Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 Casio - Review 🏆

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 is a compact digital camera that offers a good balance of features, performance, and value in an easy-to-use package. Released in 2011, it features a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, a wide-angle 7x optical zoom lens equivalent to 28-196mm, 1080p HD video recording, and a 3-inch LCD display.

The Exilim EX-ZR10 utilizes Casio's high-speed EXILIM Engine HS image processor to enable fast start-up, shot-to-shot speeds, and processing. Its slim, stylish body houses an impressive zoom lens in a form factor that can slip into a shirt pocket. While it lacks the latest connectivity options, the EX-ZR10 provides versatile imaging capabilities in an affordable compact camera.

Overall, the Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 is a capable and user-friendly point-and-shoot camera well-suited for casual photographers looking for good optical zoom range without the bulk of a DSLR. Its combination of automated modes and manual controls provide flexibility for various shooting situations.

Design

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 has a compact and stylish design. It measures at 4.13 x 2.32 x 1.13 inches and weighs 6.66 ounces. The body is constructed from strong and durable plastic with a metal lens barrel. It comes in three color options - black, silver, and red.

The Exilim EX-ZR10 features smooth rounded edges and curved surfaces for a comfortable grip. The camera has a right hand dominated design with the shooting mode dial, shutter button, zoom lever, and other controls conveniently located for one-handed operation. The build quality feels solid with no loose parts. Overall, the Exilim EX-ZR10 is a well-designed and portable camera that easily fits into a pocket or purse.

In addition to the EX-ZR10, the Casio EXILIM EX-Z8 BK offers a sleek alternative with its lightweight profile and user-friendly interface. This model features a 14-megapixel sensor and a vibrant 2.7-inch LCD screen, making it ideal for capturing clear, high-quality images. With its stylish design and ease of use, the EX-Z8 BK is perfect for on-the-go photography enthusiasts who appreciate a compact camera without sacrificing performance.

Image Quality

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 features a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor capable of capturing high-resolution images with low noise. It utilizes Casio's EXILIM Engine HS image processor that provides fast operation and smooth image processing.

The ISO range is from 100 to 3200, allowing you to shoot in low light conditions while keeping noise to a minimum. The camera's sensor-shift image stabilization helps reduce blur caused by camera shake for sharper handheld shots. You can capture sharp, detailed images even when zooming in thanks to the combination of high resolution sensor, fast processor, and optical image stabilization.

The wide ISO range and effective image stabilization allow you to get clear, usable photos in various lighting scenarios from bright daylight to low light indoor settings. Casio's processor delivers excellent image processing to balance details and noise reduction. Overall the image quality is quite good for a compact point-and-shoot camera in this price range.

In addition to the EX-ZR10, the Casio EX-ZR300GDECB offers enhanced capabilities with a 16.1 megapixel sensor and advanced image processing features. With a faster autofocus system and improved low-light performance, it is ideal for capturing crisp images in dynamic settings. This camera also boasts Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing for easy sharing of your photos on social media, providing photographers with both quality and convenience.

Zoom Lens

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 features a wide-angle 7x optical zoom lens with a focal length range of 4.24 - 29.68 mm, which is equivalent to 28 - 196 mm in 35mm format. This versatile zoom range goes from true wide-angle for landscapes and interiors, all the way up to telephoto for distant subjects.

The lens has a maximum aperture range of f/3.0 at the wide end and f/5.9 at full telephoto. This allows more light through the lens, especially at the wider focal lengths, enabling better low light performance and the ability to achieve shallower depth of field for portraits.

The 7x optical zoom gives you a lot of compositional flexibility. You can zoom in to capture tighter shots of distant subjects, or zoom out for wide landscape vistas. The wide 28mm equivalent focal length is useful for fitting more of a scene into the frame when shooting indoors or in tight spaces. Overall, the lens provides an excellent balance of wide-angle coverage and telephoto reach.

Video Recording

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 is capable of recording full HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second. This allows you to capture high-quality and smooth videos.

In addition to 1080p, the camera can also record video at 720p and 480p resolutions. At 720p, you can choose frame rates of 30fps or 60fps. The higher 60fps frame rate is useful for capturing fast action and creating smooth slow motion effects during editing.

Some other video capabilities of the EX-ZR10 include zooming while recording, autofocus during recording, and optical image stabilization to reduce shake. There is also a wind filter option to reduce noise when recording outdoors on windy days.

