 Casio EX-Z1080 versus the competition |
| Review Date: November 10, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Truth, Colorado |
I recently purchased a Casio EX-Z1080, as well as a Canon PowerShot SD750 and a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55K. I wanted to get the best camera available for the money in a small form factor.
I put all three cameras through very extensive testing, and was surprised by what I learned. First, I'll provide a brief rundown on the strengths versus weaknesses of the camera I chose versus the others. Then I'll provide a list of pros and cons for the particular camera I found to be the overall winner.
Oh, yes, the winner, surprisingly, was the Casio EX-Z1080. Moreover, this was also the cheapest camera of the bunch by far!
The Casio EX-Z1080 had sharper images across the board and reproduced greater detail than either the Canon SD750 or the Panasonic FX55K. Color accuracy, etc., was also just as good on the Casio as its competitors. I took dozens of photos of small objects, including objects with fine text, from varying distances. So long as the focus lamp was enabled, the Casio always took sharper photos with far greater detail. When the focus lamp was turned off, both cameras took blurry photos. I suspect the Casio came out on top for two reasons: first, it has a higher megapixel CCD, and second, its digital image stabilization actually outperforms the optical image stabilization of the Panasonic, which was a BIG surprise to me. Both the Casio and the Panasonic outshined the Canon SD750 on photos; each were sharper and produced greater detail than the Canon. (My Canon SD750 also had an area of dead pixels in the CCD right out of the box, so it was defective in that regard.)
In terms of video, the Casio and the Panasonic take the most compact, high-resolution videos, and the Casio offers superb audio (the best of the bunch). However, the color balance of the videos taken with the Casio EX-Z1080 is sadly inferior to that of the Canon SD750 and the Panasonic DMC-FX55K. I found that I could compensate for this a bit with the Casio by increasing the EV value to +0.3, though doing so left my videos looking too bright in places. (Casio could really use a smaller stepping, such as +0.1.) Additionally, the Casio EX-Z1080 exhibited considerable pixelation in videos taken in low-light -- much more than the Canon SD750. (The Casio EX-Z1080's video was higher-resolution and better focused, with superior audio, but otherwise inferior in terms of color balance, brightness and contrast, and pixelation.) If taking videos in low-light situations (e.g., indoors) is something that would be important to you, then your best choice would be the Canon or Panasonic. Otherwise, if you have good lighting, the Casio might suit your needs. (Regardless, the Casio produces much better photos than either of its competitors.) One more thing: due to the fact that it uses the latest MPEG 4 code (i.e., H.264), the size of the video files, even though they are higher resolution with superior audio, is smaller with the Casio than with the Canon SD750. (This is also true of the Panasonic.)
Both the Panasonic and the Canon have nicer battery chargers, in that each has a rotating plug, rather than a long cord that has to be attached to the charger, which is a downfall of the Casio. (Due to the cord, the Casio's charger is bulkier and not as portable.) The Casio EX-Z1080 does, however, have the best battery life of any digital camera of its size, to include the Canon SD750 and the Panasonic DMC-FX55K, though the Canon SD750's battery life is pretty good.
So, the Casio is best all around where photos are concerned, and it is the cheapest of the bunch. Besides this, the Casio also gives you more for your money: a 1GB SD card and a nice case are both included. The Canon SD750 only comes with a measly 32MB SD card, which is ridiculous (!), and NO case. While the Panasonic DMC-FX55K also includes a 1GB SD card and a case (not as nice as that of the Casio, I don't think), you pay MUCH MORE for the Panasonic than for the Casio.
OK, to the pros and cons of the Casio EX-Z1080. Pros:
- the very best battery life, and a useful electronic in-built battery meter (not found on the Canon SD750)
- highest resolution CCD (10 megapixels)
- takes superior photos that exhibit both sharper focus and greater detail
- outstanding video compression (like the Panasonic I bought)
- superior audio quality in videos
- generous extras (very nice case and a 1GB SD card included)
- the best price of all three cameras I purchased
Cons:
- inferior color balance, brightness and contrast, and pixelation in low-light situation videos; Casio could learn a great deal from Canon in this particular area, and were Casio to collaborate with Canon on a future version of its camera, Casio could flat out take the digital camera market by storm
- wrist strap is a bit small; would fit most women well, but a significant number of men will find it a bit tight to put on
- poor plug design on the battery charger, which makes it overly bulky for travel (i.e., it uses a separate electrical cord rather than a rotating plug)
- inferior LCD display; both the Panasonic and the Canon offered much nicer LCD displays (larger, clearer and higher resolution, though brightness was not a problem for any of them)
- the included printed manual and other reference material is next to USELESS!!! One has to consult the electronic guide, which is on an included CD, for any truly useful information regarding the camera and its settings, etc.
On the whole, I feel one gets a great deal for the money with the Casio EX-Z1080; I got mine at Costco. Most of us who purchase a digital camera do so for the photos, and here the Casio EX-Z1080 shines. While the LCD display could be better, as could the battery charger's design, and while Casio could really improve on the color balance, etc., of its video processing engine, the camera is otherwise head and shoulders above the competition--at any price! You also get a much better package with the Casio for the money (i.e., nice case and decent SD card). However, if video is what matters most to you in a digital camera, look elsewhere. Personally, I have decided to return both the Panasonic and the Canon. I'd rather have a dedicated video camera for those situations where the best video really matters to me anyway.
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I liked this camera so much I bought two!
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| Review Date: November 29, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Gadget Lover, USA |
I am a long time Canon camera diehard, and my wife is a long time Sony camera user.
Recently we wanted to upgrade to smaller, more capable cameras. I purchased the Casio EX-Z1080 after reading favorable reviews online. I purchased this for my wife, and she loved it after trying it out for a week.
