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Casio Exilim EX-S12 Review

Author	Cliff Smith
Published	27th Jun 2009
Manufacturer	Casio
Price	£147.83 (Exc VAT)
as reviewed	£170.00 (Inc VAT)
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Build Quality
Features
Image Quality
Value
Overall

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Casio continues to demonstrate that when it comes to cramming as much camera as possible into the smallest space possible, nobody does it better. With the exception of a couple of remarkable high-speed super-zoom models, the company's Exilim camera range is full of tiny high-performance ultra-compact cameras that are usually of high quality, and are nearly always good value for money. It continues to surprise me that their market share is so low.

Take this new Exilim EX-S12 for example. It's the latest in a line of cameras that goes back through previous models such as the 2007 EX-S770 and EX-S880, with contributions from last year's EX-Z80 and of course the EX-S10 upon which it is largely based, but with some new contributions that come via the advanced technology of the EX-FC100.

Describing the EX-S12 as an ultra-compact barely does it justice. It's a 12.1-megapixel, 3x zoom camera weighing just 130g including battery, and with a strong and attractively finished aluminium body that's only 17mm at its thickest point. Yet despite its tiny dimensions it has a list of features would put many larger cameras to shame, including a 2.7-inch 230k monitor screen, advanced face recognition, automatic brightness correction, adjustable portrait enhancement, continuous flash shooting, and topping it off with an HD video recording mode, all for around £170. It even takes decent pictures.

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Stinkeweid said on 28th October 2009

Am a beginner with this camera. Just gotten. Why? Having had a Casio EX-ES770 for over two year, it gave me fine service, but offered only "SD" quality video. Mr. Smith above gives a fine mini-review. We cannot expect true "HD" or perfection from these minicams, but I do a great deal of YT docuumentation. See " reidwelch" channel for samples of Canon HV30 "near pro" "HD", and then the old Casio 770, and now, the latest: this beginner's first trials with the Ex E12: essentially similar to the older Casio, but HD and with improved audio and video quality. It is not an equal to a dedicated camcorder such as the Canon HV30/40, etc, but =it fits in the pocket= and can be whipped out at a moment's notice (see my video at YT, "Miami Gas Station Robbery"...that was a shock-situation, and I had only the old EX ES770. Now, I can do higher definition if wanted, PLUS, this compression format is compatible with plain, old Windows Movie Maker. It is easy to edit even "HD" footage. See latest, first real test (imperfect as it is) of THE FOUNTAIN, video #17 at both the reidwelch channel, and at the TZ5A channel (same video maker). It will not equal a true "HD" high-price camera: but it works =better than it predecessors, and uses a simple, old-school compression scheme that is easy to edit on WMM that most Vista PC computers have as standard. It is simple, neat, and imperfect...but careful learning of its limitations, should give me in time, exactly enough quality to make quick and superior YT videos for my many YT general and specific documentary accounts. "HD" is now the thing for YT. "SD" is...last year. And, again: you get what you pay for. For the best YT "HD" video, you'd buy a relatively large, higher-bit-rate dedicated camcorder. That's all for now. More impromtu reviews will come for both here and to share at YT. Thanks, all, and Mr. Smith, in particular.
All is changing so rapidly: what's "good" today will seem laughably inadequate in a few years...but, for well under $200US, delivered, this old friend's (the 770) baby brother is just fine. I am happy with it, withal.

Am a beginner with this camera. Just gotten. Why? Having had a Casio EX-ES770 for over two year, it gave me fine service, but offered only "SD" quality video. Mr. Smi... more

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