Casio Exilim Z-1000 Review
Based on a production Casio EX-Z1000
Announced back in April, the Casio EX-Z1000 was the first compact to break the 10 megapixel barrier, though it was soon followed by a cascade of models featuring what we presume to be the same (Sony) 10.3MP 1/1.8-inch CCD sensor. Headline-grabbing double digit pixel count aside this is pretty standard Exilim fayre; friendly operation and ease of use, 3x optical zoom and stylish, slim, all-metal body. The 2.8-inch 16:9 aspect ratio wide screen LCD is unusual, but at its heart this is a point-and-shoot model in the truest sense, albeit one with more than a dash of style. So is the EX-Z1000 a giant leap forward or a simple case of a megapixel too far? Let's find out, starting as ever with the headline features:
- 10.1 million effective pixels CCD Sensor
- Large 2.8 inch, wide and bright display
- 37 scene modes
- High Sensitivity mode (up to ISO 3200)
- Anti-shake mode (up to ISO 800 at full resolution)
- Fast startup and operation
- 9-point multi-AF
- VGA movie 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 has as a photostand function, allowing users to view an image slideshow.
Z-1000 specifications
| Street price | • US: $370 • UK: £220 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Metal and plastic |
| Sensor | • 1/1.8 " Type CCD |
| Image sizes | • 3648 x 2736 |
| Movie clips | • JPEG (Exif v2.2) |
| File formats | • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) • RAW • AVI (Motion JPEG) |
| Lens | • 38 - 114mm equiv |
| Image stabilization | High ISO 'anti shake' mode |
| Conversion lenses | None |
| Digital zoom | up to 4x |
| Focus | • Contrast type AF (selectable between spot, multi) • Auto • Macro • Pan focus (movie) • Infinity mode • Manual focus |
| AF area modes | • 9-point Multi AF • Spot AF |
| AF assist lamp | Yes |
| Focus distance | • Auto Focus: 40cm - infinity • Macro: 6cm - 50cm • Manual: 6cm - infinity |
| Metering | • Multi-pattern • Center weighted • Spot • Program AE |
| ISO sensitivity | • Auto (Max ISO sensitivity 800 when using Anti-Shake BEST SHOT mode, or 3200 when using High Sensitivity BEST SHOT mode) • ISO 50 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 |
| Exposure compensation | • -/+ 2EV • in 1/3 EV steps |
| Exposure bracketing | -0.5 EV, 0, +0.5 EV |
| Shutter speed | • 1/2 to 1/2000 sec (Normal) • 4 to 1/2000 sec (Night scene) |
| Aperture | F2.8 - 5.6 |
| Modes | • Still • Still with audio • Continuous shutter (normal speed, high speed, rapid flash, zoom continuous) • Movie with audio • Voice recording |
| Scene modes | 37 BEST SHOT modes |
| White balance | • Auto |
| Self timer | • 10 or 2 secs • Triple self-timer |
| Continuous shooting | • Continuous 0.5 fps (Limited only by size of card) • High Speed (3fps, 3 frames) |
| Image parameters | Sharpness, saturation, contrast |
| Flash | • Built-in • Auto • On • Off • High Power flash • Soft flash • Red eye reduction • Range: 0.1m - 3.6m (wide), 0.4m - 1.1m (tele) |
| Viewfinder | None |
| LCD monitor | • 2.8-inch TFT • 230,400 pixels • Wide screen |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 (full speed) • AV out • Via included cradle |
| Print compliance | PictBridge, PIM, DPOF, EXIF print |
| Storage | • SD/MMC compatible • 8MB internal memory |
| Power | Lithium-ion NP-40 battery AC adaptor charges via cradle |
| Weight (No batt) | 139g (4.9 oz) |
| Dimensions | 92 x 58.4 x 22.4 mm (3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 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).
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Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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This article is Copyright 2006 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
