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Casio Exilim EX-ZR100

*Est. $300

Reviewed

June 2012

by ConsumerSearch

Compact ultrazoom packs exceptional shooting speeds

Pros

Blazingly fast shooting
Slow-motion video with optical zooming
12.5x zoom lens
High-resolution LCD
Nice image quality
Long battery life

Cons

Slow autofocus
Weak image stabilization
Fragile build

Where to Buy

for $366.00

Our Analysis
Specs
46 Amazon Reviews

Reviewers rave about the unrivaled shooting speeds of the ultrazoom Casio Exilim EX-ZR100, which give it the edge for action photos of sports, kids and wildlife. The 12.1-megapixel ZR100 pops out shots every 0.7 seconds with a 0.3-second shutter lag, while the burst mode rips off 40 frames per second (fps) -- figures that are "absolutely screaming fast for its size and price," says David Pierce at PCMag.com. By comparison, the top-rated Canon PowerShot SX230 HS moseys along at 2.3 seconds with a 0.5-second shutter lag and an 8.1 fps burst mode.

Casio camera offers a range of helpful features -- and speed

The plump ZR100 (about 7 ounces) packs a noteworthy 12.5x zoom lens, high-resolution 3-inch LCD (460,800 dots), manual controls and formidable battery life (rated at 450 shots). Testers praise the High Dynamic Range (HDR) feature, which takes three simultaneous shots at varying exposures, then melds them into one photo. The ZR100 shoots full HD video (1080i with optical zooming) at rates up to 1,000 fps for super slow-motion analysis of your golf swing. Dedicated control buttons let you toggle easily between standard, fast and video shooting modes.

Good photo quality, but a few snags

Image and video quality -- especially low-light shooting -- are very good, but high-speed photos and video yield less stellar results because of recording at lower resolutions. Other quibbles include slow autofocus, weak image stabilization, fragile build and a steep price tag. You can get a longer 18x zoom with better autofocus on the Nikon Coolpix S9100, while the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS packs a 14x zoom and GPS -- but you'll forsake the ZR100's exceptional shooting speeds.

PCMag.com, ConsumerReports.org and DigitalCameraInfo.com provide test-based reviews of the Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 that show how it stacks up next to market rivals. Rounding out our sources are stand-alone yet informative write-ups from PhotographyBlog.com and PC World, along with user comments from Amazon.com.

Where To Buy

Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 12.1 MP CMOS Sensor with 12.5x Optical Zoom Digital Camera Black

(46 reviews)
Buy new: $299.99 15 Used & new from $236.34

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Our Sources

1. PCMag.com

The "lightning-fast" Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 hits the spot for anyone looking for "plenty of speed" and solid low-light images, says David Pierce. It has a gorgeous LCD and a fun HDR-Art feature, but the pricey camera's quirks include sluggish autofocus, hit-or-miss image stabilization and a drab user interface.

Review: Casio Exilim EX-ZR100, David Pierce, June 27, 2011

2. ConsumerReports.org

The editors at ConsumerReports.org conduct thorough tests on more than 170 digital cameras, including the Casio Exilim EX-ZR100. A ratings chart shows individual scores for features such as versatility, image quality and battery life, so you can see how each camera ranks among competitors. Editors also provide brief summaries of key features in a newly expanded review section.

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

3. DigitalCameraInfo.com

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 offers shooting speeds that "most other compact cameras can only dream of," says TJ Donegan. Photo and video quality are respectable, and the camera offers a nice number [D1] of manual controls. However, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 delivers better color accuracy and image stabilization.

Review: Casio Exilim EX-ZR100, By TJ Donegan, Aug. 21, 2011

4. PhotographyBlog.com

Gavin Stoker recommends the Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 for its solid build, fair price and exceptional shooting speeds for its class. The camera earns praise for its manual controls, HDR mode and slow-motion video, but it lacks the GPS found in other travel zoom cameras, such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20.

Review: Casio EX-ZR100 Review, Gavin Stoker, Oct. 12, 2011

5. PC World

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR100's high-speed continuous shooting and movie capabilities are "feats that few cameras can match, especially at this price," says Theano Nikitas. Other assets include a versatile feature set, exceptional battery life and zoom lens, but the ZR100 suffers from a sluggish start-up time and delays when saving multiple high-speed shots.

Review: Casio Exilim EX-ZR100, Theano Nikitas, Sept. 6, 2011

6. Amazon.com

User comments regarding the Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 range from " 'great camera' does not do it justice" to "meh...nothing special." Owners consistently praise the fast shooting speeds and great battery life, but ding the camera for its weak image stabilization and questionable construction.

Review: Casio Exilim EX-ZR100, Contributors to Amazon.com

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