Will Casio's new high-speed camera be enough to conquer the appetites of eccentric shooters near and far? Get the answer in our in-depth Casio Exilim EX-FH20 review.
Review summary of the Casio Exilim EX-FH20:
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 Casio has once again delivered high-speed imaging to the masses, this time at nearly half the price. What will the price break cost shooters in terms of features and quality? For starters, the Casio Exilim EX-FH20 has been downgraded to a smaller imager and MJPEG video recording, rather than the first generation EX-F1's H.264 recording capability. You'll also notice fewer external controls and smaller, more compact architecture. The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 flaunts an obscenely large 20x optical zoom lens, but the most enticing aspects of the EX-FH20 are found in the Best Shot and High-Speed shooting modes. Sequential action, 40fps bursts, a pre-recording buffer and a handful of other exhilarating shooting modes will provide enough playtime to last several months. Does the image quality of the EX-FH20 rise to the occasion? Not really, but some of the results are so fun and unique, that may be beside the point. Release: October 2008. Price: $600.
Pros: Unique high-speed feature. Multi-motion Image mode. Solid, comfortable design and construction. Decent array of manual controls.
Cons: Smaller imager offers less image quality. Certain high-speed modes are finicky. High-speed video resolutions are too small.
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Full Casio Exilim EX-FH20 Review:
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Design - Good
At $600, we expected the Casio Exilim EX-FH20 would be a watered down version of Casio's high-speed Exilim EX-F1. The FH20 is roughly 27% more compact and flaunts fewer external controls. Banished is the multi-function lens ring. In its place you'll find a whopping 20x optical zoom lens, a proverbial blinking neon arrow directed at the point-and-shoot crowd. A 20x optical zoom is a prodigious magnification, even for an Ultra-Zoom camera, but we'd rather see a wider-angle lens on the EX-FH20. Despite its smaller stature, the EX-FH20 handles like a Cadillac with a contoured, rubberized grip and DSLR-like architecture. One thing Casio didn't skimp on is construction. This is a camera that can handle a tumultuous journey within the confines of a tattered backpack or weathered camera bag.
On the back, Casio expanded the LCD screen to a full 3-inches, but the resolution remains the same. The display is less than desirable, especially when the Manual Focus is accessed, which zooms in to allow the shooter to focus on a more precise focal point. Unfortunately, the zoom display is so pixilated and noisy that it is nearly impossible to discern an accurately focused part of the frame. The LCD screen is certainly something on which Casio can improve.
The steering wheel for the Casio Exilim EX-FH20's menu operations is no longer a spinning dial, but rather a more conventional four-way directional pad with a central Set button. In most cases, this design is not a hindrance to navigation flow, but it lacks the refined movement of the spinning dial. This is especially noticeable during manual control adjustments, however most point-and-shooters will be fine with the EX-FH20's Auto modes.
The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 features a circular mode dial that rests next to the On/Off switch. We're not at the helm of the Starship Enterprise, like we were with the EX-F1, which offered a separate shooting mode dial and video quality switch as well. On the bright side, the Casio Exilim EX-FH20 retains the same shooting modes and video quality settings—they're just accessed though the menu system.
Features - Good
The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 is a jack of all trades. It captures high-speed video and images, RAW and JPEG images up to 9MP, and is equipped with a few Best Shot modes that will make shooting a lot more invigorating. It's worth noting that Casio is the first manufacturer to dip its toes into the high-speed photography pool on the consumer level. So, while we may not expect the highest quality video clips, you can at least have some fun with this technology. For the novice shooter, Casio has retained a level of simplicity necessary for a camera in this price range and presumed experience level.
The Best Shot modes are a key example. First, let's all have a jolly good laugh at the "BS" button you have to press to access the "BS" menu. And now for something completely different. The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 contains minimal Best Shot modes when compared to many of their entry and mid-level compact zooms. But it's the content here that counts. Sure, you have your classic hits like Fireworks and Sundown. Now the EX-FH20 takes advantage of its high-speed technology with High Speed Night Scene, High Speed Anti-Shake, Multi-motion Image, Digital Panning and Move In/Out Continuous Shot.
