Casio EX-S10 Review

The EX-S10 uses a 3-segment lens that provides 3x (36-108mm equivalent) optical zoom capabilities in an amazingly thin camera configuration. This is an all-glass, multicoated lens constructed of 6 elements in 5 groups with a maximum aperture of F2.8 - F5.3. It also has a 4x digital zoom option. The lens retracts fully inside of the camera when powered down and is protected by a built in lens cover. On power up it takes less than a second to extend the lens.

The 9-point AF system has options for Spot AF (center only), Multi AF (auto selects one of nine AF areas), Tracking AF, Macro AF, Pan Focus, Infinity and Manual Focus. The EX-S10 also features an AF-assist illuminator to aid in accurate focusing in low light conditions.

The auto focus working range is:

• Normal AF: 15.75 in. to infinity
• Macro: 5.9 - 19.69 in. (varies with zoom)
• Manual 5.9 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. .66 to 9.19 ft. (W), approx. 1.31 to 4.9 ft. (T)

On the back is a large and bright 2.7-inch color "Super Clear LCD. This is used for playback review, menu operations and is the live viewfinder with approx. 100% coverage. It features 230,000 pixels of resolution and several degrees of brightness adjustment (including two Auto adjust modes).

Controls on the back: In the upper right is the Movie mode shutter release. Next 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.

Located on top is the power on/off button and the shutter release with the zoom controls mounted around it, which control the index and magnify options in playback mode.

The EX-S10 has ~11.8 megabytes of internal memory for saving images and movie clips. It supports use of any size SD/SDHC or MMC/MMC Plus memory cards via the expansion slot on the bottom. Image data can be copied to/from internal memory and a flash card via the Playback menu.

Shown here with a speedy OCZ Class 6 4GB SDHC card. This is a 10-megapixel camera that takes BIG images, and movies will consume a lot of space too - so be sure you get a add a large memory card to your purchase.

Located on the bottom is the combination I/O port. It handles both the USB 2.0 (High-speed) data output as well as the Audio/Video output (playback mode only). You can also see the plastic tripod mount and built-in speaker to the right.

Still Image Capacity

Movie Capacity

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 280 still images or 3 hours and 10 minutes of continuous playback.