Casio Exilim EX-Z1200

12.10 Megapixels   3X zoom lens   2.8 inch LCD

After in May I reviewed the imposing 10.1-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z1050, which at that time was the most recent flagship of the Exilim Zoom range. However here we are only four months afterward and I'm reviewing a new, still more powerful Exilim Zoom, the much latest 12.1-megapixel EX-Z1200, which is the latest top of the range.

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I've often had a bit of a rant concerning the marketing-led progression of ever-more-powerful sensors, however the point bears repeating. As usual 10-megapixel image is nearly 3648 x 2736 pixels, while the images created by the EX-Z1200 and Sony's DSC-W200 are almost 4000 x 3000 pixels. Though that might sound pretty huge, it's merely a difference of 176 pixels horizontally and 132 vertically, or less than a ten percent gain in real image size. Considering that the EX-Z1200 is currently retailing pro just about £190, though the EX-Z1050 is merely about £130, you have to ask over yourself if an more 176 pixels is worth a fifty percent higher cost.

Opportunely the Z1200 has a lot more going pro it than only a bigger image size. It is a technically extremely sophisticated camera by an extensive range of features and choices, which go a long way away towards justifying the price. By way of the 12.1-megapixel sensor it has a 3x zoom, f=2.8 - 5.5, 7.9 - 23.7mm lens (37 to 111mm equiv.),  nearly 2.8-inch wide-format 230k monitor screen, moving-sensor image stabilisation, manual exposure choices and 848 x 480 widescreen movie mode. Casio's Exilim range has been always very excellent since its inception, by a long series of models that have competed on equivalent terms pro technical merit, best performance and high quality by the best compact cameras that each other manufacturers have produced, and while handling the Z1200 it is extremely clear that it is one more quality product.

Accessible in beautiful color such as black or silver the Z1200 has an all-aluminium body, however even so it is a solidly made camera. It measures nearly 93.3 x 58.5 x 22.4mm, which is actually a little slimmer than the Z1050, but it too weighs nearly 152g minus battery and card, which is well above average pro a digital camera of this size, and therefore the Z1200 feels lots denser and heavier than most of its rivals. This isn't a bad thing by any ways, because it adds to the feeling of good quality and makes the camera more stable when shooting at lower close up speeds. The rather chunky feel and the sensibly-placed rear thumb grasp make the camera firmly comfortable to hold. The generally design is sensibly understated, and the smooth profile of the flush-retracting lens and the flat pocket-friendly curved corners look functional with no being plain.

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