Source: bestofmedia | Keywords: pma, dslr, camera | Themes: Digital Cameras
5. Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1
In the 1980s, Casio had the misfortunate of producing some really bad digital pianos. It was a reputation that they deserved at the time, but it stuck with them for far too many years. They’re now producing quality digital pianos, and a quality digital SLR with some very unique features.
The Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 features a 6 megapixel resolution, anti shake technology, a 2.8” LCD display, face detection, and 12x optical zoom. Note that optical zoom usually isn’t a marketed feature of Digital SLRs, since zooming can easily be accomplished by using a zoom lens with whatever zoom level you prefer. Typically, Digital SLRs will have an optical zoom of about 3x to 5x with their default lens and the Pro EX-F1 is technically a bridge camera, not a full-fledged DSLR. However, since the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 goes beyond this common zoom, it’s worth mentioning.
All of that may sound fairly typical. However, this Digital SLR can also shoot up to 60 images a second. That’s the highest burst mode speed that I’ve heard of, and Casio states that it’s the best in the business. Using the still image burst mode, you can also vary the number of still images taken per second. For example, instead of 60 images in one second, which may be excessive for your needs, you can shoot 6 images a second for 10 seconds.
The Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 also lets you do something else that sounds extraordinary: capture images even if you press the shutter button too late. For example, you can continuously record 60 images per second, and 60 images at a time can be saved in the camera’s buffer, before the shutter button is pressed. So if you press the shutter button a fraction of a section too late, as long as you were capturing images into the camera’s buffer memory, you’ll still be able to catch that special moment that you (almost) missed out on shooting.
Digital cameras, whether they’re point and shoot or SLR, also almost always have a limited ability to shoot video, often at 15 to 30 frames per second. As you might expect, the Exilim Pro EX-F1 blows away this speed cap, it can shoot video at speeds of 300, 600, and 1200 frames per second. This video can then be played back at normal speed, resulting in the appearance of slow motion video. This can create some truly interesting captures, as demonstrated in this example: http://www.exilim.com/intl/ex_f1/mov01.html. The effect is particularly engaging when it captures liquids, as in this example.
Topping off the list of unique motion features is the camera’s Full High-Definition movie recording capability. You can record at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, at a rate of 60 frames per second. The camera can then be connected to an HDTV via a (sold separately) HDMI cable to view movies.
The Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 will be available in March for $999. This camera isn’t for everyone, since you give up some features (for example, a higher megapixel resolution) to enable the video features. However, if you’re looking for an SLR that can take the fastest high burst mode images possible, if you’re interested in crossing the line from still imaging to video, or if you’re intrigued by any of the Exilim Pro EX-F1’s other unique movie features, you should definitely check out this camera.
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The Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 is NOT a digital SLR. It's a high end point and shoot with a very big zoom. It cannot be compared to a real SLR.
The Casio EX-F1 is not a dSLR.
You're also letting your anti-Sony bias show again.
Dude, what are you smoking. Another wasted article. Come on.
dnz is right, and Samsung is just a rebadge Pentax with a different sensor, and it is not a serious contender neither. Where is Sony, Pentax, and Olympus?
I agree. The Pentax K200D and K20D SLRs are much more notable than the Samsung. Which is the same thing with a blue trim instead of green. And Sony has a couple real interesting SLRs on display this year. Namely the A350.
Note to the editor: Whoever you are, please never have this ignorant moron type any more words about cameras. Everything he said was wrong from the crap about the 14bit A-D converter on the new Rebel to the fact he doesn't even know what an SLR is. And don't give us tripe about it being a PMA coverage. If you actually want PMA coverage add insight not just copy/paste tripe from the camera makers PR pamphlets. Honestly you guys do it correctly with CES etc why can't you figure out what actually journalism is? Anyone can copy paste BS
Your article is not very good I mean, come on. You dont state anything more than we already know and you miss some key points.
Plus what about the Pentax K20D and K200D? Those are two very noticeable camera.
Oh, and the Casio EX-F1 is NOT a digital slr, its just a high end point and shoot.
Please refrain from having this editor write any more articles on cameras. It is obvious that he knows nothing about the topic.
Please refrain from having this editor write any more articles on cameras -- he obviously knows nothing about the topic...
Please don't write about a subject you don't know. Stay in your pc world and leave the cameras alone.
As others have said, the Casio is not a dSLR. It has a 1/1.8" sensor similar to other point and shoot cameras. A typical APS-C SLR such as the Canon or Nikon has a sensor that is about 10 times larger than the Casio.
1/1.8" = 37.63 sq. mm
APS-C (Canon) = 328.56 sq. mm
Also, keep in mind that the super high frame rates it produces are at extremely low resolutions (336X96 @ 1200 fps).
Again, I'm rehashing what others have said, but if you're going to do a roundup of dSLRs, why wouldn't you include the new Pentax and Sony models? If you were to leave one out, certaily the Samsung could have been dropped since it is just a re-badged Pentax.
Ok,
This article is obvious an Press Release for Casio, the pictures that apear in the front page of the site is for the casio. Which obviouslly is not a DSLR, and neither casio name it a DSLR. So I think the problem is clearly with Toms Hardware, which Day after day have became a SIte for PROPAGANDA of PRESS RELEASE from who pays more.
