Casio Exilim EX-M2 2MP Digital Camera, MP3 Player and Voice Recorder

by Casio

Product Details

Product Manual [256kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 5 x 3 inches ; 12 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006MZOH
• Batteries: 4 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,123 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 20, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Early Adopters Pick: September 2002. The smallest digital camera that comes with a 2-megapixel sensor, 12 MB of built-in memory, full-motion movie recording, MP3 player, and voice recorder.

With a super-slim design and having the height and length of a credit card, the Casio Exilim EX-M2 is sure to have heads turning as you effortlessly snap high-quality digital photos. Don't let the size fool you, the EX-M2 is equipped with a 2-megapixel sensor, 12 MB of built-in memory, full-motion movie recording, MP3 player, and voice recorder.

Optics and Resolution
The 2-megapixel CCD sensor captures sharp and brilliant images of up to 1,600 by 1,200 pixels, creating prints with sizes of up to 8 by 10 inches. Focusing is fixed for effortless operation, and the 4x digital zoom brings you up close to the action. Most other digital cameras are slow in operation, but the Exilim's speedy start-up time, lens, and CPU get to work so that, when the camera's turned on, a photo is taken in 0.01 seconds of pressing the shutter, capturing that otherwise lost moment.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on 12 MB of internal memory, which stores about 24 images with settings at normal resolution. If you want more memory, the expansion slot is compatible with any MMC or SD memory card. You can quickly and easily transfer your files onto a PC or Mac using the USB port for computer editing and sharing with friends and family.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Exilim can also record AVI movie clips with sound. The movie can be as long as 30 seconds at a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels.

More Features
Many of the Exilim's settings can be modified, such as programmed exposure, white balance, and flash. When you shoot in the "best shot" mode you can select a stored photo that looks similar to the photo you want to take and the camera automatically sets up to achieve that look. You can easily keep track of all these modes using the large 1.6-inch color LCD screen.

The Exilim also plays MP3s of various frequencies and bit rates, and is even VBR-compatible. The voice-memo function can record up to 50 minutes on the internal memory.

Power, Size, and Contents
The Exilim comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has an approximate battery life of 65 minutes. The camera itself measures 3.46 by 2.16 by 0.49 inches and weighs 3.2 ounces without the battery. Other standard accessories are a hand strap, CD-ROM with imaging software, USB cradle and cable, AC adapter for cradle, remote controller with LCD, and stereo headphone.

From the Manufacturer

The Exilim EX-S2 comes with everything you need to make point and shoot picture taking an art form. On the outside it's the perfect fashion accessory. On the inside, the 2.0 megapixel power, 4x digital zoom and exclusive Multi-Chip Module greatly reduces power consumption to maximize battery life and photo quality.

The EX-S2 takes a shot in one hundredth of a second so you’ll never miss that picture-perfect moment again. You can even use Best Shot mode for more creative effects. And, with 12 MB of built-in memory, you can even take and store movies.

Life's too short to miss your shot
You may have been there. The perfect moment is happening while you’re waiting for your digital camera to turn on, focus and determine it’s automatic exposure settings. So the moment you capture is less than perfect.
Exilim has revolutionized point-and-shoot for the digital world, with a near instant start up time. It's ready to shoot in about 1 second. Then it's just a snap of the shutter and your Exilim shoots in one hundredth of a second. What perfection!

A picture-perfect part of your life
Are "f-stop" and "white balance" foreign terms for you? Sit back, relax and let Best Shot take care of the dirty work while you concentrate on capturing that moment. There is no fussing with calibrations, no filters or attachments. Best Shot has six built in settings that help you create the shot you want to express. Whether it’s a portrait, landscape or a night scene, Best Shot will capture it for you.

EX-S2 Digital Zoom
Get right up close with the EX-S2's digital zoom. Imagine, speed, closeness, all in the palm of your hand, about the size of a credit card. You could ask for more but you really wouldn't need it.

What's the difference between Digital Zoom and Optical Zoom?
Optical zoom uses a combination of lenses and internal mechanics to enlarge the image. This results in a picture that is closer with a consistant resolution. Digital zoom on the other hand, uses digital technology to make the image appear closer. You can get quite close with digital zoom but your picture may tend to be more pixelated due to lower resolution.

Get some perspective. Rollover the objects above
Pull out a credit card from your wallet or purse and hold it in front of you. You’ve just had a near-Exilim experience; about the size of a credit card with the ability to capture incredible shots with ease.

Simplicity at its finest
Photography couldn’t be any easier. A simple snap of the shutter, drop it into the cradle and voila—Instant photo album. Point and shoot simplicity the size of a credit card, and just as easy to use.

Big power. Small package.
Don’t let the size fool you. The Exilim means business. In fact, Casio used entirely revolutionary technology to make the Exilim small, sleek and action-packed.

Lens and CCD
The lens and the newly-developed high-sensitivity CCD are integrated into a single unit, which helps the Exilim keep its slender figure. The new 1/1.8-inch progressive CCD is larger than the current mainstream 1/2.7-inches, allowing for the largest cell (4.4 micron pitch) in its class. The result? Super speed, reduced blurring due to movement and no need for flash in low lighting positions. In the end, you get a great shot.

