Casio EXILIM EX-FR100 Action Camera Review

So I've had this awesome piece of technology the last couple of months, and it's time to give my thoughts and review. Introducing the Casio EXILIM EX-FR100, an action camera complete with all the bells and whistles required, from video capabilities, great shots, to waterproofed casing and detachable main controller with the camera. Pretty awesome stuff I tell you.

Casio EXILIM EX-FR100 Action Camera Review

I was there at the media launch of the Casio EXILIM EX-FR100 Action Camera, where together with other bloggers and notable social influencers, we were given a rundown of the functions and technology that goes into every piece. Excited to try it out, we were sponsored a camera each to bring home and experience what it has to offer.

S.J. Ong, Executive Director of Marco Heritage (M) Sdn Bhd giving his opening speech at the launch

Being an outdoor-oriented camera, it’s expected for the EX-FR100 to be built as tough as nails. It’s able to withstand drops from heights of up to 1.7 meters (or 1.3 meters when it’s connected to its controller unit that has a 3-inch touch sensitive LCD), survive underwater at depths of up to 1.5 meters for up to 60 consecutive minutes, and is even sealed tightly enough to meet the IP6X standard.

-source hardwarezone.com.my

We even took a selfie at the launch itself!

Let's get on to the review. The FR-100 isn’t just built like a tank – it's designed to take great photos as well. It has a 12.7MP, 1/2.3-inch CMOS image sensor that works alongside Casio’s EXILIM Engine HS Ver.3 image processor. It also has a fixed aperture of f/2.8, and the ability to capture still images at a speedy 30 fps.

2-Piece Detachable Controller and LCD Screen

The Camera Lens

The Controller which can be detached, controlling the camera wirelessly

The Casio EXILIM EX-FR100 replaces its predecessor, the highly successful EXILIM EX-FR10. Like the previous design, the FR100 retains this 2 piece detachable design. With a detachable controller, we could control the camera module easily making for impossible angles possible! Place it on ground level, place it on the top of your head, on your bike, virtually everywhere, and it can still be controlled safely in the palm of your hands.

Get shots like these, at low angles

Equipped with a new 16mm ultra wide-angle lens, the FR100 is fairly adept at taking selfies, large group photos, as well as landscape photography while traveling or during outdoor activities. Before we proceed to the features of this awesome outdoor action camera, do have a look at my Unboxing video below, showing what is inside that pretty packaging that comes with the camera.

Side profile of the camera module, where you can slot in the memory card for storage

Colours Available

Casio EXILIM EX-FR100 

The FR-100 is available in three colors – yellow, white, and black. If you're an outdoor person and love stark bright colours then go for the yellow. I'm more conservative and needed a an action camera for my videos and photos which can be used for all occasions, hence I went for the Black version.

Side profile of the controller, with the release button shown where we can easily release the camera module to detach

New Intelligent Interval

A key highlight of the new Casio EXILIM EX-FR100 would be their New Intelligent Interval feature. This means we can do hands-free shooting while doing our hardcore outdoor activities. Incorporating the EXILIM high-speed HS3 engine, sensing technology, and image analysis, Intelligent Interval automatically selects and saves photos taken during high-speed continuous shooting.

My FR100 on a selfie stick, while the controller is being charged using the USB charger. 

The FR-100 comes with a bunch of handy accessories as well, such as a marine case (EAM-5) that will enable it to dive down to depths up of to 20 meters, and an LED ring flash attachment (EAM-7) that would allow users to capture photos under low-light conditions.

So how much is this camera? The new EXILIM EX-FR100 is now available at a recommended selling price of RM 2149. The package is bundled with various accessories including a Carabineer Clip Attachment, Tripod Nut, Advance Selfie Stick and Action Camera Adapter. All these can be seen from my unboxing video a couple of paragraphs up.

Other accessories can be purchased through authorized EXILIM retailers, and priced as follows :

Description / Model	Price
Marine Case [EAM-5]	RM 459.00
Antenna Cable Set [EAM-6]	RM 459.00
LED Ring Flash Attachment [EAM-7]	RM 269.00
Tripod Mount [EAM-1]	RM 99.00
Multi-angle Clip [EAM-2]	RM 119.00
Multi-angle Belt Set [EAM-3]	RM 169.00

Selfie, with beauty mode ON, mid strength

Wefie made easy, taken with my two kids, Karlson and Martin. Love the wide lens, makes it easier to get into the frame. 

So how did the video go? I did a video of me and the kids having a fun time in the house, running around and the Casio EXILIM EX-FR100 Action Camera performed admirably well! It was smooth, capturing every sights and sounds from the children's squeals of joy to the speed of running which we did. Watch it below!

Full specifications for the new Casio EXILIM EX-FR100 Action Camera is as below. Special thanks to Shini Lola's review where I got this specification listing from. Of course, you could head on to their official website at http://www.casio-intl.com/asia-mea/en/dc/ex_fr100 to get the specifications too! 

