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Fujifilm's FinePix XP120 is a sporty, rugged point-and-shoot
Unlike Nikon and Panasonic, Fujifilm isn't making any major announcements at this year's CES. That said, the company is introducing a camera here in Las Vegas: the FinePix XP120, the latest member of its rugged point-and-shoot series. Naturally, the main highlights here are that it's waterproof (up to 65 feet) and shockproof to 5.8 feet, as well as dustproof and freezeproof. In addition, the XP120 sports a decent 16.4-megapixel CMOS sensor, 3-inch LCD and 1080p recording at 60fps. These specs won't blow anyone's mind, but the $230 camera could appeal to at least a few outdoor buffs when it launches in February.
Fujifilm reveals the FinePix S1, a weather-ready 50x superzoom camera
Fujifilm is launching a quintet of point-and-shoots at CES, and one of them may be just the ticket for those who want both extreme zoom and weather resistance in a single camera. Its new FinePix S1 (above) packs a 50x (24-1,200mm) f/2.8-5.6 lens, yet is tough enough to survive the dust and rain; you can take that close-up concert photo even if you're stuck in lousy weather. The 16-megapixel shooter also offers WiFi image sharing, 10fps burst shooting, 1080p video, a 920,000-pixel electronic viewfinder and a tilting 3-inch LCD. The S1 will ship this March for $500. The remaining FinePix models all share that 16-megapixel resolution, but sacrifice the S1's do-it-all design in the name of price. The S9200 and WiFi-equipped S9400W both share the 50x lens and 10fps burst mode, but lose the weather-hardened design and step down to a 200,000-pixel viewfinder. The entry S8600 moves to "just" a 36x (25-900mm) lens, 720p video and AA battery power. Photographers who need a truly rugged camera can pick up the XP70, a waterproof compact cam with 5x (28-140mm) optics and 1080p movie making. All four of these designs also arrive in March, with prices starting at $230 for the S8600 and XP70; the S9200 costs $330, while the S9400W is slightly costlier at $350.
Fujifilm's Finepix JZ700 compact shoots for speed with 8 fps burst, 200 fps video
Camera makers seem to be scrambling to equip their compact models with wireless options, all the better to work with the smartphones that are trying to replace them. Fujifilm's taking a different tack with the 14-megapixel FinePix JZ700 by going for raw performance instead, like 8 fps burst shooting and 1080/30p video, both quite rare in low-end compacts. You'll also get an 8x Fujinon lens equivalent to 24-192mm, optical image stabilization, a 2.7-inch, 230K-dot LCD, up to 3200 ISO sensitivity, numerous filters and, interestingly, 200 fps video capture -- though the resolution at that speed isn't specified and we can imagine it's pretty low. Still, the camera's already hit the streets for around £130 ($200) and we don't know of any other near time-stopping cameras you can grab for that sum.
Fujifilm announces FinePix XP200 ruggedized camera, S8400W superzoom
Ready to hear about some mid-range Fujifilm point-and-shoots? Let's do this. The FinePix XP200 looks like the more exciting model of the bunch, so we'll start there. Available with red, purple, yellow, green, blue and orange glossy finishes, this ruggedized camera packs a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor with image stabilization, a 28-140mm lens, 3-inch, 920k-dot LCD, a 10-frames-per-second continuous shooting mode, 1080/60i video and built-in WiFi for pushing pics to a companion app. It's a ruggedized cam, so that means it's waterproof to 50 feet, freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10°C) and shockproof to 6.6-foot drops. The other flavor is a superzoom model, or a "bridge camera," as manufacturers are calling them these days. The lens is the focus here, and this one's got a 24-1,056mm, 44x optic with a maximum aperture range of f/2.9 to f/6.5. There's also optical image stabilization and a Super Macro mode that lets you shoot subjects that are just 0.39 inch from the lens. There's a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, sensitivity through ISO 12,800, 1080/60i video capture, a 10 fps continuous shooting mode and WiFi. You can preview images on the 3-inch, 460k-dot LCD or the 201k-dot electronic viewfinder. This model, the FinePix S8400W, comes in black and ships in May for $350. The XP200 will also ship in May, priced at $300. Read up on both in the PR after the break.
