2 New Casio High-Speed Cameras for 2010. Highly recommended by Brian Manzella

[Brian Manzella]

Here is the scoop.

These cameras are PERFECT for golf swing capture, I use them everyday, and here is the lineup, including a couple of new ones introduced at the CES show:

EX-FH100 - $349.00 retail

Specifications

File Format
Still images: RAW(DNG)*1,JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.2),DCF 1.0, DPOF compliant
Movies: AVI format, Motion JPEG, IMA-ADPCM (stereo)
Audio (Voice Recording): Stereo


Recording Media
SDHC Memory Card compatible

Number of Recorded Pixels
Still images: RAW/10M(3648x2736)/3:2(3648x2432)/
16:9(3648x2048)/9M(3456x2592)/7M(3072x2304)/
4M(2304x1728)/2M(1600x1200)/VGA(640x480)
High-Speed Movies: 224x64(1000 fps)/224x168(420fps)/448x336(240fps)/640x480(120fps)/448x336(30-240fps)/640x480(30-120fps)
HD Movies:1280x720(30fps)
STD Movies: 640 x 480 (30fps)


Number of Effective Pixels
Approx. 10.1 megapixels (/million)


Image Sensor
1/2.3-inch high-speed CMOS (back-illuminated type)


Lens
Construction: 11 lenses in 10 groups, including aspherical lens
F-number: F3.2(W) - F5.7(T)
Focal Length/35mm Film Equivalent: f=4.3 - 43.0mm


Zoom
Optical Zoom: 10x optical zoom
Digital Zoom: 4x digital zoom
40 times both with optical and digital zoom
HD Zoom: 57.0X (image size: 640x480pixels )

Focus
Focus Type: Contrast Detection Auto Focus
Focus Mode: Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Infinity mode, Manual focus
AF Area: Spot, Free, Tracking

Focus Range *
From Lens Surface
Auto Focus:Approx. 5.9" to infinity (W)
Macro: Approx. 2.7" to 19.7" (First step from widest setting)
Infinity Mode:Infinity (W)
Manual Focus: Approx. 5.9" to infinity (W)

Exposure
Exposure Metering: Multi pattern, Center Weighted, Spot by imaging element
Exposure Control: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Speed Priority AE, Manual Exposure
Exposure Compensation: -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)

Shutter Type
CMOS electronic shutter and mechanical shutter
Shutter Speed Auto: Auto / Aperture Priority AE : 1 - 1/2000 second
Shutter Speed Priority AE / Manual Exposure :30 to 1/2000 second ( high-speed continuous shutter: up to 1/40000 second)


Aperture
F3.2(W) - F7.5(W) (ND filter is being used.)
* Using optical zoom causes the aperture to change


White Balance
Auto WB, Daylight, Overcast, Shade, Day white Fluorescent, Daylight Fluorescent,
Tungsten, manual WB

Sensitivity
(SOS/REI)
Still images: Auto/ ISO100/ ISO200/ ISO400/ ISO800/ ISO1600/ ISO3200
Movies: Auto (Manual Exposure mode: ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800, ISO1600, ISO3200)

Self-Timer
10 seconds, 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer

Flash Mode
Auto, Flash off, Flash on, Red eye reduction

Built-In Flash
To be announced

Other Recording Functions
BEST SHOTS


Monitor Screen
3.0-inch TFT color LCD (Super Clear LCD), 230,400 dots (960 x 240)


Monitor
3.0-inch TFT color LCD 230,400 dots (960 x 240)


Timekeeping Function

Date and Time: Recorded with image data
On-image Time Stamp Function: Yes
Auto Calendar: To 2049
World Time:162 cities in 32 time zones, city name, date, time, daylight saving time

Input / Output Terminals
USB/AV port, HDMI output (Mini)
USB: Hi-Speed USB

Microphone
Stereo

Speaker
Monoaural

Power Source
Rechargeable lithium ion battery (NP-90) x1


Dimensions
4.1” (W) x 2.5” (H) x 1.2” (D)


Bundled Accesories
Rechargeable lithium ion battery, lithium ion battery charger, AC power cord, USB cable, AV cable, strap, CD-ROM

