Casio EX-FH20 high-speed cam on sale now for $600

We were sort of hoping import pricing was skewing high when we first caught wind of Casio's new EX-FH20 high-speed cam, but it looks like this 27 percent smaller version of the EX-F1 will still set you back -- official US pricing is $600. Specs are still hot for the money, though: 9.1 megapixels, 20x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, 40fps burst shooting (at 7.1 megapixels), 1000fps high-speed low-res movie mode, and a 30fps 720p movie mode. Should be in stores now -- hopefully we'll see that price drift downward soon.

[Cybergypsy @ Oct 21st 2008 12:29PM]

Love canons... but use my paany more

[spass @ Oct 21st 2008 3:43PM]

I love cannons and pistols.
At 1000fps you can capture the bullet flying.

[iEye @ Oct 21st 2008 12:37PM]

Way better then buying an $800 cell phone with a 5 or 8 MP camera that takes crappy pictures and 2FPS videos...

[Liam @ Oct 21st 2008 1:00PM]

Why make it so small, then bother giving it a grip and 'professional' styling? It just looks really awkward to me.

[Billy Fiul @ Oct 21st 2008 1:21PM]

40 FPS?!?! This totally pwns Canon 5D Mk II. 5D only does something like 3 FPS, LOL.

Although the Canon is 21 megapixels while this one is only 7. As far as the dollar to megapixel ratio is concerned this Casio wins. But if you only care about bragging to your friends that you have 21 MP, you would want the Canon.

$600/7.1 MP = $84.51/MP
$2700/21.1 MP = $127.96/MP

[BigDaddyM @ Oct 21st 2008 1:28PM]

I thinking you are forgetting that the canon is Full Frame, has superior noise reduction, exchangable lens...

Now don't get me wrong, it looks like a fun camera and has its uses, but I would rather shoot 3 frames of quality photos than 40 compressed for web pics. If I need a high speed camera, there are several options.

There are sacrifices everywhere.
M

[Plothole @ Oct 21st 2008 5:57PM]

Try shooting the two cameras in indoors, make some large 11x17+ prints, and then come back and claim the Mark 5 isn't worth its price.

[Plothole @ Oct 21st 2008 5:59PM]

5 MarkII... ugh, what is with Canon and these names?

[solmar @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:01AM]

If buying a camera was just about looking at the megapixels and fps numbers, then pros would be out of a job. Thankfully, it's only the uninformed consumer that does this kind of thing. What everyone else does is actually look at the image quality, handling, features, durability, etc. etc. etc. and *then* make a decision. What they find is that a 6 megapixel DSLR takes better pictures than a 12 megapixel digicam.

When you buy a car, do you only look at the horsepower numbers? Then you might as well buy a 10-wheeler, or a monster truck, since it's got the most horsepower. Try parking that in your garage.

I like what this camera does, but I wouldn't compare it to a DSLR. It's not for comparison, since the target market and the aim of the two are totally different, and hence it's ridiculous to compare their prices, megapixels, and FPS. Really, try getting a pro (ie a person who actually earns a living with his pictures) to trade in his DSLR for this. It'd be as easy as convincing him to shoot himself.

Regarding batteries: Proprietary batteries are expensive, but they're also very light and can be made to conform to the camera, hence making very slim/small digicams possible. They also have quite high capacities for their weight. AA batteries can be found anywhere (but don't last long), and rechargeables can be found, too, that can take lots of pics, but are on the heavy side. Be sure to get the "new" type (like Eneloops), though, since the old type NiMh AAs tend to lose their charge.

[Crayola @ Oct 21st 2008 1:26PM]

Casio should be lauded for constantly introducing these quirky but interesting products (and also helping millions of Asian students ace their Math test) . But $600 in crunch times? I thought netbooks pricing is the rage now.

[M. @ Oct 21st 2008 1:33PM]

hmm.. i was reading up on this camera and the damn thing needs 4x AA batteries. Never in hell i'm buying anything that needs batteries instead of supplying a decent rechargable battery like every normal camera at that price point.

