The EX-P700 features an all-glass Canon 4x optical zoom lens constructed of 8 lenses in 7 groups with an aspherical lens. The focal length is 7.1 to 28.4mm which is equivalent to a 33 to 132mm lens in 35mm photography. It has a maximum aperture of F2.8(W)/4.0(T) with a total of 10 settings possible from F2.8 to F8. It also has a 4X digital zoom option.

The auto focus system covers 15.7" (40cm) to infinity in normal focus mode and from 3.94" to 19.7" (10-50cm) in Macro mode. As you can see from the animation above, the lens retracts into the camera when powered down and is protected by a built in lens cover. On power up it only takes about two seconds to extend the lens.

Auto focus modes available: Hybrid, Continuous or Contrast. Hybrid is a combination of phase difference and contrast focus and is the default. Continuous means the lens is always focusing even when the shutter release is half-pressed (which normally locks the focus.) Contrast is used if the phase differential sensor is blocked. The AF Area is selectable between 7-point multi, spot or free, the latter allows you to manually position the AF area anywhere in the frame using the 4-way controller. In addition to auto focus, there is fixed infinity mode and manual focus.

The EX-P700 is compatible with Canon auxiliary lenses - TC-DC58 Tele Converter, WC-DC58N Wide converter and the 250D Closeup Lens. (These lenses require the use of the lens converter adapter LU-60A. 58mm filters may also be used with this adapter.)

The optical viewfinder is large and bright, it shows approximately 85% of the captured image. There is no diopter adjustment. The two LEDs indicates camera power, flash charging, focus lock, memory error / memory full / battery low conditions.

The built-in flash has modes for auto, fill, red-eye reduction and off. The working range is approx. 1.31 to 11.8 feet / 0.4 to 3.6 m (W) , 1.31 to 8.2 feet / 0.4 to 2.5 m (T).

Flash range can be greatly extended by using an external flash unit. A standard PC sync port is located on the side of the camera but it lacks an accessory shoe.

Located on the top are the power on/off and shutter release buttons with the zoom lens control around the shutter.

Live framing, playback review and menu operations are carried out on the Pro EX-P700's large 2-inch color LCD monitor. It has twice as many pixels as previous 2-inch color LCD screens and offers a resolution of 480 x 240 pixels. If you have a hard time seeing the menus on those tiny 1.5-inch screens, you'll love this one.

Controls: Down the left side are the Bracketing, AE-Lock and the EX Shortcut/Delete buttons. Along the top are Focus and Flash mode buttons. The Mode Dial has positions for Auto, Best Shot, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority, Manual, Movie, Voice and Playback. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the onsreen menu system. The 4-way controller lets you easily navigate menu screens or select images for playback, the center SET button accepts menu selections. Next to the 4-way controller is the Self-timer/Remote and Preview (review last shot captured) buttons. The DISP button turns the color LCD on/off and controls the amount of information that is overlayed on the screen.

The EX-P700 has ~9MB of internal memory for saving images and movie clips. It supports use of any size Secure Digital or MultiMedia Card via the expansion card slot on the bottom. Image data can be copied to/from internal memory and a flash card via the Playback menu.

Use a card like this Lexar 1GB SD card and you'll never have to worry about running out of space again - even on an extended vacation.

(* SD memory card is optional, not included)

The Pro EX-P700 has Audio-Video out capability, the video format is selectable between NTSC and PAL standards. The USB 1.1 port is for image download to the host PC, it is Mass Storage compliant and PictBridge compatible. The DC IN is for an optional AC power supply or external battery pack. And a standard PC flash sync port allows you to easily connect to external flash units.

The NP-40 lithium battery is a 3.7 volt pack rated at 1230mA and Casio claims approx. 200 shots (LCD on) in record mode, and 210 minutes of continuous playback. The included BC-30L rapid charger will replenish the battery in 2 hours or less and plugs directly into the AC outlet.

Included with the EX-P700 outfit is this handy infrared remote control. It can trip the shutter, control the zoom and allows you to access the camera menus. This is ideal to eliminate any possible camera shake when on a tripod taking self-portraits, macro or Bulb exposures.