The Casio EX-Z750 is an excellent addition to the Exilim line and therefore has received rave reviews. But what about this particular camera makes it so wonderful? Well, here is a completely unbiased review of the Casio EX-Z750.

This is a camera that can make anyone into a photographer. Sure, anyone can point and click a camera, but it is a little harder to come out with a good photograph in the end. However, the Casio EX-Z750 has a multitude of features that allows almost anyone to become a photographer and take pictures worthy of hanging on your wall!

When looking for a camera, it is always important to look at which modes it will shoot in. The Casio EX-Z750 has thirty different modes. Since the camera makes all the necessary adjustments, all you have to do is set the mode. So, if you are taking pictures of a rambunctious toddler, you will need an action mode, while it also offers different modes for landscapes, portraits, and even the varying speeds of the flow of water among the rest! It is almost virtually impossible to take a terrible photograph if you are using the correct mode setting.

In addition to the plethora of mode settings, the Casio EX-Z750 has a 3x optical zoom, comfortable grip, wrist strap, long life lithium battery, an extreme set of white balance, and the ability to take movies. Essentially, the Casio EX-Z750 has combined everything that an amateur photographer needs in order to take a fantastic picture. The camera is built to be comfortable and sturdy while using a long life, lithium battery so you don’t need to be too concerned with running out of battery at a crucial moment. Plus, they have given all of the essential features that consumers are looking for in their digital camera.

Has it been mentioned yet that the camera takes pictures at a quick rate? This is one of the hardest things to find in non-professional digital cameras. The best way to get a great picture is to take a lot of them in quick succession. This is virtually impossible with non-professional cameras. While the Casio EX-Z750 cannot take photos in rapid succession, there is quick recovery time between photos and a quick response time once you press down on the button to snap your picture. This can be invaluable, especially with a rambunctious toddler!

All in all, the Casio EX-Z750 is well worth the price tag. And speaking of price tag, it isn’t high enough to run screaming for the hills (or bankruptcy court), but it also isn’t cheap enough to make you question the quality. The Casio EX-Z750 is a good, solid purchase.

The Casio Exilim line of digital cameras is possibly the most comprehensive line of digital cameras available. Whether you are a complete novice and are planning on relying solely on the capability of the camera or you are a professional looking for more options to create your own fabulous photographs, the Casio Exilim line of digital cameras is going to have the right camera for your needs.

The Casio Exilim EX-Z9 is perfect for those people looking for an affordable digital camera that is going to take fabulous pictures. It is small enough to carry with you to ensure that you never miss any of those spectacular moments as well as the most unexpected scenarios. This digital camera is just right for the beginner because it is affordable and easy to use.

The Casio Exilim EX-Z100 is the right camera for the adventurous person. It has a wide lens to capture wider angles but also allows you to zoom in for tighter pictures. One of the best features is the ability to take video and easily upload it to the computer with the easy sharing feature. This is great for those people that enjoy taking short videos and sharing them with family or even the world!

The EX-F1 Exilim Pro is offering new technology that allows you to capture moments in motion with pictures rather than a movie. However, it does also have the capability to take movies. This camera is for the more advanced photographer and comes with a higher price, but is worth every penny!

The Casio Exilim line of digital cameras includes other models that are both similar and different to those mentioned. Each has its own unique quality that makes it right or wrong for people with different needs. Luckily, the Casio Exilim website has a feature that helps you to decide which digital camera is right for you. You simply answer five quick questions and they will recommend which digital camera is going to suit your specific needs.

In addition, Casio Exilim offers a trade in and trade up program. This allows you to exchange your digital camera for a newer and more updated model as you progress through your photography skills as well as when new technology becomes available. Since new technology is always available, this promotion is exceptional!

Regardless of your picture taking skills or your picture taking needs, the Casio Exilim line of digital cameras is going to have one that is right for you. So, go take a tour and answer those five simple questions and discover the photographer that lives within!

You can find a great deal in a Casio Exilim Auctions or of course you can always find a new one in the Casio Exilim Store.

I admit it, I’m an Amazon junkie. I get a lot of what I need off the web, and Amazon is one of the best ecommerce sites out there. I was skeptical when I heard about Amazon Prime and their free trial. Two day shipping free- one day shipping for $3.99. Nope, that’s not a typo, for four bucks you can ship millions of eligible items (items Amazon stocks, as opposed to it’s partners) to your house. Free for a whole month. After that they bill you an ANNUAL fee of $79.
Here’s what Amazon has to say:

Amazon Prime members enjoy the following benefits:
Fast Delivery
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on millions of items
• Upgrades to One-Day (Overnight) Shipping for just $3.99 per item

Simple Shopping
• No minimum purchase required
• Members-only 1-Click buttons on product pages
• No need to think about shipping charges

Convenient Sharing
• Members can share benefits with up to four family members living in the same household

Free Trial
• Amazon Prime new subscribers are invited to try Amazon Prime free, for one month.
After the Free Trial period, customers will be automatically charged the $79 annual fee unless they choose not to upgrade to regular annual memberships at or before the end of the trial period.

So I signed up for the free month, figured I’d order a few things and then cancel. Well the membership paid for itself when I ordered a big piece of exercise equipment. I paid an additional $4 for next day service, figuring I’d get an email explaining I couldn’t do that. Nope, next day it showed up on my doorstep. Suddenly I was able to expect 2 day delivery for free. I find myself upgrading to next day service quite a bit, it’s just nice to have what I need exactly when I want it. A month goes by, I did some math and my shipping last year was already over what a prime membership costs- so I took the plunge. I’ve been happily ordering for months- if you regularly order from Amazon it’s worth your time to take a close look at Amazon Prime.

An electronics on-line discussion forum contains a story about an elderly woman who wanted a simple camera to take pictures of her grandchildren. When she received a digital camera for Christmas, she looked puzzled for a moment and then asked, “Where do you put in the film?” This humorous example demonstrates how the revolutionary technology of digital cameras may be mystifying for those who have difficulty grasping the concept of a “filmless” camera! For almost a century, photography enthusiasts sagely discussed such topics as 35mm film, light meters and F-stops; today, digital cameras have made such topics all but obsolete.

Howstuffworks.com contains an article by Gurevich, Karim, and Wilson that greatly simplifies an explanation of how digital cameras work. Very simply, they explain that CDs, mp3’s, and DVDs all share the same technology: they convert traditional analog “wave” data into digital data based upon “bits.” In so doing, this radical shift in technology has changed greatly – and forever – how we do things and what has become possible including digital “filmless” cameras. While film cameras depend upon chemical and mechanical processes, digital cameras contain a computer that records images electronically.

In 1994, Kodak and Apple developed and sold the first digital cameras. Today there are hundreds of models to choose from, depending upon the type of pictures you need, the complexity with which you’re comfortable, and what digital camera you can afford. For everyday use, most people prefer a “point and shoot” camera that isn’t complex, takes good quality pictures that can be loaded onto computers or printed for personal use and to send to friends, and is affordable. According to a number of consumer guides and customer reviews, the top ten digital cameras in the low, mid, and high price ranges are:

1. Nikon D300 (high)
2. Canon EOS 5D (high)
3. Canon EOS 40D (high)
4. HP Photosmart M547 (low, great value)
5. FujiFilm Finepix S700 (mid)
6. GE A730 (mid)
7. Nikon D200 (high)
8. Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xsi (high)
9. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 (mid)
10. Canon EOS 30D (high)

The point should be made that what constitutes a “great” digital camera is usually in the eye of the beholder. One person’s “top ten” list is almost certain to differ from another person’s. For example, a digital camera that is making devoted converts is the Casio Exilim series that sells in the mid-level price range, depending upon your digital camera photography needs. On the other end, Digital Camera.com rates the Pentax Optio E-10 as “the worst digital camera ever.”
With all these differing opinions, what’s the best way to buy the digital camera that’s right for you? If you simply want to take personal pictures, choose a digital camera that has at least three megapixels. This will give you good quality pictures at a very affordable price. Remember that the higher the number of megapixels, the better quality your pictures will be, but the digital camera you choose will be more complex and more expensive. Also consider the size and shape of the camera; is it easy for you to carry in your purse or pocket? Finally, be sure your digital camera has at least 256-512 megabites of space on its memory card so you won’t have to buy additional memory cards. Taking all these factors into consideration will help you enjoy capturing treasured memories for years to come.

