Ultra-slim Casio Exilim EX-Z150 announced

Vying for position in the ultra-competitive ultracompact market, Casio announced a well-speced addition to its lineup this week, the Casio Exilim EX-Z150.

Billed as the slimmest camera currently available with a wide-angle 28mm lens, Casio's latest sports mechanical (sensor-shift) image stabilization and a stunning 3-inch LCD in a package small enough to go anywhere.

The Exilim's 4x zoom covers a 35mm-equivalent range of 28-112mm. An 8.1 megapixel CCD sensor with high sensitivity up to ISO 1600 sits behind the lens. As noted, sensor-shifiting image stabilization, still something of a luxury in cameras of the Z150's size and price, enhances the new camera's specs sheet as well.

Casio's trademark YouTube video mode shoots optimized movies ready for quick and easy uploading to the popular video sharing site. Face detection shooting is also available, and these features combined with the Z150's slim profile should make it a popular choice for those seeking a pocket camera for snapping pictures and video in social situations.

Casio's been building momentum behind its ultracompacts for awhile now, and the Z150 looks like the latest offering from the company that will, with impressive specs and presumably equal performance, demand to be taken seriously.

Best of all, the Z150's technological prowess will be available in September for the paltry suggested price of $199.99. Keep your eyes open for a review from this site in the near future.

Casio Exilim EX-Z150 Specifications: