FujiFilm FinePix digital cameras hands-on

Apparently FujiFilm's truckload of new cameras got redirected from Las Vegas to Hannover, but whatever the case, we'll take whatever hands-on we can get. Over in a small corner at CeBIT, FujiFilm was on hand with its recently-shipping F200EXR and the bulk of its pre-PMA crew. We didn't notice anything particularly special about any of 'em (cosmetically, we mean), though we must say, the lime green on the Z33WP really began to grow on us. See if it rubs you the same way in the gallery below.

Hands-on with latest FujiFilm FinePix digital cameras

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 3rd 2009 2:52PM]

Think any of these compare to a Lumix-LX3?

[pika2000 Posted Mar 3rd 2009 3:07PM]

Can't wait for the F200EXR.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 3rd 2009 3:17PM]

I can understand the original poster's conclusion on the cameras being bland. Fuji makes some of the most boring looking cameras. However, they are hands-down some of the best point-and-shoot camera's I've used. If they could take Sony's interface/ body styles along their own brand's innards, they have some point and shoot masterpieces. That being said, I take substance over style, so looking forward to trying out the F200EXR...everything is pointing to it being the true successor of the haloed F31fd.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 3rd 2009 3:35PM]

I agree - the cameras don't stand out physically, but technically they are awesome. I love the SuperCCD chip they use, as it gives an excellent result (at least to me)... far better than any other camera I have seen. Of course, the big digi-SLRs are great too, but the SuperCCD just does "something" better than the standard CCD that makes it my fav.

What's more, for low light, this CCD just outperforms a standard one. I hate flash pictures as they simply don't illuminate evenly, and with the SuperCCD, I can avoid using the flash more often.

I'm excited to see the results from this pretty-big SuperCCD in the F200EXR... it would be nice to have a small camera to replace my s6000fd, if it can keep up with the bigger one!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 3rd 2009 3:36PM]

Engadget's writer Darren "didn't notice anything particularly special about any of 'em" because he didn't read the press release.

This Fuji has a very innovative sensor that give you the choice of high resolution, high dynamic range, or high sensitivity with low noise. You can see examples of all modes here:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0902/09022304f200exrgallery.asp


Getting high sensitivity with low noise is basically impossible with nearly all compact digitals. That is why your night shots look grainy and nasty without the flash. If Fuji's trick works, it would mean that a compact camera might actually approach a digital SLR's performance.

The LX3 It tries to accomplish that last trick by using a slightly bigger sensor and a fast lens (the Fuji has the typical compact's pinhole lens). But that makes the camera itself bigger and more expensive. And the zoom range is a bit limited, because a bigger range would mean an even bigger lens. As it is the lens protrudes a little from the body even when closed (hence the lack of an automatic lens cover.)

Fuji is a leader in sensor innovation, which is the heart of a digital camera. Knowledgeable people, unlike our writers, pay close attention to Fuji's new products.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 3rd 2009 4:53PM]

first, thank you for your post and the link to the test-pics!

i was also looking forward to the new fuji, but the pix at the link really dont impress me much. many of them, even ones shot outdoors with quite good light, look grainy and the sharpness isnt great as well. also the colours arent very strong, but maby this is just natural.

so i hope the final products perform better, because i really have been expecting more.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 4th 2009 9:40AM]

@Koko

Excellent samples...

@Rob: I think the pictures are really showing the strength of the sensor. First off, brighter colors doesn't make for a better picture. Most cheaper cameras do that to fool the user into thinking that it's a better picture (the same way that TVs are often sold with the brightness cranked up... because people think brighter = better).

Secondly, the strength of this camera is the sensor's dynamic range and low light capability. Take a look at the 5th picture in the series, for example. First off, the sky is a beautiful blue... and it's not all washed out. Secondly, notice that you can actually see the details in the shadows of the building... most cameras will likely blackout all that region because there's not enough light. (The 9th picture is an even better example, where you can even read the letters on the shadowed sign at the left while keeping the sky intact). What's more, the 5th photo was taken at ISO100 (holy crap!) and with a shutter speed of 1/90... wow. Again, this is a COMPACT camera... not a dSLR.

Most people take pictures indoors... it's always bugged me how little cameras give up their indoor shooting capability with slow lenses and tiny sensors. I always see crappy pictures with flashes overexposing the subject while blacking out the background. (One of the reasons I hate flashes). Fuji tends to do the opposite... less flash, and better preservation of the background... all because of their excellent sensors. I have always appreciated that!

I can't wait to see the full review of this camera.