White Rabbit Press

Electronic Dictionary Buyer’s Guide

B
uying an electronic dictionary isn’t easy. With so many
to choose from, and so many features to think about,
it can be confusing and difficult – even for us. So in
the interest of making this decision as simple as possible,
we have created this White Rabbit Press Electronic Diction-
ary Buyer’s Guide to help make the purchase of your elec-
tronic dictionary as painless and pleasant as possible.
The guide is divided into three sections:
Bestsellers - In this section you’ll find a list of our most
popular dictionaries, including summaries of their features,
as well as pros and cons for each model.
Dictionary Buyer Profiles - Here we list some imaginary typi-
cal customers and the ideal dictionaries for each.
Dictionary Comparison Charts - These charts allow you to
quickly compare different models with regard to various
features.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND that knowing hiragana is a prerequi-
site to using any of the electronic dictionaries we sell. If you
don’t already know hiragana, consider purchasing a set of
our Kana Flashcards along with your dictionary. There are
about 46 hiragana characters, so if you learn just five or ten
per day, you can master hiragana in about a week.
Bestsellers
In this section you’ll find a list of our most popular diction-
aries, including summaries of their features, as well as pros
and cons for each model. Our electronic dictionaries fit
into two basic categories: 1) Bilingual Japanese & English
dictionaries, and 2) Trilingual Japanese, English & third
language dictionaries. The following are ranked in order of
popularity with our customers, starting with the bilingual
models.
the screen, a feature known as “stylus input.” You can also
use the stylus to navigate and select items on the screen.
These enhanced stylus capabilities are featured on all new
Casio EX-word models.
The 9700 may not be suitable for beginners, as the inter-
face – all menus – are in Japanese and cannot be switched
into English (only Canon dictionaries offer the ability to
switch menus into English.) On the other hand, it comes
with a reference guide in English that explains clearly how
to use it.
CANON Wordtank G55
The Canon Wordtank G55 is a longstanding favorite thanks
to its usability, excellent reference materials and affordabil-
ity. We often recommend it to beginners because you can
switch the menus from Japanese to English, which makes it
easy to use from the start.
In addition, it features a solid collection of English and Japa-
nese dictionaries. It’s not as exhaustive as the Casio 9700,
but not everybody needs such extensive reference materials.
Despite having fewer dictionaries than the 9700, it actually
possesses more dictionaries than the Casio 6600 below.
On the downside, in comparison to the 6600, its English-
Japanese dictionaries tend to list fewer example sentences.
The G55 also lacks stylus input, though we don’t believe
this is an essential feature for beginners.

Bilingual Bestsellers

CASIO EX-word XD-GP9700

We believe the 9700 is the best dictionary on the market.
The only drawback may be the price, but it’s worth the
investment. It includes more Japanese and English diction-
aries than almost any other dictionary, is user-friendly, and
features state-of-the-art technology.

The 9700 comes with Kenkyusha’s Japanese-English

dictionary, widely considered the best Japanese-English dic-
tionary available, along with a plethora of other dictionar-
ies, thesauruses, encyclopedias, and business resources. You
can search for unknown kanji by writing them directly onto CASIO EX-word XD-GP9700
CASIO EX-word XD-SP6600
The Casio 6600 and the Canon G55 are in the same price range, so let’s take a look at some of their basic differences and
similarities.

Casio EX-word XD-SP6600 Canon Wordtank G55

More reference materials overall, but fewer Japanese and English
dictionaries
Dictionary listings contain more example sentences and phrases
Comes with an official mini reference manual
Larger and higher-resolution screen with back light
Stylus input and other features included on all EX-words
Extensive Japanese and English dictionaries
Easy to use and English interface (All Canon dictionaries have English
menus.)
Comes with an official mini reference manual
Lacks stylus input and back light

The 6600 may not be suitable for beginners, as the interface – all menus – are in Japanese and cannot be switched into
English. However, it comes with a reference guide in English that explains clearly how to use it.

CANON Wordtank G70

Canon’s G70 is a very powerful dictionary with two main selling points: it has comprehensive Japanese and English diction-
aries on par with the Casio 9700, and the menus can be switched into English, which means it’s very easy to use – even
for beginners.

We recommend it especially to intermediate and advanced students because of its vast contents, which include Kenkyu-
sha’s Japanese-English and English-Japanese dictionaries and more. It also comes with stroke-order animations, a feature
that shows you how to draw kanji characters. A stylus is included, though it can only be used for navigation, not to input
kanji.