MAybe people should digg this article as the last example of the slow death of Toms Hardware
As others have said, the Casio is not a dSLR. It has a 1/1.8" sensor similar to other point and shoot cameras. A typical APS-C SLR such as the Canon or Nikon has a sensor that is about 10 times larger than the Casio.1/1.8" = 37.63 sq. mmAPS-C (Canon) = 328.56 sq. mm...
Sensor size is irrelevant to what makes a camera a SLR.
ummmmm...
"And there?s dual support for image stabilization, provided by Nikon?s new VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization lens, and Nikon?s proprietary VR camera image stabilization technology."
That's odd. I have not seen any mention anywhere else of Nikon using in camera stabilization on the D60 or on any of their dSLRs. And having a Nikon with in camera stabilization would be HUGE news for Nikon lovers/fanbois/etc... Wonder how many other errors on specs there are. And strating to wonder if the author was even at PMA and handled any of the cameras.
Yes, sensor size is irrelevant. However, the fact that it has an electronic viewfinder and does not have a mirror, means that it doesn't qualify for the "reflex" part of the "Single Lens Reflex" part of SLR.
The fact is this writer knows nothing about cameras and did not even do the due diligence a good reporter would have done. Tom's Guide would have done a better service to its readers by inserting a link to qualified coverage, as done by Digital Photography Review. This article does the readers a disservice because it is simply full of misinformation.
What good is this article? There is no review or comparison... just a regurgitation of manufacturer supplied specs.
How about a review? Wow how this site has changed over the years... and that's not a compliment!
@GillesML
"That's odd. I have not seen any mention anywhere else of Nikon using in camera stabilization on the D60 or on any of their dSLRs."
They are packaging an 18-55 VR lens with the body.
I use this site to get information about video cards and CPU's, and I trusted in the information provided here, but this article changed my mind.
I read a lot of information about dSLR cameras, and this is the worst article that I read!
1. The camera dust reduction method aren't very effective. In fact, some dust reduction systems increased the amount of dust in the sensor according to some tests. That's why a lot of semi and pro dSLR cameras doesn't have dust reduction systems, and Nikon refused to introduce this kind of system in the entry-level dSLR until the D60.
2. In my opinion, the most important characteristcs of a dSLR camera is the low noise on high ISO without destructive noise reduction (that means a big sensor with a crop factor of 1.6x or bigger), the interchangeable lens and the optical Trought-The-Lens (TTL) viewfinder (not electronic, please).
3. A bigger zoom means a lot of optical distortion. That's why prime lens (fixed focal length) have a better image quality than zoom lens. And the zoom doesn't mean anything if the focal length isn't provided: a 15-45mm lens is very different from a 80-240mm, but both lens have a 3x zoom.
4. If you want to make movies, don't buy dSLR!
5. If you want a non-dSLR ultra-zoom, the best is the Panasonic FZ18, with 18x optical zoom (28-504mm) and low optical distortion. But like the others very-small-sensor cameras, the high-ISO performace is very bad.
6. If you really want to buy a entry-level dSRL with a lens kit:
Sony has a bad high-ISO performance
- Canon don't have the best high-ISO performance, but it have the most sharp image (low noise reduction) and a lot of good lens.
- Nikon uses the Sony sensor and have a smooth image (high noise reduction) and the body are too small, but it has the best flash metering and the very cheap 55-200mm VR lens.
- Panasonic/Samsung have the best anti-dust reduction system.
- Pentax provides more features (like shake-reduction in the sensor and a weather sealed body), but we don't know about the future of this brand.
@dstarr3
True they are packaging a VR lens with the body as a kit but the wording of the article says "And there's dual support for image stabilization, provided by Nikon's new VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization lens, and Nikon's proprietary VR camera image stabilization technology." I read that as the author saying there is both VR on the lens (true) and the camera (Which I have not seen mentioned anywhere including the Nikon website)
@GillesML
"I read that as the author saying there is both VR on the lens (true) and the camera (Which I have not seen mentioned anywhere including the Nikon website)"
They may be refering to an additional scene mode that provides "digital image stabilization," a.k.a. high-ISO.
@rocharh
#3 - I figure the zoom race is the new megapixel race. It's won't be "who has the most megapixels" anymore. It's going to be "who has the most megapixels and the most zoom," both at the expense of quality. We haven't seen any drastic increases in quality since the 6-megapixel era. Almost all of the blame lies with marketing, too. If we could just stop trying to reinvent this wheel over and over again, we might actually be able to make it work well in the first place.
#5 - I find the FZ8 to be a better camera than the FZ18. A 12x optical zoom, you do have less zoom, but less distortion, and a lot better corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the full range. And the range is still plenty large.
But in fairness, both cameras have class-leading lens designs. I just don't find the extra telephoto useful. The extra wide is certainly nice, though.
#6 - I've always found Canon to provide the best noise levels. There's no entry-level SLR that can beat the XTi at ISO 800 or above. Even some prosumers can't touch it.
I've also found that, excepting the occasional Nikkor VR glass, Canon typically has the best optical stabilization systems. Sensor-shift stabilization systems like those in Olympus, Sony, and Pentax just don't work.
And Pentax has been around forever, and I think they'll be around for a long time to come. Pentax lenses are of a competing quality with Leica and (true) Zeiss, and their cameras offer an amazing amount of features and quality for their lower price tag. The only disadvantage is accessories are a little difficult to come by, but it's the same with Olympus and Sony. And we know that's not enough to stop them.