By Reuben Lee
16/08/2002
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001469,39073221,00.htm

Casio Exilim EX-S1		Sony Cyber-shot DSC-U10
CNET rating:   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 best		CNET rating:   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 best

Click to compare: Features

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Image quality

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Specs

The recent launch of the Casio Exilim and Sony Cyber-shot U cameras has brought about a new trend in miniature digital cameras. Designed as daily accessories rather than as cameras, these new "micro-machines" are so small, users can pretty much carry them around wherever they go and hardly feel the extra load. They may not be the smallest ones available, but they are packed with sufficient features, including a 1.3-megapixel CCD sensor, to capture and make decent 4R or even 5R prints.

However, as with all miniature products, there are tradeoffs to a tiny form factor. And the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-U10 and Casio Exilim EX-S1 are no exceptions. So before you get your hands on one of these cute little cameras, do check out our feature comparison table in the next two pages for a better idea of what's good or missing in each model.

Comparing feature set

Casio Exilim EX-S1

While both cameras sport an ultra-small form factor and an ergonomic design, each has its own merit and drawbacks. The Casio Exilim, with its credit card-sized footprint and ultra-slim 11.3mm thickness, provides a firmer grip because of the larger holding area. Its 1.6-inch LCD display also gives a better view of the subject than the dim 1-inch screen of the Sony Cyber-shot. The Exilim also has an optical viewfinder. In terms of build quality, the brushed metal case gives the Casio a sturdy feel and the buttons are very responsive.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-U10

The Cyber-shot U10, on the other hand, delivers a more comfortable grip with its thicker body and smaller footprint. The camera comes with a useful sliding lens cover (something painfully missing in the Exilim), which not only provides easier on/off access to the camera but also offers added protection for the lens element--an extremely essential feature for a pocket-sized camera. In addition, the Cyber-shot is powered using two commercially available AAA-sized batteries, which can be conveniently replaced but somehow provides a shorter battery life.

Where camera controls are concerned, both cameras are essentially point-and-shoot offerings and are not too difficult to use. However, each model approaches this in a different way. The Cyber-shot offers user-selectable pre-programmed scene settings for shooting in various difficult situations such as night portraits and landscape sceneries. The Exilim has more manual controls like white balance and exposure compensation to improve shots.

Product Name	Casio Exilim EX-S1	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-U10
Price	Est. price : S$469 (US$269)	Est. price : S$399 (US$229)
Accessories	Charging cradle, rechargeable battery pack and USB cable (requires cradle to charge and transfer images)	Two AAA-sized batteries and charger, USB cable and neck strap (charges out of camera)
Physical dimensions
Form factor	Ultra-slim 11.3mm thickness, fits well into pockets	Smaller than credit card, handy-sized
Grip	Firm	Comfortable
LCD screen	Bright and sharp 1.6-inch LCD display	Small and dim 1-inch LCD display (reflective with backlight)
Lens cover	None	Sliding lens cover/power switch
Buttons	Responsive navigation stick	Not as intuitive but still easy to use
Optical viewfinder	Yes	None
Camera features
Digital zoom	Yes	None
White balance	Yes, including manual white balance	None
Exposure compensation	Yes	None
Picture effects	None	Yes
Preset scene modes	None	Yes, including night shot mode
Connection	USB	USB (camera is bus-powered during connection)
Macro mode	None	Yes (automatic)
Storage type(s)	14MB internal RAM, SD/MMC slot	Memory Stick (8MB provided)

A shot-by-shot comparison

Most of the images taken with the Sony Cyber-shot show a higher level of color saturation than the ones captured with the Exilim. Pictures also tended to be better illuminated, especially night images which were hardly possible for the Exilim in some cases. Macro shots using the Cyber-shot turned out fine, too.

The Exilim, on the other hand, captured colors which were not too saturated, and were natural and well-balanced, probably due to the user-selectable white balance modes. Skin tones turned out really well in outdoor shooting conditions and the camera tended to imbue its images with a warm feel.

Product Name	Casio Exilim EX-S1	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-U10
Indoor close-up shot
Outdoor scenery
Outdoor shot
Outdoor portrait
Night street shot (Cyber-shot taken with Night Scene mode)