14 DAY TRIAL // Since one of the most important annual events in digital photography, Photokina, is just around the corner, the biggest names in this particular segment are coming out with all sorts of new models or updates to previous ones. We've already seen Panasonic, Sony and Canon do it, and now Casio has also come up with its own little novelty, the Exilim EX-FH20, which, together with the EX-F1, will form the company's High-Speed series.
Actually, the EX-FH20 brings what could be described as a "mixed blessing." While the resolution has increased up to a maximum 3456 x 2592, due to the new 1/2.3-inch Type, 9.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, the frame rate has actually decreased compared to the EX-F1, in both photo (from 60 frames-per-second to 40) and movie (from 1200 frames-per-second to 1000) modes.
Additionally, the EX-FH20 is equipped with a 26 mm-equivalent wide angle zoom lens that can close in on subjects with a 20x optical zoom. And speaking of zoom, it's also quite important to mention the fact that the camera from Casio also supports a 4x digital zoom, plus a 108.0x HD zoom. Moreover, the EX-FH20 also features a CMOS shift anti-shake function for power-zoom shots.
The camera supports ISO values between 64 and 1600, as well as shutter speeds from 1 to 1/2000 second, and apertures between F2.8 and F4.5. It also offers various recording modes and the already very widespread Face Detection technology.
Another interesting feature of the Exilim EX-FH20 is the fact that it can actually record movies in HD resolution, namely at around 1280 x 720 pixels (720p, at 30 fps), using the AVI format, Motion JPEG or IMA-ADPCM (monaural) formats. For viewing the respective videos, the camera has also been fitted with a 3-inch wide TFT color LCD, which supports a resolution of 960 x 240 pixels.
The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 will arrive in stores at some point in October and will sell for an estimated 400 pounds sterling (around 715 US dollars).
