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  • Physical Tour

  • Components

  • Design / Layout

  • Modes

  • Control Options

  • Image Parameters

  • Connectivity / Extras

  • Conclusions

  • Specs

  • Physical Tour
  • Components
  • Design / Layout
  • Modes
  • Control Options
  • Image Parameters
  • Connectivity / Extras
  • Conclusions
  • Specs

Physical Tour

There are just as many words as there are features on the front of this Casio Exilim model. The 3x optical zoom lens protrudes from the right side of the front. It extends outward in two segments from the EX-Z750. On the outer rim of the lens are the words "3x Optical Zoom f='7.9-23.7mm' 1:2.8-5.1." Around the base of the lens is a two-toned silver ring, placed for decoration. Just nipping the top right of the circle is the small optical viewfinder. The square viewfinder is surrounded by a black circle. To the viewfinder’s left is an LED light. To the top left of the lens is the built-in rectangular flash. Further left is the brand name "Casio." Below the flash and directly to the left of the lens is an indented portion of the front panel. The edge of the indent acts as a rudimentary finger grip. Within the indentation are the words "7.2 Megapixels." Below this at the bottom of the Z750 is the word "Exilim" in reflective letters.

Back

Most of the 2.3 x 3.5-inch back face is covered by the 2.5-inch diagonally measured LCD screen. It resides on a raised section on the left side of the EX-Z750. Above the large display screen is a tiny square optical viewfinder, also on a raised section. To the right of the viewfinder are two LED lights. Above the right side of the LCD screen are two rectangular buttons. The one on the left is for Playback mode; the one on the right is for Camera mode.

On the right side of the LCD screen are two dials and two buttons, laid alternatively. The main mode dial is at the top. Around it are eight graphic icons. Below the dial is the Menu button. Below that button is another dial, the four-way navigational dial. In classic Exilim style, the dial has a Set button in the center of a single silver ring with four arrows on each direction. Below the dial is the "DISP" button for activating the LCD screen.

Left Side

The left side has a polished silver-colored band running down the middle. At the top of the band are two oval-shaped speakers with mesh inside them. On the slope between the left side and the back are two vertically stacked control buttons; the top button cycles through burst options, while the bottom button, marked with an "EX" accesses a shooting control menu.

Right Side

The only feature on the right side is a loop for stringing the wrist strap through.

Top

The silver band from the left side extends onto the top of the camera and dead ends into the shutter release button. Written on the band are the words, "7.2 Megapixels Digital Camera EX-Z750." To the right of the words are four dots that act as the microphone. To its right is the "ON/ OFF" button. And at the far right at the end of the band is the polished shutter release button, surrounded by the zoom toggle.

Components

Viewfinder

There is a small optical viewfinder on the Z750, which isn’t nearly as accurate as the LCD screen. However, it’s a good feature to have if battery power gets dangerously low. Users can always turn off the LCD display and stick to the optical viewfinder.

**

LCD Screen**

The back of the Z750 has a large 2.5-inch LCD screen with 115,200 pixels. The screen doubles as a viewfinder and even provides information such as shutter speed and aperture to the user. The screen has a 100 percent field of view from the lens, so pictures framed in the screen will accurately replicate the composition written to the memory.

**

Flash**

The built-in flash has limited options: Auto, On, Off, and Red-Eye Reduction. The flash has a mediocre range from 0.4-2.9 meters, which is about average for a built-in flash on a point-and-shoot camera.

**

Zoom Lens**

A 3x optical zoom lens, equivalent to a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format, extends out of the camera body in two segments. An electronic cap snaps open and closed to protect the glass lens from dust and scratches. The lens, which measures 7.9-23.7mm, has an additional 8x digital zoom. The level of zoom is controlled by the toggle, which surrounds the shutter release button and is easily accessible to the right index finger.

Design / Layout

Model Design / Appearance

The Exilim Z750 has more brains than brawn. It is not as attractive as other compact cameras, but has more megapixels and neat features than most. The body isn’t ugly, but it is plain without being elegant. The Z750 has a silver-colored brushed aluminum casing with words printed randomly on it.

