Image Quality

All of the sample images in this Review were taken using the 12 megapixel Fine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 4Mb.

As our test images hopefully show, we tested the Casio across a wide variety of shooting conditions and scenarios; under natural light and daylight without flash and at extreme wide angle and maximum telephoto under such circumstances. Image wise, like any compact camera the EX-ZR100 offers good and bad, yet here we're pleased to report image quality is weighted in the favour of the good.

Yes, familiar bugbears such as purple pixel fringing creep in between areas of high contrast; such as where tree leaves meet the sky, and some highlight detail is occasionally lost in strong sunlight with images taking on a more washed out appearance, but these are common concerns with any digital camera. This being a Casio camera, in general terms pictures are bold and bright in terms of colour and exposure as with its predecessors, and when the camera does get it right detail is almost too sharp, so has a distinctly digital look and feel.

Edge to edge sharpness is pretty well maintained, though handheld in lower light conditions and at anywhere near the telephoto extremity of the zoom we did struggle to avoid blur, which is a shame a regards the latter as the bigger than average focal range here is a real selling point. Still, this is also true of many rivals so we can't single out the Casio lone for its failings.

In terms of low light ISO performance, if you have a steady surface at your disposal the EX-ZR100 is actually pretty impressive, with the back illuminated sensor showing its mettle. There's not a pronounced difference in terms of loss of detail or increased image noise between ISO800 and ISO1600, so the latter remains a usable option if you want to retain 'best' quality. At top manually selectable ISO3200 option, detail does noticeably soften, but not to an extent that we'd consider an image taken at this setting unusable. At both settings noise is surprisingly well controlled, and the image bright and clear.

Overall not perfect, but certainly pretty good nonetheless, plus the HDR effects are fun when you get bored with merely pointing and shooting.

Noise

There are 6 ISO settings available on the Casio EX-ZR100. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting:

ISO 100 (100% Crop)	ISO 200 (100% Crop)
ISO 400 (100% Crop)	ISO 800 (100% Crop)
ISO 1600 (100% Crop)	ISO 3200 (100% Crop)

Sharpening

Here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Web - Quality 50 in Photoshop. The right-hand image has had some sharpening applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images are a little soft at the default sharpening setting and benefit from some further sharpening in a program like Adobe Photoshop.

Original (100% Crop)	Sharpened (100% Crop)

Chromatic Aberrations

The Casio EX-ZR100 kept chromatic aberrations largely under control during the review, with some purple fringing present around the edges of objects in high-contrast situations, as shown in the examples below.

Example 1 (100% Crop)	Example 2 (100% Crop)

Macro

The Casio EX-ZR100 offers a Super Macro setting that allows you to focus on a subject that is 1cm away from the camera when the lens is set to wide-angle. The first image shows how close you can get to the subject (in this case a compact flash card). The second image is a 100% crop.

Macro Shot	100% Crop

Night

The Casio EX-ZR100's maximum shutter speed is 15 seconds, which is very good news if you're seriously interested in night photography. The shot below was taken using a shutter speed of 1/60th second at ISO 640.

Night Shot	Night Shot (100% Crop)

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Casio EX-ZR100 camera, which were all taken using the 12 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample Movie & Video

As of February 2025, we are no longer providing full size sample images or videos for download.

Please contact us if you have any feedback on our new policy.

Product Images

Front of the Camera

Front of the Camera

Isometric View

Isometric View

Rear of the Camera

Rear of the Camera / Image Displayed

Top of the Camera

Bottom of the Camera

Side of Camera

Side of Camera

Memory Card Slot

Battery Compartment

Conclusion

Whilst lacking a GPS facility to make it a fully rounded travel zoom like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 or its Leica companion in the V-Lux 30, or new fangled software enhanced 3D shooting gimmickry, the Casio EX-ZR100 is cheaper than both (if going by the latest £179 street pricing) and will appeal to anyone looking for the one snapshot camera that nearly does it all. Like most compact cameras with a broader than average zoom range, sharpness suffers when used handheld at maximum telephoto setting without the aid of a tripod or supportive surface, but then again this is a humble snapshot that will slip easily into a pocket, so we're not expecting perfection at every turn.

Overall the Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 is a well built, generally competent and fairly priced - if going by the sub £200 street price - contender. Being faster and more responsive than we'd expect in its class, a conclusive 'fault' is hard to find. If you're on the look out for a pocket camera with a degree of manual control and some funky little extras therefore, as provided by the slow motion video, HDR Art and Dynamic Photo modes, albeit on occasion at a reduced resolution, then this is one travel zoom that almost has it all. For that reason, and with the above caveats, the Casio EX-ZR100 takes a PhotographyBlog Recommended badge this time around.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4
Features	4
Ease-of-use	4
Image quality	3.5
Value for money	3.5

Review Roundup

Reviews of the Casio EX-ZR100 from around the web.

Specifications

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