It’s not every day that you get a budget item that does everything that you would want it to do. That is why the Casio Exilim EX-Z9 is an exceptional budget camera. Despite its low price, the EX-Z9 boasts an all-metal body that naturally gives more protection over plastic. It is also designed to be small and light enough for those tight pockets. However, due to the placing of the control buttons, one-handed operation is a bit difficult. The EX-Z9 has two basic shooting modes - Easy Mode On and Easy Mode Off. The reviewer noted that a third one is available via the Best Shot button. Facial recognition with the EX-Z9 is outstanding, offering up to five focus modes. The biggest caveat with the EX-Z9 is the slow start up and shooting speeds. It powers on within 2 seconds and there is a noticeable shutter lag. Nonetheless, the overall image quality of the EX-Z9 is good. You can record 30-frame-per-second videos with the EX-Z9. A YouTube mode is also available that automatically sets the camera to the site’s settings. With its sleek design and lots of shooting options, the Casio EX-Z9 is an excellent choice for a budget camera.