Casio Exilim EX-FH20 Digital Camera Review

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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The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 is significantly smaller than its predecessor, the Casio Exilim EX-F1. This allows it to be much lighter, but the lack of heft combined with slightly lower-quality plastic makes it feel somewhat cheap. Other than having a smaller body and significantly shorter lens, the EX-FH20 also has a much simpler control scheme: the shooting mode control dial is gone, its functionality relegated to the menu system.


Front
The front of the EX-FH20 is host to a few features. The left-most feature is the front of the sculptured grip. Atop this is the shutter button, which is ringed by the zoom toggle. Moving on to the right, you'll find the auto focus assist light, the lens, and the flash pop-up button.


The lens on the EX-FH20 is stubby compared to its predecessor's.

Back
The LCD is located in the bottom left of the EX-FH20's back, taking up most of the available real estate. Above the screen, in the top left is a button that toggles the display between the viewfinder and the LCD. The next feature is the viewfinder itself, which is thoughtfully padded with rubber for optimal ocular comfort. To the right of that are two buttons, which switch to playback mode and record mode respectively (for a better look at these buttons, check the top view below). On the right side of the screen, you'll find the display button, menu button, BS (best shot, aka scene mode), and the four-way pad.


Pictured on the screen: scene mode selection.

Sides
The left side of the EX-FH20 features a few key features. The two buttons to the right of the lens are the auto exposure lock button on top and the the toggle for macro/manual mode below. Above these is a button to make the flash pop up. On the protruding edge of the left side you'll find the camera strap attachment and a door which conceals the proprietary USB and power ports.


The left side of the EX-FH20: for when you need to move
into macro mode or remind yourself of the camera's quick draw credentials.

The right side of the camera only has two features: the other neck strap attachment and the memory card slot, which is covered by a spring-loaded panel. The EX-FH20 takes SD and SDHC cards.


The right side is relatively featureless.

Top
On top of the camera are the flash, the control dial, the on/off switch, the shutter button, and the zoom toggle. Eagle-eyed readers will also notice the diopter adjuster to the immediate left of the viewfinder.

The control wheel will allow you to switch between flash continuous shot, high speed continuous shot, single shot, high speed movie, and high definition / standard definition movie modes. Further on to the right is the on / off switch. Atop the grip peninsula is the shutter button, which is set inside the silvery zoom toggle ring. Slide the zoom ring to the left to zoom out and to the right to zoom in.


The EX-FH20 ditches its predecessor's shooting mode control dial, making mode switching a strictly menu-based affair.
 A different angle on the camera's controls. Zooming out is represented by a three-tree forest; zooming in is a single, large tree.

Bottom
The bottom of the camera has two features: the battery cover and the tripod mount.


The battery cover will spring open when it's unlocked.


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