Casio Exilim EX-FH20
Digital Camera Review
Sep 23, 2008
- By Mark Brezinski
2.2
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.
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Model Design / Appearance
One of the main areas where the EX-FH20 has improved over the previous model is in looks and layout. The original was essentially a step between point-and-shoot and digital SLR, but its large size and copious dials could worry mainstream consumers. By shrinking the camera's proportions and overall size, Casio made the camera look less like an SLR wannabe and more like the point-and-shoot it actually is. Though this isn't the smallest, sleekest camera there is out there, compared to its previous iteration, the EX-FH20 has gotten a welcome aesthetic overhaul.
Size and Handling
As mentioned above, the EX-FH20 has shrunk to a much more manageable size from the EX-F1. This does not mean, however that it's in any way small. In fact there are a few digital SLRs out there that are smaller, such as the Olympus E-420. Most point-and-shoots are cell phone-sized and far more pocket-friendly. In terms of size and handling, the EX-FH20 is about equivalent to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18.
Compared to SLRs, the EX-FH20 is small; compared to other
point-and-shoots, it's a behemoth.
Menu
The menu structure on the EX-FH20 is identical to that of its predecessor, the EX-F1. Pressing the menu button will bring up a list with three tabs across the top: REC, Quality, and Set Up. By pressing up or down on the 4-way control, you can call up a menu of frequently-used options, like white balance, or aspect ratio.
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Hitting up or down on the 4-way control will bring up this menu.
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Pressing the Menu button will bring up this menu.
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Ease of Use
The EX-FH20s audience is probably best described as someone who would be capable of using an SLR, but doesn't feel the need for interchangeable lenses. Less experienced photographers will likely be intimidated by the expanse of menus. It seems the desire to cut down on visible buttons and dials has resulted in a menu system that's bloated and difficult if you're not a very patient user.n an effort to keep knobs and switches off the camera's case. We're not sure this is the best system, since it removes the easy-access controls from advanced users and creates somewhat intimidating menus for novices.
