Fuji Launches Three New FinePix Digital Cameras
By Greg Scoblete -- TWICE, 2/11/2002
ELMSFORD, N.Y.— Getting a jump-start on the digital deluge at PMA, Fujifilm announced last week that it will add three new high end FinePix digital cameras with a third generation Super CCD to its lineup.
The company claims that the new 3.1 megapixel Super CCD can deliver a 6 megapixel image.
The FinePix F601 Zoom is an addition to Fujifilm's line of vertically designed digital cameras, which includes the FinePix 6800 and 4800 Zoom. The FinePix F601 Zoom will be available in April at a suggested retail price of $599.
The new FinePix F601 can deliver resolutions up to 2832 x 2128 (6.03 million) recorded pixels for prints up to 11 x 14 inches. Combined with the company's new proprietary image processing method, known as Pixel Data Coupling Technology, and new noise reduction technology, the new CCD enables the FinePix F601 to deliver ISO sensitivities to 1600 in 1280 x 960 mode.
The new Super CCD system also allows for vertical and horizontal "Pixel-Mixing Technology" that enables the camera to capture higher quality VGA digital video.
The camera can record up to 33 minutes of audio on a 16MB card and up to nine hours using a 128MB card along with 30-second voice captions for still photos. Its digital video recording feature captures AVI digital video with sound at full VGA (640 x 480) and QVGA (320 x 240) resolutions at 15 frames per second.
Fujifilm will also sell a PC-sync "Picture Cradle" dock that connects camera to computer to allow image transfer via USB cable, PC-cam video conferencing, audio/video port connections and battery recharging. The optional PictureCradle is expected to retail for $59.99.
The F601 is bundled with a 16MB SmartMedia card as well as an NP 60 lithium-ion battery, AC power adapter, hand strap and USB cables. Along with DP Editor, ArcSoft's VideoImpression 5.0 and Apple QuickTime software, the FinePix F601 Zoom is packaged with Fujifilm's FinePixViewer software program that automatically launches and organizes pictures stored on the camera's SmartMedia card.
The second addition, the FinePix S602 Zoom, is also equipped with the new 3.1 million Super CCD sensor system along with a Fujinon EBC-coated 6x optical zoom lens. It will ship June, the retail price has not yet been determined.
The FinePix S602 offers a dual media slot for both SmartMedia and IBM's 1GB Microdrive, which can be inserted into the camera's CompactFlash (Card Type II) slot.
A passive auto-focus sensor combined with TTL CCD contrast auto-focus enables photographers to capture better images in a variety of lighting situations including low light. The FinePix S602 also includes a voice annotation feature that allows the user to attach 30-second voice notes to photos
Bundled accessories include a 16MB SmartMedia memory card, four AA NiMH batteries with charger, shoulder strap and USB and video cables.
The final addition to the FinePix lineup is the S2 Pro, the successor to the S1 Pro. The new SLR-type digital camera is capable of producing an image file with 4,256 x 2,848 (12.1 million) recorded pixels. Price and availability were not available at press time.
