Unlike the FC-100 reviewed previously, this FH-20 model DOES have a Shutter Priority setting when recording high frame rate video. However, this needed feature wasn’t enough to sell me on the real usefulness of high frame rate video for swing analysis.
I’m not sure why, but I was expecting more from the Casio EX-FH20. If you’re considering this Elixim model for shooting still images, it might be a very good camera, but this evaluation is concerned with the camera’s video capabilities. In that regard, I’m disappointed with the FH-20. (After using it in different situations, my overall impression of the camera has increased.) The pros and cons are much the same as the FC-100. Recording video is secondary with digital cameras like these, but it’s the feature players and golf pros are interested in. Especially, the 210 frames-per-second mode.
High Speed Movie Mode @ 210 FPS. This is the ONLY FRAME RATE that has ANY USE AT ALL.
Forget, the others. 420 FPS and 1000 FPS. They’re novelties and totally useless. The low resolution and poor quality video make them only good for Casio’s marketing department.
Alright then, 210 FPS is plenty. The Casio FC-100, see the review here, also does 210 FPS. But the FC-100 did not have a Shutter Speed setting. Because of this, video of fast moving objects (like a golf club) were blurred. The FH-20 includes a Shutter Priority setting when recording High Speed video, so no more blurring, right? Yes. (Here comes the “but”…)
In order to record blurr free video, you need plenty of light to use the FH-20’s Shutter Priority mode. The FH-20 has a very nice feature which lets you manually choose from many settings, 1/250 to 1/40,000. The faster the shutter-speed, the more light that is required. I can’t imagine how much light you’d need for the 1/40,000 setting. (Again, “1/40,000″ only good for Casio’s marketing department.)
To clearly view a golf club moving at 100 miles-per-hour, a shutter setting of 1/1,000 is about right. The Elixim FH-20 at that shutter speed seems to need a lot of light to produce good video. More light than a typical digital CAMCORDER requires.
Indoors? Unless you have professional studio lighting, you can’t use the FH-20 High Speed Movie mode INSIDE.
You need SUNSHINE, behind the camera. (Back lit, no good.)
My second test, in bright sunshine, produced much better than expected video. See these FH-20 and FC-100 video frame samples.
CLOUDY or PARTLY CLOUDY might not be enough light at 1/1,000. But, setting a slower shutter speed to produce a brighter video, may also produce blurred fast moving objects.
After testing with various shutter speeds and checking playback quality, I’m asking myself, “Is it worth it?”
Is the FH-20 worth 300-400 dollars to purchase? You also need to buy a fast high-volume memory card. You should have 2 sets of 4 AA rechargeable batteries and charger. (Battery life was much longer when using my rechargeable AA’s.)
Is the FH-20 worth $100 more than the FC-100 to get shutter control?
Do you really need a camera that produces blur-free images if you just want to do a general (camera view finder) analysis? Many cameras in the $100 price range will do that. (See these Nikon Coolpix images.) Or, for just about $150, get a camera and swing analysis software!
Finally, is 210 frames-per-second worth it? Does 210 FPS video provide you with that much more beneficial visual info than 30 or 60 FPS video? In my opinion, it’s not worth it at this time.
Initially, I thought there wasn’t a delay-timer when recording HS video. You CAN delay recording up to 10 seconds. This helps. If using the camera by yourself, set the delay, click the shutter button and get right to hitting the shot. That way, playing back and finding the start of your 210 FPS swing won’t be as slow and cumbersome.
Casio’s High Definition and Standard Movie modes do not have Shutter Priority or many other video record settings available. At first, I wasn’t pleased, but further testing of High Def Movie mode in dim lighting produced surprisingly good video. Keep in mind though, “High Definition” is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to cameras in this price range. Casio’s 1280 by 720 pixel resolution is technically high def, but don’t expect any low-priced camera’s video to be comparable to what you see on TV. The EX-FH20 High Definition videos will look pretty good on a computer monitor and the AVI file format makes them easy to work with. The picture won’t appear great on your 52 inch HD TV, partly because the FH20 can output only lower resolution COMPOSITE video. It does not have HDMI or Component connections.
The Casio Elixim FH-20 is more like a digital SLR that also does video. It has the feel (and size) of an SLR camera, so unlike the FC-100, it can’t fit into your pocket. If your main concern is taking photographs, the FH-20 might be right for you. For video analysis, I’m not sure. Here are video frame samples from the FH-20 and the FC-100.