Digital Camera News and Reviews

Casio EXILIM EX-FH20

Lets Go Digital has reviewed the Casio EXILIM EX-FH20 compact digital camera. This high speed camera is a cheaper cousin of the EX-F1 model also from Casio.

Some key features for the Casio EXILIM EX-FH20:
-9.1 megapixel sensor
-20x optical zoom (26-520mm equivalent)
-3″ LCD screen
-sensor-shift image stabilization
-30fps at a resolution of 8 megapixels and 40fps at 7 megapixels
-high speed movie recording at up to 1,000 fps
-HD movie recording 1280 x 720 pixels, at 30 fps
-ISO sensitivity 100-1600

Lets Go Digital ends up giving the Casio EXILIM EX-FH20 a “Good” 72% rating. The website likes the specifications of the camera but doesn’t give it a top score because there is visible noise at low ISO levels, some chromatic aberrations and low dynamic range.
Nevertheless it will be interesting to see how Casio continue to develop such high speed cameras.
Read the full review of the Casio EXILIM EX-FH20 camera here.

Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29

Casio has today announced a new entry level camera in their Exilim Zoom series. It is called Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29 and sports a 10.1 megapixel sensor and 3x optical zoom lens.

Some key features for the Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29:
-10.1 megapixel sensor
-3x optical zoom lens (37.5-112.5mm)
-2.7″ LCD screen
-23 “Best Shot” scene modes
-face detection
-848 x 480 pixel Motion JPEG movie mode

The Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29 will be available in April 2009 and cost about $150.

Press release:
Casio Introduces Stylish New 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera

EX-Z29 Offers Increased Portability and 23 Best Shot Modes to EXILIM Zoom Series of Digital Cameras

LAS VEGAS, NV, MARCH 3, 2009 — Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., introduced the latest addition to its stylish series of EXILIM digital cameras today, the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29. This newest member of the EXILIM line features a stylish, slim and compact design to increase portability, and provides an improved 10.1 megapixels of image resolution with 3X optical zoom. The EX-Z29 will be on display at Casio’s booth at the Photo Marketing Association International Convention and Tradeshow.

This new model stays true to the user-friendly features that have become standard to the EXILIM Zoom series. The 2.7-inch wide LCD display enables users to easily navigate camera operations and enhance the review of images, while the 23 Best Shot Modes and face detection technology help users take high quality photos without having to adjust camera settings.

“Casio is dedicated to creating digital cameras that feature superior technology while maintaining an ease of use for the consumer,” said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Sales for Digital Imaging Division at Casio America, Inc. “We continue to be a leader in the digital camera industry, providing fun and convenient ways to capture quality photographs.”

The EX-Z29 comes loaded with other useful features including Anti-Shake DSP which reduces photo blur from shaky hands or moving subjects, allowing users to shoot images with ease and confidence. Easy Mode simplifies the camera settings to three easy menus (image size, flash and self timer). With Easy Mode, the camera is set to take great photos in every situation without having to check presets or accidentally making a wrong adjustment. Casio’s Face Detection Technology maintains a sharp focus and the correct exposure for the human face.

Available at retail in April, the EX-Z29 will be available in black, pink, blue, silver and purple with an MSRP of $149.99.

EXILIM EX-Z29
A sleek & sturdy digital camera with a compact design

Design achieves a lightweight, yet durable image
Designed to fit the concept of “Sleek & Sturdy,” this camera has a compact form, measuring just 3.64” wide x 2.16” high x .91” thin. The edging that frames the body presents a light, casual feel, but at the same time gives the user the sense that this camera is tough and reliable. In addition, the camera color is not limited to a single hue. Rather, the control panel, frame, and rear casing boast contrasting colors, presenting a whole new idea in camera color schemes.

An effective 10.1-megapixel camera with a 3X optical zoom lens
In addition to offering the ability to reproduce a detailed image of the subject, this camera is very responsive and easy to operate. It has an effective 10.1-megapixel resolution, and delivers excellent performance. Images taken at high resolution can be enjoyed as beautiful photographs whether printed large or cropped before printing.

Easy-to-see 2.7-inch widescreen LCD
This camera features an easy-to-see widescreen 2.7-inch LCD monitor. Shooting information is shown in an “operating panel” on the right hand side of the screen, which makes it easy to quickly change camera settings while shooting.