TFT-LCD Interface
The world's first digital interface TFT LCD for a digital camera was specially designed and produced by CASIO for the Exilim.

Multi-Chip Module (MCM)
This is where the power is. Casio developed a new CPU, ASIC, SDRAM and Flash memory to save on power consumption. The result, four chips into one multi-chip module which is 70% smaller than other models.

Memory
The EXILIM EX-S2 has an internal memory of 10MB, for storing photos and short movies. Plus you can hundreds of more photos with optional larger capacity SD/MMC memory cards. Take your best shot. All day long.

Lithium-Ion Battery
High-performance rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are standard on all EXILIM models. Recharging is a simple matter of Putting the Camera in to the Included USBdocking station or using the optional external battery charger.

Features

• 2.0 Megapixels
• 4x digital zoom
• .44 inches thin
• 12 MB built-in memory
• One-touch button downlod for instant download. Cradle included.
• Up to 30 second movies
• 0.01 Shutter Release lag

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars style & convenience=5 stars, pictures=3 stars, August 14, 2003

By 

del n (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Casio Exilim EX-M2 2MP Digital Camera, MP3 Player and Voice Recorder (Electronics)

I am overall pleased with my purchase.
PROS:
1. really nice style; eye-poppingingly small; attractive aluminum finish; fits in pocket/take it with you everyday.
2. fast response (due to fixed focus lens which is also a con); ready to take a picture almost instantly.
3. video mode is very fun; takes decent mpeg videos with sound even in low light; i use this feature a lot.
4. mp3 function is awesome; except included earbuds are useless (too big for ear hole); good battery life.

CONS:

1. picture quality only fair; fixed focus optimal for subjects around 3-5 ft away. closeups & landscapes not so sharp. low light stiuations for stills pretty bad (i dont like to use flash).
2. quality of remote unit for mp3 is bad. after only 2 months the wire crapped out (must jiggle and hold in a certain position for sound to come through).
3. battery life for stills & videos could be better but not really bad.
4. only 8MB built in memory; i recommend buying 256MB SD card (i wasted money on separate 64 & 128 cards)

you could get better optics in a similarly small package (the sony dsc-u20 for example; sharper pictures but poor video quality, no sound or mp3, cheap plasticy case); but the combination of the mp3 function, fast response as well as attention getting style made this the choice for me.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fits in your pocket and does so much!, May 19, 2003

By 

"datigz" (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Casio Exilim EX-M2 2MP Digital Camera, MP3 Player and Voice Recorder (Electronics)

I love this camera! It is so easy to carry around with you. I use the MP3 function daily, and now also have a camera on me at all times to take shots of interesting things. I also use the video function a fair bit - just need to figure out how to email video "greetings" to people. I plan on using it to email birthday wishes to friends/family.

The buttons on the camera are small, but fairly easy to use - I don't have any difficulty using them. The on/off button is quite close to the power button so you need to be careful which one you are pressing. It is very easy to add MP3s onto the camera - connect the camera to your PC and copy and paste as you would move any other files. Very simple!

My only complaint about this product is the accompanying software is not user-friendly. I don't like how it downloads all of your pictures into one library. It is very difficult to access a single picture because they are all lumped together in a combined file. One minor concern is the battery - it uses a rechargable lithium battery. So you need to put it into the cradle to recharge. The battery is excellent(5 hours), but if the battery runs out, you can't just run to the store and buy more. This hasn't posed a problem for me, but is something to be aware of if you are planning on using the camera all day (i.e. don't play the MP3 player when you are out taking pictures for the day if you don't have access to your recharger)

The 12MB onboard memory is enough for just taking pictures. If you plan on using the MP3 function, and taking full advantage of the video and sound recording capabilities, you need to buy a SD memory card (these are pricey). I originally bought a 64MB card, which gives you about 1 hour of music play (but that uses up the card). I recently purchased a 256MB card and recommend others purchase at least 128MB. I have over 40 songs on my 256MB card, and still have room for over 300 normal sized pictures, or about 16 30-second videos. For everyday use, this is perhaps too much memory, but if you plan on travelling, you'll need it.

This product is perfect for anyone who travels a fair bit. I really like how it combines several useful features into one product. I don't know how good the quality of the pictures are in professional terms. I am just your average user - the pics look great to me. This camera also comes in a 1.2 megapixel version - I purchased this one (2.0 megapixel) because the pictures had better depth. There is only a 4X digital zoom - this means your pictures lose clarity as you zoom in. The latest version of this camera has an optical zoom, but the camera is about twice as thick, and does not include the MP3 player. I find the 4X digital zoom is adequate for my needs. Overall a fantastic product!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Nice, December 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Casio Exilim EX-M2 2MP Digital Camera, MP3 Player and Voice Recorder (Electronics)

This camera is the smallest out there.. smaller than the size of your avg deck of cards.. even though the 2 MP seems very little, but the image quality is very crisp when set on the highest resolution and on the FINE quality... since i brought the 128 SD card. i dont mind much of the size.. with that.. i can take 119 pics on the card and 11 using the internal memory.. i havent used the mp3 yet so i dont know the quality of it as for the battery life..