Casio Exilim EX-FS10 9.1MP Digital Camera

The Casio High Speed Exilim EX-FS10BE Digital Camera offers a high-speed 30 shot-per-second burst rate and high-speed movies at a maximum of 1000 fps. It also delivers a number of other innovative functions, including the ability to capture a still image while viewing the movement of the subject in slow motion and automatically selecting and saving one frame from continuous shots.

The Exilim EX-FS10 measures just 3.8 inches wide, 2.3 inches high and .64 inches thin. It features a newly-developed 3x optical inner-zoom lens and a 2.5-inch high-performance Super Clear LCD. This high-speed model also boasts an effective 9.1-megapixel resolution.

• 30 shot-per-second high-speed burst shooting: It 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

• Easy, convenient functions that make the most of high-speed burst shooting: 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

• 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

• High-Speed Anti-Shake and High-Speed Night Scene functions: Combine a number of images taken in burst mode and then align the position of the subject to form a single shot

• High-Speed Best Selection: To ensure that a natural, fleeting smile is captured, the FS10 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: You can set in advance the time lag between the moment that you want 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

• High-speed movie recording at up to 1,000 fps: The FS10 features 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

• HD Movie function: The HD Movie function will record beautiful videos at a size of 1280x720 pixels. Also, pressing the dedicated photo button while shooting an HD movie clip will capture a 6.0-megapixel still image

• Casio High Speed Exilim EX-FS10BE Digital Camera
• Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
• Lithium Ion Battery Charger
• AC Power Cord
• USB Cable
• AV Cable
• Strap
• CD-ROM
• Reference Manual
• Quick Start Guide
• Accessories Order Form
• Casio 1 Year Limited Warranty

Nice features, but overall just average, July 2, 2009

By C. Vincent (Rochester, NY)

If you are thinking about buying this camera, it's probably because of one major thing: the high speed burst/movie mode (an extremely cool feature that, at this time, isn't found on many cameras... and this one is definitely the smallest and most portable right now).

This functionality branches off into 3 very unique modes:

1) a fast 30 frame per second high speed burst shot that lets you keep all, some, or none of the shots you take while holding down the shutter button.
2) a slow motion button that literally slows down the image of your target on the LCD screen and allows you to snap the exact moment you want.
3) a high speed movie mode that lets you capture up to 1000 frames per second for super-slow motion movies.

These functions sold me, and were the main reason I wanted the camera. I have to say that they are slightly disappointing after working with them for a little over a month. All of the slow motion modes are completely unusable under even the slightest of low light conditions. Because of this, I can't use any of these modes indoors at all. Anything shot without the flash comes out as a dark, grainy mess. With regards to the high speed movies, this should really have been labeled as a 210 fps or maybe 420 fps movie mode, because 1000 fps is completely unwatchable. It shoots at an extremely low resolution and requires an immense amount of light to even show up.

Image quality for normal shots is slightly below average. Photos usually come out as very grainy and again require a lot of light. Flash photos come out decent. I seem to have much better luck from other cameras I've owned from Canon and Sony for any kind of indoor photography. The one area the ex-fs10 does seem to work well with is some still low-light photographs. A feature called high speed nightscene uses a method of taking several highspeed photographs at once and melding them into one photo to produce a better photo than you would get under normal circumstances. This prevents a lot of the blur you normally get when using higher ISO's during low light conditions. The same principle is also used in an anti-shake best shot mode, which works reasonably well.

The high definition (720p) movie mode is a nice feature, but also tends to come out grainy in low-light conditions, and again is virtually unusable indoors. It has extreme difficulty staying focused and often tends to go in and out of focus.

As for size and quality of build: The camera is extremely small and light, and will easily fit in medium-sized pockets. It also has a very sturdy and nice feel to it.

Overall, I still think the only reason to buy this camera is if you are extremely interested in the slow-motion modes. They are great if you want to capture fast paced action under high-light conditions (outdoors); however, they severely suffer under low-light conditions. If you are worried about image quality, I'd probably look elsewhere though.

By Offsky (WA, USA)

I had been very happy with my previous Casio Exilim camera, so I thought that I would love this upgrade. Unfortunately, Casio has taken a few steps backwards with this camera. I would not recommend it.

1) The battery life is horrible. I haven't counted the number of photos or videos per charge, but it is very low. I took this camera to the Zoo and the battery was dead by the afternoon after maybe a 40 photos and a few short videos. My previous Casio camera would last for several days between charges.

2) To charge the battery, you must remove it from the camera and put it into a separate charger. Removing the battery is a little tricky for people with big fingers. My previous Casio could charge the battery without removing it.

3) The high-speed video is a neat gimmick, but it isn't practical in real life for two reasons. First, the resolution is drastically reduced. At the highest speed, the video is a very thin sliver that is so small, you can almost not see what is going on. Second, the high speed video is very grainy and requires a ton of light. There is no way that you can get a usable high-speed video indoors. It's just too dark.