[iEye @ Oct 21st 2008 1:47PM]

My camera uses 4 "AA" batteries... I just purchased a set of high capacity rechargeables and a charger from Wal-mart for only $30... much better then spending $39.99 in a 2500mah proprietary battery...

[john lock @ Oct 21st 2008 2:20PM]

rumour has it, you can even buy rechargeable AA batteries these days.

[M. @ Oct 21st 2008 3:49PM]

yeah of course, add extra $ or Euro's to the whole so i can buy rechargable batteries for something that costs $600, haha you guys are funny

the Lumix FZ28 is cheaper (here in europe) and has a rechargable battery. reviews aren't half as bad as well

[Plothole @ Oct 21st 2008 6:10PM]

A set of NiMH batteries and charger isn't that expensive. Especially since the charger can be multipurpose.

[Dandaman @ Oct 21st 2008 11:10PM]

I bought a pair of those super-powerful lithium batteries (non-rechargable) at the beginning of the summer and have still not used them up, even after several hundred pictures! They really are amazing.

[Runo @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:37PM]

And: If you ever happen to deplete all your proprietary batteries – what are you gonna do? With the AAs on the other hand... you even get them at drugstores and supermarkets.

*I* prefer AAs over proprietary battery packs *a lot*.

[stromm @ Oct 21st 2008 2:00PM]

M. wrote " i was reading up on this camera and the damn thing needs 4x AA batteries. Never in hell i'm buying anything that needs batteries instead of supplying a decent rechargable battery like every normal camera at that price point."

Just do what most of us do and buy rechargable AA's. I've used them in my Oly C2100z for 8 years and I hate normal "camera" batteries. They're too expensive, shorter life between charges and one has to have a dedicated charger if they want to charge multiple batteries.

I can charge 8 AA's in 2 hours. Then while I'm taking a 300-400 photos with zoom and optical IS, I charge another 8.

[Tyler Willis @ Oct 21st 2008 2:32PM]

Well said Stromm... NiMh AA batteries are readily available almost any major grocery store, can be charged in any outlet. The only reason not to use them is that propritary batteries can be made into whatever shape you need, which can be handy for the ultra-thin point & shoots. Anything thicker than 1 inch should use AA in my opinion.

[Colin Jones @ Oct 21st 2008 2:22PM]

Some people don't understand the concept of this camera... it's not out to compete with the DSLR... it's just a DSLR looking camera that will make great fun shots. Image you slapping your friend whilst someone use this camera to shoot it at 1000fps. Slow it down now...

Viola.

[Dandaman @ Oct 21st 2008 11:12PM]

I prefer the violin ;)

[BigBear @ Oct 21st 2008 4:23PM]

This camera is awesome I cant wait to get one. I've been following the ex-f1 since it was released but it was just to expensive at $999, casio took peoples comments slowed it down tad, shrunk it a little, and lowered the price to $600.

I got it priced at RITZ the other day - $876 for the camera, 8 eneloop (top notch) batteries + charger, 8Gb 20Mb/s SD card and 1 year no questions replacement warranty, and carry bag.

I know this is pretty $$$ for a camera that wont take DSLR quailty shots but if you compare it to a decent DSLR its still cheap, your looking at $1500 + for the Nikion D90 kit (only other camera i would buy)

+ the fact that this thing takes super high speed shots, unfortunately the resolution on all but the 240fps movie capture makes it straight up unwatchable, you can still see some awesome stuff at 240. + the 40 fps full res image capture is sick, never miss out on a great photo because you hit the shutter to late... it prerecords all incoming images for an adjustable time and then captures around your shutter press.

This thing is will be tons of fun and prefect for holidays or adventures or pets or wild life or little kids or anything where timing matters.

[Gazelle @ Oct 23rd 2008 9:51PM]

www.Videopia.org did a very in depth review, if interested worth and look and listen!

[ben @ Nov 2nd 2008 1:43PM]

Yes this is a fantastic camera with great reviews too. You can get a decent deal on this at http://www.saleshout.com too.
I have had some pretty good luck there with deals on cameras.
Hope this helps :)