 

Size / Portability

The 4.5-ounce digital camera has slim measurements of 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.9 inches. Its flat features and slight profile make it easy to slip into a pocket and carry around without hassle.

Handling Ability

The Casio Exilim EX-Z750 uses on-camera features to double as finger grips. The mode dial sticks out enough to act as a thumb grip on the back of the camera. On the front, a shallow divot about an inch from the side acts as a finger support. Although there is no real texture applied to the camera, potentially causing handling problems if the user’s hands are wet or sweaty.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size

Most of the buttons on the Exilim Z750 are appropriately spaced and sized. The Power button is the only exception; its miniscule size makes users slide their fingers around hunting. It does ever-so-slightly protrude, so not all is lost. The back of the camera isn’t too busy, so finding the right button is not a difficult task. Everything is clearly labeled except the ambiguous EX button, which ends up being a menu for random shooting options.

Menu

While most digital cameras keep all the options within their menus, the Casio Exilim Z750 spreads the settings around. Aperture and shutter speed appears on the information that directly overlays the LCD image; it can be changed using the Set button. When the Menu button is pressed, three menus appear at the top of the screen. In what looks like the tops of filing folders, the user can scroll between the Recording, Quality, and Setup menus. In the Recording menu, the following options are available: Self-Timer, AF Area, AF Assist Light, Quick Shutter, L/R Key, Audio Snap, Grid, Digital Zoom, Review, Icon Help,

and Memory. Perhaps the most unique feature in this menu is the L/R Key option. This lets users choose which shooting settings they use most often, then set the left and right sides of the four-way dial for easier access. The Quality menu has the following options: Size, Still Image Quality, Movie Quality, EV Shift, White Balance, ISO, Metering, Sharpness, Saturation, Contrast, Flash Intensity, and Flash Assist. Some of these options can also be found in the EX menu and can even be set to the right and left sides of the 4-way dial. In the Setup menu, the following options can be found: Screen, Sounds, Startup, File Number, World Time, Date, Date Style, Language, Sleep, Auto Power Off, Rec/ Play, USB, Video Out, and Format. The menus are all text, so deciphering obscure graphics won’t be a problem.

 

Some shooting options, such as the Image Size, White Balance, ISO, and Auto Focus, are found in the Exilim menu. This menu appears when the EX button on the left side is pressed.

Ease of Use

The Exilim EX-Z750 likely won’t be remembered for its ease of use. Digging through different menus and shooting options isn’t exactly the one-touch solution offered by other compact digital cameras. Perhaps after a big bowl of popcorn and a few hours with the Z750 manual, users will find the camera is simple to navigate. However, one hour is not enough to gain the intuition needed to operate this camera easily.

Modes

Auto Mode

This is perhaps the best mode on the camera, since it doesn’t require any digging in menus or scrolling through options. Users must simply turn the mode dial to the red automatic mode, then utilize the Casio Exilim Z750 fully automated point-and-shoot interface.Transitions or alterations in focus and exposure are rendered fairly rapidly with brief visible lag.Overall, the point-and-shoot reliability of the camera is adequate but best expressed in its small frame and ease in portability

Drive / Burst Mode

The burst mode is known as the Normal Speed Continuous mode in the Z750. It can be adjusted with the button above the EX button, which has the common Burst graphic printed above it. The camera shoots about 2 frames per second and should shoot to the capacity of the memory. The pre-production model available at the Photo Marketing Show shot 6 pictures before stopping to write to the card.

Playback Mode

The Playback mode is easy to find, as it has its own green Playback button at the top of the back of the camera. Pictures can be viewed individually and zoomed in up to 8x. They can also be resized, trimmed, or rotated. Photos can be displayed in 9-image index frames, chronological calendars, or slide shows. Movies can also be reviewed and even edited. Finally, there is a Motion Print option that turns movies into a printed flipbook.

