Fuji SL300, S4500, S4200: A trio of SLR-like superzooms
posted Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 12:23 AM EST
As our tour of Fuji's roster of Consumer Electronics Show announcements continues, we take a look at the Fuji SL300, S4500, and S4200, a trio of FinePix super-zoom cameras.
The entry point to the group is marked with the Fuji FinePix S4200, based around a standard 14 megapixel CCD image sensor and Fujinon-branded 24x optical zoom with 24mm equivalent wide angle. Based around a standard AA battery power source, the Fuji S4200 is priced at US$230 or thereabouts, and ships from February 2012.
Next up is the Fuji FinePix S4500, which keeps the 14 megapixel CCD imager, but swaps in a more powerful 30x zoom lens with the same 24mm-equivalent wide angle. Like its lower-cost sibling, the Fuji S4500 draws power from AA batteries, but pricing is a little higher at around US$260.
Finally, the Fuji FinePix SL300 differs from its siblings in terms of power source. Where the other two cameras are AA-based, the SL300 uses a lithium ion cell rated at around 260 shots on a charge. It also adds a flash hot shoe, and has two methods of controlling optical zoom: either a toggle on the side of the lens barrel, or one on the camera's top panel. The SL300 features the same lens and image sensor as the S4500, and carries pricing of about US$300.
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The Fujifilm FinePix S4200 has a 14 megapixel CCD sensor and 24x zoom lens. Image provided by Fujifilm North America Corp. |
Press Release
Fujifilm Redefines S-Series With Three New Speedy Super-Zoom Cameras
FinePix S4200, S4500 and SL300 Combine Super-Zoom, Speed, Creative Control, Precision Optics and Flexibility for Everyday and Enthusiast Photographers
Valhalla, N.Y., January 5, 2012 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced three new additions that redefine the popular long-zoom S-Series lineup: the DSLR styled FinePix S4200, S4500 and SL300 digital cameras. Each new FinePix camera offers a 14 MegaPixel CCD sensor, with the S4200 offering an impressive FUJINON 24x long-zoom lens (24-576mm), and the S4500 and SL300 both delivering an extraordinary 30x long-zoom (24-720mm), for capturing even the most distant images. The SL300 makes long-zoom control even more flexible by adding Dual Zoom Control, so users can zoom in and out using the zoom dial on the top of the camera or on the side of the lens.
These FinePix cameras have large, bright 3” LCD screens, Electronic Viewfinders, and also come equipped with a powerful sensor shift Dual Image Stabilization to help keep even the most difficult images sharp by allowing users to adjust the ISO setting from 64 up to 6400. This year, the new S-Series cameras boast improved start up times and auto focus times as fast 0.35 seconds in low light, and two power options for versatility: AA battery power for the S4200 and S4500 and rechargeable Li-ion power for the SL300.
“The new long-zoom FinePix S-Series give every day and enthusiast photographers all of the tools that they need to take their pictures to the next level – all with the speed, zoom and superior image quality that they expect from an advanced digital camera without the expense of a system camera,” said David Troy, director of marketing, Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, Fujifilm North America Corporation. “The hallmark of these cameras remains superb image quality - even in low light shooting situations – and their high speed continuous shooting, 720p HD movie recording and other great features give users the photographic experience that they have been searching for in one, complete, stylish camera body.”
FUJINON Zoom Lens and Dual Image Stabilization for Superb Image Quality
The FinePix S-Series each feature Dual Image Stabilization CCD sensors and high ISO sensitivity settings for blur-free images, but with even greater zoom capabilities. Users can now capture anything from a stunning distant landscape to getting up close with Super Macro Mode as close as 2cm for breathtaking detail.
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The FinePix S4200 has a 24x wide angle zoom 24mm – 576mm FUJINON optical lens
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The FinePix S4500 has a 30x wide angle zoom 24mm – 720mm FUJINON optical lens
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The FinePix SL300 has a 30x wide angle zoom 24mm – 720mm FUJINON optical lens with dual zoom control for flexible shooting
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The Fuji FinePix S4500 keeps the 14 megapixel CCD , but swaps in a 30x zoom. Image provided by Fujifilm North America Corp. |
HD Movie Capture
All three FinePix cameras also offer sharp HD movies in 720p with sound at 30 frames per second (fps) with one-touch ease. With a mini-HDMI output connector, it is easy to connect and view images on your HDTV (HDMI cable not included).
Smile and Blink Detection For Perfect Pictures Every Time
The FinePix S4200, S4500 and SL300 all include Smile Detection that recognizes the moment your subject smiles and releases the shutter only when this happens, ensuring a happy photo every time. Additionally, the Blink Detection function warns you if any of your subjects have blinked so that you can re-take the photo if necessary.