CANON Wordtank C50

The Canon Wordtank C50’s best feature is its portability. It’s so small you can put it in your pocket. Despite its size it actu-
ally contains 17 reference volumes and a solid set of Japanese and English dictionaries.

If you are a fairly serious student of Japanese we wouldn’t recommend this as a primary dictionary, but it’s ideal as a
supplementary dictionary for when you’re on the go – perfect for a day or night in the city and maybe some basic study.

The C50’s menus can be switched to English and it features a thumb-sized joystick-type control on the left-side, in addition
to the cursor control on the right-side, which allows menu manipulation with either hand (pushing the thumb knob func-
tions like the enter button).

Trilingual Dictionaries
The dictionaries below feature English, Japanese, as well as a third language

CASIO EX-word Japanese, English & Chinese (XD-GP7350)

French (XD-GP7250)
Spanish (XD-SP7500)
Korean (XD-SP7600)
German (XD-GP7150)
Italian (XD-SP7400)

These models are members of Casio’s line of new state-of-the-art electronic dictionaries. They feature extensive reference
materials, and great features such as a stylus that you can use for stylus input, as well as to navigate and select items on
the screen. They all also feature native audio pronunciation in three languages.

Please note that the French, Spanish, German and Italian models are fully trilingual, while the Chinese and Korean models
are only semi-trilingual – they contain dictionaries between Japanese and English and Japanese and the third language,
but not between English and the third language.
If you are looking for a more fully trilingual Japanese-English-Chinese electronic dictionary, please see the Canons below.
If you are bilingual and Japanese is your third language of study, you should definitely consider purchasing a trilingual
dictionary.

Please see our website for prices

CANON Wordtank V90 Japanese-English-Chinese Dictionary

The Canon V90 is the best Japanese-English-Chinese dictionary available because it is fully trilingual and it contains a
wealth of dictionaries and other reference materials. CNN Money christened it the Ferrari of electronic dictionaries. It also
has a voice record function that allows you to record your own voice and compare your pronunciation with that of the
Chinese voice.

Its Chinese/English dictionaries are less comprehensive than its Japanese/English and Japanese/Chinese dictionaries, but
they exceed the Casio 7350, which has no Chinese/English dictionaries. As with other Canon models, you can switch the
menus into English. You can also input kanji and Chinese characters, and listen to native audio pronunciation of Chinese
words.

CANON Wordtank V80 Japanese-English-Chinese Dictionary

The V80 is a somewhat stripped down version of the luxurious V90 above. If you are looking for a basic Japanese-Chinese-
English dictionary, then this would be suitable. It is fully trilingual, as opposed to the Casio 7350, and though the diction-
aries are not the most comprehensive on the market, they are enough for casual daily usage.

It does not come with all the sophisticated features contained in the V90, but it does maintain the stylus input method
which allows you to search for kanji by writing the kanji directly on the screen. And, as with the majority of Canon models,
you can switch the menu into English.

TYPICAL CUSTOMER PROFILES

What dictionary is right for you? We hope that the above section helped you narrow down your selection. In case you are
still undecided, here we list some imaginary typical customers and the ideal dictionaries for each.

Profile 1
Jen is a beginner in her first year of Japanese study at an American college. She’s been studying for a few months and
realizes that an electronic dictionary would be valuable time-saving tool that would allow her to spend more time focusing
on her studies. She’d like a model that accepts kanji input via a stylus, but doesn’t really want to spend too much money.
Besides, most of the kanji she needs to look up have furigana readings provided in her textbooks.

Because she is on a budget, and because stylus input isn’t essential for most beginners, we would recommend the Canon
Wordtank G55. Not only is it an affordable model with excellent Japanese-English dictionaries; it also features English
menus, which makes for very easy navigation for beginners who don’t want to try and navigate an all-Japanese interface.

Profile 2
Peter lives in Japan. While not a serious student, he wants to know enough to get by, as well as communicate with his
Japanese friends. He doesn’t need a dictionary with exhaustive reference materials or various bells and whistles – just
something to help him say the things he wants to say, and understand what people tell him.

We would recommend the Canon Wordtank G55, which is affordable and has English menus. Another option would be
the pocket-sized Canon Wordtank C50, which includes some good basic dictionaries, and is the most portable dictionary
we offer.

