Casio EXILIM EX-Z33

Casio’s Z33 is the cheapest camera in the zoom range, but how does it compare to competitors in it’s price range? Casio have plugged this camera to photography new comers and families as a second camera or replacement camera. The retail price is set to under £100 which is perfect for this economic climate but means cut backs have to be made.

 

At first glance the camera is very simplistic and has a stylish rounded look. It comes in 5 different colours including silver, black, blue, pink and even vivid pink for the more flamboyant shooter. The camera body is plastic with a metallic finish on the front and dpad. Some colours can look a little cheap and tacky but the actual build quality is solid for such a light body.  

 

The camera’s button layout is very basic leaving room for the ample 2.5” lcd screen. Flash settings, bestshot and video mode are preset to be accessed in one button push. Left and right controls on the dpad can be setup to use with additional functions.     

 

All the standard Casio features are incorporated, including the easy mode setting and best shot scenarios. Easy mode utilises all the automatic functions and turns the menu screen into a simplified version. From here you can alter flash settings, self-timer and image size. Best shot is your next step up from easy mode offering all the menu options. The best shot menu offers 22 scenario shot modes (23 including audio recording) covering a range of predefined settings.   

 

You really are spoilt for choice in respects of ease of use and shooting modes at this pricetag. If the easy mode and best shot are not in-depth enough, you can use the panel, which contains extras like iso, white balance and exposure settings. The panel can be hidden and displayed at the touch of a button.

 

All the base elements are there including antishake, self timer and even face detection. Unfortunately if you are looking for more extensive features like smile shutter and blink detection you will need to look further.

 

The memory function is a really nice option to have on an entry level compacted. This allows you to preset your bestshot, flash intensity and even zoom position. These controls are great if you are trying for saving battery and time whilst shooting. 

 

As a budget compact the main selling point is the ability to switch on and point and shoot easily. Operation times are fast as ever allowing you to have the camera out of your pocket and shooting in seconds. Forcing fast shots using all the automatic features will often result in poorly focused shots. 

 

Image quality is the biggest concern of the camera as soft edges and noise are frequent occurrences. At the longest digital zoom range the images are unusable with no contrast, definition of edges or detail. The shortest available macro distance is 10cm which means it is impossible to focus on intricate detail or small objects. This is a disappointing function in an otherwise strong and useful area of other compacts.

 

The LCD screen is decent if a little slow at times but you may often be disappointed when seeing the shots in full resolution. Although the menu systems are solid, scrolling through images with the dpad leaves you wanting a rocker or slider.

 

For keen video streamers there is a Youtube setting and also bundled software for faster uploads to the site. The video recording function is accessible at the touch of a button and shoots standard definition widescreen 848 x 480 video at 30 frames per second. The accompanying sound from the mono microphone on the camera is poor easily distorted. But for the money this is a perfect introduction to video streaming.  

 

Compatible with the innovative Eye-Fi wireless cards, which offer wireless connectivity between the camera and computer. Using Eye-Fi cards also allows you to Geotag images so you know where all your pictures were taken, but that’s a story for another time.

 

Cameras are a big expenditure and although many decent budget compacts do exist, this regrettably is not one of them. If you can afford to spend out a little more money there are many better alternatives on the market. Video streaming beginners and younger audiences looking for nothing more than a cheap point and shoot solution may be able to use this as bridge to something better.