EX-FH25 - $399.00 retail

Specifications

File Format
Still images: RAW(DNG*1),JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.2), DCF1.0, DPOF
Movies: AVI format, MotionJPEG, IMA-ADPCM (Monaural)
Audio (Voice Recording):


Recording Media *2
Approx. 85.9MB built-in flash memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card compatible


Number of Recorded Pixels
Still images: RAW/10M(3648x2736)/3:2(3648x2432)/
16:9(3648x2048)/9M(3456x2592)/
7M(3072x2304)/4M(2304x1728)
2M(1600x1200)/VGA(640x480)
Movies: HD(1280x720 30fps), HS 1000(224x64 1000fps), HS 420(224x168 420fps), HS 240 (448x336 240fps), HS 120 (640x480 120fps), HS 30-240 (448x336 30fps 240fps), HS 30-120 (640x480 30fps 120fps), STD(640x480 30fps)


Number of Effective Pixels
Approx. 10.1megapixels (/million)


Image Sensor
1/2.3-inch high-speed CMOS
Total Pixels: 10.62 megapixels (/million)


Lens
Construction:
F-number:
Focal Length:
35mm Film Equivalent:

F2.8(W) - F4.5(T) / f=4.6 - 92mm
(Approx. 26 - 520mm equivalent to 35mm film)
14 lenses in 11 groups, including aspherical lens.


Zoom Optical Zoom: 20 x optical zoom
Digital Zoom: 4x digital zoom (80 times both with optical and digital zoom)
HD Zoom: HD Zoom Maximum 114x (@VGA)

Focus Focus Type: Contrast Detection Auto Focus, with AF assist lamp.
Focus Mode: Auto Focus, Macro Mode, Super Macro Mode, Manual focus
AF Area: Spot, Free, Tracking

Focus Range *
From Lens Surface Auto Focus: Approx. 12cm - Infinity (W)
Macro: Approx. 12cm - 50cm (W)
Super Macro: Approx. 1cm - 12cm
Manual Focus: Approx. 12cm - Infinity (W)
* Using optical zoom causes the aperture to change.

Exposure Exposure Metering: Multi pattern, Center Weighted, Spot by imaging element
Exposure Control: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Speed Priority AE, Manual Exposure
Exposure Compensation: -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)

Shutter Type

Shutter Speed Auto: 1 - 1/2000 second
Night Scene:

Aperture Priority AE : 1 - 1/2000 second
Shutter Speed Priority AE / Manual Exposure: 30 - 1/2000 second
(Depending on user's setting of Camera)

Aperture
F2.8(W) - F7.9(W)
(Aperture subject to change, depending on setting of optical zoom and shooting mode)

White Balance Auto WB, Daylight, Overcast, Shade, Day white Fluorescent, Daylight Fluorescent, Tungsten, manual WB

Sensitivity
(SOS/REI) Still images: Auto/ ISO100/ ISO200/ ISO400/ ISO800/ ISO1600/ ISO3200
Movies: Auto (Hi-Speed Movie when Manual Exposure mode: ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800, ISO1600, ISO3200)
* SOS: Standard Output Sensitivity.

Self-Timer 10 seconds, 2 seconds, Triple Self-timer

Flash Mode Auto, Flash off, Flash on, Red eye reduction

Built-In Flash Flash Modes: Auto, Flash off, Flash on, Red eye reduction
Wide Range:
Tele Range:
Flash Charge Time:

Recording Capacity
(Still image is at max image setting)
Audio -
Voice -

Normal: Approx. 0.4 - 7.0 m (W)
Approx. 1.3 - 4.4 m (T)
Flash Continuous: Approx. 0.6 - 2.3 m (W)
Shootingwhen 5 shots taken ) Approx. 1.3 - 1.4 m (T)
* Range is affected by optical zoom.

