Casio announces 40fps EXILIM FH20
By
Mike Tomkins
(Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - 09:00 EDT)
Way back in the runup to the annual Photo Marketing Association tradeshow last Spring, Casio announced the EXILIM Pro EX-F1.
Capable of a frankly astonishing 60 frames-per-second at its full resolution, the Casio F1 also offered high-speed movie modes as fast as 1,200 frames per second. Sadly, a high $1,000 pricetag and a somewhat complex user interface dampened the appeal of the Casio F1. That's where the new Casio High Speed EXILIM EX-FH20 steps in. With a simplified UI, much lower pricetag, a smaller and lighter body, as well as updated optics and imager, the Casio FH20 is aimed at generating greater consumer appeal. Priced at $600, the Casio EX-FH20 should ship October 2008. The FH20 has a rather smaller body than that of the F1, trimming the length of the lens by almost two inches. The FH20 still has SLR-like styling, but is now more compact than the smallest DSLRs. The FH20 has a 20x optical zoom with a useful 26mm wide-angle coupled to a 1/2.3" 9.1 megapixel CMOS image sensor. The Casio FH20 retains the sensor shift image stabilization of its predecessor, helping reduce the effects of camera shake when shooting at lower sensitivities. At its full resolution, the Casio FH20 offers an unremarkable 1.25 frames per second. Drop the resolution to eight megapixels, though, and this jumps to 30 frames per second. At 7 megapixels and under, this increases further to 40 fps - still a bit slower than Casio's F1, but nonetheless truly exceptional for a consumer camera. The Casio EX-FH20 can record videos at up to 1280 x 720 high definition resolution, and at 480 x 360 pixels or below the movie frame-rate jumps from 30 to 210 fps. Lower resolutions offer as much as 1000 fps if you're willing to squint to see them! The Casio FH20 can also "pre-record" up to 40 images or five seconds of video with the shutter half-pressed, effectively reaching back in time slightly to catch the start of the action. The Casio FH20 has both a 201,600 dot electronic viewfinder , and a 3.0" LCD display. Sensitivities range from ISO 100 to 1,600 equivalent. There are 18 scene modes, plus shutter- and aperture-priority as well as manual modes. Three metering modes, eight white balance modes, and a four mode flash are all available. The Casio EX-FH20 stores images on SD cards, and has 31.9MB of built-in memory. Still images are saved as JPEG or DNG raw files, and movies as AVIs with Motion JPEG compression. Power comes from four AA batteries, and the FH20 yields 400 shots on NiMH rechargeables. Connectivity includes USB 2.0 High-Speed, and standard definition video output. We'll have further information on this very interesting digital camera later on today, so stay tuned! | Casio HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FH20 |  | | General | | Camera Type | EVF | | Manufacturer | Casio | | Model Number | EX-FH20 | | Dimensions | 4.8 x 3.2 x 3.3"
122.6 x 81.4 x 84.5mm | | Weight | 483.0 g
16.9 oz | | Planned Price | $599.99 | | Planned Availability | Oct 2008 | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | 1/2.3" CMOS
10.29 megapixels (total)
9.10 megapixels (effective) | | Filter Type | RGBG | | Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 3:2 | | Image Dimensions | 3456 x 2592 (9.0 megapixels)
3456 x 2304 (8.0 megapixels)
3456 x 1944 (6.7 megapixels)
3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
| | Capture Speed | Continuous: 40.0 frames per second for 40 frames | | Image Quality | 3 levels | | Image Preview / Review | | Viewfinder | Yes, EVF type; 0.2-inch color LCD, 201600 pixels | | LCD | 3.0", 2,304,000 pixels | | Playback Zoom | 8.0x max | | Lens | | Lens Type | EXILIM Optical; 14 elements in 11 groups, including aspherical element
20x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | Yes | | Focal Length | 4.6 - 92.0mm (actual)
26 - 520mm (35mm equivalent) | | Aperture Range | f/2.8 - f/7.9 (wide) / f/4.5- ??? (tele) | | Focusing System | Contrast detect with face detection; Spot, Multi or Tracking with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (0) steps | | Focusing Range | Normal: 16" - infinity (40 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - 5" (1 cm - 12 cm) | | Exposure | | ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 | | Shutter Speed | 30 - 1/40000 second | | Exposure Modes | Aperture, Shutter, Manual | | Metering Modes | Multi-pattern, center weighted, spot by imaging element | | Exposure Compensation | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments | | White Balance | Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Shade, Day white FL, Daylight FL, Tungsten, Manual, Manual | | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Red Eye Reduction
