| | |  | Point-and-shoot Digital Cameras | Home » » » » Casio Exilim EX-V7SR 7.2MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom | | | | | | | Description: | | MD) CL) MU) CASIO EX-V7SR DIG CAM | | | Features: | |
• 7.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 7x optical zoom with anti-shake; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Four blur-reduction technologies including new CCD shift system
• High-quality movies using next-generation H.264 video encoding method
• Stores images on SDHC or SD memory cards (includes 11.6MB internal memory); powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion battery NP-50
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 3.76 inches | | Product Width:
| 0.99 inches | | Product Height:
| 2.35 inches | | Product Weight:
| 0.4 pounds | | Package Length:
| 8.9 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.5 inches | | Package Height:
| 2.5 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.7 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 54 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 54 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 48 found the following review helpful:
 At last, a manufacturer gets it right!Apr 09, 2007
By Prasad Upasani
I have been waiting forever for a digital camera with decent quality that allowed optical zoom when capturing video so I didn't need to carry a separate video camera. Finally Casio delivers with this model that lets you silently zoom upto 7x (wow!) when using the camera. Previous models disabled optical zoom during video capture to prevent the lens mechanism noise from being captured, but this one is almost silent. To give some context I have been using Casio's EX-Z750, and I can say this is a much better camera, especially in terms of video capture.
Pros:
- 7x optical zoom. Note this lens is completely internal so nothing protrudes out. Not sure how Casio managed to do this but kudos to them.
- Use of the full 7x optical zoom during video capture.
- The new H.264 video encoding codec produces extremely good video compared to older models. Previous models tended to produce more grainy video, especially in low light. Also includes stereo audio recording!
- Fairly small size. Not quite as small as the Optio but still very small. Anything smaller is really too small to hold comfortably for me.
- Retains ability to use manual aperture and other controls including histograms
- Very good best-shot modes including new high-sensitivity modes for low light situations.
- The flash can be kept continuously on for use as a video light.
- Support for the new SDHC cards, the bigger capacities are certainly useful for capturing video.
- New optional widescreen modes for video
- First Casio model to incorporate mechanical image stabilization in addition to digital for both stills and video.
- As opposed to older Casio models, allows imprinting date and time on photos.
- Allows users to customize use of buttons
- Whole bunch of other features too numerous to mention. Take a look at their website. Casio is an old name in the electronics business and knows how to make user-friendly gadgets.
Ok, now for some things NOT done right:
- My biggest complaint is that the only way to charge battery is through the docking station. This means you need to carry a docking station with you when travelling. Previous models had after-market external battery chargers you could buy, but I haven't seen one for this model yet. And no, old chargers don't work since this is a different battery form factor.
- The docking station is also the only way to connect the camera to a PC, though I got around this by using the SD card reader on my PC.
- On the subject of batteries, this one has about half the life as compared to the EX-Z750, 850 or 1000 models. Given the docking station requirement to charge, you will need to buy a spare battery eventually.
- The image stabilization mechanism is a little noisy. Scared me the first time till I found out that was normal.
- The autofocus mechanism tends to "hunt" a bit especially zoomed in.
Overall, many more positives than negatives. Definitely recommend this camera. Note its also available in black, though not everywhere.
29 of 32 found the following review helpful:
 Not quite up to my expectationsApr 01, 2007
By Christopher S. Powers
"Xrosein3"
I just purchased this camera last night. I was thrilled to finally get my hands on this because I absolutely loved my Casio Z750. I've been using a Fuji Finepix F30 in the interrim time since my Casio kicked the bucket. Now that I have both cameras side by side, I must say that the F30 image quality is so much better that it makes me sad that I just spent a bundle on this Casio product. The EX-V7 is better in some respects. I will compare the two cameras a bit, since I currently have both.
Zooming while taking video on the EX-V7 is great and it even has a variable speed zoom, but the camera can't hold a decent focus whether I'm zooming or not. The image is so washed out without the sharpness turned up a couple of notches, it appears blurry. Filming in widescreen format is fun, too, but even though it is filming in HQ I don't notice great image quality. The images from an indoor scene are grainy and not even old-school camcorder quality. In fact, when I play the HQ video on my computer monitor I consistently get distortion lines flickering across the image anytime there is camera or subject movement. This might have something to do with the compatibility of my system with the camera, but it is unpleasant nevertheless, and may happen to other people.
The color tones on skin, and the indoor range of the flash are very poor in comparison to the F30.
The location of the lense is a bit problematic as my left hand typically uses that space on the camera for stabilization.
Start up and cycle time on this Casio is as wonderful as on my z750.
Image playback, magnification and moving, and file deletion on the EX-V7 is amazingly speedy in comparison to the F30.
The autofocus works much more consistently on the EX-V7. The F30 gets the focus wrong on occasion and the EX-V7 is nailing it pretty consistently so far. I have notice, however, that once I magnify my Casio images, they seem to lose a bit of detail. This could be related to the image stabilization.
One of the biggest things I miss in the EX-V7 is the EX button. For every tweak you want to make to the adjustments, you have to cycle through the menu. Granted, Casio has one of the best and most intuitive menu systems out there, but it is not cool to have to scroll through many options just to find your white balance or your EV shift. Casio definitely blew it on this one. It is a big downgrade.
It is also sad that there is no macro button to quickly select. This must be done through the focus selection menu.
This camera still has a great set of selections to choose from and is still very speedy, but it doesn't measure up to the Casio Z750 in video quality or ease of use. The video and image quality of the Fuji FinePix F30 is markedly better in an indoor setting and slightly better in an outdoor setting. It is a little easier to see that the video is of higher quality on the EX-V7 when video is taken in bright outdoor light, but I still can't stand the horizontal lines across my screen throughout the movie.