Other Recording Functions
Snapshot, High Speed Continuous shooting, Prerecord (still image), Flash Continuous shooting, Normal Speed Continuous Shooting, BEST SHOT, Face Recognition, High Speed Movie (with sound only when 30fps of HS30-120 or HS30-240), HD Movie, STD Movie, Prerecord (movie), YouTube™ Capture Mode, CMOS shift stabilization


Playback Functions
Playback Zoom, Multi-image Screen, Start-up Images, Rotate, Auto Rotate, Re-size, Trimming, Copy, BGM Slideshow, Brightness, White Balance, MOTION PRINT, Continuous Shooting Multi Print, Movie Editing, Continuous Shooting Frame Edit(DPOF Printing, Protect, Copy, Delete)


Other Functions
Monitor Screen Brightness Adjustment, EVF Brightness Adjustment, PictBridge, Video Output(NTSC/PAL), Divide Group(Dividing Up a Continuous Shutter Group), Eye-Fi Wireless Card compatible
Image Deletion: One image / All images / Deleting a Specific CS Group File / Deleting All Files in a CS Group
With memory protect function


Monitor
3.0-inch TFT color LCD (Super Clear LCD)
230,400 dots (960 x 240)


Timekeeping Function Built-in quartz digital clock
Date and Time: Recorded with image data
With time stamp function
Auto Calendar: To 2049
World Time: 162 cities in 32 time zones
City name, date, time, summer time

Input / Output Terminals USB/AV port (Hi-Speed USB compatible), AC adaptor connection(DC-IN)

Microphone Monaural

Speaker Monaural

Power Source
(AD-C100 *3):
Power Consumption: 6.0V DC, Approx. 8.5 W


Dimensions
122.6(W) x 81.4(H) x 84.5(D) mm
(excluding projections)


Weight
Approx. 483g (excluding battery and bundled accessories)

 

[Matt Bryda]

Holy Holy Holy,

WOW, great info BManz!

Did you get this info from the casio website?

I wish I had this info before Christmas because I got the Casio EX FC100.

I tried it at 420FPS and 210FPS outside in very bright sunlight, (sun at my back).
and the swing taken at 420FPS was grainy, pixily.
The swing taken at 210FPS was much better quality but the clubface openess, closeness was difficult to verify.

Anyway, Thanks for the awesome info!!

Matt

 

[Phil Rosenbaum]

what batteries do you rec. for the fh20? i am noticing it sucks the life out of them very quickly, even the rechargebles.

thanks

 

[jenhaoyen]

http://slickdeals.net/sdsearch.php?forumchoice[]=9&mode=forum&showposts=0&sdsearch_archive=0&search=casio+exilim


sometimes they have deals for these camera at slick deals.

 

[MikeD2]

Settings?

Without revealing any proprietary information from the Manzella labs, what are your preferred settings for speed, aperture, etc..?

 

[softconsult]

Short battery life. Think that is a given. I ordered the Sanyo eneloop Ni-Mh batteries with charger from Amazon, $33.00 for charger and 8 AA's.

I had originally posted my intent to buy a 32 gig 30 meg/sec Class 10 card for $200, but found a 16 gig SanDisk Extreme Class 6 30 meg/sec card on e-Bay for $68.00. I also bought a card reader on Amazon, which should make transfer to my laptop much quicker.

I have played around with the camera. I will most likely be shooting solo.
The camera does have a delay feature. Click shutter, 10 second delay, time the walk in to address and swing. Walk back and click the shutter to stop the recording. The tedious part is placement of the tripod and getting the zoom and focus correct.

There is no audio recording when shooting high speed, so I need to find a way to capture the results in terms of ball flight. Maybe I will just write down the time and the comment. My swing software makes annotating the clip very easy, lines or words.

My intent is to record a shot, and then note the result. I want to know what I do when I miss the shot. In other words, I suspect I know, but this will be the proof. Not going to be highly scientific about it, but betting I will be able to see the differences between good passes, and less than good passes.

Can't wait for the snow to melt, and the temps to crack 32 degrees. After all I do live in the south, sort of.



