Hands-on with Casio's EX-FS10 and EX-FC100 compacts: 30fps burst, 1000fps video

After the presser, we had the chance to go hands-on with Casio's high-bursting EX-FS10 and EX-FC100 compacts here at CES. The EX-FS10 (pictured above) was particularly impressive considering its small size and 30fps burst mode capability (and 1000fps movie mode for slow motion playback) that puts DSLRs to shame. However, any advantage is bound to end there as that integrated lens and tiny sensor are outclassed by even the lowest end DSLR. We weren't able to sample the shooting modes, but damn if these didn't feel good in hand. More in the gallery below including the new EX-Z400, EX-Z270, and EX-S12 compacts with EXILIM Engine 4.0 processing and dynamic photo function we saw during the press event.

Gallery: Casio CES 2009 digital cameras

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[Patriks7 @ Jan 7th 2009 3:36PM]

Can someone explain to a non camera expert what this burst mode actually is?

[DS @ Jan 7th 2009 3:38PM]

takes rapid fire shots. used a lot during sporting events or anything that moves fast. that way you can make sure you get the shot you wanted.

[000000 @ Jan 7th 2009 4:07PM]

30fps burst mode = 30 pics a second.

Basically you could have done this by recording video in 30fps then just pulling out the frames you like BUT... the resolution in burst mode is usually higher. So instead of 30fps at 640x480 you'll probably get 30fps in 3mpxl or whatever.

[000000 @ Jan 7th 2009 4:09PM]

So then 1000fps is, yep, 1000 pics a second. Amazing. Novel, but amazing. Film popping a baloon or spilling a glass of water at 1000fps and it becomes art.

[Patriks7 @ Jan 7th 2009 4:18PM]

So something like those photographers with those huge cameras at sport events?
Wow that's awesome!
I was planning on getting a DSLR cause my digital camera (also a Casio :D) is slow as hell, but the size of a DSLR is a no go for me..
This looks awesome!

[Temple @ Jan 7th 2009 4:37PM]

Its ultra-slow motion video. Think slow-mo of balloon bursting, or doing a video of a skater doing a kick-flip but looking like he's floating in mid-air. Lots of possibilities especially if you're taking shots of your kids doing sports, or you can do to Sea World and take a slow-mo of a dolphin jumping out of the water. etc.

[Eep @ Jan 7th 2009 3:38PM]

Any more info on specs, pricing, and availability?

[glancing aft @ Jan 17th 2009 1:37PM]

Very interesting, too bad I've been less than thrilled with their quality in the past.

[LloydChiro @ Jan 7th 2009 4:13PM]

Yea. I was all over the EX-F1 when it was first announced. But, its small sensor takes some pretty blurry stills according to some of the samples I've seen. That would have made a great all-rounder.

[Malikye @ Jan 7th 2009 3:48PM]

LCD screen size? max optical zoom? does it have IS?

looks great. i might be interested in getting one if the specs are nice and if the price is right.

[Bryan @ Jan 7th 2009 3:58PM]

How would 30fps "burst mode" differ from simple video capture? It's true that video is typically captured at a much lower resolution than pictures (even 1080p is quite a bit lower than the standard 10+ MP that compacts are shooting these days), but I don't see any mention of burst resolution from Casio. This leads me to believe it's fairly low. A camera that can shoot VGA-resolution pics at 30fps isn't anything special.

If the camera can somehow capture high resolution images at 30fps, that would be pretty killer.

[justin @ Jan 7th 2009 5:55PM]

it CAN. in one second it will take 30 pictures... all at 6MP.

My ex-fh20 camera does 40 pictures in one second. it's amazing.

this way you can choose the best shot, especially for sporting events, etc.. like the exact moment when the tennis ball is hitting my racquet...etc.

check out some vids here: www.youtube.com/hyogen82

[LloydChiro @ Jan 7th 2009 4:15PM]

Their first high-speed camera, the EX-F1 takes 6MP stills at 30 per second (or was that 60; I can't remember.)

[jizzzmo @ Jan 7th 2009 4:24PM]

Rest assured, it is higher than VGA resolution.

On top of that, most DSLRs struggle to burst anything above 10 fps, even in lower resolutions. And this camera ain't bursting, it's shooting in continuous mode.

It seems that the megapixel race is over. Now, just if one camera maker could put all these great gimmicks together and make an _actually decent point and shoot camera_.

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Jan 7th 2009 3:58PM]

now with 1000fps on 50x50 resolution!

[igor @ Jan 8th 2009 3:12PM]

Well you are not far from the possible truth.
Camera that can take HD movie with 30fps has processing power to enable movies with around 160x160 pixels with 1000 fps.
I somehow believe that casio will squeeze QVGA resolution with 1000 fps which is still pretty impressive!

[Imran @ Jan 7th 2009 4:20PM]

I've been wanting a cheap high speed camera for little projects, looks good

[FUSiONx11 @ Jan 7th 2009 4:23PM]

pricing, mp's and release date anyone?

[Frank @ Jan 7th 2009 4:36PM]

Shooting in burst-mode is only possible in a lower resolution, just like the resolution used tot film in 1000 fps. The specs do not say how many photo's you can take, but I recon the memory will be full after a second or 2. You also have a problem writing the contend to the hcsd(?) cards. The write speed will be to low to process it, so you have to wait quite some time after.

[Chris Taylor @ Jan 15th 2009 2:56AM]

the 30fps burst mode is for 30 shots so 1 second.

this is NOT VIDEO. this is FULL SIZE 6 megapixel stills! (spectacular I am drooling)

now you can lower that to say 15fps and get 2 seconds of coverage or 5fps and get 6 seconds of coverage depends on how fast your subject is moving. for he kid sliding into home place go for 15fps or even 10fps

for the crack of the baseball batt you want the 30fps but wait till the ball is half way to the plate it you will run out of buffer before he hits it :-) you could do 15fps and know you will get it but you might miss the "hit" shot

NOW if the Movie mode is like the other units 2 things

1 its unlimited IE till your memory card is full and 2 its VERY small I think the 1000fps is 210x90 pixels or something like that.

you know what ? WHO FRELLING CARES !!! ITS ONE THOUSAND FRAMES PER SECOND FOR $350 !!!

I am SO all over that :-) don't forget to bring your 500watt halogen work light ($20) trust me your gonna need the light :-)

I want the 60fps of the F1 but think the 20x zoom and 40fps and higher res of the FH20 would be a better compromise.

[Wwhat @ Jan 7th 2009 5:03PM]

There's something about the undefined edges in casio shots I never liked, and it's a pity because they make such nice looking tiny cameras.

[superhobo @ Jan 8th 2009 2:28AM]

:3

1000fps video :D