One feature of the Exilim EX-Z1050 ultra-compact digital camera sets it apart from its competition, and Casio makes sure you know what it is by displaying it prominently on the front of the camera body: "10.1 megapixels." The rest of the EX-Z1050's features are about average, outside of a sometimes-blurry liquid crystal display (LCD), but for a price of around $220 from some online retailers, the EX-Z1050's high resolution makes it a model worth considering.

Casio -- which sometimes refers to this model as the Exilim Zoom -- offers the EX-Z1050 in four stylish colors: Silver, black, blue and pink. It's slightly larger than an average model in the ultra-compact class, but at 0.95 inches in thickness, it still fits comfortably in a pocket.

With its 3X optical zoom lens, the EX-Z1050 matches the average zoom magnification for ultra-compact digital cameras. The lens does extend beyond the camera body when in use, but when the camera is powered down, the lens retracts completely.

Image quality suffers a bit at the maximum zoom and in low-light conditions (with increased noise), but the overall image quality for the EX-Z1050 is average to slightly above average for an ultra-compact model. For most beginning photographers, the EX-Z1050's 10.1 megapixels of resolution might be overkill, but few cameras at this price point can match such a high resolution. Unfortunately, the EX-Z1050's flash is pretty weak and low-light photos suffer in quality as a result.

The EX-Z1050's 2.6-inch LCD serves as the camera's only viewfinder, which is a disappointment; it'd be nice to have an optical viewfinder as a second option. This unit's LCD isn't as sharp as screens on other models in this price range, either, and some photos might appear out of focus when previewed on the LCD. This is a very annoying problem, as you might be inclined to delete a photo that's actually in focus when viewed on your computer.

Our testing revealed that response times are good with the EX-Z1050. You can shoot your first photo about 1.5 seconds after pressing the power button. Shutter lag averaged about one-half second, which will cause you some problems from time to time in missing spontaneous photos. Shot-to-shot delays run from about 1.5-4 seconds, depending on whether or not the flash is in use.

Casio has aimed the EX-Z1050 squarely at beginning photographers; it has very few manual-control features and works best as a point-and-shoot model. Its menu structure works well and should give beginners easy access to the features they want.

If you're expecting high-end performance from the EX-Z1050, you're probably in the wrong classification, since ultra-compact cameras generally can't match their larger counterparts in features and performance. That said, however, the EX-Z1050 compares favorably to other ultra-compact models. The 10.1 megapixels of resolution is a bonus. Unfortunately, the poor LCD screen will drag the appeal of this model down for many people because it serves as the only viewfinder; it's tough to force yourself to press the shutter button when the viewfinder makes it appear as though most photos are out of focus.


Pros: High resolution, good value, easy-to-use model, good response times, good-looking camera
Cons: LCD quality is poor, no viewfinder, flash is weak

Warranty
1 year, limited