Face Recognition and Image Searching
With Face Recognition on the FinePix S-Series, users can tag and name eight of their favorite subjects and the camera will automatically recognize that person in every photo taken thereafter. This allows users to search for all their pictures of any of these people, by name, using the Image Search function. Image Search, found on all three cameras makes finding the people and places you’ve photographed easy to categorize and find.
This works in the same way for other categories of photo: the camera’s SR Auto Scene Recognition technology registers whether you’ve taken a picture of a person, or a landscape, or if it’s a night shot or macro shot, so you can filter your search by subject matter or even date and get straight to the photo you are after, quickly and intuitively.
Stunning Panoramic Shots
The FinePix S4200, S4500 and SL300 all feature the easy-to-use Motion Panorama shooting mode, which takes three successive shots with a helpful tool which automatically releases the shutter once the images are fully aligned to seamlessly stitch the shots together in-camera. This feature allows users to get creative and see impressive results with no fear of uneven landscapes or shaky horizons.
Social Networking and Photo book Features
The FinePix S4200, S4500 and SL300 all offer in-camera tagging capabilities for both Facebook and YouTube, allowing you to select photos and movies for upload on either of the sites, making for easy upload once you connect to a PC and launch MyFinePix Studio. The feature saves time, and enables users to share special moments right away on their social networks.
The three FinePix models also allow you to tag in-camera the images you want to feature in a photo book, which can be viewed separately in-camera and later created and ordered in a Photo book quickly and seamlessly.
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The Fuji SL300 adds a cold shoe, dual zoom toggles, and li-ion power source. Image provided by Fujifilm North America Corp. |
Other features include:
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TTL Hot Shoe (SL300 only): Allows users to add accessories, including FUJIFILM external flashes.
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Tracking Auto Focus (AF): Tracks fast moving subjects so they don’t escape from the frame in a blur. Subjects will be tracked automatically for as long as it is kept in the frame and the shutter is half-pressed; when users fully press the shutter button your subject will be in the centre of the photo in perfect focus.
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i-Flash Intelligent Flash: Offers a flash control system which efficiently controls the level of flash for a given exposure to produce beautifully balanced flash illumination across the foreground and background. Gone are the ugly washout shots where the subject is blasted with light and the background dark and unexposed.
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Full Manual Controls: Gives the user the choice of direct access to manually control the settings and shooting features (program/shutter-priority/ aperture-priority/manual), and the specially designed chassis includes dedicated command buttons for quick and easy key functions.
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Instant Zoom/Zoom Bracketing: Useful for high level photography. The Instant Zoom function captures moving subjects at high zoom settings. After zooming on a subject, a single button gives an additional 1.4x or 2x digital zoom. Zoom Bracketing automatically captures the same image three times with zoom ratio settings of 1x, 1.4x and 2x with a single shutter release.
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Continuous Shooting: High speed continuous shooting up to 8fps.
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AA-Battery Power (S4200/S4500 only): Using AA batteries is convenient for on-the-go digital camera users as it eliminates the need to charge battery packs, allowing for lots of picture taking and the ease of battery replacement.
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Li-ion Power (SL300 only): Rechargeable Li-ion delivers reliable power for 260 shots per charge.
Pricing and Availability
The FinePix S4200 and S4500 will be available in February 2012 and will be priced at $229.95 and $259.95 respectively. The FinePix SL300 will be available in March 2012 and will be priced at $299.95.
NOTE: For more information, please go to: www.FujifilmUSA.com/CES2012.
For complete camera specifications, please go to: http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/.
About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM North America Corporation, a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation, consists of five operating divisions and one subsidiary company. The Imaging Division sells consumer and commercial photographic products and services including film, one-time-use cameras, online photo services and fulfillment, digital printing equipment and service. The Electronic Imaging Division markets consumer digital cameras. The Motion Picture Division provides motion picture film, and the Graphic Systems Division supplies products and services to the printing industry. The Optical Devices Division provides binoculars, and optical lenses for closed circuit television, videography, cinematography, broadcast and industrial markets. FUJIFILM Canada Inc. markets a range of Fujifilm products and services. For more information, please visit www.fujifilm.com/northamerica, or go to www.twitter.com/fujifilmus to follow Fujifilm on Twitter. To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm via RSS, subscribe at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, digital printing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 16 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2010, and in the year ended March 31, 2011, had global revenues of $25.8 billion*. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.
* At an exchange rate of 86 yen to the dollar.
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