Fujifilm: 8 mpix, 18x zoom digicam By
Mike Tomkins
(Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 00:00 EDT)
Just two days after Panasonic did so, Fujifilm has today unveiled an electronic viewfinder-based digicam that couples eight megapixels of resolution with an 18x optical zoom lens.
Like Panasonic's LUMIX DMC-FZ18, the Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd has body styling reminiscent of a single-lens reflex digital camera, and uses a 1/2.5" image sensor - but unlike its competitor, Fujifilm opted for its in-house designed Super CCD HR rather than a standard CCD sensor. The front of the camera is dominated by the Fujinon Zoom-branded 18x optical zoom lens, which offers a 27mm - 486mm zoom range and an f/2.8 maximum aperture at wide angle. With a zoom lens this powerful, image stabilization is a must-have and Fujifilm uses its Dual Image Stabilization system in the Fuji S8000fd, which includes both mechanical image stabilization and high ISO sensitivity / shutter speeds to freeze camera shake and subject motion. Other features of the Fujifilm S8000fd include a 2.5" LCD display with 230,000 pixel resolution, ISO sensitivity to 1600 (or 6400 max. at reduced resolution), a range of creativity-friendly options including both aperture- and shutter-priority plus a full manual mode, plus thirteen scene modes to keep things approachable for the less experienced photographer. Images are stored in 58MB of built-in memory or on xD-Picture Card / SD / MMC / SDHC cards in JPEG format, there being no raw file format on the Fuji FinePix S8000fd. Power comes from four AA batteries, with disposable alkalines included in the product bundle. Connectivity options are NTSC / PAL video and USB 2.0 High Speed. The Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd goes on sale from September priced at about$400 - setting up a head-on battle with the same schedule and pricing as Panasonic's camera. Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd | | General | Camera Type | SLR-style | Manufacturer | Fujifilm | Model Number | S8000fd | Dimensions | 4.4 x 3.1 x 3.1" 111.3 x 78.2 x 79.3mm | Weight | 410.0 g 14.3 oz | Planned Price | $399.95 | Planned Availability | Sep 2007 | Image Capture | Sensor Type | 1/2.5" Fujifilm Super CCD HR 8.00 megapixels (effective) | Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 3:2 | Image Dimensions | 3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels) 3264 x 2176 (7.1 megapixels) 2304 x 1728 (4.0 megapixels) 1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels) 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
| Image Preview / Review | Viewfinder | Yes, 60fps 0.24" 230kpixel electronic viewfinder 97% field of view | LCD | 2.5", 230,000 pixels 97% field of view | Lens | Lens Type | Fujinon Zoom 18x optical zoom | Image Stabilization | Yes | Focal Length | 4.7 - 84.2mm (actual) 27 - 486mm (35mm equivalent) | Aperture Range | f/2.8 - f/8.0 | Focusing System | Manual Focus possible (0) steps | Focusing Range | Normal: 29" - infinity (70 cm - infinity) Macro: 0.4" - 41" (1 cm - 100 cm) | Exposure | ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200*, 6400* (4 megapuxels or lower) | Shutter Speed | 4 - 1/2000 second | Exposure Modes | Aperture, Shutter, Manual | Metering Modes | TTL 256-zones metering | White Balance | Image Sensor - Auto, Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool white), Incandescent light, Custom, Manual | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction Auto, Forced Flash, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro Range: Wide: 0.5 - 8.8m /1.6 - 28.9 ft; Tele: 0.5 - 5.6m /1.6 - 18.4 ft; Macro: 0.3 m � 3m/ 1.0 ft � 9.8 ft | Creative | Scene Modes | Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, Text, Auction | Digital Zoom | 5.1x | Self Timer | Yes, 2 or 10 seconds | Time Lapse | No | Movie Format | AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio | Storage | Recording Medium | SD/MMC, xD Picture Card, Built-in | File System | Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) | File Format | JPEG (EXIF 2.2) | Connectivity | Video | Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable | Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed | Other | DC Input | Power | Battery Type | Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable | Battery Form Factor | 4 x AA | Product Bundle | Battery / Charger | 4 x AA alkaline disposable battery | Flash Memory | 58.0MB built-in memory | Other | Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant | Yes | PictBridge Compliant | Yes | Internal Microphone | Yes | Internal Speaker | Yes | Tripod Mount | Yes | Remote Control | No | |
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Original Source Press Release:
