Fujifilm debuts high-end 18X, entry cameras

Fujifilm continued its camera announcements today by releasing two cameras that tackle opposite ends of the amateur photographer spectrum. A new prosumer model, the S8000fd, is the first camera in the class from Fujifilm to bring in a new, wide-angle lens with 18X zoom that accommodates virtually every type of photography through an equivalent 27-486mm focal range. Sports photographers also have access to a new, ultra-fast burst mode that takes up to 15 shots per second by dropping the resolution from 8 to 2 megapixels. Like the Asia-only Z100fd, the S8000fd also incorporates image stabilization using sensor shifts.

The S8000fd also packs ISO sensitivity up to 6400, SDHC card support, and full-speed video capture up to 640x480 resolution. Fujifilm hopes to release the camera in North America by September at a price of $400.

Beginners are best served by the A920, the company says. The AA battery-powered camera turns to ISO-based stabilization rather than hardware and also drops face detection, but provides features better than most entry-level cameras with a 9-megapixel sensor and 4X optical zoom. As with other releases today, the A920 can also use either xD or SD/SDHC for camera memory. It should become available in September for $200.