By Dr. Alan J. Pierce
The Casio EX-V8 Camera Let us do a reality check to see if large DSLR cameras still hold sway over pixel count or shooting speed to the newest and most advanced Casio EXILIM ultra thin pocket sized digital camera. You have probably been told that you need to purchase a large DSLR camera to get a high pixel count or to rapidly shoot photos without camera lag. The Casio EX-V8 Camera delivers 8.1 megapixels which is large enough to produce high quality 12 X 16 prints. This camera can be set to shoot four photos per second without shutter lag if you use the camera menu to switch the camera into its continuous shutter mode. Once in this mode it will continue to shoot pictures until you take your finger off the shutter release button. The one drawback to this rapid shooting setting is that it switches the camera pixel count down from 8 to 2 megapixels. This is still high enough to produce quality 4 X 6 prints. Today most digital cameras come with a 3X optical zoom. The EX-V8 delivers 7X with all lens movement taking place within the cameras body. This means that the lens on this camera stays flush with the cameras body even when you have it set to shoot in its most telephoto
pierceaj@optonline.net position. If you ever accidentally knocked and damaged a digital cameras lens assembly you will know that this feature can save you a lot of money in camera repairs. You can also use the cameras zoom feature while shooting movies. The EX-V8 not only shoots high quality H.264 movies it also has a YouTube capture mode that automatically sets all the camera shooting settings to those required by YouTube. When you are ready to upload your movie to YouTube the software that comes with the camera makes the upload a simple two step process. These movie functions are further enhanced by stereo sound recording and image stabilization. Since the camera has stereo microphones built in, Casio decided to add another feature which allows you to use this camera as a voice recorder. The camera is loaded with many other automatic or photographer controlled options. Its face detection technology will keep your subjects in focus. Its best shot options will automatically make all camera settings for thirty four different shooting possibilities; from shooting scenery, children, sports, candlelight, text, white boards to shooting objects to upload to eBay. The cameras screen is bright enough to be seen in bright sunlight. This is a fantastic feature in one sense and a negative in another. This camera doesnt include an optical viewfinder. Many camera manufacturers are now dropping optical viewfinders because their studies have indicated that camera buyers want to use the cameras video screen to frame their shots. If the screen can be viewed in bright sunlight they feel there is no reason to include a feature that buyers no longer care about. At this time the eBay Best Shot Mode, the YouTube Best Shot Mode, and the continuous still photo shutter mode are 3 features that only appear on some of the newest Casio EXILIM cameras.
Dr. Alan J. Pierce is co-author of Introduction to Technology Glencoe McGraw-Hill 2005 and a TechDirections Magazine Columnist.Visit www.techtoday.us for past columns and resources.