Profile 3
Nicole is an intermediate student. She has gotten this far without an electronic dictionary, but she feels like it’s time to
make the investment and advance her studies. She doesn’t need a dictionary with English menus – she simply wants the
dictionary that will best help her become fluent in Japanese.

If English menus aren’t a priority for you, we recommend the Casio EX-word XD-GP9700. This is, however, also assum-
ing that you are not on a tight budget. The 9700 is an incredible dictionary, but quite pricey. If you can afford it, it’s worth
every yen. It comes packed with comprehensive Japanese and English dictionaries, and a plethora of additional reference
materials. It also features stylus input, stylus navigation, native audio pronunciation, and more.
If you are on more of a budget, we recommend the Casio EX-word XD-SP6600. Its price puts it within more people’s
reach, and it still has all the special features of the 9700. Its Japanese and English dictionaries are less plentiful – however,
if you decide you need more extensive dictionaries at some point in the future, the good thing about the Casio models is
that you can purchase and upload supplemental learning materials at any time.

Profile 4
Anna is an advanced student. She needs a dictionary that will help her tackle newspaper articles and other texts in Japa-
nese.

Our first recommendation would be the Casio EX-word XD-GP9700, because of its extensive Japanese/English dictionaries
and the fact that it allows stylus input, which lets you look kanji up quickly. Two other options worth considering would
be the Canon Wordtank G70, as well as the Seiko SR-G10000. Both have vast reference materials, perfect for advanced
students, translators and people who use the Japanese language in their jobs. Neither features stylus input; however, kanji
can be looked up by stroke count and on- and kun-readings.
White Rabbit Press - Electronic Dictionary Buyer’s Guide: Feature Comparison Chart
Supplementary
Brand/Model Pros Cons English Menus Stylus Capabilities Special Features English-Japanese Japanese-English Audio Pronunciation Software Custom Flashcards English Ref. Guide Backlight
CASIO EX-word XD- Best dictionary on If anything, the price Stylus input, stylus Kenkyusha Japanese- Genius English- Kenkyusha’s Japanese- Japanese & English Card Explanation Slot  Official CASIO mini 
GP9700 the market right now. - but it’s worth it. navigation, scroll, and English Dictionary. Japanese dictionary English dictionary (5th allows the content English Guide
Amazingly compere- select items on the Technical dictionaries. - 255,000 entries. edtion) - 480,000 en- to be extended with
hensive reference screen Speaks in Japanese! Random House English- tries. Progressive Japa- supplemental dictionar-
materials. Japanese Dictionary nese-English dictionary ies.
(2nd edition) - 345,000 (3rd Edition) - 90,000
entries. Leader’s Eng- entries. Comprehen-
lish-Japanese dictionary sive Japanese-English
(2nd edition) - 270,000 dictionary of technical
entries. Leader’s plus terms - 1,000,000
- 190,000 entries. entries
Comprehensive Eng-
lish-Japanese dictionary
of technical terms
- 1,000,000 entries.
CANON Wordtank G55 Most popular choice.
Recommended for stu-
No stylus input.  No Stroke-order anima- Reader’s English-
tions (teach you how to Japanese Dictionary
Japanese-English
Dictionary - 97,000
None None Official CANON mini
English Guide
dents of any level from write kanji correctly.) - 270,000 entries. entries.
beginner to advanced. Reader’s Plus English-
Japanese Dictionary
- 190,000 entries.
CASIO EX-word XD- 100 reference volumes. Lacks the Kenkyusha Stylus input, stylus NHK Japanese Pronun- Genius English-Japa- Progressive Japanese- Japanese & English Card Explanation Slot  Official CASIO mini 
SP6600 Japanese-English dic- navigation, scroll, and ciation Accent Diction- nese Dictionary (4th English Dictionary allows the content English Guide
tionary (it can be added select items on the ary. Travel phrases in 7 Edition) - 96,000 (3rd Edition) - 90,000 to be extended with
as a supplement.) Rela- screen languages. Speaks in entries. entries. supplemental dictionar-
tively weak in terms Japanese! ies.
of Japanese-English
and English-Japanese
materials.
CANON Wordtank G70 Extensive dictionaries
and other reference
You cannot write with
the stylus. (However,
 Stylus navigation, scroll, Includes Kenkyusha
and select items on the Japanese-English and
Kenkyusha New Eng-
lish-Japanese Katsuyou
Kenkyusha New Japa-
nese-English Dictionary
None None Official CANON mini
English Guide
materials. Great for in- you can search for kanji screen English-Japanese Dic- Dictionary - 380,000 (5th edition) - 480,000
termediate to advanced by their On-yomi or tionaries. Stroke-order entries. Reader’s entries
students of Japanese. Kun-yomi readings animations. Bookmark English-Japanese
as well as by radical function. Dictionary (2nd edition)
stroke count, total - 270,000 entries.
stroke count, reading of Reader’s Plus English-
the kanji components Japanese Dictionary
or a combination of - 190,000 entries. Ge-
these various search nius English-Japanese
methods.) Dictionary - 255,000
entries.
SEIKO SR-G10000 Extensive dictionaries No stylus capabilities No Includes Kenkyusha Kenkyusha’s New Kenkyusha’s New Japa- English Card Explanation Slot Basic English Manual
and supplementary - however, kanji can be Japanese-English English-Japanese nese-English Dictionary allows the content
reference materials. looked up by the kanji’s and English-Japanese Dictionary (6th edition) (5th edition) - 480,000 to be extended with
Recommended for on-yomi and kun-yomi Dictionaries, and dic- - 260,000 entries. entries. supplemental dictionar-
translators and those readings as well as by tionaries for advanced Reader’s English-Japa- ies.
who need to translate stroke-order. learners and workers in nese Dictionary (2nd
technical terms. Large, technical fields. edition) - 270,000
detailed and bright entries. Reader’s Plus
display. English-Japanese
- 190,000 entries. Ge-
nius English-Japanese
Dictionary - 255,000
entries. Nanotechnol-
ogy terms English-
Japanese Dictionary
(by Taishukan) - 2,500
entries.
CANON Wordtank C50 Fully portable compact
pocket size! Travel
No stylus input.  No Joystick-control Genius English-
Japanese Dictionary
Genius Japanese-Eng-
lish Dictionary - 82,000
None None Official CANON mini
English Guide
phrase dictionaries for - 95,000 entries entries
7 languages.
White Rabbit Press - Electronic Dictionary Buyer’s Guide: Feature Comparison Chart (foreign models)