Fujifilm launches alphabet soup of point-and-shoot, compact and bridge cameras
Where to start? Fujifilm has announced 9 new FinePix camera models by our counting, including six bridge models (the S6800 and S4800 series), the JX680 point-and-shoot, the F900EXR compact with WiFi and .05-second autofocus, and more basic F850EXR compact. The S6800, S6700 and S6600 are 16-megapixel bridge shooters with 30x, 28x and 26x zooms respectively, boasting OIS sensor stabilization, 12,800 max ISO, 1.0 second startup, 0.3 second autofocus, 10fps high-speed shooting at full resolution (max 10 frames) and 1080i 60fps HD video, with prices topping out at $250. The 16-megapixel FinePix S4800, S4700 and S4600 have the same 30x, 28x and 26x zoom levels and sensor shift image stabilization along with auto scene recognition, a 1.3 second startup time, 0.3 second autofocus, 720P, 30 fps video with mini-HDMI output and a max price of $230. For lovers of smaller form factors, the $100 JX680 point-and-shoot has a 16-megapixel CCD, 5x Fujinon optical zoom, "creative" filters like soft focus, a 3.0-inch, 230k-dot LCD screen, max 3200 ISO and 720P video with editing. In compact land, the $300 FinePix F850EXR sports a 20x optical zoom, CMOS-shift image stabilization, a 16-megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor, 3.0-inch 920k-dot LCD, 9 fps continuous shooting (max 5 frames), 1.1 second startup time, Eye-Fi card compatibility and 1080P 60fps video. Finally, the $400 FinePix F900EXR matches all those specs while adding WiFi image transfer capability, faster 11 fps continuous shooting (5 frames max) and claimed "world's fastest" 0.05 second autofocus speed. Got all that? All the new models will arrive in March 2013, so feel free to check the PR and video after the break if you want more. We're going to take a nap.
Fujifilm's bridge cams dominate CES lineup, we check out the FinePix SL1000, S8300 and HS50EXR
What makes a bridge cam? You can use the lens length as a general rule of thumb -- if it's long enough to form a bridge, that model qualifies (full disclosure: we made that bit up, but perhaps it'll stick). Fujifilm's got a few such devices on the CES shelf, and we've dropped by to check them out. At the high end, you'll find the FinePix HS50EXR, which includes a brand new 16-megapixel 1/2-inch EXR CMOS II sensor with phase-detection focusing and an autofocus speed of 0.05 second, along with a 42x (24-1000mm) f/2.8-5.6 manual zoom lens. Next up, we have the SL1000, with its 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor and 50x (24-1200mm) f/2.9-5.6 optical zoom lens, followed by the S8300, with a 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor and 42x (24-1008mm) f/2.9-6.5 lens. All three are expected to ship in March, with the HS50EXR priced at $550, the SL1000 at $400 and the S8300 running you $310. You can find a few more details (along with a collection of similar models) in our announcement post, but what you're likely really after is a gallery of hands-on shots -- that's waiting just below.%Gallery-175350%
Fujifilm launches seven FinePix models at CES: bridge cams to rugged shooters
Fujifilm's raft of FinePix cams at CES are headlined by the HS50EXR, which aims to please those who love point and shoots, but aren't quite ready to make the pricey leap to a full-blown DSLR. The shooter captures photos at 16 megapixels, records 1080p video at 60fps and features a 3-inch tilting LCD screen. Loaded with a manual zoom lens and a 42x focal length range, the cam will arrive in March with a $550 price tag. With the device, Fujifilm is laying claim to the world's fastest autofocus in the camera's class at 0.5 seconds. For those who pinch their pennies a little harder, the firm is releasing the HS35EXR for $400, which drops 1080p recording to 30fps and optical zoom to 30x. The 3-inch tilting screen theme continues with the FinePix SL1000, which carries a 16 megapixel sensor and a lens with 50x optical zoom. As for video, the shooter records 1080i footage at 60fps. March will see the camera arrive with an asking price of $400. Fujifilm's S8300 joins the photo fray with a fixed 3-inch screen, 42x zoom, 1080i video capture at 60fps and will make its way to stores in March for $310. The S8200 packs the same video recoding features and display, but packs glass with 40x optical zoom and rings up at $300. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Fujifilm unwraps FinePix F800EXR camera with wireless sharing to Android, iOS
If your company doesn't have a camera with WiFi sharing somewhere in your lineup, many will say you're not even in the photography game. Fujifilm is definitely playing: welcome the FinePix F800EXR, its first camera with wireless sharing as part and parcel of the experience. Its centerpiece is a free Photo Receiver app for Android and iOS devices that will catch as many 30 images at a time from an ad hoc WiFi camera link. The matching (if unceremoniously named) Camera Application can return the gesture by geotagging shots as well as finding existing photos on the map. Fujifilm will even pre-Instagram the photos through six new on-camera filters for those who can't stand posting images online without at least some Lomo or tilt-shift effects thrown in. As for the actual camera part of the camera, Fujifilm is keeping afloat in the competitive waters with a 16-megapixel, CMOS-based EXR sensor that can widen the dynamic range or lower the noise if sheer resolution isn't all that vital. An equally noteworthy 20x (25-500mm equivalent) lens out in front will zoom in a lot closer than any phone camera -- well, most of them. We're otherwise looking at the technology we'd expect in a point-and-shoot of this class, such as full-resolution burst shooting at up to eight frames per second, 1080p video and a RAW mode for image quality sticklers. Stores should have the F800EXR in August for about $350, or about as much as the Galaxy Nexus that just might serve as its companion.
Fujifilm FinePix XP170 rugged camera pays a visit to the FCC, leaves raincoat behind
It was only a matter of time before Fujifilm's latest ruggedized shooter, the FinePix XP170, made a quick stop by the FCC offices and, well, it's about that time. The filings don't reveal many details we didn't already know, meaning you're still getting those WiFi sharing features to Android / iOS and that 14-megapixel CMOS sensor with 1080p video capabilities to take on your adventures. At this rate it's safe to say that you better have those 280 bucks ready, as this rugged Fuji's next stop is sure to be the retail shelves. We don't think FCC chairman, Julius Genachowski, would mind you peeking at the black and white files, so hit the source link below if you're interested in doing so.
Fujifilm opens the FinePix camera floodgates ahead of CES
Fujifilm knows that you're almost certainly going through gadget withdrawal in these days and hours leading up to CES, so it's unleashing not one, but ten FinePix cameras for your pointing-and-shooting pleasure. It's a long list, so get comfortable. Let's start with the JX580, which will offer up 16 megapixels, 5x optical zoom and a three-inch LCD for $119, when it drops in February. The JX500 will be hitting the same month for $99, bringing 14 megapixels, 5x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD. The AX550 brings 16 megapixels and 5x optical zoom. It'll be hitting in March for $89. All three slim cameras feature intelligent flash, tracking auto focus and scene recognition auto. And what of the FinePix JZ250 and JZ100? We're glad you asked. The JZ250 brings a 16 megapixel sensor, 8x optical zoom and a newly brightened three-inch LCD to the table, while the JZ100 rocks 14 megapixels, 8x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD. Both can shoot movies in 720p and will hit retail in March for $149 and $129, respectively. The T400 and T350 both offer up Scene Recognition Auto, face detection and Motion Panorama Mode, as well as 10x optical zoom and three-inch LCDs. The T400 does 16 megapixels and the T350 tops out at 14. They'll run $179 and $159 when they're released in March. The FinePix XP150 and XP100 do the rugged thing, shockproof, freezeproof, dustproof and waterproof to 33 feet. The XP50, meanwhile, is also durable -- albeit slightly less so. All three cameras shoot 1080p video and have dual image stabilization and tracking autofocus. The XP150 also brings GPS and geo-tagging to the table. The three cameras will hit in March for $279, $259 and $199. Full PR after the break.