How does 1300 Megapixels strike you? Yep, not a typo- although technically I’m thinking that’s about 1.3 gigapixels, but let’s not nit pick the scientists.

Speaking at the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting at Queen’s, Dr. Kaiser explained how the first component of the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) is about to change our view of the Universe. By surveying the whole sky visible from the top of a dormant Hawaiian volcano, the Pan-STARRS1 (PS1) telescope will discover a myriad of asteroids, comets and exploding stars. In the process it will create the largest and most detailed map of the heavens ever produced.

Read the whole story at Photonics Online.

Professional photographers know exactly what they’re looking for when they purchase a digital camera. Years of experience and fine tuning digital cameras every day makes the choice clear for them. For the rest of us, a new camera purchase can be a daunting experience. I know when I first got into digital cameras the technology seemed a little intimidating- but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a short guide with ten things to look for when, as an amateur photographer, you’re ready to replace that antique sitting on the top shelf of the closet.

1. Resolution – When digital cameras first came out, it was all about the megapixels. There was a wide variety of sizes (and prices) available- however, now most of even the smallest digital cameras are 5 megapixels, which is more than adequate for your typical 4×6 vacation photos and the occasional 8×10. The time to go larger is when you want to regularly create larger pictures- or you want to be able to zoom in on areas of specific detail and print those. The compromise you must make for those larger pictures is more space used on your memory card, so if you get a higher megapixel camera, make sure to pick some extra cards.

2. Exposure control – For most amateurs, aperture size and shutter speeds are a mystery. What should I use when? The manufacturers have addressed this with scene preset modes. Picking the correct mode allows you to select the proper settings of, for example, a close-up by simply clicking ‘Macro Mode’ instead of manually configuring the camera. If you’re interested in digital cameras as a hobby, manual configuration options are something you should look for.

3. Zooms –There are two types of zoom available, optical zoom and digital. The one you should really pay attention to is optical zoom- pictures using optical zoom are sharper. Also understand that when the camera is using the higher magnification settings, it will be more vulnerable to shaking, so you may want to pick up a tripod if you’ll be using that zoom most of the time.

4. Size – Take a little time to think about what you’re going to be using your camera for. There’s always a tradeoff between size and functionality- here’s a quick summary:
a. Ultra Compact – small, light pocket sized cameras. Some may have fewer features.
b. Compact- fit in a modest camera case, great for point and shoot pictures.
c. Advanced- more functionality here along with more size. Typically we see buttons for modes as opposed to menus (which saves having to navigate), better zooms, and they also accept accessories (lenses, filters, etc.)
d. Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) – Heavy and large, these offer the best functionality; typically professionals and serious photographers use them.

5. Weight – Hand in hand with size is camera weight. Generally speaking, more features equals more weight, so think carefully about what you really need. A small, light camera with fewer features is a better choice if you want to take it everywhere and get lots of pictures, as opposed to a heavy monster you dread having to lug and only use once in a while.

6. Batteries –Basically batteries come in two formats, proprietary battery packs, and then there are cameras that accept AA batteries. If you get a camera with the proprietary pack, it’s worth it to purchase another one as backup, because invariably you’ll want to take a picture and the battery will die. I recommend getting a camera that allows you to use AA batteries- if you need to buy a set in pinch you can, and you also have the flexibility of buying rechargeables and using them again and again.