Brand Languages Pros Cons English Stylus Capabilities Special Features English-Japanese Japanese-English Other Language Dictionaries Audio Supplementary Custom English Ref. Guide Backlight
Model Menus Pronunciation Software Flashcards
CANON Wordtank V90 Chinese, Trilingual electronic Yes; Stylus input, stylus Audio pronunciation Genius English- Genius Japanese-English Oxford Pocket Chinese (Chinese-English/ English- Chinese No No Official Canon mini No
Japanese & dictionary. The Ferrari Chinese navigation (Chinese). Voice Record Japanese Dictionary Dictionary (2nd edition) Chinese) - 52,000 entries English and Chinese
English of electronic diction- function, which allows - 255,000 entries - 82,000 entries. Chinese-Japanese (Kodansha) - 87,000 entries Guide, Xfull Japa-
aries (according to you to record your own Japanese-Chinese (Kodansha) - 76,000 entries nese ManualX
CNN Money.) Busi- voice in order to com- Nikkei Japanese-Chinese PC Terms (revised edition)
ness and technical pare your pronunciation - 4,100 entries.
dictionaries. with that of the Chinese
voice.
CANON Wordtank V80 Chinese, Trilingual electronic Yes; Stylus input, stylus Genius English- Genius Japanese-English Chinese-Japanese - 85,000 words. Chinese No No Official Canon full No
Japanese & dictionary. Chinese navigation Japanese Diction- Dictionary - 82,000 words. Japanese-Chinese - 83,000 words. English Manual and
English ary (3rd Edition) Oxford Chinese-English/ English-Chinese - 45,000 mini Chinese Guide
- 95,000 words. words.
CASIO EX-word XD- Chinese, Native Japanese Not fully trilingual No Stylus input, stylus Speaks in 3 languages Genius English- Progressive Japanese-Eng- Japanese-Chinese-English Proper Noun Dictionary Japanese, Card Expla- Yes Official CASIO mini Yes
GP7350 Japanese & audio pronunciation. electronic diction- navigation, scroll, Japanese Diction- lish Dictionary (3rd Edition) - 107,000 entries. Chinese & nation Slot English Guide
English Enhanced stylus. ary. and select items on ary (3rd Edition) - 90,000 entries. Chinese-Japanese - 140,000 entries. English allows the
the screen - 255,000 entries. Japanese-Chinese - 90,000 entries. content to be
Chinese-Japanese PC terms Dictionary (Nikkei BP) extended with
- 4,100 entries. supplemental
dictionaries.
CASIO EX-word XD- French, Trilingual electronic No Stylus input, stylus Speaks in 3 languages Genius English- Progressive Japanese-Eng- Oxford-Hachette French-English/ English-French Japanese, Card Expla- Yes Official CASIO mini Yes
GP7250 Japanese & dictionary. Native navigation, scroll, Japanese Diction- lish Dictionary (3rd Edition) (4th Edition) - 360,000 entries. French & nation Slot English Guide
English Japanese audio pro- and select items on ary (3rd Edition) - 90,000 entries. Shogakukan Robert Grand French-Japanese English allows the
nunciation. Enhanced the screen - 255,000 entries. - 120,000 entries. content to be
stylus. Petit Royal French-Japanese (3rdEdition) - 40,000 extended with
entries. supplemental
Petit Royal Japanese-French (2nd Edition) - 45,000 dictionaries.
