Casio EXILIM EX-H15 review

We review the Casio Exilim EX-H15. Has the new overloaded Casio been overcooked?

The Casio Exilim EX-H15 is part of Casio's Hi-Zoom range, and removes the card-like dimensions of many of its Exilim siblings, to take on the role of a workhorse compact.

Its deeper body makes room for a 10x optical wide-angle zoom lens to curl up inside, and then to support its matt black barrel when it’s at its longest reach.

The EX-H15 takes full advantage of Casio's Engine 5.0 processor, and this not only makes it faster and more responsive, but also boosts image quality and noise reduction over its predecessor, the EX-H10. Upgrades also include increased resolution, now at 14.1MP, and the EX-H15 comes with more built-in memory (over 70MB) to allow space for 8 high-resolution shots that are suitable for poster printing. The movie functionality remains at HD, and now with a faster frame rate of 30fps, from the 24fps of the EX-H10.

Changes to the EX-H Series have mostly, if not all, been applied to the inner workings, and Casio has avoided spoiling fans with any impressive physical updates.

Along with the unchanging 10x optical zoom lens, the LCD screen still measures at 3 inches; any larger, however, and the buttons would likely need shrinking, or even touch-screen considered as a replacement. But, as this isn't the case, the EX-H15 is littered with buttons top and back.

The Exilim EX-H15 has a dedicated button for switching between Premium Auto and Auto modes. This decides just how hard you want the camera to work to achieve the perfect shot. For instance, Premium Auto detects the type of scene you're about to take a picture of and adjusts its overall exposure.

The major difference between the two modes is especially noticeable in images shot in low lighting, and creates an even exposure from foreground to background. This doesn't come without its drawback however, and as the camera has to work harder in Premium Auto the processing time is increased; and you’ll find yourself tapping your fingers as you wait for the image to save.

In contrast though, Auto mode experiences very little delay between each shot.

The EX-H15 has a host of manual controls at the front of its helm. By hitting 'Set' you are presented with manual options allowing you to make adjustments to ISO (64-3200), focus points, exposure compensation, lighting options to boost exposure, flash and focusing, and white balance also.

Not only on its exterior, but menus and mode selects are overrun with options, variables, and different set-up controls making the camera seem a lot to handle at the beginning.

For experienced compact users, options for creativity with exposures are readily available. If you are purely a point-and-shot enthusiast, then the array of options could easily overwhelm.

This is not to say, though, that the camera is over-complicated or even off-putting. The camera can be set-up to control its vast number of settings for you, in Premium Auto mode for example, and can prepare itself for whatever scene it’s presented with its BS (Best Shot) modes.

The Casio trademark BS (Best Shot) mode is ideal for being more specific. Scenarios such as Party, Self-Portrait (individual and couples), Splashing Water, Soft Flowing Water, Backlight and Night Scene, to name a just a few, all help you out.

In fact, there are 42 Scene modes in all, adding to the camera's option-abundant menus. Making up the 42 modes are the EX-H15's more artistic options. The BS menu contains arty-based effects, as well as the photographic aids, which include Water Color, Monochrome, Crayon, Oil Painting, and Retro. Shooting in one these modes, and you see the effect take place as you shoot.

Unfortunately, this is by far not one of the camera's stronger points, and results show a somewhat distorted and ugly version of the desired art effect it looks to achieve.

Is the Casio Exilim EX-H15 worth its buck? We think so, as for £249 you have a camera with so many options you won’t know where to start. And the images don’t look that bad either.