Casio Exilim EX-S100 3.2MP Digital Camera with 2.8x Optical Zoom

by Casio

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 1 x 2 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002ZA7I8
• Item model number: EX-S100
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,107 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 30, 2004

Product Description

Casio EX-S100 features a stainless steel body, a hallmark of the EXILIM CARD series, which has been polished to a brilliant shine through a special process. It is created entirely of metal, right down to the screws, for a true feeling of high quality. The front of the camera has been given a fresh look, with a theme of circular patterns to highlight the shape of the lens, while the back of the unit features a more square look that matches the impressively large 2.0-inch LCD screen. In keeping with the distinctive form of the other models in the EXILIM CARD series, the lens area itself protrudes slightly from the body of the camera. With a 3.2 Megapixel CCD for superior high-resolution photo imaging, a unique quick-response design and the Best Shot function making it easier to capture desired scenes, CASIO has again proven that it is the leader in ultra-compact cameras that offer astonishingly advanced performance. Built-in electronic-flash Automatic and manual focus and exposure modes Voice record capable High-speed operation; images can be taken at approximately 1.2 second intervals, with image playback of approximately 0.1 seconds between photos when scrolling Direct On function for one-touch operation of picture taking or playback modes Has USB port; images are transferable to Macintosh and Windows computers; PictBridge compatible All images are stored on SecureDigital SD or MMC digital-media memory cards Date and time recorded with image data; auto calendar up to year 2049 Auto Macro function enables automatic switching between Macro and AF modes for easy close-up imaging Easy-to-use operation buttons All-metal construction from body and lens down to the screws for a true feeling of high quality

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This holiday season's coolest digicam, November 23, 2004

By 

Gadgester "No Time, No Money" (Mother Earth) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Casio Exilim EX-S100 3.2MP Digital Camera with 2.8x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

The new Casio Exilim EX-S100 continues the company's tradition of making super-thin, credit card-sized digital cameras, only this time it has a retractable 3x optical zoom which is just amazing to watch as it comes out and goes in. Supposedly Casio engineers had to invent a new kind of ceramic lens to make it fit inside the EX-S100's thin (~0.6") body. It weighs less than 5 oz. even with its proprietary LiIon battery.

The image quality on this camera is typical of consumer-grade, cmopact digital cameras, which is to say it's acceptable for everyday shots. The first reviewer had a good point that this camera is perfect as a second digital camera; I think it's good to have a more powerful camera that gives you more controls and more pixels if you want to do any semi-serious photography (e.g., travel photography). The EX-S100 is perfect for carrying around and snapping pictures in the park, on the street, or at a party. Its relatively fast recycle time also makes it easy to use when you are in the mood for candid shots, plus the 2.8X optical zoom helps pull things closer. (The optical zoom is important here since its 3MP resolution does not allow for a lot of cropping.)

The LCD screen on the back is big and bright but the resolution could be better. This means the image on the LCD is a bit coarse. This sucks because this camera doesn't have an optical viewfinder.

This last point raise an important performance issue: because the camera is light and doesn't have a viewfinder, when you compose your shot through the LCD, be sure to hold the camera very steady! Don't pinch it hard. Just relax but keep your arms, wrists and hands steady. Press the shutter after you insale and as you hold you breath. Learn to use your thumbs to counter-act the downward force from the press-down on the shutter. This simple tip should steer you clear of lots of blurry pictures... after you practice. :)

This camera is definitely the hottest digital camera this holiday season, hence the price premium for a 3MP shooter. Is 3MP enough? I think it is for most everyday situations. If you plan to crop a lot later on and still want gorgeous 6x4" or larger prints, you should consider a 4MP or 5MP camera. But I bet 95% of us consumers don't crop 95+% of the time, and this Exilim is really to be used as a point-and-shoot, so the 3MP is not a real issue. As I mentioned, the overall picture quality of this "card cam" (I think that's what Casio's calling them now) is pretty good, better than 3MP digital cameras from just a couple years ago.

So, if you want an impressive second digital camera or just want a thin and small and stylish camera for everyday photography, the Exilim deserves a serious look.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great things come in small packages, June 29, 2005

By 

Josh (Pittsford, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Casio Exilim EX-S100 3.2MP Digital Camera with 2.8x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

PROS:
-big screen
-if set to high sharpness it takes amazing pictures
-very small
-simple to use
-fast start up
-lightweight
-attractive design
-comes with a dock
-movies go as long as there's free space on the memory card
-movies with sound
-many sceen settings

CONS:
-the screen could be better but it's still pretty good quality
-no carrying case
-average picture quality...which is now a problem for me because i'm getting more into photography...

This camera is definately worth the $220 that I spent. (walmart.com)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not good in low light (indoor without flash or at night), March 6, 2005

By 

smallphi (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Casio Exilim EX-S100 3.2MP Digital Camera with 2.8x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I tested the cam for about two weeks. Overall this cam has many features but the performance in low light without flash is not good.

I will mention only specific things that are not in the other reviews:

pros:

-- good outdoor daylight pics [all digital cams above $150 are good enough in this area]
-- good pics with flash
-- can use digital zoom during movie
-- can use continuous focus during movie but the sound of the moving lens will be recorded also
-- has an alignment grid that helps a lot if you frequently shoot text (can be turned on and off). It helps to check if the cam is exactly parallel to the text.
-- lack of barrell distortion when shooting text in macro mode (a rectangle doesn't look 'swallen')


cons:

-- noisy pics indoors in incandescent light without flash
-- noisy videos indoors in incandescent light
-- too dark videos indoors in incandescent light (exposure compensation doesnt help)
-- problems focusing indoors without flash even during the day