Casio Whips Out the Fast Shooters

Casio has revised its Exilim digital area line, including four new consumer-friendly models and the EX-F1, which the company claims is the world's fastest burst shooter.

Casio has put a new shine on its Exilim camera line for the Consumer Electronics Show, introducing four new consumer-friendly point-and-shoot cameras and the Exlim Pro EX-F1, which the company claims will be the fastest burst-shooting camera on the planet, capturing 60 still images a second and recording movies at up to 300 fps.

First up, the Exilim Card EX-S10 claims to be the world’s smallest and thinnest 10.1 megapixel camera, offering a 2.7-inch LCD, a 3× optical zoom, face detection, and an auto-shutter function which uses motion blur detection technology to automatically take a photo when the subject isn’t moving. The S10 can also handle H.264 video, and stores images to SD memory cards. Expect to see the S10s retailing for about $249.99 come February.

Next, the Exilim Zoom EX-Z80 offers an 8.1 megapixel resolution, that same auto-shutter motion-sensing technology, and an iPod-compatible H.264 movie mode. The Z80s will be available in six colors (two pinks, blue, black, green, and silver) for about $199.99 this March.

The Exilim Zoom EX-Z100 and EX-Z200 bump the resolution back up to 10.1 megapixels and offer a 2.7-inch LCD along with a a wide-angle 28mm lens with a 4× optical zoom. The Z200 sports mechanical image stabilization, while both the Z100 and Z200 sport digital image stabilization. Both cameras offer an Auto Best Shot function the enables the camera to analyze the scene and automatically choose the most appropriate of the camera’s built-in shooting modes; both cameras also capture H.264 video. Expect to see the Z100 and Z200 in March for $279.99 and $329.99, respectively.

Finally, the Exilim Pro EX-F1 is a six-megapixel shooter with a 12× optical zoom, but don’t let the resolution fool you: the camera’s claim to fame is being able to shoot as many as 60 still images a second, or up to 300 fps movies. Still in a prototype stage, the camera sports a 2.8-inch LCD, mechanical image stabilization, and 12 lenses in 9 groups, equivalent to ƒ2.7 to 4.6, or 35 to 420mm on a 35mm film camera. Casio hasn’t worked out pricing or a release date, but action, sports, and wildlife photographers are no doubt itching to get their hands on such a fast burst mode.