Casio Exilim EX-F1

Unquestionably the most futuristic camera of 2008, the Casio EXILIM EX-F1 offers unparalleled capabilities in both still and video shooting. We expect respectable digital SLRs today to take roughly three photos per second. The EX-F1 can take 60 full-resolution pictures in a second. It can even shoot 7 frames per second while firing the flash with each shot.

The ability to shoot video clips is standard on most compact cameras today, and a few even venture into the realm of 720p 'high-definition.' The EX-F1, though shoots both standard-definition video and full 1920 x 1080 true high-definition video. And for its most jaw-dropping trick, it offers super-slow-motion shooting at up to 1200 frames per second – in other words, you get to watch a moment in time slowed down by a factor of twenty. At that rate, when you burst a balloon full of water, you see the water hesitate before realizing gravity wants it to splatter. Flicking a butane lighter becomes a Tarantino-esque slow-motion dance of spark and flame.

We learned in January, at the Consumer Electronics Show, that the EX-F1 would deliver these extraordinary capabilities, thanks to a new high-speed CMOS sensor paired with a fast LSI processor. It took a full six months before the company could deliver a production model so we could determine how well any or all of these features actually performed. After working with the camera for a few weeks, both in the labs and shooting out on the streets, we’re excited, but with reservations. The ultra-slow-motion video gets lots of attention, but the gee-whiz appeal faded after a day or two. The killer feature turns out to be rapid-fire photography. The ability to shoot continuously anywhere from 1 to 60 frames per second lets you catch the perfect sports moment, or baby’s smile, or animal zipping across your field of view. That said, still image quality is good but not great, and the video can’t equal dedicated camcorder output, though most casual users will probably be satisfied with the results. Our complete report, including hands-on experience and lab results, follows.