Casio Exilim EX-Z40

Summary Bad Support, Fragile Camera Bought the camera at Sharper Image in August of 2004. Have been very happy with the camera. Wife took the camera and wanted to take pictures one day, turned it on, the lens came out, it beeped a few times, and it never did anything else. Casio support says they'll look at it and see if it's covered under warranty (lens damage isn't, but manufacturing defects are). A week later I get an invoice for $207.95. Even though I called their support number (1.800.706.2534 option 1,1,then 2) several times (while the letter was in the mail) asking for a status they told me nothing and let the letter surprise me. They even said I'd have to pay to have it sent back to me after originally telling me I wouldn't have to. The support people were short and gave the impression they couldn't care less. This was a birthday present for my wife and it lasted 6 months. Be wary of any of these small cameras as they say they have a 1 year warranty but most of the complaints I've read online deal with this same issue (and none are covered). Sharper Image offered a 'no questions asked warranty' for additional $$ that, in hindsight, I should have bought... if you're going to get one of these small cameras, don't make the same mistake.

Pros Easy to use, good quality pictures

Cons had six months, didn't drop, lens locked, not covered under warranty

Kodak dc280, Canon Digital Rebel 300d

shaky

I really like it. It's amazingly small (so small I'm worried I'll lose it down the back of the couch). As such, perfect to just stick in your pocket and go out with. The image quality is very good (although it's relative to size and cost of course). There is a bit of CA (purple fringing) but it's not terrible and you have to expect some weaknesses when you pack so much into such a small camera. You have to remember what's it's designed for - taking snaps - at it does this really well. I work in travel and it would take brochure-quality shots - at least at A5 probably A4. The functionality is very intuitive. I bought mine on ebay and it didn't come with a manual but you really don't need one. It has all the basic features you'd expect. Only annoying thing is the little battery/SD card cover seems quite flimsy, but the body itself seems tough.

Size and weight Good images Easy to use Tough metal body

A bit of purple fringing

IXUS 500 G5

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