Thin is in and Casio EXILIM EX-M2 is the by far the smallest, thinnest and lightest camera that I’ve seen. It is called a wearable card camera since it fits easily into any pocket. (even the back pocket of a pair of tight-fitting jeans). The EXILIM is about the same width and height as a credit card, and at just under ½” thick, it is only slightly bulkier. The stainless steel case gives the camera a sturdy, substantial feel in spite of its miniscule size. This little beauty is full of surprises.
The first surprise is that this tiny camera is easy to use. The EXILIM has six preset screen modes that make taking the picture easy: portrait, night scene, retro style (sepia-toned), twilight, monochrome (black and white), and scenery. The buttons and controls are obviously not huge, but are all well placed and workable. The 1.6” color LCD display is clear and bright. The 2.1 -Megapixel CCD camera also has a built-in flash.
Another surprise is that the EXILIM has so many added features. It includes a self-timer. It can take AVI videos up to 30 seconds long with sound. The sound capture can be used to compliment still shots or as a stand-alone audio recorder. The camera also has an integrated MP3-player. All of this functionality is well planned and well implemented. For instance, when in MP3 mode, a list of songs can be seen on the LCD screen. The song in progress can also be seen on a small lighted display that is part of the headphone cord. Yet, if you don’t like the included headphones, you can easily plug in your own, and still have use of the display area on the cord. The sound quality is excellent. While you may not need an MP3 player in your camera, you may find this combination very useful since you can carry both in a small package that weights only slightly over 3 ounces.
The final and best surprise is that the EXILIM takes a darn good picture. Photo quality is excellent. Colors are vibrant and clear. The camera is also fast. It has a surprisingly speedy response time, and a short shutter lag time. It is easily ready for another picture in less than a second.
Only a few caveats: 1. As with any small camera, you need a steady hand. 2. There is no optical zoom. Like most digital zoom lenses, the 4X digital zoom does not give great results. 3. The camera has no lens cover. I wound up keeping mine in the antistatic shipping sleeve. A slightly sturdier case or lens cover would be a welcome addition.
The EXILIM comes with 12MB internal memory. It uses a SD/MMC card for additional memory for music and pictures. It comes with a USB connector, also comes with a cradle which functions as a charger for the camera’s lithium ion battery. The battery lasts about 110 minutes on continuous play and 65 minutes on continuous record. If you will be using it more than that, an extra battery pack would be a worthwhile purchase.
I was truly surprised by the quality of the EXILIM as well as its functionality. Compared to other 2-megapixel cameras, it may seem a little pricey, but given its small size and audio capabilities, it will be a worthwhile investment for many. It’s a pocket camera that you don’t mind carrying around.