Overall, the array of video modes and frame rates provided by the EX-ZR10 offer a great deal of flexibility for recording video in different situations and achieving creative effects. The 1080p resolution provides high detail, while the fast 60fps frame rate at 720p enables smooth slow motion when desired.

Display

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 has a 3-inch LCD screen with 460,800 dots resolution. The screen is clear and bright, making it easy to compose shots and review images and videos.

Some key features of the display include:

• Size: The 3-inch screen is a good size for composing shots and viewing playback. It's large enough to see details clearly without being overly bulky.

• Resolution: With 460,800 dots, the screen provides high resolution and sharp details. Images and videos appear crisp and clear on the display.

• Anti-reflective coating: The screen has an anti-reflective coating that helps reduce glare. This makes the display viewable in bright sunlight.

• Brightness adjustment: You can adjust the brightness of the screen to optimize visibility in different lighting conditions. This helps ensure you can see the screen clearly.

• Wide viewing angles: The display maintains good visibility even when viewed off-center. This allows you to share photos and videos with others without distortion.

Overall, the display on the Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 provides an excellent viewing experience with its sharp high-resolution screen and glare-reducing coating. The adjustable brightness and wide viewing angles also make the screen easy to see in various shooting situations.

Shooting Modes

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 comes equipped with a variety of shooting modes to suit different situations. It has an Intelligent Auto mode that automatically selects the optimal camera settings based on the shooting conditions. There are also conventional modes like Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Full Manual modes that allow you to take full control of the exposure settings.

For beginners, the camera has a Best Shot mode with 27 pre-configured scene modes like portrait, landscape, night scene, sports, and more. These scene modes automatically adjust the camera settings to get the best possible photos for the given scenario. There are also Creative Shot modes that apply special effects like miniature, high dynamic range, soft focus, fish eye, and more to images. An Easy mode provides simple on-screen guidance for first-time users.

The variety of shooting modes on the Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 allow users of all skill levels to capture great photos and videos in different environments and situations. The Intelligent Auto, Best Shot modes, and Creative Shot modes make it easy to get good results with minimal effort, while the manual modes provide the flexibility for more advanced users to take full control over the look of images.

Connectivity

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 has a good set of connectivity options to transfer photos and videos as well as control the camera remotely.

For wired connectivity, it has a mini HDMI port to connect to HDTVs for viewing photos and videos on the big screen. There is also a USB 2.0 port that allows you to transfer files to a computer.

For wireless connectivity, the Exilim EX-ZR10 has built-in Wi-Fi. This allows you to wirelessly transfer photos and videos to smartphones, tablets and computers. You can also remotely control the camera from these devices over Wi-Fi which is useful for taking group shots where you want to be in the photo.

The camera lacks NFC connectivity. However, the Wi-Fi makes up for it and allows easy sharing and transferring of files on the go.

Battery

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides enough power for around 270 shots per charge based on CIPA standards. This is decent battery life but not outstanding.

The battery charges in-camera via USB which is convenient. However, it does mean you can't charge a spare battery separately in an external charger while shooting.

Overall, the battery life is sufficient for a day of casual shooting. But if you plan to use the camera heavily, you may want to carry a spare battery. The battery is removable so it's easy to swap in a fresh one if needed.

Pros and Cons

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 has several notable pros and cons worth considering.

Pros

• Fast autofocus and start-up times make it easy to capture the moment
• Excellent image stabilization helps reduce blur from camera shake
• Creative shooting modes like Dynamic Photo, Multi Motion Capture, and Premium Auto
• Durable metal body can withstand bumps and drops
• Records full HD video at 1080p resolution
• Good low light performance for its class
• Large 3-inch LCD makes framing and reviewing shots easy

Cons

• Image quality is just average, with some noise in low light shots
• Only digital zoom beyond 7x optical zoom
• No manual exposure controls
• Short battery life of around 220 shots per charge
• No RAW shooting mode for maximum image editing flexibility
• Lacks manual focus option
• No hot shoe for external flash

Overall, the Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 is a versatile point and shoot camera with some fun features like slow motion video and creative shooting modes. However, more advanced photographers may be frustrated by the lack of full manual controls and only average image quality. But for beginners looking for an easy to use, durable compact camera with lots of features, the EX-ZR10 is a solid choice.