Casio Exilim EX-FH20
Digital Camera Review
Nov 10, 2008
- By Tim Barribeau
2.2
The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 is the new, super-fast, ultra-zoom released by the manufacturer who made waves with the more expensive EX-F1 earlier this year. The FH20 sports a 20x zoom, the ability to take 40 frames per second at 7-megapixels, or record super-slow-motion video at up to 1000 frames per second. However, once we got the camera into our labs, we found the body to be low quality, the auto focus was slow, it went through batteries at an incredible rate, and it scored poorly in our testing. Full details follow.
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Connectivity
Software (2.00)
Casio's software is PC only, so an instant point loss there. Strangely, the FH20 doesn't ship with any image editing software; only a YouTube uploader is provided. The uploader functions relatively well, for what it is. However, not including an editor is an odd move. Even though they're often mediocre, we're still used to seeing them.
Jacks, ports, plugs (1.00)
On the left side of the camera, protected by a thick but brittle rubber plug, lie two cable connectors. There's a 9v DC in jack, used with an optional external power supply, and a proprietary port used to connect the included video output and USB cables.
Direct Print Options (4.00)
The FH20 supports both major non-PC printing options: PictBridge and DPOF. The former lets you plug directly into certain printers and set the number and size of the image you want to print. DPOF (direct print order form) lets you create a file indicating which image files you want printed, how many of each, and whether you want a time imprint, which tells a print service bureau how to handle your order. However, the limited version of DPOF used here omits some useful features, like the ability to print contact sheets of all your images.
Battery (3.00)
During our testing, we nicknamed the FH20 the Destroyer of Batteries. It takes AAs, which is usually an advantage, since it means you can pick them up in any godforsaken corner of the world you find yourself. However, using rechargeable NiMH batteries, we went through three sets in a single day. A brand new set of alkalines seems to have fared better. At the very least, the FH20 lets you specify which type of battery you're using, so it can give you a more accurate readout of remaining charge.
Memory (4.00)
The FH20 can take SD, SDHC and the older MMC cards. These are cheap, easy to find, and nigh on ubiquitous. Yay for standardization!
The SD/SDHC card is a mainstay of point-and-shoot cameras.
Other features (2.00)
Image Stabilization – On an ultra-zoom camera, image stabilization is absolutely key. The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 is no exception, and uses two types. It has camera stabilization, which shifts the image sensor to prevent wobbling, and image stabilization, which bumps up the ISO when the camera's set to Auto ISO mode. The former can be used both in still and video mode, the latter only in still. In addition, one of the BS modes is High Speed Anti Shake, which takes multiple images, and combines them to reduce blurring.
Dynamic Range - To better the dynamic range, the FH20 lets you digitally expand it two levels to help limit over- and under-exposure.
