The Casio Exilim EX-H20G is a new-to-market GPS camera that offers a unique and very appealing technology that Casio calls autonomic positioning. Casio refers to their new position identifying system that blends autonomic positioning with GPS technology as Hybrid-GPS.
Hybrid-GPS uses an accelerometer and a direction sensor to estimate the distances and directions moved from the last confirmed GPS position once the camera is unable to continue determining its location via GPS satellites. That allows the camera to continue geotagging photos with estimated positions even when you’re inside or at a location where the camera has no direct line of sight to 3 GPS satellites. 3 satellite signals is the minimum requirement to secure a position. The camera switches back to more accurate GPS location detection once you move back into range of enough GPS radio signals.
The camera also searches for GPS signals every 10 minutes when it’s turned off. Casio suggests this helps speed up position locks once powering up by keeping the camera always somewhat aware of its location, assuming the camera is not being carried in a manner that prevents it from receiving GPS signals. Checking your location every 10 minutes could also theoretically allow the camera to function as a trail log generator. I haven’t yet found information that confirms or denies that the new EX-H20G has the capability to record and save a trail log.
One can manually shift GPS coordinates with geotagging software to correct errors that occur when you go inside or are blocked by obstacles outside. But it certainly would be nice to have reasonably accurate positions already recorded and tagged on photos that are taken out of range of GPS satellites as Casio claims the Exilim EX-H20G makes possible.
Another dramatic feature of the EX-H20G is a built-in map service that lets you see where you are on the camera’s LCD. This could turn the EX-H20G into a legitimate navigation device in addition to being a camera and geotagger.
I’m very interested in seeing the mapping feature in action. Map services could be an important step in GPS camera feature progression. Maps would be an immediate and easy to understand tangible benefit to drive casual photographers towards GPS capable cameras. I hope the new high-end camera I’m considering purchasing doesn’t have to wait beyond its next generation to have GPS and mapping features added.
Of course iPhone and other smartphone users are accustomed to having GPS mapping technology and geotagging in their pockets already, but they are stuck with photographs that are limited in quality by the tiny speck of a lens built into those devices.
It’s interesting how lower-end cameras such as this new Casio are starting to get extremely valuable new features long before higher-end models.
Ironically, high-end users can sometimes be slower to embrace progress, and the camera manufacturers likely don’t want to rock their lucrative high margin, high-end camera sales until the often slower thinking and more skeptical professionals and prosumers realize new technology is a good thing.
Anecdotal, but I remember a professional photographer acquaintance of mine who not so many years ago confidently proclaimed he would never be upgrading to a digital camera because they were less efficient and not suited to his work. He shot promotional stills for television productions. Of course he now uses the latest and greatest digital camera and raves about it. And his clients would not accept work shot any other way.
On the other hand, I suppose it’s not such a bad thing to have technology vetted and more fully evolved on the low-end first. The mapping and GPS features that are inevitably coming to high-end photography equipment should be more mature and capable by the time they’re finally added.
Announced in September of last year and now available for purchase at $349.99, there’s still no thorough review of the Casio Exilim EX-H20G available online. Learning to Geotag may be a little too new to be on the radar of most camera companies, but when I do start receiving test cameras in the mail, I’ll be sharing the results of putting more of these devices to use with my real world projects.
Update: That was quick. Casio has dropped the retail price to $299.99 for the Exilim EX-H20G. The deluge (well, more than a trickle) of new GPS cameras coming to market probably contributed to this substantial price reduction.
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Engadget has put up a good hands-on general overview that includes a video of the camera in someone’s hands. More extensive reviews should be coming from photography sites soon.
Casio Exilim EX H20G (with Hybrid GPS) camera review at Engadget
This second link will take you to one of Casio’s detailed information pages for the camera.
Casio Exilim EX-H20G Official Product Page
Images: Top – navigation map on the back of the Casio EX-H20 GPS camera, Bottom – front of 14.1 megapixel EX-H20G with GPS “hump” visible at the top of camera.
