Fujifilm
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Fujifilm slaps US release date, price on Z5fd / FinePix S5 Pro
Fujifilm is apparently in the mood for spewing out much-anticipated launch details today, as both its face finding portable and S5 Pro DSLR are getting tagged with a US release date and price. The Z5fd has added the "face detection" moniker since we last saw it, but keeps the same 6.3-megapixel sensor, metal enclosure, trio of color schemes, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, i-Flash (flash that adapts to the environment), and "Blog Mode," which will automatically resize your photos for easy web posting while maintaining the original biggie. On the DSLR side, the FinePix S5 Pro is getting all official too, touting a 12.3-megapixel Super CCD SR Pro sensor, the company's own RP Processor Pro for "smoother tonality," ISO up to 3200, film simulation mode, and the obligatory face finding technology to boot. So if you're looking for a pocket-friendly digicam to come your way next March, the Z5fd will be landing for $229, while the upscale S5 Pro would make a lovely Valentine's Day gift if you're down with the $1,999 pricetag.Read - Fujifilm's Z5fdRead - Fujifilm's FinePix S5 Pro
Fujifilm's rugged BIGJOB HD-3W digicam
Fujifilm's got a new ruggedized camera for those whose photography takes 'em into less than ideal conditions -- or anyone that just tends to beat up their equipment, we suppose. Its BIGJOB HD-3W also doesn't seem to skimp too much on features to accommodate your abuse, packing in a reasonable six megapixels and a 3x optical zoom, along with ISO settings up to 1600, VGA video recording, 23MB of built-in memory, and an xD slot for expansion. Just don't plan on going too crazy with it -- Fujifilm apparently doesn't recommend drops of more than two feet, although the cam is water and dust resistant. Price and availability are as yet unknown quantities, as is so often the case.
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]
Fujifilm's FinePix S6000fd reviewed
Fujifilm's S6000df might not boast the same awe-inspiring specs as the similarly priced Sony DSC-H5, Canon S3 IS, or Panasonic DMC-FZ50, but apparently the company's exclusive "face detection" feature is enough of a boon to keep it in the running for your oh-so-coveted $500. The folks over at ZDNET best described the megazoom offering as a lesson in compromise; it settles for a 6.3-megapixel sensor and only rocks a 10.7x zoom, and even omits "true image stabilization." However, the high ISO (up to 3200), one-of-a-kind face finding processor, and "incredibly comfortable grip" proved to be impressive attributes nonetheless. Image quality was said to be "good, with well-saturated, accurate colors and tons of fine detail," while noise was effectively suppressed "to around ISO 800." Overall, reviewers were quite pleased with its face detecting goodness and "warm, natural" results, but if you need a serious dose of OIS to make good use of a fully extended zoom, you should probably look elsewhere.
Fujifilm FinePix F20 reviewed
After dropping a solid, low light-capable offering in the FinePix F30, the folks over at PhotographyBlog were anticipating another winner in the F20. While admitting that their expectations for the little brother were intentionally lowered, they were "pleasantly surprised" by its competency in everyday point-and-shoot environments, as well as low-lit situations. The overall image quality was "on par" with most other average alternatives, with hints of purple fringing and "chromatic aberrations in areas of high contrast" holding it back from superiority; however, it should be noted that this compact didn't suffer from the notorious red-eye introduction that has become all too common amongst pocket-friendly options. The ISO settings -- while not quite reaching the outlandish 3200 available on the F30 -- performed "quite well" up to ISO 800, while shooting at ISO 2000 (unsurprisingly) created images with a bit too much noise for large prints. Overall, Fujifilm certainly cut a few corners here, but if you're only looking for a reliable P&S tagalong that isn't afraid of the (occasional) dark, the FinePix F20 delivers a "beautiful marriage of price and performance."