Overall, I'm more pleased with my F30 because the image and video quality is more pleasing to the eyes. The V7 is a good product and doesn't ruin the Casio name. If I didn't have a camera to compare side-by-side, I wouldn't have known as much about what I did not like in the image quality. If you already have this camera, enjoy it's many features once you get used to working your way through the menu system. If you haven't purchased it yet, weigh the options and figure out if you want a camera that will take better pictures indoors and in low light. If so, I would recommend the F30.
18 of 19 found the following review helpful:
10 days with EX-V7Apr 10, 2007
By Scott B. Vetter
"Scott"
I agree with the points of the other reviewers. Note the manual mentions to store the battery in the drained state for extended periods. I plan to order a second battery, but will probably have it charged all the time. An extra docking station will make things easier while on holiday. There is also a mention to edit or delete photos through the photo software not while connected to a PC. I used to "cut" the photos from my old camera using Windows, but for this one it looks like I'll just format the media in the camera to erase them once they are "copied" to the PC hard disk. The dock station does make it easy to charge, view, and access the media, so no need to get an SDHC reader for new 4 and 8 GB SD cards. The camera is a little heavy for a pants pocket with the battery. Heading to Disney in a week, so looking forward to some real-world results.
After a few days in Disney, this camera is growing on me. I can see the need to pre-focus (wait for green) on this camera compared to my last because the default depth of field is more narrow. Pressing the button down all at once will (according to the manual), focus to infinity and not give great results in some cases. Battery life has been very good. Will comment more then I upload the photos and movies.
I'm back from Disney, and I have uploaded my pix. I took pictures on a 4 GB SD card and at the 7 megapixel and 2 megapixel modes using the best picture quality setting. I also took a few movies at the medium movie quality. I'm not a professional (at all), and had the camera in full auto mode the whole time (no time to stop the action for a manual camera setting! And who would listen to me?). The only thing I did was turn on and off the flash to suit the setting and use the built-in 2 second timer to rest the camera for some night shots. I kept image-stablization set to the hardware-setting, not the one that includes both hardware and software. I read that somewhere.
I took some pictures of the thunder mountain ride - standing on the sidelines, and of the tea cups thing, and of a foutain at night, and then some.
I'm not someone to tweak pictures after I upload them. This camera produced some great shots after pressing the button that were razor sharp and full of color (think Gold film if you remember) when looking at them on Windows XP default picture viewer thing zoomed to 400%. I have to stress again the need to pre-focus - required. Wearing the camera in the front pocket of my jeans did cause the twirl-dial to change settings, so once I took a movie instead of a picture (Humpff). I recommend checking the setting when taking the camera out (I don't use a case, will probably never buy one, I'm point and shoot). I took a movie of the Disney band on mainstreet and the sound quality and stereo was great - and the picture spot on (Quicktime 7 required for playback). On a roller coaster (I filmed the entire ride - while remaining quiet!), the wind noise was terrible, but I was going 60 mph. The coaster was at night and the camera did better than some of those "Cops" videos we see from professional camera feeds.
This camera promises a lot with its price-point and manual settings, but I would absolutely not expect to get SLR (do people still own these?) quality with 7x zoom out of the front pocket of my jeans (at least for now - technology marches on). What I did get was a point-and-shoot camera (that has many manual settings) that does two amazing things in one package (albeit slightly weighty), zoom-point-shoot and take great (leading edge) videos. Ideal vacation campanion, and therefore part of my travel kit. I would think there are less expensive cameras for point and shoot people (with less zoom or more pixels), and other $400+ cameras for the professionals. Choose wisely.
16 of 17 found the following review helpful:
I am in LOVEMar 25, 2007
By Stacey M. Erbay
"dance5678"
This is the greatest cammera I have EVER seen! It's perfect! I agree with the first review that the lack of a printed manual is a problem. They send the manual on CD rom. But this baby is still the best cammera for the money you can buy! It's features are crystal clear images even fast movement comes clear! and the movies????? DON'T GET ME STARTED! The movie quality is BETTER than the Sony hard drive camcorders! I'm not joking! The mvoies record crystal clear with tons of options including night mode and records sound in stereo!
Would I make any changes????? YES 3!!!!!
1) Printed Manual
2) earphone Jack. Since it uses an SD card you should have had MP3 functions.
3) Mini USB plug on the cammera to charge the battery. At this time you have to set the cammera on the cradle base and plug into the wall. But when I go overseas this will prove a pain where as if it had a mini USB I could have charged over the compute instead of waging and worring about plug converstion.
Well thats it. This cammera will tickle you pink! And don't forget the awsome feature that there are no moving zoom parts! It was teh retractable cameera lens that broke on my old cammera. And wih 7 times OPTICAL zoon, and NO retractble lens. I think this cammera will last many more years than my last! ENJOY!
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
 Started out as a great camera, ended up in the shop 2+ timesOct 09, 2007
By Ronald C. Good
"Ron Good"
I purchased this camera when it initially was offered and loved the 7x optical as well as the stereo widescreen movie mode. I loved it so much I bought my daughter the same one as well a few months later.
Well after 6 months of casual use I recieve the "Camera Stabilizer is not available" error message. The camera is dead after that. Calling customer center was a good experience; I returned the camera (at my expense) and they returned the camera with a service report indicating there were scratches on the camera (there were none) and that the lense assembly was replaced. Also the warranty would only be honored for 90 days. The turnaround time was very good - I think 2 weeks total.
Well, next trip I took with the camera I took about 100 shots and now have the same error message. To boot, my daughters camera now has the same error message. So now I have two to return.
This camera is very independable and I have been sickened by the fantastic pics I have missed when this thing decides to quit.
I take very good care of this camera - ensuring it is always in its case and it has never been dropped or mishandled.
STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAMERA!!
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