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Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture! Fujifilm announces Z-series with face detection
By
(Thursday, December 7, 2006 - 16:56 EST)

Featuring a 6.3 megapixel Super CCD HR imager in place of the 5.1 megapixel sensor used in the previous Z3 model, the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd retains the same Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens and much the same styling as its predecessor.

Another significant change in the Fuji FinePix Z5fd is the addition of the company's Face Detection functionality, first seen in the FinePix S6000fd model. Achieved with a dedicated LSI chip in the camera, the feature can detect up to ten faces in the photo simultaneously, with Fujifilm rating the feature as capable of achieving this in just 1/20th of a second. With the feature enabled, the camera indicates the faces detected in the scene by framing them with rectangles in the display - white for all but the top priority face, which is framed in green. The locations of faces are then used by the Fuji Z5fd to confirm the appropriate location for focus and exposure detection, so as to ensure that your subject is correctly focused even when off center. In Playback mode, the feature can be cleverly used to automatically zoom images to the primary face in an image (for confirmation of pose, focus, etc.), and can also be used to automatically crop a shot for optimum portrait framing. The face detection functionality can be disabled, as desired.

On top of the face detection feature, the built-in storage memory in the Fuji FinePix Z5fd is more than doubled as compared to the Z3, from 10MB to 26MB (and is of course still supplemented with xD-Picture Card storage). One other slight change is that the minimum ISO sensitivity is now 100, rather than ISO 64 as in the FinePix Z3. The digital zoom has also increased in strength slightly to a maximum of 6.2x (was 5.7x), and a couple of new modes have been added - blog mode (which allows creation of a reduced size duplicate image in playback mode), and dual-shot mode (which captures two images in succession, with and without the built-in flash firing). The press release also very briefly mentions infra-red connectivity, dubbed "IR Simple". While camera size is almost identical to the Z3, the Fuji Z5fd is just a few grams heavier than that camera.

The Fujifilm Z5fd ships from March 2007 at a price of $229.

Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerFujifilm
Model NumberZ5fd
Dimensions3.6 x 2.2 x 0.8"
91.0 x 56.0 x 20.0mm
Weight147.0 g
5.1 oz
Planned Price$229.00
Planned Availability March 2007
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.5" Fujifilm SuperCCD
6.30 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions2848 x 2136 (6.1 megapixels)
3024 x 2016 (6.1 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality2 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.5", 230,000 pixels
100% field of view
Lens
Lens TypeFujinon Zoom
3x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length6.1 - 18.3mm (actual)
36 - 108mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.5 / 5.0 / 8.0 (wide) / f/4.2 - ??? (tele)
Focusing SystemContrast detect
Focusing RangeNormal: 25" - infinity (61 cm - infinity)
Macro: 3.3" - 32" (8 cm - 79 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Shutter Speed4 - 1/1000 second
Exposure ModesProgram
Metering Modes256-zone multi
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Fine, Shade, Daylight fluorescent, Warm white fluorescent, Cool white fluorescent, Incandescent
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction + Slow Synchro
Range: 1.0 ft. - 11.5 ft. (Wide), 2.0 ft. - 9.2 ft. (Tele)
Creative
Scene ModesNatural Light, Natural Light & with Flash, Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower Close-up, Text
Digital Zoom6.2x
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Time LapseNo
Movie FormatAVI (MotionJPEG) with audio
640x480 and 320x240
Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second
Storage
Recording MediumxD Picture Card, Built-in
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF v2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary NP-40
Product Bundle
SoftwareFinePixViewer, ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary NP-40 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory26.0MB built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountNo
Remote ControlNo
More Photos
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5fd digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

TURN HEADS AND PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD WITH FUJIFILM'S NEW FINEPIX Z5fd DIGITAL CAMERA

Look Good While Taking Great Pictures with the Stylish Ultra-Compact Boasting Face Detection Technology and new Blog Mode

Valhalla, NY, December 6, 2006 - Fujifilm continues its tradition of building digital cameras that look as stunning as the pictures they take with the 6.3 MegaPixel FinePix Z5fd. This is the first digital camera in the company's slim and stylish Z-Series category to feature hardware-based Face Detection Technology along with a new Blog Mode, making it the perfect accessory for style-conscious digital photographers.

The sleek, strong all-metal body of the FinePix Z5fd is available in three chic colors - sophisticated wine red, decadent chocolate brown and lustrous brushed silver - with a sliding cover that features an eye-catching logo that lights up during operation. A non-extending Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens contributes to a streamlined, compact styling that allows for an easy stow in a shirt pocket or clutch purse. The FinePix Z5fd also has a 2.5" scratch-resistant LCD screen and that enables the camera to emerge unscathed from even the most cluttered of spaces. However, with a digital camera that looks this good, you may not want to be seen without it in your hand!

