Casio calls their Exilim EX-S2 a wearable card camera, and it lives up--or should we say down--to that name. About the size and heft of a deck of cards (at .44 inches, it's even a bit thinner), the EX-S2 can be worn around the neck and barely be noticed.
And Casio packs what it can into the tiny frame. The camera captures 2-megapixel still images and AVI movies (without sound) at 320 by 240 pixels. Its 1.6-inch TFT LCD is bright enough to use for framing shots and viewing captured images in daylight. And the built-in flash carries about six feet--some indoor images taken farther than that from our subjects appeared a little dark.
But, otherwise, images proved to be bright and crisp, with rich and realistic colors. Outdoor images were as good as much larger and more expensive cameras, while indoor shots within the EX-S2's flash range were sharp enough to print out.
The tiny docking station that ships with the camera recharges the battery and provides a link to your PC (you can't connect the camera to your computer without going through it). The EX-S2 includes 12 MB of internal memory that can be expanded by purchasing an optional Secure Digital memory card.
Of course, the small size does constrain the camera features. There's no optical zoom on the EX-S2--only a 4x digital zoom instead of a preferred optical zoom. And the 2-megapixel limit is best for snapshots and medium-quality enlargements up to 8 x 10.
But if it's portability and ease of use that you want from your camera, you won't find many that will fit as snugly in a pocket or around your wrist than this miniscule yet still powerful device. --J. Curtis
Pros:
- Extremely tiny and lightweight
- High-quality images
- Good features for its size.
Cons:
- No optical zoom
- Only 2-megapixel resolution
Product Description:
Casio EXILIM EX-S 2 is just perfect. Super thin and stylish, it is also incredibly functional. A high-resolution megapixel CCD provides 2.0 million effective pixels (2.11 million total pixels) for images that print beautifully. Fixed focus eliminates the need for lens movement, which shortens startup time and shooting time. Simply select the sample scene that matches the type of image you are trying to record and the camera performs troublesome setups automatically for beautiful pictures every time. DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) data storage protocol provides image intercompatibility between the digital camera and printers.
Casio Exilim EX-S2 2MP Digital Camera