Casio EX-F1 gets "prerecord movie" function with new firmware update
By Donald Melanson 
posted Jul 7th 2008 12:41PM
posted Jul 7th 2008 12:41PM
Casio's EX-F1 camera already had a pretty solid claim to fame with its 60 fps burst mode and ability to shoot 1,200 fps SuperSloMo video, but it now looks like it's getting another solid boost with its new, slightly unnerving firmware upgrade. According to Casio, it adds a so-called "prerecord movie" function that apparently bends time and space to begin recording five seconds before the user actually presses the movie button. That feature will work will all movie modes, including the full high definition mode and the aforementioned 1,200 fps mode. Look for the English version of the update to land on Casio's site tomorrow, with additional languages following shortly thereafter.
Too bad it uses SD cards.
what would you prefer?
Why is that? All recent Casio cameras have used SD cards. The only cameras that use CompactFlash today are semipro to professional DSLR cameras. All entry level DSLRs use SD cards. In fact most digital cameras use SD cards.
The best part of using SD cards is they fit right into most laptops today. That's convenient.
Damn they must have used one of these for the pics in the EeePC/Ereader article.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/07/modder-aims-to-turn-eee-pc-into-e-book-reader/
Wrong posting....
But this feature is awesome, hopefully more digital implement and we never miss a shot anymore.
@Kiwi
He's referring to this article but referencing a mistake in another article.
This is how they captured the shark breaching water attacking the seal for the Planet Earth documentary.
Casio has had the 5 second pre-record function on their point and shoot cameras for a few years. My EX-Z750 has it and I find it useful. I imagine it is even more useful on the F1.
Buffering five seconds of HD at 60fps means the buffer is quite a bit larger than the buffer in my camera which records 640x480 at 30fps.
It could just be continuously writing to the SD card, and simply marking the unneeded footage as "blank" when the 5 seconds runs out. This would require extra free space on the card, and potentially pose a security risk.
Any word on how it affects battery life?
My question too. Seems like a battery hog, though given that this thing is always capturing for the LCD display anyway (unlike a traditional DSLR), then perhaps it isn't too bad. The only difference being 60fps vs. likely something like 5fps in most P&S cameras.
There is something similar to this on some professional audio recording devices. More and more sound mixers on film shoots are using these, as it has a 5 or 10 second cache always recording, just in case the Director yells cut but recants a second later, or the SM forgets to press record.
It must be just me but I've been trying to download drivers for this camera for a month or so, and I keep getting some PHP include error. I mailed Casio support, and still have no answer.
I've been posting movies made with the EX-F1 at http://www.600fps.com/
I think that is awesome.
This feature existed in previous Casio cameras as well. It's not a new feature.
Looks freaking awesome, if you ask me.
Wow, i really want this camera!
Casio's 3-year-old EX-Z750 has the pre-record feature too. Other casio's do as well I'm sure. It does affect battery life, but if you want to record all the hits in a baseball game, for example, without the boring strikes and balls, this is a great way to do it. And no editing to do when you get home!
The F1 battery may or may or may not hold up as well.
and the world may or may or may not end tomorrow.
@gareth Read the serial number entry page very closely. If you enter any letters, you will get an error.
This firmware update is amazing. The key feature is that because its a "hybrid" camera, you dont get an accurate preview image when shooting high speed movies. you have to actually start filming before it updates the preview window with the image that is being recorded. so... you pretty much have to roll while you adjust lighting etc. This update fixes that.
My tests show the battery to get about 3.5-4hrs of continuous recording. I assume that will mean 3.5-4hrs of prerecord movie mode. maybe more since the SD card wont be active.
It does /not/ use the SD card for temporary storage, its all internal. (no functions of the camera use the SD card as a scratch disk in any way).
and whats with all this "too bad it uses SD" stuff? SD cards can pull 20MB/sec no problem, and are crazy cheap. SDHC included. If thats the feature holding you back from buying this camera, this is NOT the camera for you. If you want the 60fps stills, and high framerate movies, its great. but you arent going to throw away your DSLR for it.
http://tdvids.com
Thanks for that. I feel like a complete illiterate dope now.
Too bad it only works in "BS" (best shot) mode... that's BS ;) It needs to work in manual and shutter priority mode for it to be useful for things like golf. I hope this will be addressed in a future firmware update. It should also give you the option of setting the amount of time in the range 1-5 seconds (half or quarter second increments would be good).