Just like everyone else, I use a digital camera and for purposes of maintaining this blog (as well as the upkeep of being a “Socialmedialite”), a digital camera is a default item that I use and rely on almost on a daily basis. In the last several weeks I’ve been whining about how very badly I need a new digital compact camera to bring with me on trips. You see, my default camera is a Canon 5DMKII, outfitted with a 24-105 L lens and Speedlight. I love shooting with this ensemble, except when I have to carry everything out and shoot away from home. Two words: BULKY, HEAVY. Booooo.
As much as I love my DSLR and the gorgeous images that it can capture, I get no thanks from my shoulders, neck and lower back. So when I was planning my recent trip to New York, Casio very kindly lent me the new Exilim EX-10 digital compact to bring along. I have seen this nifty little guy in action before, in the brilliant hands of my buddies at Superadrianme.com (read their review here; oh hey, my mugshots are in that post too!). Being a model in their photos was much easier than actually navigating my way around the learning curve of this new digital camera. But! After using the camera during my trip, there are some really cool features on the Casio Exilim EX-10 which I absolutely must gush about in this post.
First, I really like that the Casio Exilim EX-10 has a large and Flippable LCD Screen. I have found the other cameras with similarly flippable screens to either have screens too small or have limited angles of rotation – both of which are awkward for capturing selfies. Speaking of selfies, this camera has a built-in Makeup Mode (ie. beauty mode) that reduces and softens harsh lines on your face. Bye bye, eyebags and less-than-perfect complexion! Casio is thoughtful enough to make the makeup mode level adjustable, so you don’t look all washed out and plastic-y.
I’m also excited about the Motion Trigger Sensor Mode in this camera. This is by far, one of the coolest features I enjoy tremendously. No more setting up the remote and then scrambling to get into the shot before the camera snaps an image. With the motion trigger sensor, I can be in the photo together with my friends and not look like I planted myself in the pre-designated spot at the very last second. All I had to do was wave at the camera and voila!
Say cheese, everyone!
Wait, who’s taking the photo!? Why, the person who waves at the camera!
My friends and I got a kick out of this at a birthday house party one evening. My silly besties were so cute, they kept their hands up even after waving at the camera and after the shots were taken. No gurls, you don’t have to do that. Put your hands down!
Photobombed, hahaha.
The Motion Trigger Sensor Mode made it so easy to keep taking continuous snaps without having to get up. It’s a super fun feature for group shots and here I’ve made a candid animated GIF by combining multiple shots (using Photoshop).
The BEST feature I absolutely love is the Wifi Connectivity Mode. Using the Casio Exilim app for smartphones, photos captured using the camera can be transferred instantly to a smartphone. The connection is a closed network between the camera and phone, so even when I was in a no wifi, no cellular zone (like inside the NYC subways underground), I was still able to make the image transfer. And then when I was back up at street level, I posted the images on my Instagram for you all to see and double tap.
Image on camera.
Same image posted on Instagram via smartphone.
This feature is extremely convenient and useful for me. Sure, I could take photos using my smartphone to begin with but why? Not when the Casio Exilim ES-10 can capture images in low light condition very well. The images are so much better than what my smartphone can capture – like the ones below, taken at Dover, a New York Times-rated restaurant in Brooklyn.
I was hooked on this wifi connectivity feature especially as I was out and about a lot in New York, eating all sorts of beautiful food and couldn’t wait to share with everyone in real time over my social media channels. And because the camera is compact enough, I was happy that it fit into my bag without adding a lot of weight or bulk. Imagine if I had to lug around my DSLR ensemble all over the city. No way, Jose.
Majority of the images I posted on my Instagram while in New York were captured with the Casio Exilim EX-10. All images pertaining to the blog posts here about that same trip are also from the same camera. Below are some images from my Shake Shack lunch.
Vibrant colorful images, eh?
Granted I didn’t spend enough time to familiarize myself with all of the other cool features that this camera has during my trip – ie. Time Lapse Video Mode, Intelligent Bracketing Mode, High Speed Video Recording Mode – I really got a kick outta the convenience and performance of the Casio Exilim EX-10.
As I was packing up the camera and getting it ready to be returned, I mentally went through the features that I got hooked on and will greatly miss:
- Compact size and portability
- Good performance under low light conditions
- Flippable Screen Mode
- Makeup Mode
- Motion Sensor Trigger Mode
- Wifi Connectivity Mode
This handy multi-purpose compact digital camera was a great and much lighter alternative to my DSLR ensemble; traveling with the Casio Exilim EX-10 was a breeze and I even got to blog on the go (something which I normally don’t do). As far as blogging goes, my workflow typically includes plugging the memory card manually into my computer (ie. after I get home), editing the saturation/sharpness/brightness etc. with a post-processing software, resizing and then uploading. With this digital compact camera, it effectively eliminated all the above steps and I was able to jump straight into inserting the images straight out of camera right into my blog article which I crafted using my iPad. And I got to social-media my images on the fly too, making me doubly productive. The time I saved from uploading and editing images alone allowed me to explore the city, catch up with my friends, and take more photos!
This camera retails island-wide at S$1099.00. Thank you so very much, Casio, for the loan. :)
x,
-MB.
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