Movie Mode

The Casio Exilim Z750 has a movie mode with extensive options. It can record 30 frames a second in 640 x 480 resolution or 15 frames per second in 320 x 240 resolution. Both options record monaural audio simultaneously. The different types of movie modes can be found on the mode dial: Movie Best Shot, Short Movie, and Past Movie. The Short Movie records eight seconds. The Past Movie mode is one of the defining features of the Z750. The Past Movie mode captures video five seconds prior to the first push of the shutter release button and continues recording until the button is pushed again. With this option, users never have to worry about missing a surprise moment. The past movie feature begins its continuous writing and rewriting once the user switches the mode dial to Past Movie.

Custom Image Presets

The Casio Exilim EX-Z750 has a long list of scene modes, which can be found in the Best Shot mode: Portrait, Scenery, Portrait with Scenery, Children, Sports, Candlelight Portrait, Party, Pet, Flower, Natural Green, Soft Flowing Water, Splashing Water, Sundown, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Fireworks, Food, Text, Collection, Backlight, Anti-Shake, Pastel Illustration, Cross, Monochrome, Retro, Twilight, ID Photo, Business Cards and Documents, and White Board. Each scene has an example of a shot with a brief explanation of when it should be used, which is very helpful. The Pastel Illustration mode highlights outlines of objects and transforms pictures into watercolor-like graphics. This mode is best used with architectural scenery. The Cross mode adds crosses to lights. The Monochrome scene is another name for the black & white mode, as the Retro scene is another term for Sepia.None-the-less this is as extensive an offering of presets as i have seen and should apply to nearly every shooting situation and office scenario that emerges.

Control Options

Manual Control Options

There are quite a few manual control options if one can find them. The aperture and shutter speed can be changed via the Set button and the LCD display information. The manual focus can be changed with the four-way dial and the sliding bar. In the EX button’s menus, the ISO, white balance, exposure compensation and metering can be manually adjusted.

Auto Focus

The Casio Exilim Z750 has a contrast auto focus system that offers the following options: spot, multi, free, macro, infinite, and focus lock. These can be changed by pressing the EX button and selecting the desired auto focus option. The normal auto focus system on the Z750 can focus as close as 40 cm. In macro mode, the lens can focus from 10-50 cm. The auto focus works fairly quickly and is activated when the shutter release button is pressed halfway. When the Continuous Zoom function is enabled, users don’t need to press halfway; the zoom constantly focuses. This option is virtually silent, which is rare for compact digital cameras.This is a broad range of focal options for an automatic point-and-shoot and provides significant flexibility for its styling and price.

Manual Focus

Manual focus is available on the Exilim Z750. Like most compact digital cameras, the manual focus is operated with a sliding bar on the LCD screen rather than a focus ring. While the sliding bar-method of focusing isn’t the truest form of manual focus, it is helpful to have when there is a small subject that is difficult to automatically pinpoint.

Exposure

The following exposure modes are available on the main mode dial: Snapshot (automatic), Best Shot, Movie, Voice Recorder, Manual, Movie Best Shot, Short Movie, and Past Movie. Exposure compensation is available with still pictures from +/- 2 EV in 1/3 steps.

White Balance

The white balance options can be found in several places, including the EX menu and the Quality menu. Users can scroll though icons and text and select one of the following options: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Tungsten, and Manual. Again, this is a healthy range of options for a point-and-shoot and should provide significant opportunity for color precision.

ISO

The Casio Exilim EX-Z750 automatically sets the ISO from 50-400 unless the user manually adjusts it. The following ISO selections are available: 50, 100, 200, and 400. This is a standard range for a compact digital camera but the ISO 50 setting is certainly welcomed beyond an ISO80 or 100 bottom end of the range.

Shutter Speed

The Casio Exilim EX-Z750 has a CCD electronic shutter and mechanical shutter with a speed range from 1/8-1/2000th of a second in the normal shooting mode. In the Night scene mode, the speed slows up to 60 seconds and in Fireworks mode, it slows to a fixed 2 second duration. The shutter speed appears on the information that overlays the image being viewed on the LCD screen. It can be changed by pressing the Set button.

