Fujifilm's FinePix Z5: a slim 6.3 megapixel shooter with face finder

What is it about the combination of "z" and "5" that makes the likes of Casio, Samsung, Konica Minolta, etc choose it to lovingly adorn their products? Whatever it is, Fujifilm caught that, and the brown bug too with this, their take at the Z5. This latest in the FinePix Z-series of slim (19.4-mm) digicams arrives at the show with a 6.3 megapixel CCD sensor, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, likely worthless ISO 1600 sensitivity, 26MB of internal memory with xD expansion, and that FujiFilm face finder technology seen in their higher-end shooters. Oh, and it also ships with IrSimple for on-the-quick image transfers to like-equipped devices. Available in Japan starting early December for an undisclosed price.

[Via Akihabara News]

[David @ Nov 8th 2006 10:15AM]

The statement about "likely worthless ISO 1600" would make sense on most all compact digicams. However, with the F30 and F31fd, Fuji has shown undeniable innovation in this area. Their SuperCCD sensor does seem capable of producing usable high ISO images without complete loss of detail in a far superior fashion to competitors. Not DSLR territory by any means, but a real eye-opener if you're used to the way most P&S cameras perform. It's possible that this latest Z5 will show a similar level of performance (assuming they use the same sensor and processor, which the resolution and face detection suggest is true).

David

[Mystic @ Nov 8th 2006 10:21AM]

WTF is up with gizmodo and engadget? I swear they've been taken over by Fox News.

I find the ISO1600 on my Fuji F30 to be highly usuable and I use it all the time.

[Scott @ Nov 8th 2006 10:24AM]

I agree with David. Even on the F11 the ISO1600 mode is very very useful indeed. The noise generated in 800 and 1600 is quite manageable and considering this ain't no dSLR it's pretty remarkable. It certainly pounds the equivalent P&S competition into the ground on the ISO front.

Hopefully the Z5 performs in a similar manner.

Scott (NOT a Fuji fan-boy, just a happy, ex-Canon G5, F11 user)

[Porkchop Flavored Cupcake @ Nov 8th 2006 10:36AM]

I'll quadro-echo here, ISO 800 will likely be very impressive on this camera. And it's no surprise given similar performance gains exhibited by its brothers in the fujifilm digicam lineup. 1600 should be usable for most, certainly better than "worthless", and definitely better than any other digicam out there. Fujifilm definitely excells in this area, and engadget clearly falls short in their understanding of Fujifilm's advantages in this area.

[Porkchop Flavored Cupcake @ Nov 8th 2006 10:44AM]

oh and btw...
fujifilm did the same number/badge change to their DSLR lineup S3 to S5.
So, seeing the Z3 bounce to Z5 should be no real surprise either.
And from what I gather, the real reason they skip the number 4 is because it's a bad luck number in their culture.
But of course, if engadget knows nothing about the technology, then by all means please avoid any cultural/spiritual observations as well, for you will likely end up screwing that up too.

[KiwiNick @ Nov 9th 2006 4:12AM]

I have the Z2 and it sux.

Comments about "likely worthless ISO 1600 sensitivity" are true on the Z2 at least.

It is a joke, noise and blur is so bad it looks like an effect.

What is weird is that i had an old 2mp Fuji compact, that whipped the ass of the 5mp z2.

Forgetaboutit. Those Fuji's mentioned above sound good, if this shares genes with the Z2, its a piece of junk.

But if you're still interested, buy mine... (NZ dollars = 0.65 US)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=76697897

[Eddie @ Jan 16th 2007 1:40PM]

I just received my Z5 and it is everything is has been touted to be. ISO 1600 is even better when compared to the ISO 400 in my old Z1. Its a great camera. It would be nice if Dynamism shipped an English language version of the manual.

[DigiGuy @ Jan 19th 2007 3:08AM]

can you please email me a sample pic shot at 1600 with flash, in available light?
[e-mail]
cheers

[Sylvie @ Feb 12th 2007 4:53PM]

I am looking for a Fujifilm Z5 user guide. Can I find it on the net ?

Cheers

[dr3d @ Mar 13th 2007 1:22AM]

yeah the z5 manual is available over at the Fuji site