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Casio Exilim EX-H5

Discontinued

Reviewed

November 2011

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Versatile wide-angle to 10x zoom lens
Very good photo quality in most tests
Shoots 720p HD video
Good battery life

Cons

LCD screen hard to see in bright light
No optical zoom in video mode

Where to Buy

for $320.00

Our Analysis
Specs
37 Amazon Reviews

The Casio Exilim EX-H5 packs a lot of value for the money, reviews say. Its versatile lens (from a truly wide-angle 24 mm to 10x zoom) is a rare find on an under-$200 camera, and its 12.1-megapixel image sensor churns out impressive photos in most tests. It shoots decent 720p HD video, too, testers say, although as with most budget cameras you can't use the optical zoom while you're shooting movies. Battery life is good, too, and the EX-H5 manages to stay compact even with its long zoom -- a bit bigger than a credit card and about an inch thick. PhotographyBlog.com calls it "an able travel companion."

But although the Exilim impresses most sources with its photo quality, even up to ISO 800 in dim light, PhotographyBlog.com reports "noise and smearing of fine details" at ISO 200 in bright light. One place Casio has scrimped is on the LCD screen, critics say. At 2.7 inches diagonally, it's a bit smaller than the usual 3-inch screen, and it tends to glare in bright light. Overall, owners and experts more often recommend the 8x-zoom Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25 (Discontinued) for budget camera shoppers who want a robust zoom.

Photography websites Steves-Digicams.com and PhotographyBlog.com both thoroughly test the Casio Exilim EX-H5, as do ConsumerReports.org and its British counterpart, Which? magazine. Amazon.com posts owner reviews, including critical ones.

Panasonic DMC-FH25A 16.1MP Digital Camera with 8x Wide Angle Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Blue)

from Amazon.com

New: $179.99

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Casio Exilim EX-H5BK 12MP Digital Camera with 10x Zoom with CCD Shift Stabilization and 2.7 inch LCD (Black)
(37 reviews) Buy new: $179.00 1 New from $320.00

Our Sources

1. PhotographyBlog.com

After a full test, Mark Goldstein recommends the Casio Exilim EX-H5 -- but with a few caveats. He says it shoots decent photos in bright light and packs a lot of useful features for the price, but to be prepared for chromatic aberrations in high-contrast situations and noisy images even at ISO 200.

Review: Casio EX-H5 Review, Mark Goldstein, Nov. 2010

2. StevesDigicams.com

Testers here are pleasantly surprised by the Casio Exilim EX-H5. Despite its low price, it turns out "very nice" photos and includes truly helpful features such as the wide angle/long zoom lens.

Review: Casio Exilim EX-H5 Review, Editors of Steves-Digicams.com, Nov. 2010

3. ConsumerReports.org

The Casio Exilim EX-H5 is one of 180 point-and-shoot cameras tested at ConsumerReports.org. Experts here rate the cameras' photo and video quality, ease of use and more before choosing the best buys.

Review: Point and Shoot Digital Camera Ratings and Reliability, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

4. Which? magazine

The U.K.'s version of ConsumerReports.org tests 285 digital cameras, including the Casio Exilim EX-H5. Editors compare cameras based on photo and video quality, ease of use and more.

Review: Casio Exilim EX-H5, Editors of Which? magazine

5. Amazon.com

Less than 20 owners have reviewed the Casio Exilim EX-H5 here, all giving it at least 3 stars out of 5. Reviews are short, but overall, owners seem to be pleased with the quality of this inexpensive camera.

Review: Casio Exilim EX-H5BK 12MP Digital Camera, Contributors to Amazon.com

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