Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55
Review Date: February 14th 2005
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Features
The Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 has a 5.25 megapixel, 1/2.5 inch CCD that delivers 5.0 effective megapixels. The camera's 3x optical zoom lens is made by Pentax and is equivalent to a 35-105 mm lens on a 35mm format camera. There is also a 4x digital zoom available. There are 6 image sizes (2560 x 1920, 2560 x 1712 (3:2), 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 pixels) which are recorded as JPEGs in one of 3 image quality settings (Fine / Normal / Economy). The EX-Z55 supports SD and MMC memory cards and there is also 9.3MB of built-in memory.
The Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 has one exposure metering option, Multi-pattern. It offers exposure compensation in ± 2 in 1/3 EV stops. There are a number of different focusing modes available (Contrast AF (selectable between spot, 7 point multi), Macro, Auto macro, Pan focus, Auto pan focus, Infinity, Manual and Focus lock). The Macro setting allows you to focus on subjects that are as close as 6cms. The built-in flash offers a range of different modes; Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Red Eye Reduction.
There are no less than 23 different scene modes available! The aperture range starts at F2.6 at the wide-angle setting and F4.6 at telephoto. The shutter speed range is 4 secs. – 1/2000 sec. There are 4 ISO speeds ranging from 80 to 400 and an Auto option. There are 6 different White Balance presets to choose from plus Auto and Manual settings.
To compose your images, you can use the LCD monitor or the optical viewfinder. The Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 has a 2.5-inch digital TFT colour LCD with 115,200 pixels. There is also an optical viewfinder. The Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 can record movies with sound at 1 different size, 320 x 240 pixels. Movies are recorded in the AVI (Motion JPEG) format. You can also record voice memos in the WAVE format.
The Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55's dimensions are 87mm (W) x 58mm (H) x 22.5mm (D), and it weighs 130g without the battery and storage card fitted. The camera is powered by Casio's SUPER LIFE rechargable lithium-ion battery, which will last for approx. 400 shots before needing to be recharged. There is a plastic tripod mount in the left of the bottom of the camera. The PC interface is USB 1.0 (via the supplied cradle). There are no NTSC / PAL AV outputs, so you can't connect the EX-Z55 to your TV. Printouts can be made without going through a computer, though, by directly connecting the Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 to a PictBridge-compliant printer.
Finally, the standard box kit contains a USB cradle, Proprietary SUPER LIFE rechargable lithium-ion battery, USB cable, AC adaptor, Wrist strap, User's quick reference guide and a CD-ROM. You will need to buy some SD memory cards as Casio don't supply one with the Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55.
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PhotographyBLOG is a member of the DIWA organisation. Our test results for the Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 have been submitted to DIWA for comparison with test results for different samples of the same camera model supplied by other DIWA member sites.