Casio EX-Z250 Review

By: Steve's Digicams

Casio Exilim EX-Z250


Review posted 10/9/2008



Click on the EX-Z250 to take a QTVR tour



The EXILIM Zoom EX-Z250 is an 9.1 Megapixel digital camera with a 4x optical zoom lens that can shoot as wide as 28mm (equivalent). This is a compact model sporting a stylish and durable metal exterior. To combat camera-shake, the EX-Z250 employs an anti-shake function that compensates for blur by actually moving the imaging element (also called sensor-shift). Of course, this model also incorporates high sensitivity anti-blur feature, which reduces blur by raising the camera's sensitivity and therefore increasing shutter speeds.

With the new Auto Shutter function (which uses motion blur detection technology), the camera can automatically take a photo at the instant when hand shake or subject movement ceases. Users can also automatically capture the moment of a smile, the instant when subject movement due to panning ceases, or the moment when their own face fills the frame as they point the camera towards themselves.

The EX-Z250 uses the H.264 video standard, which utilizes the AAC audio codec widely enjoyed in Apple's iPod, etc. It is also possible to record movies in a wide format at resolutions of 848x480. The camera also features a separate Movie shutter release button which makes movie recording a snap.



EX-Z250 Zoom Features:

  • 9.1-Megapixel effective CCD imager
  • 4x "Wide" optical zoom covers 28 - 112mm (35mm equivalent)
  • Stylish, durable and light-weight metal body
  • 3.0-inch TFT color LCD (Super Clear LCD), 230,400 dots (960x240)
  • Face Detection and "Auto Shutter" technologies for sharp portraits
  • CCD shift anti-shake system
  • 37 "BEST SHOT" scene modes for various shooting situations
  • Attach audio memos to still images at capture or later.
  • Focal Length/35mm film equivalent f= 4.65 to 18.6mm/Approx. 28 to 112mm
  • Record MPEG-4 (H.264/AVC) movies at 848x480 (UHQ Wide/HQ Wide) or standard 640x480/320x240 resolutions
  • 9-point autofocus system with selectable AF modes: Multi, Tracking or Spot AF.
  • ISO sensitivity from 64 to 3200
  • Built-in flash with Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Soft Flash, Red Eye Reduction.
  • USB 2.0 (Full-speed) data transfer to PC or Mac computers.
  • Li-ion rechargeable battery for up to 280 shots.
  • 38.5 Megabytes of internal memory and SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC Plus card slot for memory expansion.


    The EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z250 s available in black, blue, gold, pink, or sliver finish with a suggested retail of US$249.99. The kit ships with a Rechargeable lithium ion battery, lithium ion battery charger, AC power cord, USB cable, AV cable, strap, CD-ROM .


    • Physical Views



    Casio Exilim EX-Z250

    Casio Exilim EX-Z250

    Casio Exilim EX-Z250Casio Exilim EX-Z250

    Casio Exilim EX-Z250

    Casio Exilim EX-Z250





    Casio Exilim EX-Z250

    The EX-Z250 compared to a standard Compact Disc.





    Continue on to
    Features & Controls






    EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z250 SPECIFICATIONS

    Number of Effective Pixels

    9.1 million

    Image Sensor
    		 1/2.5-inch square pixel CCD
    Total Pixels
    		9.30 million
    File Format
    		Still Images JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.2), DCF1.0, DPOF
    Movies

    MOV format, H.264/AVC, AAC (monaural)
    Audio (Voice Recording) WAV format (monaural)
    Built-in Flash Memory (Image area)
    		 38.5MB
    Recording Media
    		SDHC Memory Card, SD Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, MultiMediaCardplus compatible
    Number of Recorded Pixels
    		Still Images

    3456 x 2592, 3456 x 2304 (3:2),
    3456 x 1944 (16:9), 3072 x 2304,
    2304 x 1728, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480
    Movies

    848 x 480 (WIDE, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (STD, 30 fps), 320 x 240 (LP, 15 fps)

    Recording Capacity (when set at maximum image size)
    		 Still Images Built-in Flash Memory

    Approx. 6 shots (Fine) / 13 shots (Normal) / 19 shots (Economy)

    SD Memory Card 1GB

    Approx. 170 shots (Fine) / 322 shots (Normal) / 478 shots (Economy)

