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Casio EXILIM EX-Z600

Casio EXILIM EX-Z600

Panasonic Lumix FZ7

Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Casio and Panasonic both have new mid range cameras today

Casio announced the EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z600 6 megapixel ultra-portable digital camera this morning.  This camera features a high-brightness 2.7" screen, a 3x optical zoom lens, and optical image stabilization making it a strong competitor to the Panasonic LUMIX FX-9.  Unique to the EXILIM is its high-brightness screen: 1200 cd/m2 which should help keep the screen visible even in direct sunlight.  Most desktop LCDs are only in the range of 200-400 cd/m2 only.  Currently only Casio's international sites hve announced the release of the EX-Z600, but we expect the USA branch of Casio to follow shortly.

This morning also brought the announcement of the Panasonic Lumix FZ7, a 6 megapixel update to the FZ5 superzoom.  The camera features SLR-like ergonomics and a 12x image-stabilized optical zoom with Leica-multicoated elements.  Its predecessor, the FZ5, was known as a great budget model for anyone interested in a 12x optical zoom.  Panasonic has also posted sample images from the FZ7 on their website.

FiringSquad reviewed the Panasonic Lumix FZ30, an 8 megapixel premium model in the FZ-line a few months ago and compared it to an EOS-20D Digital SLR.  They found it to be a good choice for amateur and photography enthusiasts who were not yet ready to make the commitment to a digital SLR.  You can expect to see more cameras announced at PMA 2006, an international photography trade show, in late February. 

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I don't know...
By JarredWalton on 1/23/2006 10:10:12 PM , Rating: 2
...if we can trust that FiringSquad reviewer, though! (Nothing like a little bit of self-promotion, eh Alan?)

Having played around with quite a few Point and Shoot cameras over the past few years (since starting at AnandTech), I've come to the conclusion that getting good quality images of computer components without a bunch of noise and other issues basically requires an SLR camera. Is that a reasonable assessment, Alan?

Send me an email sometime and we can chat, because I could use some direct input on what to get. The Canon SD400 left me underwhelmed after CES, where 80% of my pictures turned out very poor.




RE: I don't know...
By Alan on 1/24/2006 2:05:59 AM , Rating: 2
Yeah, you need a big sensor to avoid noise. There are always trade-offs, the most important being cost and size. If noise/grain or low-light photography is a problem, digital SLRs are the way to go. With today's D50 and used pricing on the D60/10D, going SLR is definitely a good choice. I'd wait until next month before buying an D-SLR though.


RE: I don't know...
By Wesley Fink on 1/24/2006 2:17:52 AM , Rating: 2
Right now the Kinica Minolta 5D is an outstanding entry SLR buy. Newegg sell the 5D with a wide-range 18-70mm lens for $679 with a $50 rebate - that's a net $629 for the camera and a lens that is wider than the Nikon or Canon standard. Konica Minolta are also the ONLY SLR that features anti-shake that works with any maxxum lens. That gives 3 stops more of hand-holding capabilites (reducing blur in lower light) without needing a special $400 to $500 lens like you do with Canon and Nikon.

The recent announcement that Sony has bought Konica Minolta's DLSR business means Sony will have new cameras and more lenses for the mxxum mount. In fact Sony says they are aiming for 25% of the DSLR market with the maxxum lens mount.


casio goodness....
By BillyBatson on 1/24/2006 3:44:50 AM , Rating: 3
Looks just like the casio s500 but about twice as thick. The S500 is a GREAT camera, our #2 seller at my Costco Location, only camera we push harder is the Casio Z750 which we no longer have in stock.
I own the Panasonic FX9, i have a few compalints about the camera that annoy the hell out of me but ever camera has somethign that annoys me. I do love my older Sony p150 and P200 more than my current FX9 but i love the 16:9 pictures =x




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