Casio Exilim EX S600 Review

Overall Rating

Slim and sleek design
Great battery life
Bright screen - good for outside
Best shot choices
Great start time

Small buttons
Drop-ability
Price a bit steep

I bought the Casio Exilim EX S600 digital camera a few days ago (I got an incredible bargain on eBay for a brand new one with warranty), and I have enjoyed playing with lots of the features and functions ever since.

The camera is really tiny, but it is packed with great stuff, and incredibly slim at only 1.3 cm thick. It really is a 'take anywhere' kind of camera, and even in a case fits into a pocket. I really wanted a small camera, so I am pleased with the look of it, but I'd advise to make use of the wrist strap, as because it's so small, it's easily dropped. Also, if you have big hands then you may find some of the buttons and getting the SD card in and out a bit difficult. It's the price you pay for a tiny camera though.

It is 6MP with a 3x Optical zoom and 3x Digital zoom, and it has a great feature called 'Best Shot', which gives you an on screen choice of loads of modes, from which you choose different types of shot depending on what kind of picture you are taking e.g. sport (for moving images), children (because they often don't stay still for long), and Landscape etc. The BS also has an auto setting, which is good enough for most point and shoot type photo's.

The 2 inch screen is bright and can be seen outside a lot more easily than other screens I have used, although with it currently being winter I haven't had to use it in really bright sunshine yet. There are plenty of manual override settings too, but I'm not at the level yet where I know what I'm doing with them, so I leave well alone.

The camera has a rechargeable battery, which can only be charged by placing the camera in the docking port. The battery supposedly lasts for 300 photo's and I have taken loads, as well as done lots of fiddling with menus etc., and the battery is still showing full power, so it seems good on that score. Because of the camera's small and slim size, it also leaves the USB port and TV out to the docking port, which means that if you want to transfer photo's to a laptop or watch them on someones TV, you do have to take the dock with you, which is not that handy really, but fine for my use, as I don't tend to do stuff on the go like that.

In my opinion this is a great camera for those who want a small, stylish, take it anywhere type. It's not pretending to be a pro camera, so don't expect amazingly crystal images - it's only 6MP after all. Great for novices and people who want a bit more freedom with the override functions too. To be honest I only bought this as I got a complete bargain (£120), because the eBay seller mispriced it but had to honour the sale. At around £225-250 at most online stores, I wouldn't pay that, but wait a few months until the sales, or go for the very similar 5MP EX-S500 instead, and you will have a great camera for your money.