Overview
The Casio Exilim EX-Z1050 is a pocket sized digital camera. The fact that it has ten megapixels is likely to prove attractive to a lot of people. In other areas the Exilim EX-Z1050 is fairly typical of this type of camera both in terms of style and also features. It is relatively easy to use and has a simple design too. It has a three times zoom lens.
If you are someone who likes a choice when it comes to colour you will be pleased to know this camera is available in black, silver, blue and pink.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
10
3x
2.6 inches
91 x 57 x 24 mm
165g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
10cm
No
No
Lithium-ion Rechargeable
SD/SDHC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
All in all my test shots taken with the Exilim EX-Z1050 are pretty standard fare. The only real criticism I have is that I would like to have seen some of the photos come out brighter.
Looking at the three outdoor scenic shots I can't see too much wrong with them. As I mentioned above a bit of extra brightness wouldn't go amiss, but other than that I am happy enough with them. Focusing in shots one and three where the zoom lens is in use is above average and focusing remains sharp towards the edges. I certainly haven't noticed any major fall off in sharpness. The second shot with the lens zoomed right out is a little disappointing when it comes to sharpness. This is a tough test, but the Exilim EX-Z1050 does find it hard as the scene falls away down river.
Overall the camera handles sun glare well enough. There is a very small amount of detail lost in the first picture. This is on the areas of the boats where the sun is directly falling. I think in the circumstances the camera handles this quite well.
The colours in the scenes are good too. There is plenty of blue in the skies in each shot. In the third shot with the lens zoomed in to the maximum the camera manages to hold on to the level of colour better than many other cameras. The specific test for colours also gets a tick in the box. This shows good colour balance.
Moving on to the outdoor portrait this shot more than any other illustrates the lack of brightness in some of the shots. It also struggles with the contrast offered by the light coloured shirt. This leads to a lack of detail showing. My feeling is that this is one of the duller portrait shots I have taken.
Indoors in lower light the Exilim EX-Z1050 perks up somewhat. The indoor portrait and my extreme lowlight tests produce above average results. There is no red eye showing in the portrait shot and the photo is well defined and focused. Likewise the beer bottle shot is sharply focused taking into account the conditions. This is also a brighter than normal result suggesting that Casio have included a decent flash unit.
The macro shot is also quite acceptable for this type of camera. I was not able to get in quite as close as I have been able to with other cameras, but I am happy enough with the shot.
Pushing the ISO settings up produces the usual deterioration in the shot. The loss of quality at ISO 400 and ISO 800 is about in line with the amount I am used to seeing with other cameras.
Style
There is not a lot that really makes the Exilim FX-Z1050 stand out from all the other pocket sized digital cameras. It is just small enough to fit into a pocket, has the normal rectangular shape and a fairly plain design.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
0.38 seconds
15.15 seconds
1.62 seconds
17.03 seconds
Ease of Use
I especially like the way that key menu setting appear down the side of the LCD screen. This makes it easy for you to see and change the current settings.
Points I Like
LCD screen - screen layout - indoor photos
Where it Could Improve
Photos could be brighter
Verdict
The Casio Exilim EX-Z1050 scrubs up as a pretty typical pocket sized digital camera. I like the results it produces and there is very little I can find wrong the camera. It sits comfortably in the top half when it comes to ranking. Worth considering.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Casio Exilim EX-Z1050 Review Casio Exilim EX-Z1050 Specification Casio Exilim EX-Z1050 Sample Images Casio Exilim EX-Z1050 Features
Review Date
May 2007