Fujifilm S9600 wireless adapter shown at Photokina
Not to keep harping on Fujifilm's newly-unveiled, fixed-zoom S9600 camera, but the company has apparently busted out a less-than-glamorous wireless attachment for the highly-touted prosumer model. While we knew the 10.7x zoom, 9 megapixel sensor, and tiltable LCD were on the docket, wireless transfers is definitely a new addition. Spotting WiFi on cameras isn't too uncommon (heck, we're even giving one away), but we've yet to see a dedicated wireless adapter for a camera of this stature. Reportedly, the demo was set up to photograph onlookers, and then pass the snapshot along (sans wires, of course) to a WiFi-enabled printer sitting nearby. Unfortunately, details concerning model numbers, pricing, or if this add-on will ever surface outside of the Photokina confines remains to be seen -- but honestly, we hope the final design (should there be one at all) trims down a bit, as the current build sure looks to add a good deal of heft for just cutting the proverbial cord.[Via Daily Wireless]
Fujifilm's FinePix S5 Pro DSLR and F31fd
Photokina is about to get started and with it, a couple of new shooters from Fujifilm. The FinePix S5 Pro DSLR pictured above is their followup to the S3 Pro and incorporates the same 12.3 megapixel Super CCD SR Pro sensor only now featuring Fujifilm's new RP (Real Photo) Processor Pro. So check it wedding photographers 'cause Fujifilm claims the new S5 provides an ever greater dynamic range with smoother tonality from highlight to shadow said to rival that of 35mm film. Improvements are also announced in the aufo-focus, i-TTL flash, metering, battery-life, DR control, and ISO 3200 sensitivity. We'll have to wait and see since the S5 Pro won't be out until February 2007. Also announced is the 6.3 megpaixel FinePix F31fd which is just the F30 with a bit of a cosmetic lift to pack-in their hardware-based face recognitation technology we've seen before. Look for the F31fd to drop (in the UK anyway) starting late November. Expect pricing on both closer to their respective launch dates. Pics of the F31fd after the break.Read -- FinePix S5 ProRead -- FinePix F31fd
Fujifilm rolls out affordable FinePix A700
In what appears to be a revamp that's more evolutionary than revolutionary, Fujifilm has announced the latest member of the affordable A-series. Aside from the ever-increasing amount of megapixels, there isn't much here to get enthused about; the FinePix A700 sports a 7.3 megapixel Super CCD sensor (up from 6 in the A600), 3x optical zoom, 2.4-inch LCD, automatic ISO adjustments (up to ISO 400), and "approximately" 12MB of internal storage, which may come in handy when needing "just one more shot" after that xD card taps out. As with most budget cameras, you should expect to lug around a copious supply of AA batteries, and while we can only get so excited about jamming more megapixels into a camera and slapping a new model number on it, you can snag the A700 for $199 when it hits shelves in early October should it suit your fancy.[Via Digital Photography Blog]
Fujifilm announces FinePix S9600/S9100
Fujifilm has joined the pre-Photokina madness to announce a minor update to its alternately-named FinePix S9000/S9500, bumping each iteration a couple of digits to 9100 and 9600. You'll need the numbers to spot the difference, since the cam retains the same body and the same main specs, with 10.7x optical zoom and 9.0 megapixels. The improvements should become apparent once you start shooting with it, however, with a promised quicker operation, better low light performance, increased image sharpness, and a slightly larger 2-inch LCD (up from 1.8-inches on the previous model). Look for it to launch this October (in the U.K. at least) at a yet-to-be-announced price.[Via Digital Photography Review]
Fujifilm announces S3 Pro UVIR DSLR for nighttime fun
The S3 Pro DSLR from Fujifilm was always good for color gamut, but the new UVIR version takes it to a whole new level. Using special lens filters, the camera can capture Ultra-Violet and Infra-Red pics at its fine 12.3 megapixel resolution, perfect for forensic use, or just some fun in the dark. The system takes advantage of the S3 Pro's 30 second B&W live CCD preview mode, allowing you to tune the camera to the specific wavelength of light, since the viewfinder doesn't work with the UV or IR spectrum filters on. Focusing and exposure are all done manually due to the wide range of light spectrum you'll be dealing with, so you're not going to get much casual point-and-shoot use out of the unit, but with a $1,799 pricetag you probably already had that figured out. Should be out in September.[Via DigiCamReview]
FujiFilm intros 2GB xD-Picture Card
2GB might not seem like all that much compared to 8GB CompactFlash cards and 4GB SDHC cards, but for anyone confined to the tiny xD-Picture Card format, it must seem like virtually unlimited storage. That's cause FujiFilm's new 2GB xD-Picture Card fully doubles the capacity of current xD cards, letting users store a previously unheard of 1,640 5-megapixel photos or 58-minutes of 320 x 240 video. It also promises "quick reading and writing speeds," but FujiFilm doesn't specify exactly how quick. Of course, now that xD's starting to nip at the heels of its bigger memory card rivals, we can only guess that they're gonna hit us with 10 or 12GB cards soon, making our xD-using friends feel even more insecure about their chosen format.
Fujifilm's six megapixel F20 thrives at night
Besides the S6000fd that we just brought you, Fujifilm has another six megapixel shooter slated to hit stores in September, though this model is more at home in a pocket than a camera bag. Being touted as the little brother to the company's already-compact F30, the new F20 sports many of the same features as its big bro -- besides the 6.3 megapixel CCD, they both share a 3x optical zoom and 2.5-inch LCD -- with the major differences being size, display resolution, and battery capacity. Also like the F30, this model is designed to perform in low-light conditions that would prove difficult for other compact cameras which don't share its relatively high maximum sensitivity of ISO 2000. The other nice touches here center around the flash: it automatically adjusts its intensity based on ambient lighting, and is part of the innovative "Natural Light & Flash" feature that snaps two consecutive shots -- one with flash and one without -- to provide users with a so-called "photographic safety net." No word yet on pricing, but since you can pick up the F30 for under $400, we imagine that this model will be available for around the same cost.