Fujifilm Finepix S8000fd Gets Close Up With Industry Leading 18x Optical Zoom With Face Detection Features Advanced SLR Functionality at a Consumer Price-tag Valhalla, NY, July 26, 2007 – Fujifilm is bringing the wide-angle, long zoom technology to the consumer market with today’s introduction of the FinePix S8000fd. The 8-MegaPixel, SLR-styled camera features one of the largest optical zooms on a fixed-lens camera in the industry, and introduces Fujifilm’s latest ‘Dual Image Stabilization,’ plus ISO settings of up to ISO6400 (at 50% resolution) – all features you would expect in a high-end digital camera, but at a price point consumers can afford. Flexibility & Control The S8000fd comes equipped with Fujinon’s 18x Wide Angle Optical Zoom lens, offering unprecedented flexibility in a compact SLR body style camera. With a 27mm-486mm equivalent, it’s all the lens you need in one device. The fixed lens eliminates the need for additional zoom or wide angle lenses, and it’s a sealed system, which prevents dust contamination – the #1 D-SLR repair complaint. The S8000fd also features a full-resolution ISO equivalency of ISO 1600, a rarity in consumer-level digicams. The S8000fd can achieve ISO 3200 and ISO 6400 at 50% resolution, settings that are rare at the consumer level. Such high light sensitivities allow for faster shutter speeds, which reduce blurring caused by both camera shake and subject movement. Dual Image Stabilization To offer the best of both worlds where image stabilization is concerned, the S8000fd uses ‘Dual Image Stabilization’; a brand new combination of mechanical sensor shift stabilization with Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilization Technology which utilizes a combination of higher ISO levels and faster shutter speeds. This ‘Dual Image Stabilization’ steadies the photographer’s hand, and protects against camera shake and subject movement for total anti-blur protection. As a result, an increase in clarity and sharpness is achieved, even in low light conditions or when shooting moving subjects. Face Detection Technology The S8000fd features Fujifilm’s Face Detection technology, identifying up to 10 faces in a framed scene. Once faces are identified and prioritized, the S8000fd adjusts its focus and exposure accordingly to ensure the sharpness and clarity of human subjects in the picture, regardless of background. Face Detection technology on the S8000fd also includes a new Automatic Red Eye Removal feature. Red eye is a common complaint given by 60% of digital camera users. In this mode, the camera instantly checks each detected fact for red eye, and if it’s found, corrects it automatically, saving the time consuming process of fixing it in your PC after the image is downloaded. Other helpful features found on the FinePix S8000fd for top-quality picture-taking include: - i-Flash Intelligent Flash: i-Flash (Intelligent Flash) detects subtle lighting differences within a scene and then varies the flash intensity accordingly. It also leverages the high sensitivity of the FinePix S8000fd to enable the camera to use less flash, resulting in an image that displays pleasing, natural tones without a “washed-out” effect. And with an automatic pop-up flash, it’s always ready when you need it.
- Full Manual Photographic Control: Gives the user total control with manual adjustment options for settings on the camera (resolution, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc), and is desirable by the photo enthusiasts/advanced photographers.
- Movie Mode: Capture VGA quality action clips in 640x480 resolution at 30 fps with sound. Great for when you’re out and you don’t have your video camera on-hand.
- Scene modes: A wide range of more than a dozen pre-programmed scene modes provides top-quality photos in a range of shooting conditions.
- High-Speed Continuous Shooting Modes: Action comes at you fast. With four speed options, the S8000fd has the ability to capture up to 15 frames per second (at 2 MP resolution) and never misses the shot.
- High Resolution LCD: The 2.5” LCD display offers 230k pixels of resolution with an astonishing 60 fps refresh rate for smooth viewing.
- Electronic Viewfinder (EVF): Rather than framing your shots with the 2.5” high resolution LCD, the S8000fd offers an electronic viewfinder to eye up the best shot with an astonishing 60 fps refresh rate for smooth viewing.
- xD / SD / SD-HC Compatible slot: A new single media slot accepts not only Fujifilm’s traditional xD-Picture Cards but also Secure Digital (SD) and SD-High Capacity (SD-HC) cards too.
- Operates on 4xAA Batteries: The ultimate in convenience and accessibility, using AA batteries means in a pinch, more batteries are just moments away.
“With the FinePix S8000fd, Fujifilm is bringing its heritage in photography and industry leading technology to its customers by offering them incredible optical zoom and ISO levels in a camera priced at a level they can afford,” said David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. “By styling advanced DSLR features in a compact, easy to use digicam, we’re offering users the tools to capture photos you would swear were captured by a pro.” The FinePix S8000fd will debut in September 2007 at a retail price of $399.95. 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 15 for U.S. patents granted in 2006, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2007, had global revenues of $23.6 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. ### All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. |
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