7.20 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 3072 x 2304 • 3072 x 2048 (3:2) • 2560 x 1920 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480
Movie clips	• 848 x 480 @ 30fps • 640 x 480 @ 30fps • 320 x 240 @ 15fps • with WAV audio • Motion JPEG AVI (LP mode) • H.264 MPEG .MOV (all other modes)
File formats	• JPEG Exif V2.2 • DCF • DPOF
Lens	• 38-266mm (35mm equiv) • 7x optical zoom • F3.4 - 5.3
Image stabilization	CCD shift system
Conversion lenses	None
Digital zoom	up to 4x
Focus	• Contrast Detection AF • Macro • Infinity lock • Manual focus
AF area modes	• 9-point Multi AF • Spot AF • Tracking AF
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	• AF: 30cm - infinity • Macro: 10-40cm • Manual: 10cm - infinity
Metering	• Multi-pattern • Center-weighted • Spot
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 64 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 (using BEST SHOT High Sensitivity mode)
Exposure compensation	• -/+ 2EV • in 1/3 EV steps
Exposure bracketing	-0.5 EV, 0, +0.5 EV
Shutter speed	• Program AE: 1/2 to 1/800 sec • Aperture Priority AE: 1 to 1/800 sec • Shutter Speed Priority AE and Manual Exposure: 60 to 1/800 sec
Aperture	F3.4 / 4.6 / 9.2 auto switching
Modes	• Program AE • Shutter Speed Priority AE • Aperture Priority AE • Manual exposure • Continuous • BEST SHOT
Scene modes	33 BEST SHOT modes
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Overcast • Shade • Daywhite Fluorescent • Daylight Fluorescent • Tungsten • Manual
Self timer	• 10 or 2 secs • Triple self-timer
Continuous shooting	• Continuous • High Speed • Continuous with flash
Image parameters	Sharpness, saturation, contrast
Flash	• Auto • On • Off • Soft Flash • Red-eye Reduction • Range: 0.1 - 2.8m (wide) 1.0 - 1.8m (tele) • Rapid Flash Range: 0.4 - 2.1m (wide) 1.0 - 1.4m (tele)
Viewfinder	None
LCD monitor	• 2.5-inch TFT • 230,400 pixels
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • USB Cradle Connector
Print compliance	PictBridge, PIM, DPOF, EXIF print
Storage	• 11.6MB internal memory • SDHC / SD / MMC card compatible
Power	• Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery NP-50 • Charges via cradle
Weight (No batt)	149 g (5.3 oz)
Dimensions	95.5 x 59.8 x 25.1 mm (3.8 x 2.4 x 1.0 in)

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

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This article is Copyright 2007 Simon Joinson / dpreview.com and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact: Phil Askey

Casio Exilim EX-V7SR 7.2MP Digital Camera

with 7x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

$249.99

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