Casio set the standard for "thin" cameras when they came out with the first Exilim EX-S1 and did it again with the EX-S2. Well, they're back again, this time with the 3-megapixel EX-S3. This is definitely a pocket size camera and is much thinner than your wallet by far, in fact it's only 11.7mm thick. It's just amazing that there's a high resolution imager, optical lens, rechargeable battery and a large 2-inch color all packed in this credit card-sized, stylish and durable metal body.

Not only is the EX-S3 small, it is also very fast. It's ready to take the first shot as fast as you can press the power button and bring it up to your eye. I'd say it takes about one second to power up and has a shot to shot time of less than two seconds when using the flash, even faster without it. Unlike most digicams the EX-S3 has almost zero shutter lag time thanks to the fixed-focus lens. This means you won't miss any of those special pictures because the camera was still trying to focus. Switching from Record to Play brings up the last picture captured as fast as you can move the switch. The overall operation of this camera is robust, very robust!

The NP-20 rechargeable battery is a good match for the camera, it's small but more than able to supply power for about 400 pictures. It's a lithium polymer type battery pack so you can slip it into the docking cradle and recharge it whenever you like without shortening its service life. Another benefit of lithium batteries is they hold a charge longer than the NiMH type which are prone to "air discharge" even when not being used. The downside is that this is a proprietary battery and the only one that can power the camera. If it dies then your picture taking is over until it's recharged, unless you are smart enough to carry a spare. Thankfully the NP-20 batteries only cost about $30 so a spare won't set you back very much.

The user controls are minimal, in fact there are only seven of them counting the shutter release. Next to the shutter release on top is the power on/off button which is indented to prevent accidental activation. On the back is a slide switch that changes the operational mode between record and playback. The MENU button enables the onscreen menus. The menu system is logical and straight forward. The Display button controls the color LCD and the info shown on it. Navigating the menus, selecting images for playback or controlling the digital zoom is accomplished via the 4-way selector switch on the back. Casio thankfully made this 4-way controller much larger than the one on the previous model that we complained was too small to operate easily.

The EX-S3 has a TRUE 3-megapixel imager so it creates native 2048x1536 size images. The non-zoom lens is equivalent to a 35mm wide angle in 35mm photography and exhibits a moderate amount of barrel distortion (outer edge curvature.)   It's not the sharpest lens but considering its incredibly diminutive size it does a good job. It's a fixed-focus optic so there is no auto focus delay when pressing the shutter button. Everything from one meter to infinity is always in focus. You do have to remember not to grab the top left of the camera or else you will end up with your finger in the picture. The best way to hold it is to pinch the lower left of the camera between your index finger and thumb. Your thumb ends up dead-center in the color LCD but it's easily cleaned and fingerprints don't interfere with images and menus displayed on it.

And speaking of the color LCD, it's a good one. This tiny camera has a relatively huge 2- inch LCD display that's bigger than those used on most of today's full-size cameras. The LCD comes on by default at startup as it is the only "signaling" device on the camera. It shows you the status of the battery, the number of images remaining and the image size and quality settings. To conserve battery power you need to press the Display button and turn it off and use the optical viewfinder. The LCD is resolute and colorful and easy to review captured images thanks to the 4x playback zoom although you do have to use our favorite (not) 4-way selector switch to perform all of these chores. There is no Video Out function so you either play your pictures on the color LCD or transfer the image data to your computer.

You couldn't ask for a more "pocketable" digicam, the EX-S3 is as small and thin as they come -- at least as of the time of this review. It's stylish and built like a tank so don't hesitate to take this silver beauty anywhere that you go short of getting it wet. If other cameras have frustrated you because of excessive shutter delay then this camera is what you're looking for to capture those special moments. The only thing you ever have to wait for with the EX-S3 is the battery to charge, other than that it's one of the fastest little cameras that we've ever used. It's very easy to use -- just turn it on, point it at the subject and press the shutter button - that's it. When you feel like getting a little more creative select the Best Shot recording mode and pick a scene that suits your shooting environment. If you want a 3-megapixel camera with a real zoom lens then check out the Casio Exilim EX-Z3 with a 3x zoom.