Casio EX-V7 Review

By: Steve's Digicams




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Casio Exilim EX-V7


Review posted 5/26/2007


Click to take 360-degree QTVR tour of the Casio Exilim EX-V7
Click on the EX-V7 to take a QTVR tour



The 7.2-megapixel EXILIM Hi-ZOOM EX-V7, is the most powerful zoom in the stylish EXILIM® series of compact digital cameras. This new model is the world's slimmest digital camera with a 7X optical zoom lens. Thinness is a defining quality in the EXILIM line, and the EX-V7 is no different as it easily fits in a shirt pocket or small purse. The V7 incorporates a cutting-edge, non-protruding 7X internal optical zoom lens and offers a 10X- equivalent zoom without loss of picture quality (in 3.0-megapixel mode).

The new camera also introduces an innovative function for reducing photo blur, made possible by Casio's mechanical CCD shift technology. It also combines Casio's well-received Anti Shake DSP, which reduces blur due to shaky hands or a moving subject by using higher ISO sensitivity and faster shutter speeds, with new motion analysis technology that uses the most appropriate ISO sensitivity and shutter speed to capture a moving photo subject. Even at high zoom settings, the EX-V7 reduces most occurrences of image blur. Everyone from first-time photographers to seasoned professionals will love this latest photographic marvel from Casio.

This latest edition to the Exilim line of digital cameras features the newest movie format - MPEG-4 H.264/AVC recording - which provides recording and playback of high-resolution video at remarkably small file sizes. In addition to increased resolution, you'll also increase compression speed so the length of video recording is limited only by your memory card. The EX-V7 is powered by the Exilim Engine 2.0 for high resolution, high performance, high speed, power saving and ultra-compact configuration. It's packed with even more impressive features such as 2.5- Super Bright LCD, 33 Photo Best Shot Modes and 10 Movie Best Shot Modes.

Exclusive to the Casio EXILIM line of digital cameras in the U.S., is the eBay® Best Shot mode. The eBay Best Shot mode is one of 33 Best Shot Modes featured in the EX-V7. eBay Best Shot takes photos at a size that is image optimized for display on eBay, allowing picture takers to more quickly and easily create photos for selling items on eBay. eBay Best Shot mode also includes Auto Macro, an ideal setting for capturing images of small items such as jewelry, tags, etc., thus automatically adjusting the focus from acquiring fine details in close up shots to capturing large items from a distance. eBay Best Shot mode allows users to capture optimized images at an ideal size for eBay. For ease of use, eBay photos are stored in a special eBay directory.



Exilim EX-V7 Features:

  • 7.2-Megapixel effective CCD imager, 7x optical zoom w/auto macro
  • Stylish, durable and light-weight aluminum body
  • Large 2.5-inch TFT color LCD
  • Anti Shake provides higher sensitivity, faster shutter speed prevents image blurring to hand or subject movement
  • High-speed start-up enables shooting approximately 1.2 seconds after power up.
  • Release time lag of only 0.008 seconds after the shutter is pressed.
  • High-speed picture playback of approx. 0.1 seconds interval.
  • Continuous shutter function enables photos to be taken in 1.0 seconds intervals.
  • 33 "BEST SHOT" scene modes set the camera for easy to difficult situations.
  • Attach up to 30-second audio memos to still images at capture or later.
  • Record voice-only audio, approx. 25 minutes on internal memory.
  • H.264/AVC, MOV format (Motion JPEG AVI format when the image quality setting is "LP").
  • Movie Best Shot, Past Movie, Short Movie and in-camera movie editing.
  • Focus Modes: Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Infinity Mode, Manual Focus.
  • ISO sensitivity from ISO64, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800 or Automatic.
  • Built-in flash with Auto, On, Off, Soft Flash, Red Eye Reduction function.
  • USB 2.0 high speed data transfer to PC or Mac computers.
  • Super-Life battery enables up to 240 shots on a single charge.
  • Li-ion rechargeable battery and charging cradle included.
  • 11.6 Megabytes of internal memory and SDHC Memory Card / SD Memory Card / Multimedia Card compatible.
  • ExifPrint, PRINT Image Matching III, USB Direct-Print, and PictBridge compatible.


The MSRP of the EX-V7 is $399.99, and will be available at retail beginning end of March 2007.

Physical Views



Casio Exilim EX-V7

Casio Exilim EX-V7

Casio Exilim EX-V7 Casio Exilim EX-V7

Casio Exilim EX-V7

Casio Exilim EX-V7





Casio Exilim EX-V7

The EX-V7 compared to a standard Compact Disc.




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Features & Controls



EXILIM Hi-Zoom EX-V7 Specifications


NOTE: These Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.
Effective Pixels 7.20 million
Imaging Element 1/2.5-inch square pixel color CCD (total pixels: 7.41 million)
Image File Format Still images: JPEG (Exif Version 2.2), DCF standard, DPOF compliant
Movies H.264/AVC, MOV format (Motion JPEG AVI format when the image quality setting is "LP")
Audio WAV (stereo)
Recording Media Built-in flash memory (image area: 11.6 MB), SDHC Memory Card / SD Memory Card / Multimedia Card compatible
Image Size (Pixels) Still images: 3072�2304, 3072�2048 (3:2), 2560�1920, 2048�1536, 1600�1200, 640�480
Movies 848�480 (UHQ Wide/HQ Wide), 640�480 (UHQ/HQ/Normal), 320�240 (LP)