7. Speed- When you are ready to purchase, be sure to check out the lag on button press. If you want to photograph things in motion (kids, pets, sports, etc) it can be very frustrating to try to snap that perfect picture and have the image captured 5 seconds later after the moment has passed. Some cameras offer continuous shutter mode, which allows you to snap pictures in sequence. For most amateurs 5 frames per second is adequate.

8. Manual Focus – part of the beauty of digital cameras is most of them take care of focusing for you. In some situations you may want the ability to manually focus to bring out detail.

9. Low Light Modes – Some cameras have auxiliary lights to help focus or even night vision mode. If you’re going to be taking pictures at night, it’s worth the money to add this to your checklist.

10. Accessories- Most people focus exclusively on the camera, and the accessories are an afterthought. Depending on where you buy your camera, you may be able to get a package deal that includes things you would have to buy anyway, like a case, memory cards, extra batteries and the like. If you buy your camera in a camera store don’t be afraid to negotiate, many will give you a better price or throw in extras like photography lessons.

When you buy a digital camera there’s no need to be intimidated, just do some research online and have an idea of what you want to do with your camera, create a list of important points, and then buy with confidence.

If you’re an amateur photographer like me, odds are you have take a few pictures that didn’t turn out as well as they could have due camera movement. Here’s a very simple and effective way to cut down on that effect, for less than a dollar. It sounds simple- but it works!

Scientific American has an interesting article on an experimental camera Kevin Kelly and Richard Baraniuk from Rice University have invented. Basically what it does is use a single pixel, and a tiny chip covered with hundreds of thousands of mirrors to recreate the image. The technology could eventually be used to create high resolution pictures outside the visible light spectrum, where large arrays of detectors are cost prohibitive. The magic of the camera is that it in effect takes a compressed snapshot, then uses mathematics to produce the image later. Current cameras take a super high resolution image, then compress it, which uses up limited battery and memory space. You can see all the details at the camera’s homepage.

Imagine this. You’re on vacation in Japan, and you climb Mt Fuji. Triumphant at the top, you snap your picture. Your camera automatically tags your picture with your location, and when you upload your picture to your computer all the location data is right there! Geotagging allows you to tag your pictures with your location, typically latitude an longitude, and sometimes place names. At PMA on 30 Jan, Geotate announced the availability of its Capture and Process GPS solution, in Q1/2008. Geotate caches the GPS signals, and then when you get back to your computer, it uses a web service to deliver the geotag for your pictures. So no more head scratching on where exactly your were when you took that picture in the amazon jungle.

This has implications beyond your scrapbook as well. Online photo sharing sites like Flickr allow you to tag manually, they should support the new technology once it becomes widespread. Imagine being able to see all the public photos for “Costa Rica” or any location in public searches. Or how about microblogging, which is primarily text based, with pictures? Near real time posts of your vacation on your blog…cool.

Geotate

A couple of days ago I wrote about how happy I was with my Casio EX750. Turns out lots of people are happy with the EXILIMs, Casio has received another award from JP Power, here is the press release.

CASIO EXILIM RECEIVES A TOP RANKING IN DIGITAL CAMERA USAGE AND SATISFACTION STUDY FROM J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES

Casio EXILIM Zoom Series is the Highest Ranked Digital Camera in Ultra-Slim Segment

DOVER, NJ, JANUARY 30, 2008 – Casio America, Inc. received the highest ranking in the ultra slim segment in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Digital Camera Usage and Satisfaction Study(SM) for its Casio EXILIM Zoom Series.

The study, based on responses from 7,493 digital camera owners, measured four factors to determine customer satisfaction: picture quality, performance, operation and appearance and styling. On a 1,000 point scale, the EXILIM Zoom series rated an 802 in the customer satisfaction index ranking, higher than any other digital camera in the ultra slim segment.

J.D. Power and Associates, presented Casio with the award during a ceremony held at Casio America, Inc. headquarters on December 18, 2007. Full Story. Don’t forget to check out our Casio Live Auction Feed.