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Details at a glance
Megapixels: 5
Optical Zoom: 3x
Digital Zoom: 4x
LCD screen: 2.2inch
Storage: SD, MMC, 8.3mb int
Size: 90(w) x 59(h) x 16.1(d)
Weight: 115g
We clicked with
Two year warranty
Past movie feature
Metallic orange version
Shots in the dark
Only the quick start guide is in print form, you have to print the manual from the CD
LCD very tricky to see in bright sunlight.
Links
More Casio information
www.casio.co.uk
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The S500 was released late in the summer of 2005, the latest implementation using the EXILIM engine, Casio's image processor that promises quality images and quick operation without excessive battery drain. It's a very small camera, smaller even in width and height than Sony's astonishing DSC-T7 but a couple of millimetres thicker. As with most sub-compact cameras, in order to save space there's no optical viewfinder so to compensate there's a large (2.2inch) LCD screen.
Easy times
Being small, the camera can be tricky for people with large fingers to operate, particularly as the buttons are not really raised sufficiently for them to be found without looking, but a little practice is all it takes to get used to the control locations. The screen can display little pop-up help icons to explain the use of a particular icon on the screen.
For taking automatic shots, the S500 is very simple to use, literally 'point-and-shoot'. You can take it a step further with the over 30 built-in scenes; you select the one closest to the situation you are about to record with the 'Best Shot' button, then all the settings are pre-selected ready for the shot. With action shots, Casio's 'Anti-Shake DSP' will kick in automatically if camera shake is detected and electronically remove the effect of the disturbance from the shot. If you are shooting a lot of action photography you'll be pleased to know that Casio have (amazingly) managed to squeeze a tripod boss into the bottom of this model.
Close-up photography is helped with the auto-macro function which switches between normal and macro modes automatically. Indoor shots are enhanced by the pre-flash which aids auto-focus accuracy in dim lighting.
Taking it further
For enthusiasts who want to override the camera's choice of settings, there's a choice of sensitivity settings between IS0 50 and 400, semi-automatic and manual focus, manual and six pre-sets for white balance. Editing software on the camera allows you to cut sections of still images and save them as separate images.
Video shooting is available at three levels, low definition at 15fps for small, easy to email clips, and two versions of 640x480 at 30fps, normal and high quality. It's worth pointing out that you will need a high speed SD card (e.g. 66x) to record HQ video without dropping frames. All video modes will record until the available memory is full.
Shooting video and realised that you've missed the beginning of the action? No problem, the S500 was already recording and will add the previous five seconds to the clip. At the same time, the camera switches to 'Pan Focus' which gets rid of the motor noise from the mechanical auto-focus mechanism. Pressing the shutter release while filming video takes a separate still picture. And if you didn't think you'd want a particular still at the time of shooting, the camera can print out any frame of your choice from a video segment to a Pictbridge compatible printer.
Winning choice
The supplied docking station includes a battery charger. Although that means taking the docking station away with you on trips, it's preferable to many other sub-compacts where you have to remove the battery each time it needs charging. Charging takes two hours and Casio claim a constant video recording time of 80 minutes or 200 still shots from one charge.
There are very few downsides to this camera. The zoom lens retracts fully into the camera when switched off so it could fit in a wallet, let alone a handbag or jacket pocket, making it a perfect go-anywhere camera that is capable of taking more than just point-and-shoot photos.
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Ease of use 
Functions 
Value for Money
Overall 
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The quality of both still and video photography is excellent for a camera of this size and should delight. That said, it's a compact, and serious photographers will always want the flexibility of a larger cousin. |
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