Casio Exilim EX-FH20 Digital Camera First Impressions Review

The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 is an advanced point-and-shoot that looks and feels a lot like a digital SLR. As with its predecessor, the groundbreaking EX-F1, the main selling point here is pure, blistering speed. The EX-FH20 is capable of capturing 40 high-resolution frames per second. While this isn't quite as fast as the EX-F1's 60 fps, but it is still an extraordinary achievement when compared to the 3-5 fps we typically see. The camera is also capable of high-speed video. While it can capture at a maximum of 1000 frames per second, the resolution has to drop incredibly low in order to do so. Again, while slower than the EX-F1's 1200 fps, the EX-FH20 still outperforms the overwhelming majority of point-and-shoots. Further, the EX-FH20 manages to usurp the EX-F1 in terms of effective resolution, mustering 9.1 megapixels compared to the EX-F1's 6 megapixels. The EX-FH20 is also priced much lower, at $599.99 compared to the EX-F1's $999.99.

Compared to the EX-F1, the EX-FH20 seems to be aimed at a more mainstream market. One of the control dials has been removed, the camera body has shrunk, the lens is much shorter, and it weighs about 28 percent less. Unfortunately, we don't expect this apparent simplification will really please users in the long run. The design changes remove dedicated buttons that provided easy access to essential camera controls (white balance, ISO, etc.) for advanced users. Instead, these settings now must be changed through the menu system. That's created a somewhat bloated menu that's sure to scare a point-and-shooter. There is also no "make everything automatic" easy mode, requiring relatively unsophisticated users instead to individually set their white balance, ISO, or other settings to automatic in order to enjoy no-hassle shooting.

Overall, however, the EX-FH20 is about speed. This quick-fire rate of 40 frames per second and high-speed video provide some entertaining and useful tools. Hockey moms can be sure to catch their darling's perfect slap shot, or study the fluid dynamics of spilling a glass of milk. Whether you're interested in stills or video, the EX-FH20 can do both easily, in a camera that's not inexpensive exactly, but still remarkable for the unique image-capturing powers it grants the user.