Fun widescreen movie recording
Just by pressing the movie button, widescreen movies can be recorded with an aspect ratio of 16:9. The camera also offers YouTube Capture Mode, which records and saves movies at the ideal settings for the world’s largest video sharing site, YouTube. Recorded video can be easily uploaded to YouTube using the special included computer software.

Customizable focusing frames and menu screens

Focus frames
As well as the rectangular focusing frame usually displayed on the LCD monitor, users can choose designs such as a heart or a butterfly for the frame design. When the camera is correctly focused, a beautiful heart can be displayed, and when correct focus is not achieved the heart pattern breaks up. This makes it easy to ensure correct focus, and it is fun, too.

Menu screens
Menu screens can be freely selected from a total of six colors — black, chocolate, cinnamon, rose, sky blue and olive green.

Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z400

Casio has unveiled the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z400 digital camera that features Dynamic Photo function technology and a 12.1 megapixel sensor.

Some key features for the Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z400:
-12.1 megapixel sensor
-4x optical wide angle zoom lens (28 – 112mm)
-3″ LCD screen
-Image stabilization
-Dynamic Photo function

The Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z400 camera will be available from March 2009 for about $299.99.

Press release:
EXILIM Models EX-Z400, EX-Z270, and EX-S12

New high-speed image processing engine allows moving subjects to be cut and pasted onto still backgrounds or other images

Newly developed EXILIM Engine 4.0 built in
Representing a significant upgrade from the EXILIM Engine 3.0, the EXILIM Engine 4.0 is a powerful electronic package comprised of an ordinary CPU and a high-speed dedicated image processing CPU. It delivers outstanding color reproduction and a rich tonal range that guarantees superior visual expression. Noise reduction at high-sensitivity levels also helps to produce high-quality, beautiful images. Even better, despite the new image combination functionality and other functions that entail complex processing, energy consumption is about 30% lower than before, which means longer battery life. The new engine successfully combines the pursuit of radical new functionality with improvements to many conventional camera features.

Dynamic Photo function, where the subject moves against a still background
Thanks to the high-speed image processing capability of the new engine, a moving subject can be cut out of a number of images that have been shot and combined with a different still shot that forms the background. A unique digital camera image where only the main subject in the photo is moving can be created using just the camera, with no editing on a computer.

Other functions that utilize the new image processing engine

Hand-held night photography (EX-Z400 and EX-Z270 only), and shooting in adverse lighting conditions
In cases where it can be difficult to get a good shot, such as with night scenes which tend to result in photo blur, or where backlighting can cause poor exposure of faces or the background, these cameras automatically analyze the situation and make the most appropriate settings. This means that all the user has to do is to press the shutter button to take beautiful pictures.

Tracking AF
Using the image analysis technology in the new engine, the ability of the auto focus function to automatically follow a moving subject has been refined. In addition to improvements to the accuracy of auto focus tracking, when a subject leaves the frame the camera makes a record of it, and when the same subject once again enters the frame it is recognized by the camera, and auto focusing is resumed.

Makeup function
In addition to recognizing faces and adjusting focus and exposure accordingly, these cameras can make adjustments to smooth skin in images and soften facial shadows caused by sunlight, creating beautiful photographs of people’s faces. The photographer can choose from one of twelve levels of skin beauty using different strengths of image processing, and can shoot after viewing the results in the LCD monitor.

HD Movie function
Just by pressing the dedicated movie button, these cameras will record beautiful HD movies at a size of 1280×720 pixels.

A complete lineup

EXILIM EX-Z400
This model boasts a wide-angle 28 mm, 4X optical zoom lens and has an effective 12.1-megapixel resolution. It also features a large 3.0-inch high-resolution and super clear LCD monitor and the CCD shift anti-shake mechanism. The long life battery can take around 550 shots on a full charge.

EXILIM EX-Z270
This camera offers a wide-angle 28 mm, 4X optical zoom lens and has an effective 10.1-megapixel resolution. Its stylish form houses a CCD shift anti-shake mechanism and a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD monitor.

