Having struck a chord with its semi-pro F200 EXR compact, Fujifilm has tried to expand its appeal further by offering the F70 EXR a lower-cost model that somehow achieves an even more ambitious 10X zoom. Experienced photographers will find a number of things to like in the new point-and-shoot, but is it enough to serve as a sidearm or even as a main camera? Our F70 EXR review comes to an answer.
Fujifilm has finally released its Real 3D W1 point-and-shoot camera in the North American market, following initial availability limited to Japan. The camera integrates two pairs of sensors and lenses, enabling stereoscopic still captures and video recording. Users can also take still pictures at 10-megapixel resolution, while 3X optical zoom is available for both 2D and 3D images.
Fujifilm on Wednesday announced the release of its latest instant-film camera, the Instax Mini 7S. Unlike Polaroid's PoGo digital cameras, which rely on a built-in printer, the Instax Mini 7S uses Fujifilm's Mini Instax 2-inch by 3-inch film. The film has a printed area of 1.8 by 2.4 inches, which is then developed as the finished photo.
Fujifilm wrapped up its camera introductions with four more economic FinePix models, including an update to its fashion-oriented compacts. The F37 is a typical 10-megapixel, 3X zoom camera but has a very rounded body and the pick of multiple colors, including two-tone black/red and pink/white versions. It carries full scene detection and face detection and records movies in VGA. Deliveries start in August for $150.
As part of its camera launches today, Fujifilm provided nearly all details for its Real 3D W1 camera and its matching viewer. The W1 shoots regular 2D images at 10 megapixels but has two sensor/lens combos that produce a stereoscopic 3D image. In spite of the complexity, the camera has 3X optical zoom synced between the two items; Fujifilm has also revealed that the compact can take 3D video or uncouple the two images so that it's possible to either adjust the amount of depth or take the second shot from a slightly different viewpoint to induce a greater sense of spatial perception.
Fujifilm early today launched two new FinePix cameras based on the more advanced EXR sensor found in the F200EXR. The new S200EXR has the same unique option of halving the 12-megapixel resolution to either reduce noise in low light or improve dynamic range, but is targeted at "prosumer" users with a 14.3X, 30.5-436mm lens, the option of shooting in RAW, and new pro shooting modes. The Pro Focus mode replicates the shallow depth of field possible with an SLR and takes a burst of shots at different focuses to put a sharp subject in front of a soft-focus background; Pro Low-light takes four low-noise shots in EXR mode and overlaps them to reduce the noise at ISO 1,600.
One of the pioneers of digital photography, Fujifilm will reportedly release the first 3D consumer digital camera later this year. First announced last summer, the camera uses two lenses, spaced out like human eyes, to capture two simultaneous images of the same scene from slightly different angles. A system called FinePix Real 3D will then combine the two images into one, with output options that will include a 3D digital picture frame or special 3D prints.
Fujifilm has announced the upcoming release of the FinePix Z300 point-and-shoot digital camera. The 10-megapixel camera most notably features the company's first 3-inch LCD touchscreen; while it has a traditional shutter button, the screen itself can also work as the shutter. Like with rivals, users can focus on a certain face or subject by touching the screen in that area. Only a zoom lever and power button supplement the other controls.
For at least the past two years, point-and-shoot camera makers have been locked in a race to improve megapixel counts. While this was effective for awhile, they've quickly hit a wall as noise and other problems with image quality have prevented them from going much further. There are also few cameras that truly give experienced photographers the control they want without veering into large, semi-pro compacts or full-fledged digital SLRs. Fujifilm says its F200 EXR addresses both with a unique sensor, which reduces noise and improves dynamic range, as well as manual controls that are rarely seen in this class. We hope to find out in our full Fujifilm F200 EXR review whether this is more market posturing or a long overdue bridge between two different worlds.
Fujifilm this morning paved the way for its PMA photo show launches with multiple cameras, headed up by a replacement for its long-lasting S1000. The FinePix S1500 has the same 10-megapixel sensor and 12X, 33-396mm equivalent lens but adds true hardware image stabilization, improves software features such as automatic scene recognition and face detection, and gives full manual control. The camera continues to shoot at up to 1.4 frames per second and ISO 1,600 at full resolution but can step up to 7.5 frames per second and ISO 3,200 by lowering the resolution.
Fujifilm today had its turn at pre-PMA expo launches with three compact cameras, including one it says is the most flexible ever. The FinePix F200EXR's 12-megapixel sensor is adjustable in a special EXR mode that lets users either opt for the full resolution or else step down to 6 megapixels for difficult conditions: it can either switch to a high-sensitivity mode for low light or a wide dynamic range mode to bring out detail in shadows or bright lights. A second drop down, to 3 megapixels, will let the camera shoot as high as ISO 12,800 in extreme conditions where flash isn't an option.
Fujifilm on Monday said it is developing 3D image technology that would include a digital camera with two lenses, spaced like the human eyes, as well as a new Real Photo Processor 3D chip to process and combine the still and video images captured by the twin lenses and sensors. The technology would produce three-dimensional images users can see with their naked eye, and not rely on 3D glasses like some other systems. At the same time, Fujifilm announced it is working on a new sensor, the Super CCD EXR. It promises to combine high-resolution, high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range.
Fujifilm this morning confirmed its inadvertent leaks with multiple FinePix camera updates ahead of next month's Photokina camera expo. The 10-megapixel S2000HD ultrazoom slightly improves the earlier S1000fd with a longer 15X zoom, 720p widescreen movie capture as well as 16:9 ratio still shots, and the option of exchanging resolution for speed at either 6.8FPS (at five megapixels) or 13.5FPS (at three megapixels). Unusually for the camera class, the S2000HD will run on AA batteries when it ships in September for US pricing of $300.
Fujifilm today unofficially slipped out word of some of its camera upgrades ahead of next month's Photokina expo. The 10-megapixel FinePix S2000HD ultrazoom replaces the S1000fd and chiefly upgrades the lens, replacing the normal 12X lens with a 15X, hardware-stabilized unit. The HD in the camera's name also points to a new HD video recording feature that gives it a widescreen 720p capture mode. Amateur sports photographers can also drop the resolution in exchange for higher speed: a step down to five megapixels increases the continuous shooting rate to 6.8 frames per second, while a further step down to three megapixels shoots at a quicker-still 13.5 frames per second.
Fujifilm today revealed its previously Europe-oriented FinePix Z200fd a US launch. The pocket camera effectively replaces the Z100fd with a sharper 10-megapixel sensor but stands out for its unique Couple and Group Timers, which wait until a certain number of faces are visible in a shot before taking the photo. The Couple Timer can also be set to trigger a shot only when the pair is particularly close.
Fujifilm on Thursday launched a pair of compact point-and-shoots, including one that promises more intelligent shot-taking. The 10-megapixel FinePix Z200fd is pitched as the first camera to include a timer based on its face detection feature: the Couple Timer and Group Timer features watch the number of identifiable faces in a scene and will refuse to take a photo until as many as four people are in the shot. The Couple Timer can additionally recognize the proximity of couples' faces and can be switched to take photos when the faces are at arm's length or as close as cheek-to-cheek.
Already available in Asia, Fujifilm has announced its intentions to bring the FinePix Z100fd to North America. An eight-megapixel camera, the 100 is less than 0.8 inches thick, and features both software and hardware stabilization. ISO light sensitivity extends to 1600, and the lens boasts 5x optical zoom. Other software features include face recognition and red-eye correction.
