Casio Exilim EX-H20G Review

At the 2011 CES, I saw the Casio EX-H20G camera, and really liked it. I've already got a few digital point-and-shoot cameras (three), and really don't need a new one. That being said, this one offered something that the others don't - GPS.  It also is a 14-megapixel shooter that does 720p video. :)

It offers 10x optical zoom, whereas many other digital cameras will do 2x or 3x optical zoom and then "cheat" by using digital zoom for anything over that.  It also has a 24mm wide-angle lens, so you can fit more into a shot without backing up - think group shots at restaurants.

I've been spoiled by the geotagging that automatically occurs when I take pictures with my iPhone.  I like knowing precisely where a photo was taken, not having to put that information in when I upload the files to Flickr, or trying to remember that information later.

About 2 weeks ago, I got one as a birthday gift.  Of course, I started playing with it almost immediately after the battery was fully charged - which was just a few short hours.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with it.  It supports very high-capacity SDHC & SDXC cards, and I received a 32GB SDHC card with the gift.  That means tons upon tons of pictures, and many hours of high-def video with just one card - great when traveling.  I had read some reviews on Amazon that complained about the battery door popping open or feeling weak.  I have no such complaints.  It's actually better than two of my other cameras.  Their battery doors are single tension - slide it on and it locks, but if you bump the door in just the right way, it will pop open accidentally.  The battery door on the EX-H20G actually has a second sliding lock that keeps the battery/card access door locked in place.  I suppose if I dropped the camera it might break, but under normal use it feels very solid.

In addition to the automatic geotagging, the camera offers a number of other cool features.  First on my list is "Premium Auto".  This takes longer between shots to process the picture, but produces quite good pictures for virtually any setting.  Day or night, moving or still, macro or far, inanimate objects or even multiple face detection - "Premium Auto" will intelligently manage the settings for you.  I'm lazy, so I like stuff like that.  I don't know enough about ISOs, f-stops, white balance, etc to worry about those settings.  This camera deals with it for me.

Although Windows Live Photo Gallery will automatically stitch together panoramas, it can also be convenient to be able to do it in-camera.  The EX-H20G has a panorama mode that is surprisingly good.  Once you've set it to panorama mode, all you have to do is hold the shutter down and rotate your body.  You'll hear a satisfying rapid-fire clicking sound until you release the button.  After just a few seconds of processing, you'll have a very nice panorama shot.  Witness this shot of a friend's backyard, taken about on my first day with the EX-H20G:

More than 180° from left-to-right.  Click to see full size.

About the panorama shots - the resolution of panoramas created with the EX-H20G are not as high-quality as those made with Windows Live Photo Gallery, but they're pre-cropped and each panel is color-balanced to the others, so there's no weird color variations in the same panorama.

Overall I'm very happy with this camera, and plan to either sell or give away at least two of my other three point-and-shoot cameras.  I'd recommend it highly to anyone who wants a nice, flexible and easy to use point-and-shoot. 

EDIT: looks like Engadget agrees with me. :)

Fantastic GPS mount

Since getting the "new" car, I've been using a "bean bag" type mount for the GPS. I didn't like it, but like the suction-cup-on-the-windshield mount even less. Also, the bean bag mount put the GPS in such a position that it would reflect off the windshield at night, which made for a constant annoyance if I needed to use it after dark.

I found an alternative that worked wonderfully. In this new position, the GPS screen doesn't reflect off the windshield, but it's at a perfect viewing position, and easily within my reach. I bought a custom-made mounting bracket (basically a small, bent and drilled piece of sheet metal with a ball on the end) from the geniuses at Pro.Fit International. They even sell a simple plastic tool to allow me to pop the console off without scratching it. It required minor drilling (but the two small holes are hidden under the console if the mount is removed) but the results are outstanding. Witness the new mount below:Now I just have to find a way to secure/conceal the cord a little better...