Casio Exilim Pro EX-FH20
$280
While Casio’s speedy sibling, the EX-F1, zips along at a stunning 1200 frames per second (It costs around $1,000 and must be ordered by phone), the more accessible EX-FH20 brings a scaled-down version of high-speed photography to the masses. Featuring a 20x optical zoom (a range which is quite impressive), 9MP maximum resolution and 3-inch LCD monitor, the FH20 is built for speed. At 7MP, it will capture 40 still images per second—and if you stop right there, that’s impressive. But if you don’t mind lower-resolution movies, things get interesting: At 480×360 pixels, it will record at 210 fps. At 224×168, it’s 420 fps and at a thumbnail-sized 224×56, it can record at a blazing 1,000 frames per second. Its high-speed continuous shutter speed goes up to—hang on to your hat—1/40,000 second! Sure, image quality at ridiculously fast speeds is somewhat better in the EX-F1, but this technical marvel may be just enough for most of us.
Runners up:
Nikon P100
$400
With a 26x optical zoom and amped-up Vibration Reduction that is very necessary at the long end of the zoom range, the Nikon Coolpix P100 packs a ton of features. Surprisingly small and light for a camera with a 26-678mm zoom lens and a wide aperture of f/2.8, the P100 takes advantage of CMOS backside illumination sensor technology to squeeze somewhat better image quality in low light. Bucking the trend towards high megapixel counts, Nikon was content with a 10MP sensor, which means the individual sensors are bigger, and that, we have learned over time, also leads to better image quality. High-tech features such as Smart Portrait, Face Detection, Subject Tracking, Blink Proof. Sports Continuous Shooting and Auto Scene Mode make exposure decisions for the user. If you’re traveling and want to lighten your load but still want focal flexibility, the Nikon P100 is well worth considering.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
$400
In addition to sporting a 20x optical zoom lens and the requisite built-in optical image stabilization, the HX1 is the first and only camera in its category to be able to capture full 1080p HD Video. Sony also offers such features as an anti-blink warning, smile shutter (the camera waits for everyone to smile before it shoots), and of course, Face Detection. Intelligent Scene Recognition can detect different types of shooting situations and choose the right camera settings automatically. A Dynamic Range Optimizer analizes the image and tries to improve shadow and highlight details in high-contrast scenes, and there’s a Function Guide to hold your hand through the camera’s many features. |