Face Detection Technology
When taking group shots, it is often difficult to keep everyone focused for more than a few seconds, and there is little time to nail that perfect picture with faces appearing sharp and in the best light. Luckily, the FinePix Z5fd features Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology, a selectable mode that identifies up to 10 human faces in a scene. It sets the correct focus for a chosen primary face and exposure for all detected faces automatically, regardless of where subjects are located within the frame. Face Detection Technology can cope with back-lit scenes such as concerts, settings where there's a more obvious focus point between people's faces or when the subject is off center, and it also comes in handy for capturing the perfect self portrait, which can easily be posted to a blog or webpage.

No Need to Be Afraid Of the Dark!
Sometimes, the most picture-worthy moments occur in dimly-lit environments such as dance clubs or restaurants, where the lack of sufficient light presents challenges for many digital cameras. Behind the picture-perfect exterior of the FinePix Z5fd is a set of powerful picture-taking technologies that meet the challenges presented by these environments. The FinePix Z5fd has ISO capabilities of up to 1600 at full resolution, making flash-free photography possible with available light, balancing foreground and background exposure and contributing to a natural look and feel. Higher light sensitivities also enable the camera to shoot with faster shutter speeds, which lessen the likelihood of blurry pictures caused by a moving subject or the shake of an unsteady hand. To make it easy to achieve blur-free results, the FinePix Z5fd features a helpful 'Picture Stabilization' mode setting. This easy-to-identify, automatic setting lets the FinePix Z5fd choose the correct light sensitivity and best-matching shutter speed, producing the highest quality digital pictures without blur and the noise often associated with high sensitivity photographs.

i-Flash
A flash is necessary at times and to help secure the best, most natural image quality, the FinePix Z5fd's Intelligent-Flash system, or "i-Flash", detects subtle lighting differences within a scene, and then lights the subject accordingly with a variety of flash intensities. For example, if the subject is off center and standing beneath a streetlight, the i-Flash system will correct the exposure, leading to pictures with more natural looking subjects and backgrounds that are full of bright and crisp detail. Together, Face Detection and i-Flash technologies produce photographs with prominent subjects exhibiting pleasing, natural tones.

Blog Mode
The FinePix Z5fd debuts Fujifilm's brand-new Blog Mode. In this mode, the camera copies and automatically reduces the size of copied images for easy posting to a blog, Web page or as an attachment to email for easy sharing with friends and family while maintaining the original file. With the increasing popularity of blogging, instant messaging and personal Web sites, Fujifilm expects the new Blog Mode to be a well-used feature on the FinePix Z5fd.

In addition to these innovations, the FinePix Z5fd has a number of other noteworthy features:

  • Dual Shot Mode: In this mode the FinePix Z5fd quickly shoots two images in succession -- one with and one without the flash -- saving both. This convenient function lets the user perform an on-the-spot picture comparison and decide whether the FinePix Z5fd produced the most pleasing photo with flash, or without.
  • Special Scene Modes: The FinePix Z5fd has 14 scene positions including Fireworks, Beach and Snow, offering a one-touch setting for almost any situation.
  • Internal memory: Memory cards can fill quickly. The FinePix Z5fd offers the security of on-board storage with 26MB of internal memory.
  • Infrared communication via IR simple technology.

"By combining a sleek design, vibrant new colors and great new features like Face Detection, the FinePix Z5fd is the perfect model for those who want a camera that looks as good as the pictures it takes," said David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.

The FinePix Z5fd will debut in March 2007 at a retail price of $229.

About Fujifilm
Fujifilm brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries including medical, life sciences, consumer electronic, chemical, graphic arts, information systems, photography and office products based on its vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company provides products and services that contribute to the advancement of culture, science, technology and industry, as well as to improved health and environmental protection. It is the global leader in digital minilabs; Computed Radiography systems; ink dyes, pigments and UV inks for inkjet printers and materials used in the production of flat panel displays. It was ranked number 18 for U.S. patents granted in 2005, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2006, had global revenues of $22.8 billion.

FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc., Valhalla, NY, is a U.S. marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, providing digital and analog photographic Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media and Motion Picture Film products and services to consumers, professionals and businesses.

For more information on FUJIFILM U.S.A. products, customers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the FUJIFILM U.S.A. Web site at www.fujifilmusa.com.

To receive news and information direct from FUJIFILM U.S.A. via RSS, subscribe free at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.

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