Casio Exilim EX-Z33 review

The 10.1-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z33 makes fewer compromises than other budget-friendly, ultra-compact cameras. Despite being primarily an automatic camera, you get more control over results than you'd typically get from a £75 model. Also, while it's got a long shutter lag in bright conditions, you'll be rewarded with good photos as long as your subjects aren't moving. Those seeking an inexpensive, basic point-and-shoot camera to keep with them for portrait and landscape shots will appreciate what the EX-Z33 offers.

Fits in a dwarf's trousers
The EX-Z33 doesn't feel like a cheap camera. Available in a choice of silver, blue, black and pink, the metal and plastic body is attractive, and so light and small that it'll fit in even tiny pockets. Part of the reason for that is the wee, 64mm (2.5-inch) LCD display. The screen is still plenty big enough to frame and view your shots with, though. Your thumb naturally rests between the right edge of the LCD and a dedicated movie-mode button.

The EX-Z33's macro mode is only capable of focusing at 99mm from the subject. Regardless, the camera is capable of capturing some sharp shots with fine detail (click image to enlarge)

One press of the movie button starts recording, while a second stops it and sends you back to shooting stills. You can take a still in the middle of recording video, but the movie stops recording when you do, starting up again after the capture. Below the movie button are playback and camera-mode buttons, a circular directional pad and a 'set' button, and menu and 'best shot' buttons.

All of the camera's settings are accessed through the menu button. For faster access to shooting options, a panel of settings can be opened on the screen's right side with a press of the set button (you can also leave them visible all the time). The left and right direction controls can be programmed to change settings such as ISO, white balance and exposure compensation. Oddly, though, neither has the option to change focus modes, so changing to manual focus or macro requires you to go into the full menu system.

The EX-Z33's colours look natural, even if they're not terribly accurate (click image to enlarge)

Fortunately, it's easy to navigate through the various settings, which include a handful of unique adjustments, such as one that alters what your focus frames look like (hearts, stars, butterflies and so on), and another that fixes the settings you'd like the camera to remember each time you turn it off and on. There are adjustments for sharpness, saturation and contrast, as well as adding colour filters. You also get built-in support for Eye-Fi SD cards, for transferring photos off the camera via a wireless network connection.

Picture the scene
If there's one thing you can rely on Casio's cameras for, it's abundant scene modes. Accessed with a press of the best-shot button, the EX-Z33 has 22 scene types to pick from, including standard options like 'portrait', 'landscape' and 'night scene', as well as the more unusual options of 'soft flowing water', 'for eBay' and 'for YouTube'. There's also an 'easy' mode located in the menu options that locks down all but a couple of basic settings, with the camera handling everything automatically. The actual auto mode lets you adjust all of the EX-Z33's settings except shutter speed and aperture.