The 3x optical zoom lens has apertures ranging from f/2.8-f/5.1. This information also appears on the LCD screen with the shutter speeds to help monitor exposure.

Image Parameters

Picture Quality / Size Options

With 7.2 effective megapixels, the Casio Z750 has plenty of resolution to take great shots. The following pixel sizes are available for still images: 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 2048, 2304 x 1728, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, and 640 x 480. This wide range lets users have enough resolution to print large 20 x 30-inch prints or as little resolution to email picture files without crashing the computer.

Picture Effects Mode

The common color modes can be found in the Best Shot selection on the mode dial. The Black & White mode is called Monochrome, while the Sepia mode is called Retro. Pictures can also be manipulated with the Sharpness, Saturation, and Contrast settings available in the Quality menu.

Connectivity / Extras

Connectivity
*Jacks, Ports, Plugs – *The Casio Exilim Z750 comes with a camera dock that has USB and AV-out jacks. An AC adaptor also comes with the Z750.

Direct Print Options - This camera is PictBridge compatible. When the EX-Z750 is plugged into the included USB cradle, one-touch printing is possible to PictBridge-compatible printers.

  • Memory*

There are about 8.3 MB of internal memory included on the Z750. There is also a slot for an SD or MMC card next to the battery slot on the bottom of the camera. There is no card included with the Casio Z750; since 8.3 MB will store less than a half-dozen shots, this is clearly insufficient. Plan on purchasing at least 128 MB card to take advantage of the high resolution photographs and cool movie modes. All still images taken with this Exilim are recorded to the memory as JPEG files.

Other Features
*ID Photo Mode – *In the camera’s ID Photo mode, a frame appears with a circle inside it. The photographer must frame the subject’s face in the circle, then capture the picture. Printing passport photos is easy; the camera automatically knows to print them out in passport sizes.

*Camera Dock – *Included in the package with the Casio Exilim EX-Z750 is a camera dock that charges batteries and downloads files to computers or printers. The simple dock has two buttons: one for USB and one that says Photo. The USB button can be pressed for printing. The Photo button can be pressed for slide shows on the LCD screen. Besides having a USB port, the dock also has an AV-out connection for images and movies to be played on a television screen.

*Audio Snapshots – *When this mode is chosen on the main mode dial, pictures can be taken with recorded sound. In Playback mode, the sound can be played back by pressing the Set button.

*L/R Key – *The right and left sides of the four-way dial can be changed to adjust settings users play with the most. The left and right sides can be chosen to adjust White Balance, ISO, Exposure Compensation, Self-Timer, and Metering. This way, users don’t have to dig through menus for settings they like to change the most.

Self-Timer– There are three options available to users of the self-timer. There are 10-second and 2-second options, as well as a triple self-timer for those who need multiple shots or want to choose the best one.

Long-lasting Battery – The rechargeable lithium ion battery lasts about 325 shots. The included USB cradle also works as a battery charger.

Conclusions

**Conclusion **

The 7.2-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z750 packs a lot of power in a 0.9-inch thick compact camera body. While it isn’t as attractive as some of the other Exilim models, it has a traditional brushed aluminum body that weighs only 4.5 ounces. The battery lasts an estimated 325 shots before needing a recharge, which is quite good for a digital camera, although many portable imagers now are surpassing that. With the high megapixel count, there are plenty of resolutions available for photographers who want to print large pictures and those who want to email files. The Z750 has helpful features such as an optical viewfinder and manual focus capabilities as well as some more dynamic and exciting features, such as Past Movie and ID Photo modes. The Casio Exilim EX-Z750 has plenty of manual control options, but users may have trouble accessing them. The Z750 isn’t the most strait-forward camera to navigate, but with incentives like 7.2 megapixels and nearly 30 scene modes, this digital camera will turn heads when it comes out in March for a retail price of $449.99.

Specs

**Specs Table **
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Meet the tester

Emily Raymond

Emily Raymond

Editor

Emily Raymond is a valued contributor to the Reviewed.com family of sites.

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