Image size (pixels)
Image quality/
recording time
File size
Built-in memory
(11.6 MB)
SD Memory
Card
256MB *1
Still Images

3072�2304

Fine/
Normal/
Economy

Approx.
4.3 MB/
2.31 MB/
1.57 MB

Approx.
2 shots/
5 shots/
7 shots

Approx.
56 shots/
105 shots/
155 shots

640 x 480

Fine/
Normal/
Economy

Approx.
330 KB/
190 KB/
140 KB

Approx.
35 shots/
61 shots/
84 shots

Approx.
738 shots/
1282 shots/
1740 shots

Movies
640�480 (UHQ)

Maximum Recording Time per File
(4 GB)*2

 Approx.
6.0 Megabits per Second
(30 frames/second)		 Approx.
16 seconds		 Approx.
5 minutes,
35 seconds
848�480 (UHQ Wide)
 Approx.
7.2 Megabits per Second
(30 frames/second)		 Approx.
13 seconds		 Approx.
4 minutes,
38 seconds
640�480 (HQ)
 Approx.
3.0 Megabits per Second
(30 frames/second)

Approx.
32 seconds

 Approx.
11 minutes,
15 seconds

848�480
(HQ Wide)

Approx.
3.6 Megabits per Second
(30 frames/second)

Approx.
27 seconds

Approx.
9 minutes,
21 seconds

640�480 (Normal)

Approx.
1.5 Megabits per Second
(30 frames/second)

 Approx.
1 minute, 
5 seconds		 Approx.
22 minutes,
28 seconds
320�240 (LP):
Motion JPEG

Approx.
2.4 Megabits per Second
(15 frames/second)

 Approx.
39 seconds

Approx.
13 minutes,
34 seconds

Operating Speed:   Power on to first shot: approximately 1.2 second*3
Shutter release time lag: Approximately 0.008 second*3
Image playback: 0.1 second/image
Shot to shot time: Approximately 1.0 seconds*3*4
Continuous shutter: Approximately 0.7-second intervals*4
High-speed continuous shutter and Rapid Flash: approximately 3 frames per second
*3. With built-in flash off
*4. With image size set at 3072x2304 and using normal image quality
Lens/Focal Distance: F3.4 to 5.3, f=6.3 to 44.1mm (equivalent to approximately 38 to 266mm on a 35mm film camera), 12 lenses in 9 groups, including aspherical lens
Zoom: 7X optical zoom, 4X digital zoom (Image size: 3072x2304 pixels, 28X in combination with optical zoom)
Focusing:  Contrast Detection Auto Focus,
Focus Modes: Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Infinity Mode, Manual Focus 
AF Area: Spot, Multi or Tracking; with AF assist lamp
Approximate Focus Range:  Auto Focus: 11.81"*5 to ∞, Macro:  3.94" to 15.75"*5, Infinity Mode: ∞, Manual Focus: 3.94"*5 to ∞*5. Range is affected by optical zoom.
Exposure Control: Metering: Multi-pattern, center weighted, spot by imaging element
Exposure: Program AE, Shutter Speed Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Manual Exposure
Exposure Compensation: -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)
Shutter: CCD shutter, mechanical shutter
Program AE: 1/2 to 1/800 second*6, Aperture Priority AE: 1 to 1/800 second*6, Shutter Speed Priority AE and Manual Exposure: 60 to 1/800 second*6, 
*6. Shutter speed range may be different depending on the BEST SHOT scene.
Aperture:  F3.4/4.6/9.2*7; auto switching
*7. Using optical zoom causes the aperture to change. F9.2 is the aperture when an ND filter is being used.
White Balance: Auto, fixed (6 modes), manual
Sensitivity: Still images: Auto*8, ISO64, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800
Movies: Auto
*8. Maximum sensitivity is ISO1600 when "High Sensitivity" BEST SHOT scene is selected.
Recording Functions:

Still images; still images with audio (maximum around 30 seconds); macro; self-timer; continuous shutter (normal speed, high speed, rapid flash), BEST SHOT, movies with audio (Normal Movie, Short Movie, Past Movie, Movie BEST SHOT), voice recording

Self-timer: 10 seconds, 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer
Built-in Flash: Flash Modes: Auto, On, Off, Soft Flash, Red Eye Reduction
Flash Range: approx.  .3' to 7.2' (W), approx.  3.3' to 4.6' (T)
Rapid Flash: approx. 1.3' to 6.9' (W), approx.  3.3'to 4.6' (T)
Monitor Screen: 2.5-inch TFT color LCD, 230,400 pixels (960�240)
Timekeeping Functions: Date and time: Recorded with image data; Auto Calendar: To 2049
On-image time stamp function
World Time: 162 cities in 32 time zones, City name, date, time, summer time
Input/Output Terminals: USB cradle connector, USB2.0 (Hi-Speed) compatible
Microphone:  Stereo
Speaker:  Monaural
Power Requirements: Rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-50) �1
Battery life: Approx. 240 still images*9 (CIPA Standards)
Continuous playback: approx 6 hr. (still images)
Continuous recording: approx 1 hr. 40 min. (movie)
Continuous recording: approx 4 hr. 20 min. (voice recording)
*9. Auto Mode, standard brightness monitor setting
Dimensions: 3.76" (W) x 2.35" (H) x 1.0" (D) (excluding projections,   .82" at thinnest part)
Weight: Approximately 5.26 oz (excluding battery and accessories)
Bundled Accessories: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, USB cradle, USB cable, AV cable, Special AC adaptor, AC power cord, strap, CD-ROM



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