Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 Digital Camera
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Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1
You've seen photos that freeze the action as a baseball hits the bat, a race car bounces over a curb, fireworks burst in the sky, or a droplet splashes into a glass of milk. Even a hobbyist photographer can take shots like these easily with the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1, which captures up to 60 fps (frames per second) and offers several ways to exploit this unique ability.
On a trip to the ballpark, I loved the mode that prerecords frames as you half-press the shutter release. The camera saves the images only when you click the button the rest of the way. I could easily set up a shot and wait for the action. If the hitter missed the ball, no problem--I just released the button and tried again next time.
When I caught a hit, I could review the sequence on the bright 2.8-inch LCD to choose the clearest shots of the ball hitting the bat and bouncing away. However, I found I often missed the next play while I was busy selecting the images, or even while waiting for all 60 images to be stored on my SDHC media card.
The EX-F1 also makes shooting video a joy. It can record full 1080i HD video as well as video in standard TV format. However, I had most fun at the baseball game filming high-speed video. The camera can shoot reduced resolutions at up to 1200 fps, but 300 fps is plenty to reveal the slow-motion contortions of a pitcher throwing the ball.
If the image-stabilized, 12X-zoom makes sports photography a breeze,
The camera has a solid feel, with mostly sensible controls and feedback, but
The sensor's 6-megapixel resolution may seem low these days, but it's a reasonable compromise
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.
--Paul Jasper
This story, "Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 Digital Camera" was originally published by PCWorld.