I really liked photos, movie mode, speedy photo performance, and decided to buy a second one for myself, in lieu of some of the Canon models I was seriously considering.
Pros: Small, long life battery, very simple and easy to use, great images, lots of features.
Cons: Not much, macro mode is not as good as the Canons I have used, but still adequate. Movies are only at 25 fps instead of standard 30 fps, but not a big deal in my eyes.
So far we both love our Casios and look forward to enjoying it for a long time.
EDIT: I did a side to side comparison to a Canon SD800is, which I was debating about buying, and here are some thoughts about these two cameras:
The Casio EX-Z1080 is far more intuitive and usable than the Canon from a UI perspective and physical ergonomics perspective.
After playing with the SD800is for several hours, and reading every page of the Canon basic and advanced guide, I'm still confused on some features, and it's definitely a lot more complex to use than the Casio. I skimped over the Casio user guide and it's super intuitive to use.
Here are the pros/cons of the two cameras in my opinion:
Casio Pros (in relative order of importance):
1. UI and ergonomics are super, even my wife who is not a technowhiz figured it in a few minutes.
2. ability to easily change most settings very very quickly, which means more flexibility in taking shots
3. large, clear LCD screen
4. long battery life, one of the longest in its compact camera class
5. 10.1 megapixels (doesn't really matter to me because I use 1600x1200 most of the time anyhow, or 2 megapixel resolution)
6. sturdy metal case, solid feel, versus plastic case / more fragile feel of the SD800is.
7. Visible battery meter shows status in 3 bars, so you can recharge well ahead of the weak battery status.
Casio Cons
1. digital image stabilization only (means increasing ISO to compensate for movement) - although most images are fine
2. lack of optical viewfinder (I use this in bright light, and to conserve battery life if forced to)
3. optical zoom only 3x, versus 3.8 on the SD800 IS
Canon SD800is pros:
1. Optical image stabilization - this is the best image stabilization method, versus digital Image Stabilization which is not really all that good
2. wide angle lens - more area for indoor shots
3. 3.8 optical zoom
4. Optical viewfinder (at the expense of a much smaller LCD)
Canon SD800is cons:
1. UI and ergonomics are far worse than Casio (I spent 3 hours studying the manuals and still haven't figured half the stuff out like I did with the Casio, and I HATE the hard to push buttons on the back)
2. battery life is not as good as Casio, and there's no battery status meter. The weak battery icon pops up only when it's too late.
3. Can only do date and time stamp on 1600x1200 images (I like to date and time stamp every shot so I know when it was taken)
3. 7.1 mega pixels versus 10.1 megapixels on the Casio (not a big deal in my book)
4. Feels bigger and fatter than the Casio (although they both have the same dimensions, the Casio just feels a lot slimmer, and better)
5. plastic case. versus metal case of the Casio (the Casio feels very good to hold)
6. much smaller LCD than the Casio
7. shiny chrome parts are constantly smudged, and hard to keep clean
So overall Casio is such a user friendly camera, that it really is optimal for the point and shoot crowd (most consumers).
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The best camera
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| Review Date: November 24, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Denyel Davis, Ohio |
| I LOVE this camera!!! I own the casio 1050 and the casio 1080. I much prefer this camera over the 1050. The 1050 has a poor lcd screen and they fixed that with the 1080. This camera also has face detection which the 1050 does not. The picture quality is amazing on the casio 1080. I have 3 kids ages 1, 3 and 8 and could not ask for a better camera. All the extra features are very easy to use. I also love the video. I can playback the video on my camera with audio. The battery life lasts a very long time. I cant think of one con for this camera. It is my all time favorite. Thanks Casio for finally coming out with the camera that I have been looking for. Although the other poster did mention getting a 1GB SD card and a nice case included!?!?! I did not recieve either of those? How did you get those to come with your camera? |
I highly recommend this product
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| Review Date: December 21, 2007 |
| Reviewer: RHB, USA |
I have been using a digital SLR Minolta for two years and I have not used one of these point and shoot digital cameras so please read my review based on these. Maybe some or all of these features are already in other point and shoot cameras.
To sum it up, I think this is a very good value for all the features you get.
Features I like:
-I like several pre-programmed best shot features. It has best shot modes such as high sensitivity, business cards, night portrait, old pics. Amazing.
-The video quality is so so but for a camera like this I think it is good. After all it is a digital camera not a video camera. I am happy with it. It has features like short video that captures 4 secs before and 4 secs after you click the shutter. I have not tried it yet but I think it uses a buffer memory to do this. Amazing. You do not worry about clicking the shutter too late.
-It has auto frame function. It follows the focused person if (s)he moves. I have not used the face recognition feature yet.
-It is very intuitive and easy to use. Options are easy to access.
-If you buy it online the price is very good for a camera like this
-It is small, easy to carry.
The things to watch out:
-I think the hand strap is weak and looks cheap
-It looks like (I am not sure) this is thicker than other Exilims. It still is a small camera.
-Most of the information is on the CD provided. Paperback Manual provided gives only basic info to operate.
-It seems like there is a slight lag after you click on shutter and while it is writing on the memory. I am used to my digital SLR I guess.
Overall I am very happy with it. I'd recommend it. |
Beyond Expectations!
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| Review Date: January 4, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Dawn, USA |
I thought this was going to be yet another point & shoot that would fall short of my expectations (they are pretty high as I'm a professional photographer).
This is a great little camera that captures beautifully sharp photographs. The Casio EX-Z1080 is simply awesome. This was a gift for my daughter but I like it so much that I'm going to pick myself up one as well in the immediate future. I read the reviews here on Amazon. Thanks to everyone that posted a review. Hopefully, I can help someone in their decision as well. |
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