(Be sure to watch that clip in HD.)

Shooting a frame rate 20x the speed of normal HD (I’m assuming that’s somewhere around 480fps if the standard HD cam shoots at 24fps), this camera/documentary was apparently the first to capture the underwater spiraling vortices of huge waves at such incredible quality. Cameraman/technician Rudi Diesel calls one moment in this clip “probably the best shot” of his life.
I can’t imagine the intensity of shooting surfers riding 12-foot waves from a vantage point directly beneath the action. But in slow motion, the scene is incredibly serene. [BBC]

This is a professional broadcast camera that is likely to cost as much as a house, so it’s not something you’ll be picking up at Best Buy anytime soon. But you can bet that we’ll start seeing incredible HD footage like in the below video on sports broadcasts in the very near future. Get ready to analyse the throws of pitchers and quarterbacks in a whole new way. [SprintCam V3 HD via NotCot]

The noble Samurai has found his role in Japanese society reduced over the decades from a fearsome fighting warrior to a skilled cutter of vegetables and BBs that’s paraded on TV shows for our amusement.

Granted, this video illustrates Samurai Isao Machii’s impressive skill and hand-eye coordination, but until he can slice actual flying bullets instead of BBs, he will be nearly useless in battle (although he is still great for ratings). [Tokyomango via Neatorama]

DOVER, NJ, SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 — Casio America, Inc., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, today announced the release of its newest EXILIM® digital camera, the HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FH20. This remarkable new camera is capable of ultra high-speed burst shooting at 40 fps and can record high speed movies at up to 1,000 fps.

In March of this year, Casio released the EXILIM Pro EX-F1, the world’s fastest digital camera*. The EX-F1 is capable of ultra-high speed burst shooting at 60 fps and can record high speed movies at up to 1,200 fps, helping users catch each decisive moment, and even capturing motion that the human eye cannot ordinarily perceive. These features have created a totally new genre of digital photography and won the respect and admiration of camera enthusiasts and professional photographers alike.

*As of September 16, 2008, based on a Casio survey for consumer market digital cameras.

While maintaining the ability to perform at speeds unmatched by the world’s top digital SLRs, the new HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FH20 is designed to appeal to a broader range of users. In addition to simplifying controls by placing all shooting mode settings on a single dial, Casio also gave the EX-FH20 a 20X optical zoom on a surprisingly compact body, 27% smaller and 28% lighter than the EX-F1. Its speed and ease of use truly puts this camera in a class of its own. In recognition of these unique characteristics, with today’s release of the new

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Casio Announces New High Speed Exilim Digital Camera…add one

EX-FH20, Casio has launched the new HIGH SPEED EXILIM series, which includes this camera and the even faster EX-F1. Casio expects the revolutionary capabilities of its HIGH SPEED EXILIM cameras to generate entirely new applications for digital photography.

“Casio continues to create a new digital camera market focusing on high speed capabilities with the introduction of the innovative HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FH20,” said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Sales for Casio’s Digital Imaging Division. “The new HIGH SPEED EXILIM series allows for images to be captured faster than ever before without compromising image quality.”

The EX-FH20, MSRP $599.99, will be available in black at retail stores in October.

9.1 effective megapixels and a high power, wide angle zoom lens
The EX-FH20 is equipped with a 26 mm-equivalent wide angle zoom lens that can close in on subjects with a powerful 20X optical zoom. The camera also features a CMOS shift anti-shake function to support power-zoom shots.

Never miss a photographic opportunity, with high speed burst shooting up to 40 fps
The EX-FH20 can capture action in high definition, 7 megapixel (3072 x 2304 pixel) images with ultra-high speed burst shooting at up to 40 fps. Users can select from seven burst settings, allowing them to capture from 1 fps up to 40 fps in a single burst. Further, users can prerecord up to 40 still images not just at the instant they press the shutter button, but before! Even if they press the shutter a little late, they will still catch that vital moment.

High speed movie recording at up to 1,000 fps
The EX-FH20 can record high speed movie footage of motion too fast for the human eye, for ultra slow motion playback. Users can select from recording speeds of 1,000 fps, 420 fps or 210 fps and can also switch from the standard speed of 30 fps to high speed recording at 210 fps during recording at the touch of a button. The EX-FH20 makes it easy to capture critical moments on video.

High Speed Anti-Shake function
This function corrects images by automatically synthesizing multiple images captured during high speed burst shooting.

High Speed Night Scene setting
With or without a tripod, this feature ensures that high speed night shots come out clear and beautiful.

HD Movie function
The EX-FH20’s HD Movie function records at 1280 x 720 pixels, at 30 fps.

[Slow Motion]