Fujifilm FinePix XP30 hands-on: a week of underwater testing (video)
One thing's for sure: we're utterly thrilled with the direction that ruggedized cameras are heading. Canon's PowerShot D10, while impressive, was more like a small stone than a bona fide P&S, but it wouldn't take much convincing to make someone believe that Fujifilm's FinePix XP30 was just another run-of-the-mill compact. Our pals over at Photography Blog already ran this thing through the wringer earlier in the year, but we couldn't resist the opportunity to take it to a few other places for testing. Namely, the Big Island of Hawaii. We spent a solid week with the XP30 and Samsung's W200, and while neither ended up impressing us from a visual standpoint, they both shared one common lining of the silver variety: price. At just $184, the XP30 is quite the bargain given its neatly trimmed exterior, but was the performance enough to warrant a recommendation? Head on past the break for out thoughts, as well as a heaping of sample shots and even an underwater video taken... after dark. %Gallery-131553%
Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR packs photo navigation, augmented reality in a 16 MP digicam
GPS, a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, 15x optical zoom -- we've seen it all before. But a feature that displays places of interest on the camera's 3-inch LCD? Well, that sounds a bit like augmented reality (AR)! The Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR's new Landmark Navigator mode does exactly that, packing one million pre-loaded locations from around the world. Looking to find your way from Rome's Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps? The compact cam will point the way, including other stops along your route. You can also add your own locations, or launch Photo Navigation, which lets you easily return to places you've photographed -- or plot them on Google Maps once you get home. There's also 1080p movie capture, a 12,800 ISO high-sensitivity mode (that you'll probably never want to use), sensor-shift image stabilization, and a 24-360mm lens with an f/3.5 maximum aperture. But as you may have guessed, we're most excited about those AR features, so jump past the break for the full scoop.
Fujifilm X100 gets firmware update, 22 tweaks make the best even better
The retro X100 brought out all our kleptomaniacal tendencies when we first went hands-on, and it has since impressed virtually every other lucky soul who's come into contact with its build quality and groundbreaking integration of a big APS-C sensor within a compact body. But, just as you often find in extremely beautiful humans, the camera's brains were slightly haywire: in particular, it tended to forget or confusingly alter crucial ISO, dynamic range, macro and drive settings when shifting between shooting modes. Fortunately though, many of these niggles can now be nuked by downloading firmware update v1.10 at the source link. The update promises a total of 22 fixes and modifications, which are listed in full in the PR after the break. Of course, some annoying issues will remain outstanding with this $1,200 shooter, including slow focus-by-wire MF and strangely buried menu settings. We don't know if they'll ever be fixed, but the next time we get hold of one it'll still be a morality-pounding wrench to give it back.
How would you change Fujifilm's FinePix X100?
Photokina 2010 was the launching pad for a relatively new class of point-and-shoot, and Fujifilm's FinePix X100 was just one of the many high-end, zoomless compacts designed to put DSLR-level image quality into your right (or left, for southpaws) rear pocket. Of course, the compromise is the inability to swap lenses and the omission of an optical zoom, but evidently the market research has shown that there's a market for this thing, yet. The X100 oozes beauty, but it most definitely comes at a cost -- over $1,000 at last check. For those with plenty of disposable income and a hankering for anything new, we're as curious as can be to hear how your experience with this guy has been. Have you been overly impressed with the design? Would you have tweaked the lens at all? Thrown together a less rigid chassis for the sake of weight / cost? Added an option for an interchangeable lens mount? Go on and get creative in comments below -- you've earned it.
Fujifilm FinePix XP30 reviewed: average ruggedized cam, with GPS
With this ruggedized, GPS-equipped FinePix XP30 from Fujifilm, you won't have any trouble proving to your friends that that penguin photo your grandmother uses as her "screen saver" really was taken in Antarctica. Unless it happens to be snowing in Antarctica. Or even cloudy. This otherwise average 14.2 megapixel camera is the first to include GPS, but the gurus at Photography Blog had trouble getting a fix while testing in England. They also had issues with the battery door flipping open when the camera was dropped, and sand getting trapped in the zoom rocker -- not problems you want to see on a ruggedized cam. Like most rugged cameras, the XP30's image quality also doesn't compare to its land-limited cousins, according to the review, so this $240 Fuji might be a better bet as a second shooter than your be-all and end-all camera. Head on over to Photography Blog for the full review.