    Movies Recording Time

    Maximum recording capacity per file: 4GB.
    Built-in Flash Memory Approx. 1 min. 9 seconds (WIDE)
    SD Memory Card 1GB*1

    Approx. 30 min. 10 seconds (WIDE)

    Operating Speed
    Power on to First Shot - Approx. 2.3 seconds
    Shutter Release Time Lag - Approx. 0.008 second
    Image Playback - Approx. 0.1 second/image
    Shot to Shot Time - Approx. 2.1 seconds
    Normal Speed Continuous Shutter - Approx. 2.2 second intervals
    High-speed Continuous Shutter - Maximum is 4 frames per second
    Flash Continuous Shutter - Maximum is 3 frames per second
    Lens
    		 Construction 7 lenses in 6 groups, including aspherical lens
    F-number F2.6 (W) to 5.9 (T)
    Focal Length/35mm film equivalent f= 4.65 to 18.6mm/Approx. 28 to 112mm
    Zoom
    		 Optical Zoom 4X
    Digital Zoom 4X (16X in combination with optical zoom)
    HD Zoom

    21.3X (640 x 480 pixels, both with optical and digital zoom)

    Focusing
    		 Focus Type Contrast Detection Auto Focus
    Focus Modes Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Pan Focus, Infinity Mode, Manual Focus
    AF Area Spot, Multi or Tracking
    AF Assist Lamp No
    Focus Range (from lens surface)
    		 Auto Focus Approx. 15.75" to infinity (W)
    Macro

    Approx. 5.91" to 19.69" (W),
    Approx. 1.97" to 19.69"
    (First step from widest-angle setting)

    Infinity Mode infinity (W)
    Manual Focus Approx. 5.91" to infinity (W)
    Exposure
    		 Exposure Metering Multi-pattern, center weighted, spot by imaging element
    Exposure Control Program AE
    Exposure Compensation -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)
    Shutter Type
    		Shutter Speed
    CCD electronic shutter, mechanical shutter
    Auto 1/2 to 1/2000 second
    Night Scene (BEST SHOT) 4 to 1/2000 second
    Aperture

    F2.6 (W) to F7.7 (W)*11, auto switching

    White Balance
    		Auto WB, Daylight, Overcast, Shade, Day white FL, Daylight FL, Tungsten, manual WB
    Sensitivity (SOS/REI)
    		 Still Images Auto, ISO64, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800, ISO1600, ISO 3200
    Movies Auto
    Other Recording Functions
    		 BEST SHOT Included: 37 scenes
    AUTO BEST SHOT Yes
    Make-up Shot Yes
    Lighting Yes
    Handheld Night Scene Yes
    YouTube™ Capture Mode Yes
    Face Detection Yes
    Face Recognition Yes
    Auto Shutter Yes
    Voice Recording Yes
    Self-timer
    		 10 seconds, 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer
    Built-in Flash
    		Flash Modes Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Soft Flash, Red Eye Reduction
    Flash Range

    Normal: approx. .49' to 12.47' (W), approx. 1.97' to 5.58' (T)
    Flash Continuous Shooting: Approx. 1.31' to 5.58' (W), approx. 1.64' to 2.30' (T)
    Monitor Screen
    		3.0-inch TFT color LCD (Super Clear LCD), 230,400 dots (960x240)
    Timekeeping Functions
    		Date and Time Recorded with image data
    On-image Time Stamp Function Yes
    Auto Calendar To 2049
    World Time 162 cities in 32 time zones, city name, date, time, summer time
    Input/Output Terminals
    		USB/AV port
    USB
    Microphone
    		 Monaural
    Speaker
    		 Monaural
    Power Requirements
    		Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
    (NP-70) x 1
    Battery Life
    		Number of Shots*13 Approx. 280 still images (CIPA standards)
    Continuous Playback Approx. 6 hr. 40 min. (still images)
    Continuous Recording

    Approx. 5 hr. (voice recording)

    Dimensions (excluding projections)

    3.81" (W) x 2.26" (H) x .78" (D)
    Thinnest part: .74"

    Weight (excluding battery and accessories)
    Approx. 4.2 oz
    Bundled Accessories
    		 Rechargeable lithium ion battery, lithium ion battery charger, AC power cord,
    USB cable, AV cable, strap, CD-ROM

    NOTE: These Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.



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