I cant say “Exilim“, but I sure wanted you to get a chance to check out this adorable camera! I was lucky enough to receive this sleek and modern 12.1 meg digital camera, that may be small enough to put in your pocket, but has so far proven to pack a major punch in photo and video quality.

Let’s start with the camera basics:

The EX-S12 has a stylish body measuring just .6″ thin (.5″ at the thinnest part). It boasts an effective 12.1 megapixel resolution with up to 3X optical zoom and 4X Digital zoom and a super clear 2.7″ LCD monitor.

CASIO INTRODUCES INDUSTRY’S FIRST MODEL THAT CAN MAKE COMPOSITE MOVING IMAGES, PLUS ENTRY LEVEL ADDITION TO CARD SERIES

LAS VEGAS, NV, MARCH 3, 2009 — Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., released some exciting details about its upcoming digital camera models today. Soon to be released, the EX-S12 can make the most of Casio’s high-speed image processing engine to enable users to cut and paste moving subjects onto still backgrounds.

Casio has been a pioneer in digital cameras for over ten years. The new models maintain Casio’s long tradition of innovation and creativity. In 1995, Casio introduced the QV-10, the world’s first consumer digital camera with an LCD monitor so users could view the images they had just taken. In 2002, the company released the EX-S1, a card-sized camera so thin that it could be carried anywhere. In 2008, Casio launched the highly anticipated EX-F1 and EX-FH20, boasting high-speed burst shooting capabilities to ensure that users would never miss a crucial moment again, not to mention the ability to record high-speed movies that capture motion too fast for the human eye to perceive.

EXILIM model EX-S12
Taking advantage of the high-speed image processing abilities of Casio’s state-of-the-art EXILIM Engine 4.0, which is built into these models, the new Dynamic Photo function allows the photographer to cut out the main subject of interest in an image that has just been captured and then combine it with another image to form the background. Users can also cut and paste several rapid-succession images to create a moving subject on a still background. This function makes it easy for users to create composite scenes from an image juxtaposition that exists only in virtual reality, or they can create a composite image that conveys a certain message. Casio technologies like these are creating whole new avenues of enjoyment that go far beyond mere picture-taking, delivering greater creative and viewing pleasure.

Casio has set up a special website (www.exilim.com/dp/) that demonstrates many interesting ways to use the Dynamic Photo function. Following the release of the camera, Casio will offer new services that expand the fun of the Dynamic Photo function

Also to be released at this time is the EXILIM EX-S5 — a camera with a compact body based on a new design concept — which makes high-quality photographic functionality simpler to use than ever before.

“Casio is dedicated to designing new technology that lets us create features like Dynamic Photo in our digital cameras,” said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Sales for Digital Imaging Division at Casio America, Inc. “We continue to be a leader in the digital camera market, providing unique and convenient ways to capture special moments.”

The EX-S12, available in April, will have an MSRP of $249.99 and will be offered in silver, pink, green and black colors.

On with my opinion. I am not a “technical” person, so I am going to speak from a “regular” average picture taking point of view.

I have not even touched the surface of everything this little camera can do. Every day I push a new button that does something different from rotating my pictures before they leave the camera, editing the movie I created, placing pictures in the foreground of another shot, and one touch video recording.

Let me talk about one touch recording for a minute.  I believe this is the best feature on this camera. I currently have a camera that you have to change the actual settings before you record and if your wanting to catch something quickly, you all but miss it before you get your camera ready. Not on the Exilim! Additionally, while recording, you can zoom in and out on the subject. Many cameras today allow recording, but not actual zooming from your digital but that is not the case here.

Oh and you can STILL take pictures while its recording! This is a pretty nice feature. I actually discovered it quite by accident when I forgot to take it off the video record when I went to take a picture. What it does is pause the recording automatically, takes your picture and goes right back to recording. No need to fuss changing the settings back and forth, back and forth. Sometimes pictures happen in an instant, so its nice to have a camera be there for you when it does.

Here is a sample of the video. It does better when you don’t zoom TOO close, which is expected, but I tested it out moving and zooming from far back, etc. to show you all.

[flashvideo filename="videos/casioexilim.flv" width="448" height="361" /]

Here are my shots from this weekend. These pictures are UNEDITED and straight from the camera in a variety of lighting situations on automatic:

I haven’t been using this camera long enough to tell you if there is a feature that I dislike as of this point, but as of right now, I am giving it a thumbs up with what I have used and seen. There is so much to do on it, I would be shocked if they missed something. However, you will need to do your research to see if this is the right camera for your particular needs and there is a bit of a learning curve with all the different settings and options available. Of course it comes with a book if you want to read that, but I throw myself into it and “figure it out”.

And at 12.1 meg, you can take a shot that you can blow up for your mantal fireplace picture. I actually bumped ours down to 5 meg when I took the shots so I didnt have to shrink them as much.

The last thing I am going to touch on is the size of the camera. It really is nearly flat. Its actually smaller than my cell phone in my pocket. I took it out with us to the beach and then panicked I forgot it, because I didn’t realize it was in my back pocket of my shorts.

I am going to enjoy getting to know this camera as it goes on our family adventures this summer!

GIVEAWAY

Casio was nice enough to allow us a giveaway of the Casio Exilim to a lucky reader. MSRP $249

To enter, answer one (or all) of the following questions:

• 1) Why are taking pictures important to you and your family?
• 2) What upcoming special moments are you hoping to capture?
• 3) What feature do you like most about the Casio Exilim?
• 4) Why do you need a new camera?

After you have completed your initial entry, you may enter unlimited in the following ways:

Talking about Casio cameras, tweeting entries, or keeping in line with the questions above.

contest closes 6/26