Fujifilm FinePix X100 reviewed: a stunning shooter through and through
All we really knew about Fujifilm's FinePix X100 was that its looks (and pricetag) could kill, but Photography Blog has discovered that the gorgeous magnesium machine takes fantastic photographs too. You won't actually be able to see any of them at this very moment -- as it seems the website's images are down -- but the publication liberally praised the sharpness and lack of noise afforded by that F2 Fujinon lens, calling the X100 "right up there with the best APS-C sensor cameras on the market" in terms of image quality, and with "the best build quality of any camera that we've ever tested," too. Strong words, to be sure, but the camera's not without its quirks, including an obvious one -- that 23mm lens is fixed to the camera's front. Without a zoom, you'll need to get up close and personal with your subjects to get that perfect shot, and yet it also lacks a mechanical focus ring (it's a focus-by-wire affair here), which can make it difficult to quickly get your bokeh on. The publication remarks that both autofocus and manual focus are fairly slow, there's no manual option at all when recording videos, and focusing macro shots requires switching to a separate mode that switches off the optical viewfinder. Still, if you weren't sold at first sight, you probably are now. Kiss your tax refund goodbye, folks -- it's been spoken for. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Fujifilm announces shortage of X100 camera, targets late March / early April US release
Planning on dropping $1200 for one of those gorgeous Fujifilm FinePix X100 cameras? Unfortunately, you won't be able to get your hands on the 12.3 megapixel fixed-lens beauty as early as anticipated. Turns out Fujifilm sold more on pre-order than expected and despite ramping up production, the retro shooters won't be available to US customers until the end of March or early April -- just a few more weeks, guys. Feel free to watch our hands-on video to occupy yourself whilst you wait.
Fujifilm confirms Finepix X100 ship date, price and accessory line for US market
We've spent quite a bit not nearly enough time with Fujifilm's fixed-lens Finepix X100, and while it felt that March would never actually come during Photokina 2010, it's actually just a few weeks away. The outfit has today confirmed that its 12.3 megapixel shooter will be shipping to America next month, with a wallet-burning $1,199.95 netting you a 23mm F2 prime lens, a standard ISO range of 200 to 6400 (with a boost to 12800), built-in ND filter, Hybrid Viewfinder and a magnesium alloy chassis. Feel free to peek back at our hands-on sessions to get a better idea if this is the retro body you've been yearning for, and hop on past the break if you'd care to see the official verbiage. %Gallery-102872%
Fujifilm FinePix X100 pre-orders begin, retro beauty is yours for $1,200
We've yet to snap a single photograph with Fujifilm's FinePix X100, but we don't let little things like substantive testing get in the way of love -- it's destiny that we and this gorgeous camera be together, no matter the cost. Of course, considering that cost is presently $1,200 at Adorama, where the 12.3 megapixel APS-C shooter just appeared for pre-sales, you may not feel the same way. That's just fine. You'll probably have until March to longingly gaze upon that F2 Fujinon lens, hybrid viewfinder and gorgeous magnesium curves before you make up your troubled mind.
Fujifilm's X100 hybrid viewfinder demoed on video, gets us all sorts of excited
Imagine a retro-styled, Micro Four Thirds-sized compact camera with an optical viewfinder. Now, imagine that same camera having a switch that throws all sorts of useful data into your line of sight. That camera is Fujifilm's Finepix X100, and that viewfinder is real. Back at Photokina, the mockup we ran into didn't have a functioning viewfinder, but with just two months until the $1,000 beaut is released into the wilds of America, it's not too shocking that our brethren over at Engadget Spanish managed to come across a (mostly) functional one at CES last week. Eager to show the world exactly what a hybrid viewfinder looks like when being flipped on and off, they shoved a camera up against the OVF and toggled the new mechanism -- it's downright luscious, and it's waiting for you in the video just past the break.
