Casio Exilim EX-Z280 digital camera

Casio just released the EX-Z280, a 12.1 Megapixel pocket camera that has a 26mm lens and a 4X optical zoom. The optical image stabilizer will help at the long-end of the zoom but the real meat comes from Casio’s new image processor, the Exilim engine 4. It’s a dedicated chip that’s in charge of things related to image processing and analysis. From smile detecting to noise reduction, it touches every aspect of capturing images. By the way, the EX-Z280 also shoots 720p movies. It costs $180.