The Hunt for the Best Ultra-Compact Camera

Recording Features: Casio Exilim Ex-Z40

In all recording modes, the Ex-Z40 records images as JPEG files with quality settings: Fine, Normal, or Economy. The resolution options are below:

Resolution (pixels)

2304x1728

2304x1536 (3:2)

1600x1200

1280x960

640x480

By default, the left/right arrow keys can be used to select the recording mode of the Z40. However, the recording mode can also be selected in the main menu. The following 5 recording modes are available: Snapshot, Bestshot, Movie, Snapshot Audio, and Voice Recording. Although the Z40 does not have a traditional "Auto" mode, Snapshot mode can be as automatic as you want it to be.

AF Modes
Spot, AF locked	Multi, AF locked

By pressing the up arrow button, you can select from the following focus options: Auto, Macro, PF, Infinity, and Manual focus. With Auto focus, the camera can be set to either Spot or Multi focus mode. The option to choose Spot or Multi points is in the main menu. With Spot selected, the camera uses the center point for focus. In Multi mode, the Z40 chooses from 7 horizontally-aligned focal points automatically. In macro mode, the camera is able to focus as close as 2.4" from the subject. PF stands for Pan Focus and is used to bypass a full auto-focus for faster shooting. With Manual focus selected, you can use the left/right keys to adjust the focal plane. In addition to the focus types, you can also select the flash mode from the following: Auto, Flash off, Flash on, and Red-eye reduction.

Info

Info w/live histogram

No Info

Pressing the Display button causes the LCD to cycle through the following display options: Info., Info. w/live histogram, no info., and LCD off.

In any of the available recording modes, pressing the Menu button displays the following options for adjustment:

REC Menu
REC Mode	Snapshot, BestShot, Movie, Snapshot Audio, Voice Recording
Self-timer	10 sec, 2 sec, X3, Off
Size	2304x1728, 2304x1536 (3:2), 1600x1200, 1280x960, 640x480
Quality	Fine, Normal, Economy
EV Shift	+/- 2 stops in 1/3 increments
White Balance	Auto, Sunlight, Overcast, Shade, Light bulb, Fluorescent, Manual
ISO	Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400
AF Area	Spot, Multi
Auto PF	On, Off
Grid	On, Off
Digital Zoom	On, Off
Review	On, Off
L/R Key	REC Mode, EV Shift, White Balance, ISO, Self-timer, Off

Self-timer mode on the Z40 offers a special option called X3, which takes 3 pictures in a row. When selected, the camera counts down from 10 seconds to record an image. After a short preparation time, the camera then takes 2 more pictures separated by a short delay. Auto PF refers to "Automatic Pan Focus". With this set to "On", the camera will take pictures without performing a full auto-focus. This enables the camera to take images with a shorter lag time. However, because the camera does not perform a full auto-focus, we only recommend this for subjects that are far away. With the Grid option selected, a 3x3 grid will appear on the LCD monitor to aid in image composition. The L/R Key option is a great idea. It allows you to specify the functionality of the left/right arrow keys. By default, they control the recording mode. However, you can select any of the options listed above to increase efficiency.

We should point out that there are no options to change the metering type. The Z40 always uses multi-pattern metering.

In Bestshot mode, there are 21 presets from which to select as well as a custom option that allows you to specify your own settings for future use. Below are the different presets along with the description that the Z40 provides for each:

Bestshot modes
Portrait	Enhanced flesh tones
Scenery	Infinity focus/Hard Sharpness/High saturation
Portrait With Scenery	Enhanced flesh tones
Coupling Shot	Uses separate areas to combine two shots.
Pre-shot	Shoot the background first, then have someone shoot you in front of it.
Children	Enhanced flesh tones and high sensitivity
Candlelight Portrait	Soft sharpness and daylight white balance
Party	High sensitivity
Pet	High sensitivity
Flower	Macro Mode/High saturation
Natural Green	Hard sharpness and high saturation enhance the green hues.
Sundown	Infinity focus/Red filter/Daylight white balance
Night Scene	Slow shutter speed/Daylight white balance
Night Scene Portrait	Slow shutter speed/Red-eye reduction flash
Fireworks	Slow shutter speed/Infinity focus
Food	Macro mode/High saturation
Text	Macro mode/Hard sharpness/High contrast
Collection	Macro mode/Displays a compositional outline
Monochrome	Uses the monochrome filter.
Retro	Uses low contrast and the sepia color filter.
Twilight	Uses high color saturation and the magenta color filter.
Register User Scene	Registers a new user scene.

Movie mode on the Ex-Z40 is capable of recording video with audio in AVI format. The frame rate and resolution are fixed at 15 fps 320x240. The optical zoom is disabled during recording. However, the digital zoom is available. Through the menu, major options such as white balance and ISO are available for adjusting. We will take a look at a sample movie in our General Image Quality section.

With Snapshot Audio mode, you are able to take a picture and then record an audio clip that will be associated with it. The audio clip will be recorded as a WAV file incorporating the same number as the image. In Voice Recording mode, the lens retracts about a second after selecting the mode. You are then able to record audio up to the limit of the internal memory/card capacity. The audio clip is recorded with the next consecutive number.

In all recording modes, there is a Setup menu available with the following options:

Set Up Menu
Sounds	Startup, Half Shutter, Shutter, Operation (Sound 1-5) Volume (1-7)
Startup	Exilim screen, Custom
File No.	Continue, Reset
World Time	Select Home City, Select World Time City
Date Style	YY/MM/DD, DD/MM/YY, MM/DD/YY
Adjust (time)	Set
Language	Select
Sleep	30 sec, 1, 2 min, Off
Auto Power Off	2, 5, min.
REC/PLAY	Power On, Power On/Off, Disable
USB	Mass Storage (USB DIRECT PRINT), PTP (PictBridge)
Format	Cancel, Format
Reset	Cancel, Reset

The "Sounds" option allows the user to select which sounds the camera should use for its various operations. The Startup option allows you to select either the Exilim startup screen or to select a user image. Selecting Reset for the menu item "File No." will reset the camera's numbering system. The REC/PLAY option allows you to specify the behavior of the Play and Record buttons on the back of the camera. We found the main power button to be a little hard to press, so it is nice to have the option to set the Play/Rec buttons to power on and off the camera. Finally, the Reset option will change the camera back to its factory defaults.