announced! - Business Traveller

APARAT: CASIO
Exilim EX-FH25
INFO Casio introduced its fi rst compact
cameras back in�2009. Model EX-FH25,
which is advertised as the fastest digital
camera thanks to its very effi cient high
speed burst mode. It enjoys quite a�popularity
and doesn’t differ from its younger
brothers specifi cations-wise, which puts
it high in the ranks among other products
of this shelf.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Exilim EX-FH25
has been designed especially for users
who look for a�compact camera, but
with a�functionality of a�SLR. There’s
a�clearly profi led hand-grip, a�large lens
and a�slightly recessed electronic viewfi
nder. It is then clear that the Exilim EX-
FH25 doesn’t even aspire to be a�pocket
camera. The camera looks like a�solid
piece of equipment, which is further underlined
by its bulky chassis.
THE DESIGN The body is made of plastic
and its assembly and the fi nish are of
a�nice quality. Most of the elements and
buttons are kept in dark colours with
some chrome trim. The front part of the
camera is dominated by the large lens
with a�20 x zoom. The lens with its focal
range of�26-520�mm, provides the user
with a�wide range of opportunities on
how to use the camera. On the back of
the EX-FH25, the Japanese manufacturer
has installed a�large�3-inch TFT�LCD
screen, with�960 �240 resolution. It offers
several display modes apart from the
basic one where only the frame is displayed.
On the right side of the device,
24 | MAY 2011
there are several buttons and a�multifunction
keypad. Another three buttons
are located close to the viewfinder, as
well as the mode selector, the ON/OFF
switch, and the shutter button.
THE MENU AND THE MODES The
camera features a�CMOS sensor offer-
DIMENSIONS: 122,6 x 81,4 x 84,5 mm
WEIGHT: 483g (bez akumulatora i karty)
POWER: akumulatory/baterie AA/R6 [4x]
RESOLUTION: 10.1 MP
PRICE: 1250 – 1800 złotych
ing�10.1 MP resolution (the maximum
size of the generated image is�3648
�2736 pixels). The range of sensitivities
available in the camera varies from
ISO�100 to ISO�3200. Unfortunately, the
noise level is quite high at higher values,
but the automatic white balance function
generally works well. It is worth noting
that it’s possible to adjust white balance
manually, which seems to be quite
useful. Whenever it’s necessary, we can
still choose to turn on additional information
about the parameters and functions.
There is also a�compositional grid
with a�live histogram. Similarly to other
models from EX-Fx family, Casio Exilim
EX-FH25 offers an extremely powerful
burst mode, for shooting at a�speed
of�40 frames per second (up to�30 photos
in the series, resolution limited to�9 megapixels).
Another interesting feature is
a�burst mode with the fl ash. Although
the camera looks rather inconspicuous,
more serious photographers can try to
switch it to the manual mode. For the
less advanced (or more lazy) users, there
are the modes offering pre-selected exposure
and aperture. Is possible to take
ten shots at a�speed of fi ve frames per second.
Video recording mode is certainly
one of those elements that immediately
draw the attention of potential buyers.
This is mostly due to the camera’s ability
to record the slow-motion videos, which
are recorded at very high speeds –�up
to�1,000 frames per second. The manufacturer
has also remembered about the
option to save the RAW format images,
but the functionality of this tool leaves
much to be desired. The camera not only
has problems with saving data in this
format, but it also has a�limit of sensitivity
limited to ISO�100 and ISO�200.
VERDICT Casio Exilim EX-FH25 is
a�universal camera which can be used
to taking various types of images: from
macro to landscapes. Despite certain
shortcomings, mostly related to recording
in RAW format, it’s a�very nice digital
camera, and the quality of images it
produces should satisfy an average amateur
photographer.
Piotr Walicki