Construction and design
The Casio Exilim EX-Z40 is a compact and stylish design and it should be hard-wearing too as it is clad in a metal overcoat. It doesn't feel overly heavy or light when you pick it up. It has a feel of quality about it. The exterior design looks neat and tidy and is devoid of a clutter of buttons. On the down side, what controls there are must share the multiple functions and the labelling of such functions is rather perfunctory.
Casio is quite unpretentious about the fact it's not an optics manufacturer. The lens on the EX-Z40 is supplied from and labelled Pentax and on past record this has been a good choice. Canon lenses have also featured on selected Casio cameras too.
(Front of camera, above) A: Strap lug, B: Shutter release buttont, C: Flash unit, D: Microphone, E: Self-timer indicator light, F: Optical viewfinder, G: Lens, H: Battery and memory card compartment cover.
(Rear of camera, above) A: Audio speaker, B: Optical viewfinder, C: Status lamps for indicating AF warning, power on, camera busy, flash charging/cannot charge, memory card problem, etc., D: Playback mode switch, E: Picture taking mode switch, F: Shutter release button, G: Lens and image review zoom rocker switch, H: Menu switch, I: Strap lug, J: Menu set button, K: Four-way navigation paddle and close-focus, flash mode, calendar mode, focus mode selector, L: Display mode switch, N: 2.0" TFT LCD display monitor.
The power on/off switch is recessed against accidental operation and is situated to the left of the shutter release button (above)
The photographer's eye view of the EX-Z40 is quite straightforward, with the huge 2.0 inch display dominating the back of the camera.
A significant problem with the EX-Z40 is that because the screen is so large, there is limited space to grip the back of the camera without accidentally pressing one of the controls. This can lead to some confusing situations where, for example, the camera powers-up in an unexpected mode or menus appear when you didn't need them.
While a large screen is welcome, the EX-Z40's one was problematic. It was not as easy to view in bright sunshine as we expected, bright areas of a scene being viewed often created electronic flare and ghosting - which was not recorded in the image, incidentally � in low light we noted a lot noise and occasionally the screen appeared to lose colour and sharpness even when navigating menus. In the latter respect, it's probable that our camera was suffering from an intermittent fault.
The front view of the EX-Z40 with the lens recessed hints at how slim its design is
It achieves its slim design through an innovative mechanism developed by Pentax, who supply the lens to Casio, which packs the lens internals away in two parts when the camera is powered off. This explains why the front element of the lens is not in the centre of the barrel.
This lens was first introduced in the Pentax Optio S, on which the Exilim EX-Z40 and other related Casio models, is � you might say, inspired.
It's remarkable how the lens can be packed away into such a slim body
Above you can see the full extent of the range of lens extension
according to the zoom setting
The baseplate of the camera reveals an almost ideally positioned tripod socket, though only a small tripod head would not foul the large battery and memory card bay cover. The central connector is for the supplied docking cradle that connects the camera to the charging power supply and to a host computer if required via USB. There are no other ports on the camera, so you are quite dependent on the docking cradle.
Limited battery life is simply not an issue with the EX-Z40 thanks to its generously rated 3.7V 1230mAh lithium ion rechargeable battery. Beneath the battery slot is the SD/MMC card slot.
The battery and memory card (above) provide some sense of scale
On a desk at home the supplied docking cradle simply provides a convenient way of charging the camera and connecting it, via USB, to a computer. But when travelling, it�s a bulky accessory you might need to take with you. Charging status and USB connection are indicated via two status lights. The button labelled 'Photo' starts a slide show of pictures stored in the camera's memory card.
Unfortunately, there is no TV display connection provided on either the camera or the cradle.
All you will find on the rear of the docking cradle is a power socket for the compact world-standard mains electricity adapter and, unusually, a standard full-size USB cable connector socket, for connection to a computer.
The docked camera in its cradle in sideways profile
To summarise the design and construction of the Casio Exilim EX-Z40, it looks great and is well made. However, that huge display has compromised the space available for gripping the camera, the display itself is of disappointing quality and you are reliant on the extra bulk of the docking cradle for recharging the camera and for USB connectivity. The absence of a TV out port is also very disappointing.
