Casio Exilim EX-F1 - 60 fps in a point & shoot camera!

[Adrian Wong]

Wow.. This is really amazing. The Casio EX-F1 can shoot photos at the stupendous rate of 60 frames per second!!!

I have never had much of a regard for Casio digital cameras. So, this new Casio digicam is a real shocker for me.

Photo from KenRockwell.com

The EXILIM Pro EX-F1 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.

Specifications

Lens: 12x optical zoom 7.3~87.6mm f/2.7~4.6, or as we say in TV, 7.3x12. 35mm still photo equivalent: 36~432mm.

Optics: 12 elements in 9 groups, including an aspherical element.

Filter Size: 62mm.

Shutter: CMOS electronic and mechanical: 1~1/2,000 in program and aperture priority modes. 1 minute to 1/40,000 in manual and shutter-priority modes.

ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,600.

Optical Viewfinder: NO.

Image Sensor: 6MP; larger 1/1.8" size.

Stabilization: Moving sensor.

Still Image Sizes: 2,816 x 2,112 native. Also many other smaller sizes.

Still Image File Formats: RAW and JPG.

Moving Image Formats: Standard 640 x 480 @ 30 FPS, also 720p and 1080i 16:9 HDTV. High-speed movies at 512 x 384 @ 300FPS, 432 x 192 @ 600 FPS and 336 x 96 @ 1,200 FPS.

Movie File Format: MOV H.264.

[wiiz]

wow..it's like shooting a video

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by wiiz

wow..it's like shooting a video

Yeah, faster than what most videos need actually!

[wiiz]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

High-speed movies at 512 x 384 @ 300FPS, 432 x 192 @ 600 FPS and 336 x 96 @ 1,200 FPS.

who needs such a high fps?

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by wiiz

who needs such a high fps?

Yeah, it's a bit absurd.

But if you ever want to catch pictures of a speeding bullet... this is the camera!

[Chai]

It only shoots a very short burst.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by Chai

It only shoots a very short burst.

Yeah, according to the official specs, it has a 60-shot buffer, giving it one second of recording at 60 fps.

60 fps is insanely fast, the 60 frames buffer is not too bad. If you set it to just 30 fps, you can already get 2 seconds worth of buffer. Either way, 1-2 seconds is more than enough to capture every fleeting moment of a really fast moving object - race car or speeding bullet!

What's amazing is that you can set it to start capturing shots the second you half-press. The buffer can store up to 60 frames worth of images before you actually press the shutter release button completely for the shot. In case you missed the shot you wanted, you can move backwards (before the time you actually fired the shot) and look for a more suitable shot.

[Chai]

Don't forget, shutter speed plays a very big role. You need to be in really bright condition to shoot at 60fps.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by Chai

Don't forget, shutter speed plays a very big role. You need to be in really bright condition to shoot at 60fps.

Yeah, that's true...

But I think any shutter speed above 1/120 or 1/180 should be enough, right?

Theoretically, 1/60 should be enough for 60 fps but have to account for shutter lag.

[Chai]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Yeah, that's true...

But I think any shutter speed above 1/120 or 1/180 should be enough, right?

Theoretically, 1/60 should be enough for 60 fps but have to account for shutter lag.

I don't think there will be shutter lag, it should be using electronic shutter. Shooting outdoor shouldn't be a problem.