Casio EXILIM EX-Z33 Digital Camera [Entry-Level 10.1MP, 2.5-in Widescreen LCD, 3X Optical Zoom, You Tube Capture Mode]

There really isn’t much that can be said about the latest product introduction from Casio. Their EXILIM Zoom EX-Z33 digital camera is a pretty basic, entry-level offering that doesn’t give up much in the way of unique or innovative features. But, then again, what would one expect from a product that is clearly aimed at the low end of the purchasing demographic. The Casio EX-Z33 is basically a 10.1MP camera and not really much else. It features a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5-in widescreen LCD, automatic face recognition and something called the Best Shot function.

Casio’s EXILIM Zoom EX-Z33 comes with a Best Shot function that can be programmed to automatically adjust to the scene being shot, these include portrait and scenery as well as flower, sundown, candlelight portrait and sports – totaling 23 different scenarios. Videos can also be uploaded directly to YouTube, saving recorded movies to the world’s largest video sharing site.

The EX-Z33 also has the ability to sense when camera movement or subject movement stops so that it can take pictures with a minimal amount of blur. Supposedly, this is supposed to eliminate the blur caused by pressing the shutter button of the camera. Now here’s a relatively useless function. The camera will also automatically release the shutter at the moment of a smile. Now what happens if your subject doesn’t smile? Are you left standing there like a tool with the camera in your hand and an even more irritated subject? They should have saved the money on this feature and upped the resolution.

The camera also have a Face Detection function that allows users to detect the presence of people’s faces, and then, prior to shooting, the camera automatically recognizes the pre-registered face or faces that should be most clearly photographed, and gives those faces priority for correct focus and exposure. Now even cameras are playing favorites.

OK, I’ve been a bit hard on the EX-Z33, so how about giving it some props. The camera offers a YouTube Capture Mode, which records and saves movies at the ideal settings for the world’s largest video sharing site. Now that sounds like something that might be useful. Pricing and availability are yet TBD.