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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 8 reviews
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Product summary
The good: 5X optical zoom; 22 Best Shot settings; automatic macro; zoom is fully functional during video recording; 5-second buffer for late-reaction video shots.
The bad: Doesn't perform well in low light; zoom is sometimes audible on video recordings; can be awkward for large hands to grasp.
The bottom line: This camera comes close to successfully combining high-quality photos with acceptable-quality video.
Specifications: Digital camera type: Compact; Resolution: 5 megapixels; Optical zoom: 5 x; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 05/25/2005
- Released on: 03/01/2005
It's a secret--don't tell anybody. Hybrid cameras aren't true hybrids. Photo cameras inevitably have poor camcorder capabilities, and camcorders inevitably have poor photo capabilities. You'd think it wouldn't be that difficult to combine the two functions, but apparently it is. However, Casio's Exilim Pro EX-P505 inches us closer to a device that's equally adept with both functions.
In addition to being a compact and lightweight 5-megapixel camera with a 5X optical zoom, the EX-P505 takes passable 640x480 MPEG-4 video at 30fps. The video side has full use of the camera's zoom, captures its audio through a built-in stereo microphone, and can even record the action 5 seconds before you press the shutter release. So are we at the point where one device can serve for both high-quality photos and decent video? Not quite. This model doesn't perform well in low light, and its zoom mechanism is loud enough to be audible on some video shots. If you can live with its limitations, the small size and the 5X zoom could make this a convenient all-purpose camera.
Don't be fooled by the Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505 product photo. The deep grip and the rubber tread under the lens barrel suggest a hefty camera. In reality, everything is scaled down to a pint-size form. Weighing less than some cell phones and PDAs, the 8.8-ounce EX-P505 measures a scant 3.9 inches wide, 2.2 inches high, and 2.9 inches deep. You can buy thinner cameras, but they probably won't have a 5X optical zoom. As you might expect from the weight, this camera has a plastic body. Only time will tell whether it can hold up to abuse, but as plastics go, it feels sturdy.
There's no optical viewfinder, so you'll be totally dependent on the LCD screen for composing your shots. The 2-inch screen swivels across a 270-degree arc, letting you easily capture overhead and low-level shots, as well as self-portraits. We like that the camera turns on automatically when you swing open the screen and turns off when you close it.
Because this is a big camera design that's scaled down to suit a small camera, the EX-P505 can be difficult to handle, particularly for larger hands. The front has a curved indentation for a right-hand grip, but the surface is so narrow, you may be able to grasp it with only two fingers. Similarly, the rubber tread underneath the lens is so small that you may find the fingers on your left hand colliding with the fingers on your right hand.
The onscreen menus are bright and easy to navigate. You maneuver using a back-mounted four-way navigation array with a center-selection button. You can quickly back out of menus by pressing the menu button. Despite the camera's small size, all the controls are conveniently positioned.
Casio has loaded the Exilim Pro EX-P505 with thoughtful features. In addition to the fully automatic and manual exposure settings, you can select from 22 Best Shot modes. These modes select--and provide guidance for--subject-related settings, such as candlelight portraits, pets, splashing water, fireworks, and flowers. You can also create your own Best Shot.
Experienced photographers will appreciate the EX button, which provides quick access to white balance, ISO, meter, and AF parameters. Beginners and seasoned veterans will benefit from the 5X optical zoom; it's equivalent to a 38mm-to-190mm zoom on a 35mm-film camera, which doesn't give it as wide an angle as we would have liked. Its maximum aperture of f/3.3 to f/3.6 is remarkably consistent, though it's a bit slow for low-light photography. The macro mode focuses down to 1 centimeter. Even more impressive is the camera's ability to automatically switch to the macro mode, as needed. There are three focus options: spot, which concentrates in the center; multi, which combines seven different areas; and free, which you can position anywhere.
The Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505 also has three unusual video modes. Past Movie records the action 5 seconds before you press the shutter release. It does this by continually recording to a 5-second buffer. This is a terrific feature for capturing sports plays, wildlife, or other fast-moving subjects. Short Movie is limited to 8-second clips, and you can set how much of the 8 seconds will be drawn from the buffer. Best Shot, the third mode, provides five preprogrammed settings: Portrait, Scenery, Night Scene, Fireworks, and Silent. All the video modes have full access to the zoom while recording. You may want to use the zoom sparingly because the mechanism is loud enough to be picked up by the built-in stereo microphone.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 8 reviews
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Showing 3 of 8 user reviewsSee all 8 user reviews
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9 out of 10 people found this review helpful
"Excellent Choice with Great Photo & Movie Capturing Capability"
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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