Casio Exilim EX-V7 Review - Cosmetics
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The first thing you notice with this camera is its small size. It is definitely a pocket-sized camera, although it does weigh a lot relative to its size. The EX-V7 weighs in at 5.3 ounces without the battery, and its dimensions come in at 3.8 x 1 x 2.4 inches. I think its size is a big plus, and I expect this model to sell very well because of this. This camera also looks attractive, and comes in two different colors, black or silver.
The lens on the EX-V7 is protected by a sliding lens cover, much like Sony's D series cameras. The lens is capable of 7x optical zoom, and covers the equivalent of 38mm-266mm. The camera will turn on automatically when the lens cover is opened.
All of the controls, except for the shutter button, are located on the rear of this camera. The rear of the camera also sports the high resolution 2.5 inch LCD screen, which is bright and colorful and does well even when outside. The controls are very minimal, probably for lack of space reasons. This may cause a bit of frustration for some people who want dedicated buttons for certain functions. You will not get that with this camera, as all of the functions of this camera are controlled through the internal menu system. This can greatly slow down operation of the camera when you're trying to make certain adjustments for a shot in a short period of time.
Another issue I found with the design of this camera is that because it is so small, it can be tough to operate one-handed. On top of that, the lens is very close to the corner of the camera, right where your finger is placed while holding it. This can cause your finger to sneak into some of the photos by accident if you are not careful.
Also on the rear of the camera is the zoom slider, which is used for zooming purposes. Next to that you can find the functions dial; it controls which function the camera is using. Below the functions dial is a 4-way rocker that helps the user navigate through the extensive menu system.
The minor issues with the design of this camera are to be expected in such a small package. If you want dedicated buttons, hand grips, or other features, you need to have space. A camera of this size simply doesn't have the real estate to fit all of the features you would need onto the exterior of the camera. The only solution to that problem is to use the internal menu system to find the settings or options for which you're looking. Although I see the reasoning behind the lack of external controls, it is still a pain at times to have to navigate through a menu system to find the feature you need.
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