Casio EX-FH20, lens speed for action shots, action cameras

[Suzy fisher]

Several questions:
Supposedly this camera is very good for action stills and you can still get video (even has a youtube video software program with it). Not quite DSLR quality but usuable advertising print pixel quanity. If I don't use the HD video setting, so I can still get good video AND good stills off it, I need to know if my computer can handle it. I guess the new HD camcorders, you have to have a big fast processor, which I don't have. I don't want to purchase a new camera or camcorder and then have to buy a new $3k computer to be able to use it.
My computer is a Dell Dimension 2350 with Windows XP. 384 MB total physical memory (available 40) 2 GB virtual memory (available 1.96). "Intel Pentium 4 that runs at 1.80, 2.00, 2.40, or 2.50 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally" and maximum memory "1 GB".
So, can my computer handle this camera if I don't use the HD video feature?

Second question, I have been trying to learn more about action shots. Some of you guys say slow shutter settings at 1/60-1/80 is better and some say do shutter as fast as you can (>800?) Background doesn't matter to me much, I can go with it in focus or blurred as long as the subject (horse) is clear. Can I adjust the shutter settings on this camera and then go to autofocus?

Does this camera have a "fast" lens (>2.8) which I have read is mandatory for clear action photos?
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Ok, if this camera doesn't fit the above requirements, I am considering a used DSLR (under $300). I need some sort of sports package (lens, shutter, advance etc) so I can just point and hold down the go button and hope for the best. What used older fully automatic DSLR (a couple years old) would fit best?

Thanks
Suzy

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[solent]

Your computer is certainly fast enough to deal with the stills your camera will produce, though it could do with sllightly more memory - I find XP a bit slow with less than 512Mb. I'm not experienced with video processing but agina your machine should cope with it if you don't mind waiting a bit.

Shutter speed depends on the effect you are trying to achieve. If you want to create a super sharp still image you will need a higher shutter speed. A slower shutter speed can create motion blur which can make your shots look more exciting and action filled.

Your camera is F3.6-F4.5 depending on how zoomed in you are. Thats' not the fastest of lenses but probably par for the course on such a camera. You should find it is okay when using a high shutter speed on a bright sunny day, but on dull days you can compensate by increasing your ISO speed to (say) ISO400 (don't go too high or your image quality will degrade).

[Moonlighter]

in poor light you'll have to make shutter slower or to raise ISO. Slow shutter means blurriness and high ISO means noise. the camera's Image stabilization is not very effective, so try to use flash if the situation allows.

and i think shutter speeds 1/150 and faster will do for sharp shots. i manage sometimes shoot at 1/15 but it requires great concentration and still action to aviod blur.