Digital Camera News

Fujifilm Announces Three New Models

August 12, 2008 – Fujifilm USA today introduced three new compact cameras, ranging in price from $199.95 to $299.95, all of which are scheduled to ship in September.

The 10-megapixel FinePix S2000HD, as the name suggests, is Fujifilm's first camera to support high-definition video (1280 x720 resolution, with mono sound, in MPEG4 format). The other noteworthy feature of this $299.95 camera is the lens, a 15x ultrazoom (27.6mm-414mm equivalent), with a maximum aperture of f/3.5 at the widest angle setting and f/5.4 at full zoom. Image stabilization is handled using both sensor-shift and automatic ISO-boosting systems. The camera combines an electronic viewfinder and a 2.7-inch LCD, and supports aperture-priority, shutter-priority and full manual exposure controls. The face detection system can recognize up to 10 individuals in a scene, adjusting focus and exposure accordingly, and incorporates automatic red-eye correction. Full-resolution continuous-mode shooting tops out at 1.1 frames per second (fps), though lowering the resolution to 3 megapixels enables a burst rate of 13.5 fps. The S2000HD measures 4.4' x 3.1' x 3.0' (111.0 mm x 78.9 mm x 75.7 mm) and weighs in at 13 ounces (386 g) not including the 4 AA batteries that give it life. The list price is $299.95.

The FinePix F60fd, also priced at $299.95, delivers 12-megapixel resolution, sensor-shift and ISO-boost image stabilization and an automatic scene recognition system. According to Fujifilm, the Face Detection 3.0 system can identify up to 10 faces in as little as 0.036 seconds, and sets focus and exposure accordingly. The company claims the current system will recognize profiles up to 90 degrees off axis, as well as tilted or rotated faces, so an upside-down child on a jungle gym will still look identifiably human to the camera. The software also detects and corrects red-eye immediately after the shot is taken. The camera features a 3.0x (35-105 mm equivalent) zoom lens, a 3-inch LCD (but no optical viewfinder), and sensor-shift image stabilization. Aperture-priority, shutter-priority and full manual exposure are supported. Continuous shooting at 2 frames per second is available, along with movies at 640 x 480- and 320 x 240-pixel resolutions, both at 25 frames per second with mono sound. Powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery, the F60fd measures 3.6' x 2.3 ' x 0.9' (92.5 mm x 59.2 mm x 22.9 mm), weigh 5.7 ounces (163 grams) and will sell for $299.95.

Finally, the compact 10-megapixel FinePix J150w delivers a 5x zoom (28mm-140mm equivalent) with a 3-inch LCD, housed in a slender 0.89-inch (22.6 mm) body. The face detection system maxes out at six people in the frame (versus 10 for the other new cameras), and includes automatic red-eye correction. Instead of sensor-shift image stabilization, the J150w relies on automatic ISO boost to discourage blurred photos. Movie mode supports 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 resolutions at 30 frames per second with mono sound, stored in Motion JPEG format. Continuous shooting is available at 1.7 frames per second. The 3.6' x 2.3' x 0.9' (92.0 mm x 57.9mm x 22.6 mm) J150w weighs 5.1 ounces (146 grams) minus rechargeable battery and memory card, and carries a list price of $199.95.