Performance
The Casio Exilim Pro EX-P600's performance is quite good, if you don't mind the minute or so it takes to save a TIFF file. The time to first shot from start-up was a little more than 2.5 seconds, and the P600 typically zipped from shot to shot in less than 2 seconds. Using the flash lengthened the time between shots to 3.3 seconds. At its fastest, the P600's continuous-shooting mode zipped along nicely at a bit more than 3fps, for up to 6 shots.
In CNET Labs' tests, the P600's optimal autofocus was very fast, with a slight shutter lag of 0.3 seconds. In darker, low-contrast situations, shutter lag lengthened to 0.5 seconds; we think that the P600 could have used help from a focus-assist lamp.
We nearly developed carpal tunnel syndrome trying to wear down the P600's battery; it took more than 500 shots before the 1,230mAh lithium-ion cell gave its first indication that we had made a dent, another 100 or so shots before the battery indicator went to red, and an additional 150 images before we could get the camera to power down for good. The P600 demonstrated excellent power-consumption efficiency despite its large 2-inch screen and extended zoom lens.
The P600's 4x optical zoom, with a focal-length range starting at around 33mm (in 35mm terms), provides respectable focal range for a camera of this size. Zoom operation wasn't as smooth as we'd like, but you probably won't notice its stepped action in day-to-day shooting.
Consistent with the camera's pocketable size, the flash isn't very powerful. In fact, it's good only out to less than 10 feet. But the P600 can accommodate an external flash via a sync cord for broader lighting needs.
With only a few exceptions, test shots were generally pleasing to the eye. Accurate and saturated but natural-looking colours were the norm under most lighting conditions.Mixed light -- sun and shade, for example -- confused the Casio Exilim Pro EX-P600's automatic white balance and autoexposure measurements, resulting in very cool shadowed areas and overexposed highlights in the sky. Though a challenge to any camera for sure, the P600 didn't handle it as well as others.
Transitions between colours were smooth, although our images lacked fine detail on low-contrast surfaces such as flower petals. For the most part, dynamic range was good, although we noticed that highlights were sometimes clipped.
Visible image noise began to appear in shadows at ISO sensitivities of around 200. But fringing and compression artifacts, which plague even some higher-end cameras, were minimal.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters