Introduction

The Exilim C721 for Verizon is Casio's newest entry in the U.S. handset market. It offers a 5.1-megapixel, full-featured camera from the Japanese company's popular Exilim camera series -- known for packing a lot of technology into a slim package.

Casio Exilim (C721)

Your Price: $199.99 with service

Its newest incarnation has a high-resolution camera and high-end price tag put it in the same class as the popular Sony Ericsson C905a's 8.1-megapixel powerhouse.

Marketed as a "camera attached to a phone," the Exilim uses a pivoting clamshell design for a more digital camera "feel." It has 3X optical zoom, a 2.3-inch rear viewfinder and -- like Casio's earlier G'zOne outdoor models -- is tested to meet strict military standards to withstand water, shock, wind and high temperatures.

The handset also features a music player, HTML web browser, TV-out connection, Bluetooth capability and a micro SD slot to augment its 128MB internal memory.

It comes installed with Verizon's services such as VCAST Video to watch clips, VCAST Music with Rhapsody to download songs, VZ Navigator for turn-by-turn directions and Visual Voicemail to select which messages they want to listen to first, with options to forward, archive, call back or respond with a SMS.

Design

With its chrome-and-black body and pivoting clamshell, the Casio Exilim's design plays on its dual functionality as a camera and phone. The top half of the hybrid -- made of shiny, hard black plastic -- smudges easily. The metallic, bottom half feels sturdy and balanced in the hand.

The raised, backlit keypad feel sturdy and responds easily to pressure. A directional key with a center select button navigates screen menus, while right and left soft keys provide access to shortcuts and menu selections.

A dedicated camera/camcorder key turns on the camera quickly for action snaps.

A button to the right of the directional key serves multiple functions as a speakerphone, camera flash/flashlight or auto focus lock button, depending on the handset's mode.

On the right edge contains the charging/data port, volume rocker, back key, volume rocker, select key and camera shutter key. Some of these keys turn into camera functions when the phone is in reverse-clamshell position.

The left spine holds the memory card slot and charging terminal. The Exilim requires a cumbersome charging cradle (included) to charge the phone, an unfortunate design choice for users who like to travel light.

A red light on the bottom indicates when the phone is charging.

The back houses the camera's 5.1-megapixel lens, flash and battery cover. Since the camera lens is made of reinforced glass, it smudges easily. For protection, a divot keeps the lens raised slightly when the phone rests on a flat surface.

The handset's stiff hinge makes it awkward to flip open with one hand. It's equally impossible to twist and close the phone with one hand. These difficulties aside, when the hinge is fully closed, the camera function kicks in automatically.

Out of the box, the Casio Exilim comes with a 920 mAh Li-Ion battery, wall charger, USB cable, headset adapter, charging cradle, wrist strap, Digital Photo Album software CD, user guide and quick reference guide.

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