Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)After I've tried another model, EX-Z60 (you can read my review of that one also if you'd like), and fell in love with it, I did some more research, and decided to go with a Z600 instead. I also considered a Z750, Z850, and S600 models as well, but still chose Z600 over the other ones. You might want to ask why? Well, I was looking for a true P&S (point and shoot) type of camera, and both Z750 and Z850 are more for someone who wants manual control. There are also a lot of complaints about Z850's poor video quality (amongst other problems), and Z750 has some kind of a lens defect. In any case, like I said I didn't want a "professional" camera, although I do know quite a bit about digital photography (I used to work for Kodak in Digital Imaging Department for a few years), but was looking for something a little more simple to use. Of course, picture quality and price were some things that I considered when looking for a camera. I used to own a Canon prior to purchasing Casio, and I have also tried a few other brands/cameras as well; Kodak, Sony, and some others. None of them have really impressed me. I continued to look around, and last week I came across a Z60 at Walmart (great return policy, btw), so I gave it a "shot". I was literally blown away by the picture quality. Add to it a bunch of cool features, a nice looking design, and a reasonable price, and you've got yourself a "perfect" camera. Now, back to why I chose Z600 over Z60, and why I didn't buy an S600. After I "discovered" for myself Casio Exilim series, specifically Z60 model, I did some more research and realized that Casio has actually a lot to offer. Believe or not, they've just released a 10MP compact digital camera! In any case, using selected criteria, I've narrowed down my search to Z60, which I've already tried; Z600, which I've only heard/read about; and S600, which a very good friend of mine owns. I was very indecisive for some time, but finally decided to go with Z600. Here is a list of Pros and Cons for a Z600 (I got it two days ago from BeachCamera), and a little bit of comparison between it and the other two models:
Pros:
Design - It's very compact, yet it's very convenient to hold and operate. I got it in silver finish, and it looks totally awesome! How does it compare to Z60 and S600? In my opinion, it's slightly better looking than a Z60. It's also just a bit smaller, and weighs a little less. Also, and this is very important to me, the zoom on the Z600 is right on top of the shutter button, which I think is very convenient - you zoom in or out on the object, and then take a picture using the same finger. On a Z60, however, and it might be just a slight inconvenience for some people, and other might not even notice it, the zoom buttons are actually on the back of the camera, to the right of the display. Like I said, not a big deal, and probably a matter of preference. Now, the S600 - well, this is by far the best looking digital camera that I have ever seen. It's called a Card Camera, because it looks and feels like a credit card. There is no doubt it will attract a lot of attention from people around you. Why didn't I buy an S600 then - read on and you'll find out.
Picture Quality - Awesome!!! Bright, crisp, clear, and very "color-true"... especially in Macro mode (when you shoot an object up close). I have shot pictures in normal conditions, poor light conditions, indoors, outdoors, portraits of people, food, trees, architecture, and anything else you can possible think of, and it has yet to disappoint me. Z60's picture quality is just as good. S600, on the other hand, suffers from underexposure and blurriness a little bit. Maybe I'm been too picky here, but when I put my pictures next to what the friend of mine shot with his S600, I could clearly see the difference - mine been better that is.
Features - Amazing, simply amazing. For a little tiny compact camera, it's packed with various modes and features. Anti-shake stability control, 33 best shot modes (including EBay mode, where the pictures are specifically optimized for selling items on EBay) are just to name a few. I would also like to mention a huge 2.7" LCD (display), but I want to put it in a separate category. Z60 has pretty much the same features. For some reason though I think anti-shake (or DSP - Digital Stabilization Process) feature works better on a Z600. S600, however, lacks a few things, like EBay mode for example. It does, however, takes video in MPEG-4 format, comparing to AVI on a Z600 and Z60. It's a much better format in a sense that it's a better quality format, and also requires 5 times less space. That could be a selling point for some people, but I think the main reason for a camera is not to take videos, but to take pictures, and in this category both Z600 and Z60 are hands down better. Plus, the video on a Z600 and Z60 is not that bad either.
Display - Huge, super bright 2.7" LCD. It's not only bigger than the 2.5" on Z60, and 2.2" on S600, but it is also specifically designed to be able to see under bright sunshine - something that neither Z60 or S600 have to offer.
Battery Life - I thought that Z60's battery life was good. I didn't think it was possible, but this one is even better. It lasts forever!!! S600 is not even close.
Price - Z60 is the cheapest one in the bunch. Z600 is about 20 bucks more (shop around online, but I found BeachCamera to have the best deal so far), but considering you are getting a bigger display and slightly better functionality, I think it's well worth it. S600 is a bit pricy though. It's about 50 bucks more than the Z600, and 70-80 comparing to Z60. In my opinion, you're just paying for the looks.
Cons:
Well, once again, it's a matter of preference, and I realize that for some people it might be a plus, but I don't like the USB cradle. You have to use it not only for transferring pictures, and hooking the camera up to the TV, but also for charging the battery. Slight inconvenience, but an inconvenience nevertheless... at least for me. I believe S600 also comes with the USB cradle. Z60 just has cables, and I would really prefer that with the Z600. Maybe I'll just buy those separately.
Summary:
There you have it... I think I've made the right decision with buying a Z600 over Z60 or S600. It's a very nice camera and I am enjoying it enormously. I hope you will too.
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Casio Exilim EX-Z600 6MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Anti-Shake Zoom (Silver)MD) CL) CASIO EXLIM Z600 SILVER DIG
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