Casio EX-FS10 Review

The EX-FS10 uses an internal lens that provides capabilities in an amazingly thin camera configuration. This is an all-glass, multicoated lens constructed of 11 lenses in 9 groups with a maximum aperture of F3.9 - F5.4 and zoom of 3x (38-114mm equivalent). It also has a 4x digital zoom option.

The 9-point AF system has options for Spot AF (center only), Free (auto selects one of nine AF areas), Tracking AF, Macro AF, Pan Focus, Infinity and Manual Focus. The EX-FS10 also features an AF-assist illuminator to aid in accurate focusing in low light conditions.

The auto focus working range is:

• Normal AF: 1.3ft. to infinity
• Macro: 3.9 in. - 19.7 in. (wide)
• Manual 3.9 in. to infinity

The built-in flash has modes for auto, flash on, flash off, red-eye reduction, and soft flash. The working range using ISO Auto is approx: Approx. 1.3 to 8.5 ft. (W), approx. 2.3 to 6.2 ft. (T)

On top of the camera you will find the shutter release with the zoom control coupled around it, the on/off switch, the button to enable high speed continuous capture (30) and the slow playback button.

The large 2.5-inch color LCD with 230,400 pixels of resolution serves as the viewfinder as well as for reviewing your images and movies and accessing the menu screens. In lower light conditions the LCD will "gain up" for better framing.

Controls on the back: In the upper right is the Movie mode shutter release. Next to it is a switch for regular and high-speed movie modes. Under those is the Play and Record mode buttons. The 4-way controller lets you easily navigate menu screens or select images for playback, the center button accepts menu selections. You can program the "Left" and "Right" actions in the Record menu. In Record mode you push "Up" to control the amount of info displayed on the LCD and "Down" to change the flash mode or to delete an image when in Playback. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menu system. The BS button calls up the BestShot scene mode menu.

The interface connector is a combination device used to connect either the USB 2.0 cable for downloading images to the host computer or connect the Audio-Video Out cable to a TV set. The video signal is selectable for NTSC or PAL. The USB cable can be connected to any PictBridge compatible photo printer for computer-free printing.

Still images and movie clips are stored on 31.9MB of internal flash memory or removable SD, SDHC, or MMC memory cards. Shown here with a fast and spacious SanDisk Extreme III SDHC card.

Approx. Storage Capacities:

The proprietary NP-60 lithium battery pack is charged in the included AC charger. A fully discharged battery can be replenished in about two hours. This 3.7 volt battery is rated at 720mA and Casio claims it can power the camera for up 160 (CIPA) still images or 2 hours of continuous playback.