EX-S12
This camera has a stylish body measuring just 3.7” wide x 2.1” high x .6” thin (.5” at the thinnest part). It boasts a 3X optical zoom and a super clear, 2.7-inch widescreen LCD monitor and has an effective 12.1-megapixel resolution. It is finished in a design with both the high-class feel and beauty of stainless steel.

Casio EXILIM EX-FC100

Among the six digital cameras that Casio announced at CES we find the Casio EXILIM EX-FC100, a card sized high speed digital camera. This camera is very similar to the EXILIM EX-FS10, but has 5x optical zoom and image stabilization.

Some key features for the Casio EXILIM EX-FC100:
-Burst shooting at 30fps
-Video mode at 1000fps
-5x optical zoom (37 – 185mm)
-9.1 megapixel sensor
-Image stabilization
-2.7″ LCD screen
-Size: 99.0 x 58.0 x 23.0mm

The Casio EXILIM EX-FC100 camera will be available from March 2009 for about $399.99.

Press release:
High Speed EXILIM Models EX-FS10 and EX-FC100

Stylish, high-speed digital cameras that offer high-speed burst shooting

Two high-speed digital cameras that are convenient to carry everywhere
High-speed burst shooting and high-speed movie functions have been squeezed into these slim, compact, highly mobile cameras.

EX-FS10
In this card-sized camera measuring just 3.8” wide x 2.3” high x .64” thin, Casio has packed a newly developed 3X optical inner-zoom lens and a 2.5-inch high-performance Super Clear LCD. This high-speed model boasts an effective 9.1-megapixel resolution.

EX-FC100
The EX-FC100 is a compact camera measuring 3.9” wide x 2.3” high x .9” thin. It offers a 5X optical zoom lens with a CMOS shift anti-shake function and a 2.7-inch high-performance Super Clear LCD. This high-speed model boasts an effective 9.1-megapixel resolution.

30 shot-per-second high-speed burst shooting ensures that every crucial moments is captured
Both of these cameras can take up to 30 shots per second of high-resolution 6.0-megapixel images. What’s more, they can save up to 25 frames prior to the instant that the shutter button is actually pressed, so even if the user hits the shutter a bit late, that special moment will not be missed. The number of shots per second can be set at 30, 15, 10, 5, 3 or auto, and the user can set the total number of shots in one burst at 30, 20, 10 or 5.

Easy, convenient functions that make the most of high-speed burst shooting
These cameras can automatically record just the best of the images captured in a high-speed burst. Also, a number of images from a burst can be combined into a single image. It is this high-speed burst capability that offers the functionality for easily creating photos precisely in accordance with the wishes of the user. After taking a set of shots, there is no need to go to the trouble of manually select the best one.

Slow Motion View
By pressing a dedicated button during shooting, it is possible to view the movement of the subject in slow motion on the LCD monitor. The user can press the shutter while viewing the LCD monitor, selecting the perfect moment to capture from a scene that looks as if time has been slowed down.

High-Speed Anti-Shake and High-Speed Night Scene functions
These functions work because the cameras can combine a number of images taken in burst mode, and then align the position of the subject to form a single shot. This means that, even without a tripod, zoom photography and night shots are beautifully rendered, virtually making photo blur a thing of the past.

High-Speed Best Selection
To ensure that a natural, fleeting smile is captured, these cameras can automatically select the best image from a set of images taken in burst mode, with the subject smiling, with no photo blur, and with the subject’s eyes open. The best image will be saved.

Lag Correction
These cameras make it possible to set in advance the time lag between the moment that the user wants to capture and the actual time of taking the picture. This way, it is possible to capture that precious instant at any time, with minimal lag. This works because the cameras select from the images they temporarily store in their burst mode buffers the one image that was taken at the specified interval prior to the shutter being released, and just that image is saved.

High-speed movie recording at up to 1,000 fps
These cameras have a high-speed movie function that can record motion that is ordinarily too fast for the human eye to see, and then play it back in ultra-slow motion. The frame rate can be set at 1000 fps, 420 fps or 210 fps. Also, even while recording a movie clip at the standard speed (30 fps), by pressing a single button the frame rate can be changed to the 210 fps high-speed mode.

HD Movie function
The HD Movie function will record beautiful videos at a size of 1280×720 pixels. Also, pressing the dedicated photo button while shooting an HD movie clip will capture a 6.0-megapixel still image.