Casio Exilim Zoom · on sale June 2006 · a retrospective
The Casio Exilim EX-Z1000: ten megapixels in a slim body, and the argument about them
In 2006 Casio put a 10.1-megapixel sensor and a 2.8-inch widescreen display into a slim metal compact at a planned $399.99. Two reviewers gave it badges and high scores; a third enjoyed using it and disliked the pictures.
Release date and launch price: launched June 2006; launch price $399.99 planned (US)1.
Quick answers
- Sensor
- CCD, 1/1.8", 10.1 MP source
- Lens
- 38–114 mm equivalent, 3× zoom source
- Memory card
- SD, MultiMediaCard source
- Battery
- NP-40 source
- USB / A/V cable
- CA-33 Confirmed · all Casio cables
Meet the camera
It is a slim metal compact that measures about 92 by 58.5 millimetres and 22 thick and weighs 139 grams without the battery.13 DPReview called the build superb and the finish excellent, and said handling was surprisingly good for something so thin thanks to the careful positioning of the controls and a textured thumb grip, though it felt safer held in two hands.3 PhotographyBLOG put it among the best-built, most thoughtfully designed and quick compacts the reviewer had tested.4
Casio announced it on 26 April 2006 for US stores in June at a planned $399.99.1 It was a 10-megapixel model in the Exilim Zoom line.1 Our EX-Z75 retrospective covers a cheaper Casio from the following year.
Why this one was interesting
A big screen, and big claims for it
Casio said the display reached 1200 cd/m² peak brightness for outdoor viewing.1 DPReview said it was one of the brightest the reviewer had seen, with a modest refresh rate and slight lag.3 Imaging Resource noted its 14:9 shape matches no sensor format but is close to 3:2 (DPReview calls it 16:9).23
Tricks from Casio's Best Shot menu
Casio listed Zoom Continuous Shutter, which shows wide and telephoto views together and captures both with one press, Revive Shot for faded old prints, Quick Zoom, and Rapid Flash for up to three shots a second at reduced flash range.1 Imaging Resource described the Business Card, ID Photo and Old Photo modes, which straighten and save a cropped image.2 DPReview counted 37 scene modes and a nine-point autofocus.3
Fast for 2006
Imaging Resource measured a 2.0-second startup, an autofocus lag of 0.576 seconds that it rated above average, and a 7.5-second flash recycle that it rated below average.2 DPReview rated startup, focus and shutter lag very fast and timed the save of a 4.1 MB JPEG at about 1.4 seconds.3 Imaging Resource rated the battery for about 360 stills, and DPReview called that surprisingly good for such a slim camera.23
The pictures: three opinions
Imaging Resource liked what it saw. Colour was credible and not oversaturated and distortion was low, though Auto mode blew out highlights at a concert.2 At ISO 1000 it found noise better than on the Sony T10, grainy rather than objectionable.2 The review scored it 4.5 out of 5 and gave it a Dave's Pick.2
DPReview found excellent detail at ISO 50 and 100, with noise reduction softening low-contrast detail from ISO 200. It found ISO 400 noisy, with heavy noise reduction, and ISO 800 very noisy, while ISO 1600 and 3200 use pixel binning and give very low-resolution results. It judged that the sensor offered little advantage over 6 to 7 megapixel cameras at ISO 400.3 PhotographyBLOG was harder still: noise from ISO 200 up, purple fringing in many shots and an image quality score of 3 out of 5, with advice to avoid it unless you mostly shoot in daylight and can live with purple edges.4
So all three found it quick to use, DPReview and PhotographyBLOG praised the build, and they divided on how far to trust the pictures once the light dropped. The Anti-Shake mode was a point of agreement: DPReview called it an ISO boost rather than stabilisation, Imaging Resource said it raised ISO and added grain, and PhotographyBLOG found it and High Sensitivity almost completely ineffective.324
We found no free photo taken with this camera whose own EXIF data shows ISO 800 or higher, so this page has no low-light strip.
Like that look? See what EX-Z1000s have recently sold for on eBay ↗
On eBay right now
Live listings for this camera, supplied by eBay and updated automatically. We earn a commission if you buy through them.
The little wins
Handling
PhotographyBLOG rated ease of use 4.5 out of 5 and called the camera intuitive; Imaging Resource described a paged menu plus a right-side dock of nine quick settings.42
Digital zoom at smaller sizes
Imaging Resource noted that at smaller image sizes such as 5 MP the digital zoom avoids quality loss.2
Where it let you down
Imaging Resource found severe corner blur in macro shots, slow flash recycling and a USB connection that transferred about 886 KB per second.2 DPReview put the lens down as a pretty good edge-to-edge performer, but said roughly one in twenty long-end shots had a focus error and called the f/5.4 long end disappointing.3 It also called the flash underpowered and the exposure controls fairly basic, with manual ISO limited to 50 to 400.3 There is no optical viewfinder.12 Imaging Resource added that the printed manual is basic, though a 266-page PDF exists.2
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
Photos taken with this camera, from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.
What the reviewers said in 2006
| Outlet | Date | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| PhotographyBLOG | 10 Jul 2006 | Image quality 3 out of 5, the others 4.5 or 3.5. Well built and enjoyable to use, but noisy from ISO 200 with purple fringing; avoid unless you shoot daylight.4 |
| DPReview | 17 Sep 2006 | Image quality 7.5 out of 10, performance 9, build 9. An excellent carry-always pocket camera, far from perfect, best at ISO 200 or below. Recommended.3 |
| Imaging Resource | 20 Oct 2006 | 4.5 out of 5 and a Dave's Pick. Credible colour, low distortion, grainy at high ISO, slow flash recycling.2 |
The timeline
- 26 April 2006Casio announces the EX-Z1000, planned for June at $399.99.1
- June 2006Planned US availability.1
- 10 July 2006PhotographyBLOG publishes its review.4
- 17 September 2006DPReview publishes its review.3
- 20 October 2006Imaging Resource publishes its review.2
Should you buy one now?
Buy one if you want a quick, slim, well-built compact with a bright screen and you will keep ISO low and shoot in good light. It was planned at $399.99;1 what it sells for now is a question for the sold listings, not for us. Before you bid, check these:
- The battery. It uses an NP-40, charged in a supplied cradle;13 a replacement is on Amazon ↗.
- The card. It takes SD and MMC cards and has only 8 MB built in, about one full-size shot.2 See our memory card guide.
- The screen. DPReview praised it; check it for dead pixels and damage.3
- The lens. Check that it extends cleanly and that corners look sharp in a test shot.2
- The settings. Keep ISO at 200 or below and Anti-Shake off.34
If you are wondering why cameras like this are being hunted down again, we tell that story once, in Pictures that never left the card.
See recent sold prices on eBay ↗Shop on eBay ↗NP-40 battery ↗
Sources
- Imaging Resource, “Casio: New 10mpix EXILIM digicam” announcement by Mike Tomkins (26 Apr 2006)
- Imaging Resource, Casio EX-Z1000 review by Mike Pasini (20 Oct 2006)
- DPReview, Casio Exilim Z-1000 review by Simon Joinson (17 Sep 2006)
- PhotographyBLOG, Casio Exilim EX-Z1000 review (10 Jul 2006)
Photographs are credited under each one, all via Wikimedia Commons. Links to eBay and Amazon are affiliate links.