What's new
GR User Forum

The spot for all Ricoh GR camera users

Register for free, meet other Ricoh GR users, share your images, help others, have fun!

Tell your friends about us!

Casio unveiled strong CX(3) competitor

odklizec

odklizec

PK
Joined
Aug 11, 2007
Messages
6,036
I believe it's only a month or two before the announcement of CX3. But it seems, the not yet announced CX3 got a very tough competition in form of new Casio EX-FH100. Basically, it's equipped with the same sensor as CX new generation of sensor used in CX range, very similar set of features (mainly high speed continuous modes), nearly the same body size and 10x zoom lens. But here all similarities end. What gives this new Casio high advantage over the CX range are completely new features in this class of camera. As far as I know, there is not yet a compact camera of CX size with RAW writing, manual shooting modes, HD video and lens starting at 24mm?

I don't expect the new CX3 will get yet another lens design starting at 24mm. But I really hope Ricoh will finally add at least some of the long time requested features. It's really pity it was not Ricoh who introduced first CX sized camera with RAW, HD video and manual modes. All these features should be very easy to add. RAW and HD video are a part of Sony sensor used both in Casio and CX. As I believe, the reason of absence of all these features in CX2 are more "marketing" than HW related. OK, RAW and HD video probably needs somewhat extended memory buffer. But it should not be that big (expensive) problem for Ricoh to add somewhat larger buffer. I still think the memory buffers are still somewhat underpowered in Ricoh cameras.

So let's hope Ricoh will be finally pushed by the competition to add at least some of these long time awaited advanced features (particularly RAW writing) ? ;)
 
Hi Pavel,

I also looked at the FH100 thinking of buying it when it appears.

But then I saw one number which killed it for me: 230 - yes the LCD has only 230K dpi, vs the 920K dpi LCD in the CX2.

I really shook my head at such a blunder. :( Otherwise it may have been very tempting! Let's hope for HD movie in the CX3.

Regards,

Stoneart
 
Stoneart, I guess that 230k is the true number of pixels whilst 920k is a number of RGB pixel components i.e. slightly over 300k of real pixels. Thus, it is not that big difference as it looks for first look as the advertised numbers aren't directly comparable. Why the camera producers invented the component number during last approximately two years and state it is a pixel number is a mystery and I bet they have been going this way because higher number sounds much cooler.

Peter
 
Peter is right. This 920k is a small lie of LCD manufacturers. This so called 920k LCD is in fact 640H pixels x 3 colors x 480V pixels. All displays are x3 colors ;) Even this 230k LCD (690k). So there may not be THAT much visible difference between 920k LCD and 230k LCD. For example, GRDII uses 230k LCD and everyone who saw it instantly loved it ;) True, the diagonal dimension of GRDII LCD was 2.7". The difference caused by less pixels may be more visible on larger LCD. All in all, much more impressive than "920k" LCD could be 460k LCD with its native resolution 940x480 (x 3 colors = 1.35M LCD).
 
Thanks for enlightening me on this.

Then the FH100 is back on my short list together with the Sony HX5 and hopefully the CX3 to be announced soon.

I really hope the CX3 will have HDMI and HD movie - I have been waiting for this for a long time and do not find Ricoh competitive without these features any longer. I won't even hope for Raw, but HDMI and HD movie (with improved genreal movie features like stereo and zoom and IS) are really a must have for any camera in that price range.

Be well,

Stoneart
 
You are welcome! In my opinion, HD video is very likely to be added in CX3. CX1/2 sensor is HD capable. So I guess CX3 will get the HD video. I personally hope for RAW, but I doubt there will be such addition in CX3. I rather think it will be added later (CX4 or so). But who knows? As for HDMI, since GXR already got it, I guess other models will get it too. The question is when? ;)
 
odklizec":2oysr5gi said:
You are welcome! In my opinion, HD video is very likely to be added in CX3. CX1/2 sensor is HD capable. So I guess CX3 will get the HD video. I personally hope for RAW, but I doubt there will be such addition in CX3. I rather think it will be added later (CX4 or so). But who knows? As for HDMI, since GXR already got it, I guess other models will get it too. The question is when? ;)
Click to expand...

If the CX3 does have a similar feature set (Raw and manual controls) then maybe that's why Ricoh didn't introduce a GX200 upgrade, but did what people expected of a GX300 in the GXR+S10. A CX3 with Raw +manual & HDV could probably fill that niche very nicely? It would certaily be very interesting as a future upgrade for me in a year or so. I have to get to know my new CX1 first, added to which, I'm not a natural "early adopter"! :D ;)
 
Pavel,

Like stoneart suggested I think the Sony HX5 http://www.dpreview.com/news/1001/10010 ... 100tx7.asp will also be one to watch. It has 1080i (just about all the other compact cameras offer 720P) and I feel many buyers are being lured by the video resolution race similar to the megapixel race. I think 720P video is quite good and useful but there will be those that want the 1080 no matter what.

If the CX3 offers video will have 720P or 1080i/p ? and what codec will it use?
The Casio does offer the high speed video modes and while some consider it a novelty I think it could be put to creative use.

One very important thing not to miss is that the compact cameras offer 28mm and 24mm lenses, combine this with video and you have superwide video capability. Most of the dedicated camcorders tend not to offer really wide angles of view - often its 35mm or more - check em out. A negative issue with compact cameras and video that you need to watch is that some have been unable to zoom during filming so make sure you check that out and be aware before buying. I have a LX3 and it can't zoom. I also have access to a Panasonic FT-1 and it can zoom during filming.

I am not fixated on video in my compact camera, I mainly consider compacts for still images but I think the market will want it as the other makers offer it.
 
Tim, the CX sensor is capable of full HD resolution. So the question is, if Ricoh will implement the full HD support or just 720p? If you are interested, see these specs...
http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/cx_n ... ring4.html

I guess the zooming will be disabled also in case of CX, because the zoom sound would be recorded in the video. Ricoh greatly reduced the noise level in recent cameras, but there is still too much noise for video recording. I guess we will soon see? ;)
 
It's good you amended your post above, Pavel, I thought the CXs did not have a *backlit* sensor, as the FH100 and HX5 have.

This backlit sensor should be able to reduce noise quite a bit.

Let's hope the upcoming CX3 will sport it also, I am really getting tired of crappy shots in low light when using compacts (and am too lazy for pp :D ).

We should do a shootout comparison between FH100 and HX5 on the forum (or will you lose your cozy relationship with Ricoh when you do that ? ;)).

Regards,

Stoneart

*Who finally after a few years wait for improved video in Ricoh's R/CX line has found new hope! :)
 
Casio posted first two sample photos and short HD video from the EX-FH100:
http://dc.casio.jp/products/ex_fh100/gallery.html

As always, both samples were taken at ISO100 so no chance to evaluate the high ISO performance. In addition, both photos were taken at 40mm. I guess the lens performance at 24 or 28mm is not that great to show it in the official gallery. Also, there is some purple fringing visible even at 40mm. The things can only be worse at wider focal length. Generally speaking, both samples look good. Not great...not bad, just good ;) A very good thing on EX-FH100 is its option to shot in DNG. Something badly missing in CX cameras :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top