Fujifilm's face-finding FinePix: the S6000fd
With some extreme ISO action, and a flashy face-recognizing auto focus feature, Fujifilm has quite an alluring offering in their new FinePix S6000fd (known as the S6500fd globally). The 2.5-inch LCD and 6.3 megapixel CCD shouldn't turn too many heads, but the wide-angle manual control 10.7x zoom lens and the 100-3200 ISO sensitivity is nothing to sneeze at. Fujiflim's hardware-based Face Detection tech allows the camera to zero in on the sentient humans in frame -- instead of that wall behind them -- and does its focusing mojo in a mere 0.04 seconds. This, combined with other automatic enhancements, allows Joe Hobbyist to take advantage of the camera's advanced optics without having to fiddle with manual controls, promising better lighting and less blurring in more situations. Unfortunately, "Picture Stabilization," which merely bumps the ISO automatically is a lame substitute for actual optical image stabilization, but there aren't many other cut corners, and Fujifilm has managed to get the price pretty low. The S6000fd should be out in September for around $500.
Fuji's six megapixel Finepix F470 reviewed
When it comes to ultracompact digital cameras, they don't get much more pocketable than the Fujifilm Finepix F470 we first spotted at CES, which at 122-grams, is one of the lightest six megapixel shooters you can buy, Yet according to Digital Camera Review, the diminutive F470 is also an excellent performer, with almost insignificant startup times and shutter lag, low to acceptable noise levels up to ISO 400, and most importantly, accurate color and white balance -- save for some purple fringing on shots captured at full 3x zoom. You're also getting a 2.5-inch LCD, VGA video at 30fps, and 16MB of onboard memory, plus, the few downsides here don't sound all that bad: below average life from the included rechargeable battery, only six steps on the optical zoom, and an Exposure Compensation setting that doesn't auto-reset are the only gripes this reviewer had. Oh, that and the fact that you'll have to shell out for an xD card along with your purchase, because chances are you don't already have one, and Fuji doesn't include one in the box.
Fujifilm FinePix V10 reviewed
We first peeped Fujifilm's compact FinePix V10 at CES earlier this year, but if you've been wondering how it actually performs, the folks at Lets Go Digital have got your fix in the form of an in-depth review. The camera itself is a 5 megapixel number, with a 3.4x optical zoom, and a large 3-inch LCD taking up pretty much all of the real estate on the rear side of the device. Also notable is the high ISO settings (up to 1600), which is rarely seen in a camera of this class. Lets Go Digital really didn't find much negative to say about the camera, giving it high marks for its great lens, fast start-up speed, good color rendition, and general user-friendliness -- they even dug the camera's built-in games. Sticker price is still $349, but it looks like most retailers are selling it for closer to the $300 mark -- although the orange model here seems a bit harder to come by. Why, we don't exactly know; we're assuming it's probably not due to demand.[Via DP Blog]
Fujifilm FinePix F30 reviewed
The folks at CNET have been spending some quality time with Fujifilm's new FinePix F30 low-light 6 megapixel shooter and they're generally pleased. With a 3x optical zoom, 6 megapixel CCD, and the increasingly common 2.5-inch screen, there isn't a whole lot that stands out about this camera -- except for that outlandish ISO range. Starting at ISO 100 and ranging all the way to ISO 3,200 (previously only available for incredibly grainy black and white film shots), the camera can manage in low-light situations previously resigned to lots of flash or lots of black. CNET found the noise very low in general, espescially with ISO 100 and 200. They found ISO 1,600 to have quite obvious noise, but worthy of an 8.5 x 11 print all the same. The ISO 3,200 should obviously be kept to extreme situations, with a significant loss of image detail, but the shots were better than no shot at all, which is the general point. Otherwise the camera was just average, with a homely yet functional design, decent shooting speed, and a pretty nice LCD. There's no optical image stabilisation, but we're thinking the ISO is a pretty good trade-off. You should be able to get your very own F30 now for under $400.
FujiFilm's FinePix Z3 Zoom, for the ladies
Ok grrrls, FujiFilm has gone all pearls-in-the-kitchen with their new FinePix Z3 Zoom camera, calling it the ideal "handbag companion" for the ladies. The Z3 is nothing more than the Z2 (or Z1 for that matter) dolled-up in pink of course, with the addition of a picture stabilization mode, intelligent flash, and a new flash mode which snaps both a natural light and flash shot with a single press of the shutter. So like the Z2, you get a 5.1-megapixel, 1/2.5-inch CCD, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, an xD Picture card slot, and 640 x 480 videos recorded at 30fps. Oh, and it's available in blue and silver too in case your man-bag is looking for a little action.[Via Let'sGoDigital]
IBM, Fujifilm developing 8 terabyte magnetic tape cartridges
If you thought that magnetic tape cartridges were headed the way of Zip disks and five-and-a-quarter-inch floppies into the storage medium graveyard, think again, because IBM and Fujifilm are currently working together to make the venerable technology capable of storing a Blu-ray-humbling eight terabytes-per-cartridge. Using barium ferrite crystal film from Fuji and read/write technology from IBM, the two companies are reporting success in creating storage densities of up to 6.67 billion-bits/square-inch, which is something like fifteen times the capacility of current backup tape. Unfortunately there is no word yet if the cartridges, which should be available in about five years, will be able to fit in your old 8-track player for rocking millions and millions of MP3s.
