Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1

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Read More Reviews - (updated 27 September’08)

PCW
“We also found the still image quality to be below what we’d expect from a camera at this price. You’ll need a lot of light if you’re going to make use of the high-speed video modes, and photos can display a fair amount of noise if the ISO setting creeps up.”
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SteveDigicams
“The Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 is one awesome prosumer digicam. While I was hoping for a bit better high ISO performance from the 6-megapixel CMOS image sensor, I came to the realization that Casio built this camera for Speed!”

DigitalCameraInfo
“This is usually an easy section to assess, but this camera is so unprecedented that how much is worth is very much in the eye of the beholder. We got tired of the slow-mo movie feature quickly – you might find shooting Mentos hitting Diet Coke in exquisite detail endlessly fascinating. The standard-definition movie mode is better than some cameras we’ve tested, but nothing exceptional, and certainly doesn’t compare to what you’d shoot with a dedicated camcorder.”
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LetsGoDigital
“The many setting possibilities, the large optical range including the remarkable speed and video performances should in theory guarantee a powerful combination that successfully claims a new segment. It is sad having to conclude that part of this powerful combination delivers a no more than average performance, and that only the innovation as such stands strongly; High-Speed shooting and Full HD recording.”
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PCAdvisor
“The sensor’s 6Mp resolution may seem low these days, but it’s a reasonable compromise to achieve the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F’s high frame rates. Image quality stood up very well to models with 8 megapixels or more in our lab tests, showing fine exposure and low levels of distortion.”
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PCWorld
“At $1000, the Casio EX-F1 isn’t cheap. But for subjects such as sports and wildlife photography, where high frame rates and HD video stand out, it could be worth every penny.”
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TrustedReviews
“Its still image quality, while good, is no match for the best of the current high spec super-zooms, and its alarmingly high price will also discourage potential buyers. It’s a brave attempt by Casio to break the status quo of the current digital camera market, but one I fear that may not succeed.”
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LapTopMag
“The Casio EX-F1 is unlike any camera you’ve seen. It’s impressive—often addictive—but it’s not for everyone. Photography purists are better off with a DSLR, and people less prone to shooting fast-moving subjects can get away with buying a point-and-shoot for a third of the price. But DSLRs can’t shoot video of any kind, let alone full HD and slow motion, and no point-and-shoot can match the EX-F1’s rate of 60 shots per second.”
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InfoSyncWorld
“So, would I buy one? I had a great time playing with the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1. It was the first product I have ever reviewed that had me saying “Wow” within five minutes of opening the box. I had a great time filming every video you see, and watching them after wards was thrilling.”
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ePhotozine
“For the fastest camera in the world, it certainly has its slow points. Power on time and focusing is slow to the point where you could miss your fast moving object because the camera isn’t ready. If you’re looking for a backup prosumer with stupidly fast fps and want to mess around with slow motion film, take a look at the Casio EX-F1.”
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InfoSync has a video tour of the Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1.
“There’s simply nothing else like the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1. No other prosumer camera has faster shutter-speeds, and no other prosumer camcorder has anything close to its ultra-high frame-rates.”
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Luminous-Landscape
“But, this is a very feature-rich device, and while I usually can pick up just about any camera and figure it out within a few minutes without a manual (I’ve been reviewing cameras for more than 40 years), there is so much that’s unique in the EX-F1 that I literally had to spend a couple of hour reading the PDF manual with the camera in hand to figure it out.”
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CNET.co.uk
“Casio has made a brave new camera. With its ultra-high speed stills and movie shooting, anyone who shoots primarily sports, wildlife or parties should put the Casio Exilim EX-F1 at the top of their shopping list. But that’s a pretty specialized bunch, and with its inflated waistline (and a price tag to match), this undeniably impressive camera may prove to be a bridge too far.”
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The New York Times
“But make no mistake: no camera has ever offered anything like the F1’s high-speed stills, high-speed videos or high-speed flash for anywhere near its price. Everybody who sees this camera in action winds up slack-jawed with disbelief.”
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Luminous-Landscape has published an article on why the Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1 is not only a hot still camera but a hot video camera as well. They write -
“There is a hybrid still / video camera called the Casio EX-F1, which was introduced in early 2008, and which will start shipping at around the time that this article first appears in early April, 2008. (Yes – I expect to have a review it here before the end of April ). Priced at about $1,000, it looks like nothing more than a typical superzoom digicam, and with a 6MP sensor a digicam that appears uncompetitive compared to today’s 10 – 12MP offerings in this market segment.”
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DigitalCameraInfo
“The high burst rate will make most photographers lust for this new camera. For the person who does not want to lug around a digital camera and a camcorder the Pro EX-F1 just might be the perfect choice. Because of the 12x zoom and high definition movie capture the camera will appeal to a wide range of consumers. It’s clear Casio did not cut corners with this camera, it comes stock with a surprisingly sturdy body, flash hot shoe, and an external microphone. At $999 it may be a little on the steep side but factor in the rich feature sets this may prove to be a very popular consumer choice.”
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InfoSync
“The world of high speed digital cameras and frames per second capture has just been shaken with the introduction of the Pro EX-F1. One area of concern is that with such a high capture rate it would be way too easy to burn through your memory card. Luckily Casio’s design allows you to dial down the burst mode via a ring on the lens barrel. And believe it or not the flash was able to keep up with the burst mode. Looks like parents with quick moving youngsters have found a new tool to capture just the right moment.”
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Owner Feedback

“The Casio EX-F1 looks like the hybrid camera of my dreams, *if only the viewfinder flipped out to face the front*.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

“The key features in this camera are its overall versatility and its much touted high speed video. In fact, at the time of writing this article, this is the only consumer level digital camera that can do this.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com

Firmware Updates

Firmware 1.10 update
Firmware version 1.10 adds a “Prerecord Movie” function to the camera’s video capture options, allowing shooters to capture video shot up to five seconds before the shutter button is pressed. A similar function for still images is already available on the F1.

Sample Photos

[Sample Photos at StevesDigicams]
[Sample Photos at DigitalCameraInfo]
[Sample Photos at LetsGoDigital]
[Sample Photos at TrustedReviews]
[Sample Test Photos at the New York Times]
[Sample Test Photos at InfoSync]
[Sample High Speed Burst Mode Test Photos at Casio]
[Sample High Speed Movie Mode Test Recordings at Casio]

Specifications

[Official Casio Specifications]

Camera Layout Schematics

[Camera Layout]

Press Release Excerpt

Casio today introduces the new EXILIM Pro EX-F1, which incorporates a new high speed CMOS sensor and high speed LSI processor. After building in 6.0 million effective pixels and a 12X optical zoom, the developers focused on achieving a burst shooting speed capability that was hitherto unheard of. Using the camera’s ultra-high speed burst shooting for still images or its high speed movie recording mode, users can capture a split second’s movement with greater detail than before, allowing them to catch each decisive moment, and even motion that the human eye cannot ordinarily perceive.