Casio Exilim EX-G1: Toughest camera in the world?
Casio Exilim EX-G1, the “toughest camera” from Casio has been launched in the US. The Casio Exilim EX-G1 doesn’t compromise its looks for the sake of ruggedness, and comes across as a stylish camera, on the lines of the Casio G-Shock series of digital watches and the GZone mobile phone from Casio. The 12-megapixel digital Casio Exilim EX-G1 will be available in the US from December at a price of $299. (See Casio Exilim EX G1 photos alongside)
Photo: Casio Exilim EX G1
Casio said in a press release that the Casio Exilim EX-G1 is a shock-proof, waterproof, dustproof digital camera. This is the first digital camera from Casio’s Exilim G Series, and the company calls the Casio Exilim EX-G1 as an “endurance camera”. Casio said that the new EX-G1 will be the ideal digicam for athletes, hikers and adventurers. It will be available in two colours, black and red. The camera is barely .78 inches thick.
“Whether it is the lifestyle that you have chosen or your career path that requires you to carry a camera tough enough to endure life’s elements, the EXILIM G EX-G1 offers an endurance level that will withstand the demands of your daily routine,” says Toshi Iguchi, senior general manager of Casio’s Digital Imaging Division. “The EX-G1, Casio’s toughest camera to date, is a prime example of Casio’s constant devotion to creating cameras to accommodate all levels of photographers.”
Every part of the Casio Exilim EX-G1 has been built with rough usage in mind. Buttons are recessed, so that a fall from height (upto seven feet) does not damage the dials. The lens in the front and the LCD panel on the back are glass covered. Casio said that the EX-G1 can withstand falls from seven feet, water upto 3 meters deep, and temperatures down to -10 degrees. The EX-G1 is also a dust-proof camera. The company claims that this is the toughest digicam in the market today.
The Casio Exilim EX-G1 has an effective 12 megapixel lens, with a 1/2.3 inch square pixel CCD. Pictures clicked on the Casio Exilim EX-G1 are saved in the JPEG file format, while video movies are stored in AVI and MPEG formats. The camera has a built-in memory of 35.7 MB. Since you will be storing your photos and videos on a memory card, the low built-in memory does not really matter. The maximum file size of a single video file is 4 GB.
Casio said that the Casio Exilim EX-G1 can store about 490 photos on a 4 GB memory card, and about 40 minutes of video. Movie recording is done at: WIDE: 848 x 480 (30 fps) / STD: 640 x 480 (30 fps) / LP: 320 x 240 (15 fps).
The high-speed continuous shutter on the Casio Exilim EX-G1 digital camera can click three frames per second, at 1600X1200 pixels. (up to 8 shots).
The Casio Exilim EX-G1 lens has an optical zoom of 3X, which is quite average for a digital camera. There is an additional 4X digital zoom, but we know how good digital zooms are. Casio said that its new tough camera has multiple focusing modes: Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Pan Focus, Infinity Mode and Manual Focus. Other recording modes include: Dynamic Photo, Interval Snapshot, Interval Movie, Underwater, Beach, Snow, Multi-motion Image*12, YouTube™ Capture Mode, AUTO BEST SHOT and voice recording. Automatic face detection and auto shutter are also part of the package.
The Casio Exilim EX-G1 digicam comes with an interval shooting option. If you are a cyclist or a windsurfer carrying an EX-G1, you can set the camera to click at preset interval, even while you’re in action. The interval shooting function automatically clicks still photos or videos at fixed intervals.
The Casio Exilim EX-G1 is crafted with a shock-resistant shell which has passed multiple tests, the company said. It has a double-layer build, with a stainless steel outer shell. The EX-G1 inner body withstands shock and water damage. There is an ample resin cover for all sensitive camera parts, so that you can get on with hiking or swimming while the camera fights the elements. There is also a resin lens ring to protect the camera lens.
The company said that the “toughest camera till date” corresponds to IEC/JIS Protection Class 8 (IPX8) waterproofing. The Casio EX-G1 can be used underwater at 10 feet for one whole hour. The company claimed that there will be no water penetration even if it is directly sprayed with a jet of water.
Water will not penetrate the camera even when directly sprayed with jets of water from every direction corresponding to Protection Class 6 (IPX6).