Number of Effective Pixels			Approx. 10.2 megapixels (/million)
Image Sensor			1/2.3-inch CMOS (back-illuminated type)
	Total Pixels		12.76 megapixels (/million)
File Format	Still Images		JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.3 / DCF2.0)
	Movies		MOV format, H.264/AVC, IMA-ADPCM (monaural)
Built-in Flash Memory (Image Area)			Approx. 49.9MB
Recording Media			microSD memory card, microSDHC memory card, microSDXC memory card compatible
Number of Recorded Pixels	Still Images		12M (4000×3000), 5M (2560×1920)
	Movies		Full HD (1920×1080 30fps), STD (640×480 30fps), HS240 (512×384 240fps)
Recording Capacity Maximum Image Size Setting	Still  Images	microSD Memory Card 16GB*2	Approximate 2286 shots
	Movies	Recording Capacity	Maximum recording time per file: 29 minutes
		microSD Memory Card 16GB*2	Full HD: Approx. 2 hours 14 minutes 55 seconds
Lens			F2.8 / f=2.87mm (Approx. 16mm equivalent to 35mm film)
Focusing	Focus Type		Contrast Detection Auto Focus
	Focus Modes		Auto Focus / Macro / Pan Focus
	AF Area		Intelligent, Multi, Spot
Focus Range (From Lens Surface)			AF: Approx. 10 cm to infinity, Macro: Approx. 3 cm to 10 cm, PF: Approx. 55 cm to infinity
Recording Functions			Auto mode, Premium Auto Pro mode, High Speed Continuous shooting, Prerecord (still image), ART SHOT, Interval Shot, Makeup, Touch Shutter (AF + Shoot, AF Only), Face Detection, Full HD Movie, STD Movie, High Speed Movie, Movie Anti Shake, Wind Noise Cut, 4x digital zoom, White Balance (Auto WB, Daylight, Overcast, Shade, Day White Fluorescent, Daylight Fluorescent, Tungsten, Manual WB), Exposure Compensation: -2EV to +2EV (in 1/3EV steps)、Wi-Fi Remote Capture, Auto Send
Playback Functions			Highlight Movie, Highlight Photo, Highlight Score, Time Lapse, Multi-image Screen, Playback Zoom, Rotate, Send Selected Image(Send to phone), View on phone
Other Functions	Common		Pairing, Auto Send File Settings, Resize When Sending, WLAN password
	Camera		USB Battery Charge, USB Power Supply, Rotation Lock
	Controller		Mirror Image, Vibrator, USB Battery Charge, USB Power Supply, Rotation Lock
Shock Resistance Waterproof Dustproof	Total		Shock-resistant up to 1.3m drop; waterproof to IPX8 and IPX6 standards; dustproof to IP6X standard
	Camera		Shock-resistant up to 1.7m drop; waterproof to IPX8 and IPX6 standards; dustproof to IP6X standard
	Controller		Shock-resistant up to 1.7m drop; waterproof to IPX8 and IPX6 standards; dustproof to IP6X standard
Wireless Data Transfer	Camera		Bluetooth：Bluetooth® ver2.1+EDR (Class 2) / Bluetooth®7 Smart、Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g/n
	Controller		Bluetooth® ver2.1+EDR (Class 2)
Monitor Screen	Controller		3.0-inch TFT color LCD, 921,600 dots, capacitance touch panel
External Connection Terminal	Camera		Micro USB port (Hi-Speed USB compliance, USB Battery Charge, USB Power Supply)
	Controller		Micro USB port (USB Battery Charge, USB Power Supply)
Microphone	Camera		Monaural
Speaker	Camera		Monaural
Power Source	Camera		Rechargeable lithium ion battery (internal)
	Controller		Rechargeable lithium ion battery (internal)
Battery Life	Number of Shots		Approx. 235 shots (approx. 285 shots if the camera module alone is used)
	Continuous Playback (Still Images)		Approx. 4 hours 10 minutes
	Actual Movie Recording Time*9(FHD Movie)		Approx. 55 minutes
	Continuous Movie Recording Time (FHD movie)		Approx. 1 hours 20 minutes
Dimensions	Camera		60.9 (DIA) mm × 33.3 (D) mm (excluding hihge unit)
	Controller		59.2 (W) × 86.7 (H) × 19.4 (D) mm
	Total		60.9 (W) × 154.8 (H) × 38.7 (D) mm (including hinge unit)
Weight	Camera		Approx. 76g (including memory card, excluding hinge unit)
	Controller		Approx. 103g
	Total		Approx. 214g (including memory card, excluding hinge unit)
Bundled Accessories			Controller (EX-FR100CT), hinge unit, carabiner strap, Tripod nut, USB-AC adaptor (AD-C54U), AC power cord, micro USB cable, basic reference

One for the album, Wefie with the Casio EXILIM EX-FR100 Action Camera