Our favorite by far is Multi-motion Image, in which the EX-FH20 captures various stages of action from start to finish and creates an image that represents the sequential flow of the motion. For instance, a sequence of a motocrosser flying off a double jump will show the rider from the moment he or she hits the jump, catching air in the middle and landing, all in one image. You can set the number of frames to be captured from 1 up to 40 (the faster the action, the more frames you'll need). One caveat is that you will need a tripod for lower frame rates, or else the EX-FH20 will refuse to capture the image. Check out our experiment with Multi-motion Image in the Image Quality section. You won't be disappointed.
High Speed Night Scene and High Speed Anti-Shake function by capturing up to 40 frames and combining the best images out of the bunch. In Night Scene mode, the images with the best exposure and focus are selected. You can also achieve artistic light trails with moving objects, as the EX-FH20 fuses together multiple images. Digital Panning is geared toward fast objects, such as motorcycles or racecars. The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 essentially captures numerous images and selects the image that is focused amidst a blurry background. This is ideal for sports as well. Finally, Move In/Out CS enables the shooter to capture a subject as it enters or exits the frame by capturing multiple images and allowing the shooter to select the best image during playback. You can also use Move In/Out CS for stop motion action sequences.
You can also shoot in two different high-speed continuous shot modes, which is kind of like a "Create Your Own" BS. 1-40 CS mode offers the shooter the opportunity to capture images in a wide range of frame rates. The Pre-Record function is a buffer that captures images before and after you hit the shutter button to prevent the devastating loss of crucial action. For instance, if you've been stationed in front of Punxsutawney Phil's hole all morning and want to minimize your chance of missing the little bugger, Pre-Record will make sure you get the shot, even if your finger is late to the trigger. Flash CS mode allows you to use the flash during continuous recording, but fps are capped at 5. Keep in mind that 1-40 CS mode can only shoot at a 7-megapixel max, and Flash CS mode is limited to 8MP.
In addition to 30fps HD and SD video, the EX-FH20 is capable of capturing high-speed video at the following frame rates: 1000, 420, 210 and a variable 30-210fps. Of course, the higher the frame rate, the lower the resolution. The 1000fps videos are 224 by 56 pixels, which, on our screens, is slightly larger than a stick of Trident. For liliputians, this is more than enough resolution. But for the rest of the macro world, a 1000fps video clip from the Casio Exilim EX-FH20 is useful as a novelty act, and that's about it. The 210fps clips are 480 by 360, which looks like a movie theater screen after viewing the tiny 1000fps clips. Regardless, the high-speed videos are fun to play with, as you can see in our samples in the Image Quality section below.
With its high-speed shooting capability, 20x optical zoom and enticing Best Shot modes, the EX-FH20 is not simply another run of the mill model from Casio. These stimulating features make the camera what it is, and if you can live with the compromised image quality, then you will have a blast with the EX-FH20.
Interface - Good
We've seen the Casio menu structure on models from the entry-level compact cameras all the way up to the EX-FH20. You can expect an intuitive interface that keeps the essentials close at hand. Along the right hand side of the LCD screen is a handy menu bar that includes Resolution, ISO and Shooting mode options, simply accessed by shifting up or down on the d-pad. For more extensive options, the Menu button transports you to the main menu screen. Here's where you can delve into the options such as Face Detection, Anti-Shake and the administrative options. The LCD screen menu varies depending on what mode you are shooting in, but this menu structure is basic and straightforward - nothing to loose your marbles over.
A camera that's so menu-dependent will also require additional fiddling when it comes to setting up a shot. The EX-F1 offers a handful of external controls that slice setup time in half, enabling shooters to their focus on the shot. We missed the zoom ring around the lens, but the EX-FH20's shutter button zoom ring is a viable alternative.
Unfortunately, the EX-FH20 does not have an HDMI or Component output. Your only options are AV and USB, which share the same proprietary port. This is yet another indication of the EX-FH20's intended audience, as most novice shooters will be content viewing their content on any old TV set. During playback, video clips and images are displayed just as they are on the Casio Exilim EX-FH20's LCD screen, only the larger scale and AV transmission sacrifice even more quality. From the back of the room, the clips and images look great, but up close it's another story.