entries.
CASIO EX-word XD- Spanish, Trilingual electronic No Stylus input, stylus Speaks in 3 languages Genius English- Progressive Japanese-Eng- Oxford Spanish-English/ English-Spanish (3rd Edi- Japanese, Card Expla- Yes Official CASIO mini Yes
SP7500 Japanese & dictionary. Native navigation, scroll, Japanese Diction- lish Dictionary (3rd Edition) tion) - 300,000 entries. Spanish & nation Slot English Guide
English Japanese audio pro- and select items on ary (3rd Edition) - 90,000 entries. Spanish-Japanese (Revised Edition) - 46,500 English allows the
nunciation. Enhanced the screen - 255,000 entries. entries. content to be
stylus. Japanese-Spanish (Revised Edition) - 35,000 extended with
entries. supplemental
Spanish Economics and Business Terms Dictionary dictionaries.
- 11,000 entries
CASIO EX-word XD- Korean, Native Japanese Not fully trilingual No Stylus input, stylus Speaks in 3 languages Genius English- Progressive Japanese-Eng- Korean-Japanese - 110,000 entries and approxi- Japanese, Card Expla- Yes Official CASIO mini Yes
SP7600 Japanese & audio pronunciation. electronic diction- navigation, scroll, Japanese Diction- lish Dictionary (3rd Edition) mately 65,000 usages. Korean & nation Slot English Guide
English Enhanced stylus. ary. and select items on ary (3rd Edition) - 90,000 entries. Pocket Progressive Korean-Japanese - 70,000 English allows the
the screen - 255,000 entries. entries. content to be
Pocket Progressive Japanese-Korean - 20,000 extended with
entries. supplemental
dictionaries.
CASIO EX-word XD- German, Trilingual electronic No Stylus input, stylus Speaks in 3 languages Genius English- Progressive Japanese-Eng- Oxford-Duden German-English/ English-German Japanese, Card Expla- Yes Official CASIO mini Yes
GP7150 Japanese & dictionary. Native navigation, scroll, Japanese Diction- lish Dictionary (3rd Edition) (3rd Edition) - 320,000 entries. German & nation Slot English Guide
English Japanese audio pro- and select items on ary (3rd Edition) - 90,000 entries. Crown German-Japanese Dictionary (3rd Edition) English allows the
nunciation. Enhanced the screen - 255,000 entries. - 60,000 entries. content to be
stylus. New Concise Japanese-German - 36,000 entries. extended with
Grosses Deutsch-Japanisches Worterbuch (2nd supplemental
Edition) - 160,000 entries. dictionaries.
CASIO EX-word XD- Italian, Trilingual electronic No Stylus input, stylus Speaks in 3 languages Genius English- Progressive Japanese-Eng- Oxford-Paravia Italian Dictionary - 300,000 entries. Japanese, Card Expla- Yes Official CASIO mini Yes
SP7400 Japanese & dictionary. Native navigation, scroll, Japanese Diction- lish Dictionary (3rd Edition) Italian-Japanese Dictionary (2nd Edition) - 75,000 Italian & nation Slot English Guide
English Japanese audio pro- and select items on ary (3rd Edition) - 90,000 entries. entries. English allows the
nunciation. Enhanced the screen - 255,000 entries. Japanese-Italian Dictionary - 40,000 entries. content to be
stylus. extended with
supplemental
dictionaries.