I've got the Need for Speed. The Casio Exilim EX-FH100 is a rapid machine, but it surprised us in the most important area. See what's improved on the new Casio Exilim EX-FH100.
Casio Exilim EX-FH100 Overview
This is the most fun we've ever had with a Casio digital camera since the rugged EX-G1, for this is a company that excels in opting for the path less traveled by. Heck, Fujifilm is ripping off Casio by implementing high-speed video on its disappointing Finepix HS10, so that's a bonafide compliment. We feel as though the Casio Exilim EX-FH100 is another leap toward the realm of excellence we want to see these cameras reside in, though it still has a significant journey to the top. The 10-megapixel 10x optical zoom compact finally got its act together in the image quality department while still maintaining its classic Casio fun factor with 40fps continuous image capture and slow motion video modes. However, we were greeted by a few peculiar camera flaws, but it was nothing out of the ordinary for a Casio. Check out our slow motion videos throughout this review, along with our in-depth analysis.
Casio Exilim EX-FH100 – The Need for Speed
The fun starts with the Casio Exilim EX-FH100's high-speed continuous shooting modes. In fact, the camera has a designated HS (High Speed) button behind the Shutter button for instant action. Like all other high-speed Casios, the EX-FH100 allowed us to set the burst frame rate from 1 all the way to 40, and it even had an Auto mode that allowed the camera to set the frame rate. Of course, they should rename that Auto mode to "Random" because we never knew what frame rate we were going to get. As far as video, we're treated to the same frame rates and resolutions: 120fps at 640x480, 240fps at 448x336, 420fps at 224x168, and 1000fps at 224x64 (or one stick of Trident). We'd like to see larger resolutions for slow motion videos on the next Casios, especially since YouTube screens are getting larger.
The EX-FH100's Best Shot modes also included high-speed presets for Sports, Pets, Kids, etc. But our favorite high-speed modes were Move In CS and Move Out CS. This allowed us to capture action that is entering the frame or exiting without the need to press the shutter button. As soon as the camera detects motion, it snaps 30fps. This is great if you're by yourself and you want to capture say a bike wheelie or some slow motion Baywatch running. Best Shot Modes also other trivial high-speed modes and typical scene modes like Flower, Portrait, and Sunset. We also got a few low light options, including High Speed Lighting, High Speed Night Scene, etc. However, we found that manual adjustment was the best route for low light.
Casio Exilim EX-FH100 – Advanced Shooting
Speaking of Manual adjustment, the Casio Exilim EX-FH100 had a full Manual suite including a Shutter Speed that reached down to 30 seconds, Aperture range of f/3.2 to f/7.5, 100 – 3200 ISO setting, and Manual Focus! But don't get your hopes up about the Manual Focus. It's the magnification type, which is not the worst method if you have a killer LCD resolution. But the Casio Exilim EX-FH100 is shafted with a fairly wretched LCD screen resolution, so there's really no way to tell when something is properly focused. Also, the Casio Exilim EX-FH100 has an excellent 24mm wide-angle lens, but it can't really do any Macro shooting. We could only get about three inches from a subject before it began to run out of focus.
The Casio Exilim EX-FH100 had Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority, in addition to a Program Auto mode, so when it came to elevated level photography, this was the first Casio to make us feel like we weren't shooting with a novelty box. The camera's sensor shift image stabilization wasn't that impressive, the external controls were basic, and the camera's overall construction felt a tad cheap. We did like the separate Video Record button with embedded tab that allowed us to select between HD and High Speed video. Menus were the same quirky Casio layouts, so on the next model, we'd like to see redesigned menus, a much better LCD, and larger high-speed video resolutions.
Casio Exilim EX-FH100 Still Image Quality
Wait, this can't be a Casio! No fricking way! Holy %&#&^$&! Those were just some of the words one would hear if they wandered past the door of our testing lab, for the Casio Exilim EX-FH100 gave us the best image performance we've seen from a Casio to date. We had the option of shooting in RAW, but the JPEGs actually came out better compared to what Photoshop Camera RAW did to them. Also, Casio only gives you software for Windows machines, so they lost points there. But we did a comprehensive test between a TIF, RAW, and JPEG, and the JPEG won out. Which leads us to believe that the Exilim EX-FH100 really doesn't need a RAW shooting mode and only includes one for show.
Whatever the case, the Casio Exilim EX-FH100's 10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor produced minimal noise, offered natural color reproduction, staved off nearly all purple fringing, and managed to crank out some truly impressive images. Even the high-speed shots were decent. Check out our Macros of the cereal bowl and butterfly. With a little Photoshop, the Casio Exilim EX-FH100 proved that it could run with the likes of the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS, Nikon Coolpix P100, and Fujifilm Finepix F80EXR. In fact, we think the Casio Exilim EX-FH100 is one of the primo image quality specialists in this price range. Congratulations Casio—you finally did it!
As far as slow motion video was concerned, nothing had changed on the Casio Exilim EX-FH100. We were still given the same frame rates with miniscule resolutions to go along with them. That's our one major hang-up with this camera, and we think that's what the company should plan on improving for the next model. We want to see 240fps in at least a 640x480 resolution. Optimally, we'd like to see high-speed HD video, but we're far from there. The high-speed shooting modes were still fun, as you've seen throughout this review and below, but we need larger resolutions.
HD quality was also impressive, but the sensor shift image stabilization was not sufficient and we couldn't optically zoom in while shooting. These are two major blows to the Casio Exilim EX-FH100's high-definition well being, so we couldn't really recommend the HD video mode over any of the EX-FH100's competitors.
Casio Exilim EX-FH100 photo gallery
Price and availability
The Casio Exilim EX-FH100 is available now for approximately $300.
_it00.jpg)
|
Archive