Casio Exilim EX-H20G Review

By Howard Creech, DigitalCameraReview.com Contributor | 12/31/2010

Review Summary:
The Casio H20 effectively combines a GPS unit and a decent compact 10x optical zoom point-and-shoot.

Pros

• Good image quality
• Effective on-board GPS
• 10x optical zoom

Cons

• Some ergonomic issues
• Expensive
• Slight overexposure

Casio Exilim EX-H20G Full Review

 Competing point-and-shoot cameras from major OEM's (original equipment manufacturers) like Nikon, Canon, and Olympus are often so similar (same basic "look", same resolution, almost identical LCD screens, rigidly similar control arrays, same zoom range, etc.) that I sometimes forget for a moment which camera I'm testing this week. Casio's cameras are always a little bit different, but maybe that's because Casio is more likely to be known for calculators and wrist watches than cameras.

Casio is a Japanese company that makes computer peripherals, musical instruments, digital cash registers, and audio equipment, in addition to digital cameras. Casio built the first all electronic calculator, the first digital watch, the first consumer digital camera with an LCD screen, and the first true ultra-compact point-and-shoot.

 
Casio recently introduced the Exilim EX-H20G (designed primarily for travelers), the first digicam combining a built-in GPS system with motion sensor driven autonomic positioning. What makes the H20 unique is that its Hybrid GPS system uses three-axis accelerometers and a three-way direction sensor to determine the shooter's location (since the last satellite contact) and then track him or her even when indoors or away from GPS satellite feeds.