Casio Exilim TRYX review

Casio Exilim EX-TR100 TRYX : A revolutionary new Casio compact

Casio has taken a bold step in compact camera innovation, launching its Exilim EX-TR100 (TRYX) – a 12.1-megapixel pocket-sized unit that sits within a variable frame and enables a more flexible approach to taking photos. 

As well as featuring the 12.1-megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, the TRYX houses a wide-angle 21mm single-focus lens and boasts the inclusion of an HDR Art function, which gifts users with three different processing levels – strong, standard and light – to transform photos according to artistic style and preference. Elsewhere we noted a full HD movie mode, as well as the opportunity to capture slow motion and high-speed movies. Rounding off the feature package is integrated computer software that allows photographers to upload photos and movies automatically to web albums, video sharing sites or social networking services.

Photographers will either love or hate the design of the TRYX. Fans will appreciate the freedom to rotate and manoeuvre the LCD for group and self portraits, plus its ability to use the frame as a type of pistol grip for movie capture. The rectangular frame pops out from the unit – hinged either side of the lens – allowing the photographer to spin the 3-inch LCD as needed.

Beginners and novices can take advantage of the TRYX’s on-board Premium Auto function, leaving composition as the only consideration for the user to contemplate. For those wishing to execute a little more control, the camera provides a program mode with a handful of settings to alter, which include: white balance, ISO, focus and exposure compensation.

On the whole, operating the TRYX wasn’t as enjoyable as we had hoped. For starters, the touch screen was one of the least responsive we have tested. Scrolling down the menu was painstaking, adjusting settings or employing the zoom was inconsistent in its effectiveness, and using the touch screen to pinpoint focus and take the shot was hit and miss. With this in mind we would have preferred the inclusion of a traditional d-pad and exterior controls for managing the unit combined with touch screen, like some of the TRYX’s rivals. What’s more, it lacks a dedicated flash, instead offering a rather ineffective small LED for illumination.

While the addition of the HDR Art function is pleasing, we were disappointed by the lack of any dedicated scene modes as not even macro, portrait or landscape options were offered. We also lamented the lack of other assets, which are considered commonplace on modern compacts, such as: burst mode, artistic filters and even a healthy optical zoom with image stabilisation. 

In terms of performance, any images captured at anything above ISO 400 exhibited extensive noise, with muted colours, dissolved sharpness and obvious pixilation, although we would expect this on most compact cameras.

In Auto, the TRYX presented an accurate reading of white balance, with colours replicating life to a satisfactory standard, with a slight tendency to overexpose. However, elsewhere we found the lens presented a catalogue of issues, most prevalent was that only the centre appeared sharp, with softening right to the edges.

With the TRYX, Casio has engineered a compact camera that really stands out from the crowd – there’s simply nothing like it to compare it against. We would have liked to have seen a few more features on board this model, but we have high hopes for the next generation.