Casio EX-S880 Review

The EX-S880 uses a 3-segment lens that provides 3x (38-114mm 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 F2.7-F8.0. 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 auto focus 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-S880 also features an AF-assist illuminator to aid in accurate focusing in low light conditions.

The auto focus working range is 40cm/1.3 ft to infinity, macro: 15-50cm/5.9-19.69 in. (varies with zoom). It features an "Auto Macro" function, which automatically switches between Normal and Macro focus modes. Manual focus is adjustable from 15cm/5.9 in. to infinity.

The built-in flash has modes for auto, fill, red-eye reduction, soft flash, and off. The working range at wide angle, ISO Auto is approx: Approx. .49' to 12.8' (W), approx. 1.31' to 6.56' (T)

On the back is a large and bright 2.8-inch color LCD. This is used for playback review, menu operations and is the live viewfinder with approx. 100% coverage. This LCD has over twice the resolution of the display used on the EX-S600 model.

Controls on the back: Along the top are the DATA (pulls up text documents stored on the internal memory or memory card), DISPlay (controls information display), and the dedicated Record and Playback mode buttons. In the upper right is the Movie mode shutter release, with the zoom lens controls to the left (which function as index and magnify buttons in playback mode). The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menu system. 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 Setup menu. In Record mode you push "Up" to enable/disable Face Detection mode. You push "Down" to change the flash mode or to delete an image when in Playback. The BS button calls up the BestShot scene mode menu.

Located on top is the power on/off button and the shutter release. You can also see the DATA, DISPlay, Record, and Playback mode buttons.

The EX-S880 has ~10.8 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 SanDisk Extreme III 1GB SD card. This is a 6-megapixel camera that makes BIG images, movies will consume a lot of space too - see the next page for the storage requirements of the movie mode.

Still Image Capacity

Movie Capacity

The camera is placed in the included docking cradle to connect to your computer via the high speed USB 2.0 port for data transfer. It also charges the battery whenever the camera is docked. Unlike many Exilim models, the EX-S880's dock has an Audio-Video port to connect it to a TV set for display of images and movies (playback mode only, there's no A/V output in record mode.) Or connect it to a DVD-recorder to record and share your movies with others.

The proprietary NP-20 lithium battery pack is charged whenever the camera is docked in the cradle. A fully discharged battery can be replenished in about two hours. This 3.7 volt battery is rated at 700mA and Casio claims the following battery life: