Gear Review

Casio Exilim EX-S100

Casio's Exilim EX-S100 digital camera has become an essential part of my SierraDescents.com photography gear. The EX-S100 is about the size of a credit card, allowing it to fit easily into your pocket, and making it easily accessible for quick snapshots.

Many times I've passed up a shot with my Nikon D70 because it was too much trouble to stop and pull it out of my backpack.

Now I carry the Casio in my pocket, allowing me to take pictures I'd otherwise never get—such as while perched on crampons on a steep face.

Obviously, the Casio's image quality can't compare to a digital SLR. At only 3 megapixels, the sharpness is noticeably inferior. However, the EX-S100 does a surprisingly good job with color and exposure, and it features a 2 1/2-times optical zoom. Casio also makes several models in the Exilim series, including a 7 megapixel model that delivers significantly better resolution.

For now, I'm happy with the EX-S100. It perfectly suits my needs as a quick, snapshot camera. And its weight is a very svelte 4.5 ounces, battery and memory card included. Casio was also kind enough to include an alarm clock feature with the EX-S100, which I use instead of a watch to get my "alpine" starts.

You can see image samples from the Casio throughout SierraDescents.com's trip reports. Or, just look at this photo of my Nikon D70.