The Casio TRYX TR100 shows innovation with its rotating outer frame. But are there any more TRYX up its sleeve? The What Digital Camera Casio EXILIM TRYX EX-TR100 review takes a look...
Casio EXILIM TRYX EX-TR100 Review
The Casio EXILIM TRYX EX-TR100 was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show 2011 where we first managed to get our hands on it. An innovative idea, the TRYX TR100 has a rotating outer frame that can be twisted into various fashions – it can act as a tripod or even a hook – for more unusual shooting angles. With the capacity for 270 degrees of vertical rotation and an endless 360 degree horizontal rotation it’s also idea for self-portraits. But what else is there that makes the TRYX desirable? The What Digital Camera Casio EXILIM TRYX TR100 review takes a look…
Casio EXILIM TRYX EX-TR100 review – Features
The Casio EXILIM TRYX TR100 is unlike any other camera on the market. But it also has a number of restrictions more likely to break it than make it for the more general market.
First of all the 21mm wideangle lens doesn’t offer any optical zoom, instead a 4x digital zoom will crop into the image and therefore deteriorate quality. Furthermore 21mm is very wideangle – good for fitting lots into the frame but barrel distortion is a given so more zoomed-in shots aren’t going to be this camera’s forte.
The 12.1MP backlit sensor is the same sensor found in the likes of the EXILIM ZR100, a compact that we thought produced good final quality. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 100-3200 at full resolution.
The ability to capture 1080i HD video and the addition of an LED light means the TRYX almost doubles up as a (recently discontinued) Flip video recorder. The LED may be great for constant lighting, but the lack of any flash means still shots in dark conditions are outside of the TRYX’s reach.
A 3in, 460k-dot touchscreen LCD is the mainstay of the TRYX’s design as this is where all modes and menus are accessed. A variety of usual Casio shooting modes range from Auto, to Premium Auto, Best Shot, HDR Art, Slide Panorama and even Motion Shutter.
In short: The Casio EXILIM TRYX EX-TR100 has a fixed wideangle 21mm lens with no optical zoom, no flash for stills photography and a touchscreen-only operation that may alienate those looking for a well-rounded zoom compact.