PS: Previous poster was commenting on the info regarding the cameras and wishing he had it prior to X-Mas. That type information and some very in depth reviews has been available since the cameras' release dates in 2008.
Simple google search. I posted links in a previous post in this thread. I think that having something substantial to hold on to is important in a camera. So maybe bigger is better unless goal is to have a pocketable camera. Grainyness issue. If you go to those review links, you will see various sample movies taken at 210 and 420. They don't look particularly grainy to my eye, but they were shot with the Ex FH-20 and not the smaller camera.

 

[softconsult]

Reading those specs with the goal of detecting what changes the new models have versus the old models is a true challenge. I scanned them. From what I can gather the FH-25 is smaller than the FH-20, has more pixels, has less zoom capability, and uses a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery (probably to save space). The FH-100 looks more similar in size to the FH-20, more pixels, same 20X zoom, and uses 3 batteries versus 4 AA. Other than that looks like capabilities are very much the same.

 

[drinkdrankdrunk]

Brian,

What are your thoughts on the Fujifilm HS10?

 

[eoscar]

For anyone interested, the FH-25 is $282 dollars at B&H Photo right now.

 

[jake2]

I got the EX-FH100

The big difference to older models is low light performance. New back-lit CMOS sensor makes a big difference.

As an example I shot 720p video of people dancing at a party in a dimly lit room and it turned out great.

 

[softconsult]

Do some internet research before running to B&H Photo!

 

[willgolfer]

The big difference to older models is low light performance. New back-lit CMOS sensor makes a big difference.

As an example I shot 720p video of people dancing at a party in a dimly lit room and it turned out great.

With which camera?

 

[jake2]

With which camera?

Model was in the title:
I got the EX-FH100

I've understood that EX-FH25 has the same sensor, so low light performance should be the same.

 

[drinkdrankdrunk]

Anyone have any experience with the Fujifilm Hs10? It can do 1000 fps and film in 1080p HD

 

[jake2]

Anyone have any experience with the Fujifilm Hs10? It can do 1000 fps and film in 1080p HD

No experience but looking at specs and reviews looks like the sensor is same type (10Mp back-lit CMOS). More DSRL type (manual zoom ring), size & weight close to same as Canon Rebel with kit lens. 30x zoom range different though. Continuous (picture) shooting only 7fps up to 7 frames. Casio FH25 & FH100 can do 40fps up to 40 frames.

Nikon P100 is another with 1080p + High Speed (only up to 240fps) with same sensor spec. Closer to size of Casio EX-FH25, little longer zoom range (26x vs. 20x). Continuous shooting only 10fps up to 6 frames.

For FH25 & HS10 you have to get rechargeable AA batteries and charger separate. FH25 specs longer battery life.
P100 does not come with a charger (in camera charging) & battery life of 250 shots does not sound like much.

Nothing else in the size of Casio EX-FH100 (yet?). Comes with a battery & charger and pretty good battery life. I shot about 250 pictures & 30 video clips with the first charge and I was using the LCD a lot to review things. I like the way you can zoom into pictures and video to check details.

 

[ej20]

Model was in the title:
I got the EX-FH100

I've understood that EX-FH25 has the same sensor, so low light performance should be the same.

Same sensor but FH25 has a brighter f/2.8 lens that will let in more light so on paper should be better in low light.

 

[jake2]

Same sensor but FH25 has a brighter f/2.8 lens that will let in more light so on paper should be better in low light.

You're right,
At tele end it closer to a stop and that is significant. At wide angle difference is relatively small (2.8 vs 3.2 ~ 1/3 stop).

Still I think the decision is more about the size vs. zoom range, but the other factors like lens aperture, battery etc. come into play.

 

[texagjosh]

the EX-FH25 is now $250... not sure how long this will last

Casio | Exilim EX-FH25 Digital Camera (Black) | EX-FH25 | B&H

 

[ej20]

the EX-FH25 is now $250... not sure how long this will last

Casio | Exilim EX-FH25 Digital Camera (Black) | EX-FH25 | B&H

It says $399 in that link.

 

[ej20]

Anyone have any experience with the Fujifilm Hs10? It can do 1000 fps and film in 1080p HD

Samung also has one called the TL350.Compact size,high speed up to 1000 fps and 1080p at 30 fps.

Casio is not the only brand that makes high speed cameras anymore.