Casio EX-P505 Review

The EX-P505 features a 5X (38-190mm in the 35mm format) f/3.3-3.6 all-glass zoom lens constructed of 10 lenses in 8 groups. The aperture is controlled in six steps from F3.3 to F7.4 (varies according to focal length.)

The lens does not physically extend when the camera is powered up. The end of thelens is threaded to accept standard 43mm filters and comes with a removeable lens shade and lens cap.

Using a contrast-detection autofocus system, the EX-P505 offers three types of AF modes; Spot (single focus area in center of frame), Multi (camera picks one of seven focus areas), Free (focus area can be located anywhere in the frame.) The focusing range is:

• Normal AF - 15.75" to infinity
• Macro AF - 0.39" to 19.69" in wide angle

Macro mode can be selected or the camera will automatically go into macro mode when focusing on subjects closer than 15". The focus can be manually adjusted by the user, the center portion of the frame magnified. You can also manually lock the focus on infinity for landscape or open sky pictures.

The built-in flash "pops up" automatically when needed, it offers auto flash, flash off or flash on with red-eye reduction modes. The operating range is approx. 1.3' to 9.8' in wide angle, ISO set to Auto. Flash intensity can be adjusted +/-2 in 5 levels in the menu.

The FLASH ASSIST feature will help to brighten subjects outside of the range of the flash so it appears that the flash illumination was sufficient.

The EX-P505 lacks an optical viewfinder. You frame your subject with the 2-inch TFT color LCD. Opening the LCD monitor automatically turns the camera on and closing it turns the camera off. There is also a power button on the top.

The LCD monitor can be angled 0-180° and rotates 270°

When not in use, close the LCD face-in to protect it from dirt and scratches.

On the top of the grip is the On/Off button, the shutter release with the zoom lens control mounted around it. In playback mode the zoom lever functions as the index and magnified image control. The Mode Dial with positions for: Auto, BestShot, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority, Manual, Past Movie, Quick Movie, BestShot Movie, Movie and Playback.

See the next page for more information about the various Record modes.

Controls on the back: The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menu system.

The 4-way controller lets you navigate menus, adjust camera settings and select images during playback, the SET button accepts menu selections, In playback mode you press "Down" to delete the current image.

The DISPlay button controls the amount of data displayed on the color LCD and enables histogram or EX-Finder modes.

The I/O ports:

DC INput for optional AC power supply.

The DIGITAL port connects USB 2.0 to the computer for download. It also allows for Direct printing to any PictBridge compatible printer.

This is also the A/V out port for connecting the camera to a TV set for slideshow playback.

The EX-P505 is equipped with 7.5MB of internal memory. It also has a Secure Digital card slot and is compatible with both SD and MMC cards.

Shown here is the ATP 2GB 60x speed SD card with enough storage capacity for even the longest vacation. If the camera was destroyed or dropped in the water, the data on the ATP card would be safe because it's internally sealed.

Storage Capacity Approximate

The EX-P505 is powered by the Casio NP-40 3.7v 1230mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable battery. The battery is charged in the supplied BC-30L plugin type rapid charger which operates on 100-240V AC.

*2 - Temperature 23°C (73°F), monitor on, flash off, image recorded every 12 seconds, alternating full wide angle and full telephoto.

*3 - Temperature 23°C (73°F), scroll one image about every 10 seconds.

*4 - Approximate time for continuous movie recording, without using zoom.