Overview
The Casio Exilim EX-Z280 is a fairly typical, pocket digital camera. It has 12 megapixels and a 4x wide angle lens. Looking through the features everything you really need is there for snapshot photography including image stabilisation and high definition movies. The LCD screen is 2.7 inches in size.
The Exilim EX-Z280 is easy to use and operates as a point and shoot camera. Gold, pink and silver versions are available.
Why Buy The Casio Exilim EX-Z280
This is a straightforward, mid priced digital camera.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
12
4x
2.7 inches
98.2 x 54.9 x 20.1mm
112g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
5cm
Yes
No
Lithium-ion Rechargeable
SD/SDHC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
This is not a bad start for the Exilim EX-Z280. The sunlight causes many digital cameras a problem with this shot. On the whole detail is good, although there is a loss of definition around the back boat.
Compared to other similar digital cameras this picture is below par. There are problems with sharpness, fringing and a lack of detail in both the lighter and darker areas of the shot. This suggests the Exilim EX-Z280 may find the going tough when there are high levels of contrast in a shot. It looks like the extra wide angle of the lens may be overstretching the camera.
With the lens fully zoomed in the camera produces a better photo. The shot is much sharper and the fringing evident in the last shot has disappeared in this test.
Focusing is uneven in this photo. The left hand side of the building looks very soft. Focusing improves at the centre of the shot, but with a lack of crispness and definition in general this is another below par photo.
Portraits
Moving in closer removes the focusing issues the camera has had with my more distant shots. Nevertheless I feel the shot lacks the warmer colours most other digital cameras manage to inject into this test shot.
This photo works well. Lighting is even and gets to the darker areas of the hair. The level of the light is about right and helps to retain colour in the shot.
With flash off this is also a decent effort. As is typical of most digital cameras some detail is lost without the use of flash, but the Exilim EX-Z280 compares well against other smaller compacts.
Macro, Colours and Noise
My macro shot works well enough. With my set up it is difficult to stop the shiny silver, front of the Exilim EX-Z280 from reflecting back off the glass of the watch. I did struggle to get a sharp shot from the 5cm distance mentioned in the specification. By moving the camera back an extra couple of centimetres the result was much better.
On the whole the colours produced have a gentler tone than most brands manage. This is especially noticeable in the outdoor portrait and the second outdoor scenic test. Colour strength is a matter of personal taste and you may prefer the subtler colours this camera produces.
Noise did creep into some of my shots. This was noticeable in the shady areas of the boats in the first shot. I could also see a break up of the sky in the second and third shots.
Summary
Well the Exilim EX-Z280 is not perfect and there are many cameras around offering better picture quality. Most of the problems I have mentioned can be greatly reduced if you stick to snapshot sized prints, but there are still many better cameras around.
Style
There is nothing flashy about the Exilim EX-Z280. It almost looks like an identikit digital camera.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
Turn on Time
0.28 seconds
18.25 seconds
0.57 seconds
21.02 seconds
2.45 seconds
Ease of Use
The Exilim EX-Z280 is quite straightforward. I like the fact that Casio display some of the key settings down the right hand side of the screen.
Points I Like
Options displayed on the right hand side of LCD screen - ease of use
Where it Could Improve
Overall picture quality
Verdict
I find Casio digital cameras can be a bit hit and miss. Not every digital camera can sit at the top of the tree. In my opinion the Casio Exilim EX-Z280 struggles to keep pace with the best quality models in the highly competitive pocket camera sector. Aside from the picture quality it is a solid, if unspectacular offering.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Review Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Specification Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Sample Images Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Features
Review Date
November 2009