Hardware - Good
So what's going on inside? Well, Casio stuffed the EX-FH20 with a smaller imager that packs in more pixels, contrary to the EX-F1's larger sensor with fewer pixels. This equates to a lack of image quality on the EX-FH20's part. A larger sensor soaks up more light, despite having a lower pixel count. The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 will allow you to print larger images, but the quality will still suffer.
Casio also switched from H.264 video to MJPEG (Motion JPEG), which is a less desirable codec because it gobbles up memory space and offers inferior quality. To get the price down to $600, MJPEG was obviously the financially sound path to take, but don't expect your videos to match even the quality of the Casio Exilim EX-F1. Expect smaller resolutions and less detail at higher frame rates. However, there is still a fun factor with the EX-FH20's high-speed videos that cannot be denied, and the 210fps mode will provide you with plenty of pixels at a decent frame rate.
Four AA batteries constitute the primary power source for the Casio Exilim EX-FH20. How long do they last? Well, after 19 still image bursts, 10 BS Mode images (including several Multi-motion Image and Digital Panning) and 7 high-speed videos, our AAs hung up their respective Alkaline gloves and called it quits. That's it!? We were out for about an hour testing the EX-FH20. You might want to invest in a few bullet slings for your AA batteries if you plan on mega film and special effect shoots.
Image Quality - Mediocre
We're going to alter our perspective regarding the image quality of the Casio Exilim EX-FH20 here. A consumer camera that contains so many high-speed tricks at a lower price point than the EX-F1 is bound to be lose some quality, in certain regards. The smaller imager and MJPEG video compression are bound to reduce overall quality. So, we looked at the Casio Exilim EX-FH20 in terms of its intended objective: high speed image and video action for the consumer market. Yes, we're going to be showered with noise at times; sharpness will slack and colors will fail to stimulate. However, if you learn how to execute certain modes in the right way, you will be pleasantly surprised. This is a camera that ignited the playful photographer in us, so let's just say hi to the no-frills image quality elephant in the room and see what the Casio Exilim EX-FH20 is capable of.
Scene Test – Astor Place
Although the lighting is not optimal, it's clearly apparent that this image contains a moderate dosage of ghosting, noise and lack of sharpness. The Cube looks great—you'll notice minimal noise and sharp lines, but the rest of the image looks like a blurred collage up close. Artifacting is present in the trees and the left side of the Cooper Union building displays a hefty fringing line where it meets the sky. This image was captured in Auto mode at the highest resolution (9MP). If the Cube was the most important facet of this image, then you have nothing to worry about. However, if you are concerned with the overall composition of your shot, the Casio Exilim EX-FH20 cannot multi-task on behalf of the remainder of the image.
Color Test - Sunglasses
The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 captures better detail in this image, but colors fail to provide a pep in one's step. Bright colors, like the orange sunglasses, are almost too much for the smaller sensor to handle as they are literally glowing. The reds lack pizzazz and the blues actually give us the blues. To the EX-FH20's credit, the sky was partially overcast, but we'd still expect some more vibrant hues out of this image.
Sharpness Test - Buildings
In keeping with the recurring theme, this image also lacks detail, but not to the extent of the Astor Place test. Up close, lines are slightly blurred and the image has a soft feel to it. The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 has a Sharpness setting that allows you to decrease or increase the Sharpness of the image, but more noise is also part of the deal when you crank it up.
ISO 100
ISO 400
ISO 1600
The higher you go with ISO, the more sensitivity you attain. However, noise also jumps along for the ride. As you can see, 100 and 400 ISO levels are sharper and more warm while the ISO 1600 image is more desaturated and grainy. This is a typical performance from a consumer camera.
Low Light - Sticks
This setting for most digital cameras is ominous: upward projecting light, deep shadows and an overall lack of light. However, the Casio Exilim EX-FH20's image is not as bad as we would have assumed. Noise is actually minimal and sharpness amongst the sticks is stronger than we've seen yet. A few sticks are blown out where the light is hitting them directly, but this image is one of the best stills we've seen yet in terms of quality.