Range: Approx. 0.4 to 7.0m (W), approx. 1.3 to 4.4m (T) | | Creative | | Scene Modes | 18 "Best Shot" scene modes | | Digital Zoom | Up to 4x | | Self Timer | Yes, 2 or 10 seconds | | Movie Format | AVI (Motion JPEG), IMA-ADPCM with audio | | Storage | | Recording Medium | SD/MMC, Built-in | | File System | FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) | | File Format | CCD-RAW, RAW (.DNG), JPEG (EXIF 2.2) | | Connectivity | | Video | Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable | | Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed | | Other | DC input | | Power | | Battery Type | Alkaline/Lithium disposables, NiMH rechargeables | | Battery Form Factor | 4 x AA | | Product Bundle | | Software | Casio CD-ROM | | Battery / Charger | 4 x AA Alkaline disposables battery | | Flash Memory | 31.9MB Internal | | Other | | Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant | Yes | | Internal Microphone | Yes | | Internal Speaker | Yes | | Tripod Mount | Yes | | Remote Control | No | | More Photos |  |  |  | | |
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Original Source Press Release:
| CASIO INTRODUCES NEW HIGH SPEED EXILIM DIGITAL CAMERA WITH ULTRA HIGH-SPEED BURST SHOOTING FASTER THAN AN SLR New Camera Takes 40 shots per second and records high speed movies at 1000 fps DOVER, NJ, SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 - Casio America, Inc., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, today announced the release of its newest EXILIM® digital camera, the HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FH20. This remarkable new camera is capable of ultra high-speed burst shooting at 40 fps and can record high speed movies at up to 1,000 fps. In March of this year, Casio released the EXILIM Pro EX-F1, the world’s fastest digital camera*. The EX-F1 is capable of ultra-high speed burst shooting at 60 fps and can record high speed movies at up to 1,200 fps, helping users catch each decisive moment, and even capturing motion that the human eye cannot ordinarily perceive. These features have created a totally new genre of digital photography and won the respect and admiration of camera enthusiasts and professional photographers alike.
*As of September 16, 2008, based on a Casio survey for consumer market digital cameras. While maintaining the ability to perform at speeds unmatched by the world’s top digital SLRs, the new HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FH20 is designed to appeal to a broader range of users. In addition to simplifying controls by placing all shooting mode settings on a single dial, Casio also gave the EX-FH20 a 20X optical zoom on a surprisingly compact body, 27% smaller and 28% lighter than the EX-F1. Its speed and ease of use truly puts this camera in a class of its own. In recognition of these unique characteristics, with today’s release of the new EX-FH20, Casio has launched the new HIGH SPEED EXILIM series, which includes this camera and the even faster EX-F1. Casio expects the revolutionary capabilities of its HIGH SPEED EXILIM cameras to generate entirely new applications for digital photography. “Casio continues to create a new digital camera market focusing on high speed capabilities with the introduction of the innovative HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FH20,” said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Sales for Casio’s Digital Imaging Division. “The new HIGH SPEED EXILIM series allows for images to be captured faster than ever before without compromising image quality.” The EX-FH20, MSRP $599.99, will be available in black at retail stores in October. 9.1 effective megapixels and a high power, wide angle zoom lens
The EX-FH20 is equipped with a 26 mm-equivalent wide angle zoom lens that can close in on subjects with a powerful 20X optical zoom. The camera also features a CMOS shift anti-shake function to support power-zoom shots. Never miss a photographic opportunity, with high speed burst shooting up to 40 fps
The EX-FH20 can capture action in high definition, 7 megapixel (3072 x 2304 pixel) images with ultra-high speed burst shooting at up to 40 fps. Users can select from seven burst settings, allowing them to capture from 1 fps up to 40 fps in a single burst. Further, users can prerecord up to 40 still images not just at the instant they press the shutter button, but before! Even if they press the shutter a little late, they will still catch that vital moment. High speed movie recording at up to 1,000 fps
The EX-FH20 can record high speed movie footage of motion too fast for the human eye, for ultra slow motion playback. Users can select from recording speeds of 1,000 fps, 420 fps or 210 fps and can also switch from the standard speed of 30 fps to high speed recording at 210 fps during recording at the touch of a button. The EX-FH20 makes it easy to capture critical moments on video. High Speed Anti-Shake function
This function corrects images by automatically synthesizing multiple images captured during high speed burst shooting. High Speed Night Scene setting
With or without a tripod, this feature ensures that high speed night shots come out clear and beautiful. HD Movie function
The EX-FH20’s HD Movie function records at 1280 x 720 pixels, at 30 fps. EXILIM and BEST SHOT are registered trademarks of CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. YouTube is a registered trademark of YouTube, LLC. Any other company or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of those companies. Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipments solutions, established in 1957. Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution” through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information visit our website at www.casiousa.com. |
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