Macro Test – Falafel Sandwich
There's nothing like a big falafel sandwich in your face. The lens barrel was practically buried in the yogurt sauce. Despite the minimal noise created by the looming pita bread shadow, the detail is delightfully…textural. Notice the focus is optimal at the finger. You can see the flakes of pita and gelatinous shine of the sauce. Time for lunch.
Wide Angle
Telephoto
The EX-FH20's 20x optical zoom lens is absurd. From approximately three blocks away, we were able to attain a fairly decent telephoto shot of this banner ad. Anti-Shake was engaged—a feature we highly recommend using if you are a zoom freak. Despite the noise and slight fringing, the telephoto image looks good. Of course, the wide angle shot is strikingly similar to the Astor Place image, wrought with noise in certain areas and an overall lack of detail.
Multi-motion Image - Cartwheel
Multi-motion Image - Motorcycle
Here's where the fun begins. The EX-FH20's Multi-motion Image Best Shot mode allows you to capture sequential action at varying frame rates. The cartwheel was captured at 5 fps, but we had to steady the EX-FH20 on the seat of a bicycle or else it would refuse to capture the image. The end result is a lot of fun, and now we're beginning to see what this camera was created for. The shot of our infoSync Digital Imaging editor on his Kawasaki ZRX1200 did not come out quite as solid because it was captured at 40fps. Still, a nifty trailing effect is applied here, making the bike seem a lot faster than it's actually going. The truck in the background interferes with the action, so be sure to use this mode in a minimal shooting environment.
Digital Panning - Motorcycle
We weren't so lucky with the Digital Panning mode. The EX-FH20 selected the frame of the cab instead of the motorcycle. So, in order to execute this mode properly, make sure the background is free of other moving objects, just like Multi-motion Image. Regardless, the image is blurry and the whole point of this mode is to focus on a speeding subject amidst a blurry background.
Move In CS – 5-0
Here's a shot of New York's finest caught in Move In CS mode, a Best Shot mode that captures 40 frames and allows you to choose the one you want in playback. This is optimal for nature shots, but here we were able to extract a decent crop of the cruiser. The image leaves much to be desired—and we're not just talking about the subject. Motion is blurred and detail is slacking again.
Sunset - Auto
Sunset – Sundown Mode
Here's another surprise performance. In Auto mode, the EX-FH20 captures this scene beautifully in terms of color. The hues of the sky are tempestuous and brooding while the lights and buildings sparkle with life. Noise is having a field day in the sky, as usual, but the image is one of the best we've seen produced by this camera so far. In Sundown mode, it's not the case. The image is exceedingly blurry and warm. We appreciate the warmth for the sunset portion of the shot, but the inherent lack of detail renders this image unusable when viewed at 100%.
High Speed Night Scene
High Speed Night Scene – Motion Blur
High Speed Night Scene captures multiple images and creates a single, effective image. It's not bad, but the sky is dancing with noise and mutant pixels. This is a romantic shot, surely a keeper for nostalgic tourists, but nothing a pro would savor for years to come. On the bright side, you can use High Speed Night Scene mode to capture motion trailing, just like Multi-motion Image, only at night.
Front Handspring 210fps
Front Handspring 1000fps
Undoubtedly one of the most appealing functions of this camera is its ability to capture high-speed videos. At 210fps, this video looks pretty good. We can overlook the small resolution thanks to the quality of the action. You can see the fabric of the pants undulating upon the landing. Movement is fluid and the MJPEG codec actually holds its own. Sure, you can catch compression artifacts and noise throughout, but it's minimal and does not hamper the overall presentation. 1000fps is a different story. At roughly 8 stacked matchsticks in size, this video is entirely unusable. Compression artifacting is exploding throughout the image. The motion is certainly cool, but you'll have to use a microscope to discern the pixilated blob flying at a snail's pace through space.
Price and availability
The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 is available now at select retailers for $600.
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