Fujifilm Focuses On Face, Film-Like Photography In 2008 Digicams

VALHALLA, N.Y. — Fujifilm will launch the third version of its face-detection technology, a new camera series for the entry-level market and several enthusiast models in its 2008 Photo Marketing Association International Convention and Trade Show (PMA) lineup.

All the new Fujifilm cameras will offer dual memory card slots for xD and SDHC cards.

Shipping in March, the 12-megapixel F100fd packs the eighth-generation version of Fujifilm's Super CCD technology and Version 3.0 of its face-detection technology.

It also boasts an ISO setting of 12,800 (when images are downsized). At full resolution, the F100fd can achieve ISO 3,200.

Thanks to the new CCD and an upgrade to the firm's Real Photo processor, the camera has a wider dynamic range than previous models, Fujifilm said.

Fujifilm's face detection with automatic red-eye removal V. 3.0 retains V. 2's ability to recognize up to ten faces in a frame in roughly 0.35 seconds and adjust focus and exposure accordingly. According to Fujifilm, the new iteration is capable of recognizing faces at more pronounced angles, up to 90 degrees for profiles and a total range of 360 degrees (vs. the 270 degree angle in V. 2.0).

When a shot is taken the technology also removes red eye in the photo and saves two versions of the image: one with the red eye fixed, the other without.

It features a 5x optical zoom wide-angle lens, 2.7-inch LCD screen, CCD-shifting image stabilization, manual controls, 16 scene modes including a blog mode and IrSimple infrared technology for wirelessly transmitting images to other IrSimple-enabled device

It can burst at 1.7 fps to three full-resolution images or at 5 fps for up to 12 3-megapixel shots. A portrait-enhancer mode uses face detection to identify a face and apply corrections to reduce blemishes in portrait mode.

The FinePix F100fd will hit stores in March at a retail of $379.

The S100FS (film simulation) is geared toward advanced amateurs. It boasts a 14.3x manual zoom lens (28mm-400mm, 35mm equivalent), the eighth-generation Super CCD with 11-megapixel resolution, the new Real Photo processor and a 2.5-inch LCD display that can be tilted. The camera can achieve ISO 6,400 at 6-megapixel resolution and ISO 10,000 at 3-megapixel resolution.

It also features 14 scene modes, face detection (version 2.0), optical image stabilization, four autofocus modes and four film simulation modes originally incorporated in the company's S5 Pro camera. It offers three bracketing modes (simulation, dynamic range and AE) and a 3-megapixel burst mode of 7 fps to 50 images. The camera can take images in the RAW format and offers a VGA/30 fps movie mode. The manual zoom can be used during movie recording.

The FinePix S100FS will ship in February for a suggested $799.

Another S-series model, the 10-megapixel S1000fd, features 12x optical zoom (33mm-396mm, 35mm equivalent) and a new panoramic shooting mode that captures and stitches three consecutive 3-megapixel images into a single image.

Additional features include a 2.7-inch LCD screen, face detection with red eye removal, ISO 3,200 (at 3 megapixels), 14 scene modes, manual controls and a burst mode of 7 fps for up to 15 2-megapixel images.

The FinePix S1000fd will debut in April 2008 at a retail of $249.

The company will also refresh its 18x optical zoom camera with the new S8100fd. The 10-megapixel camera offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 27mm-486mm and face-detection technology.

A new instant-zoom feature uses a dedicated button to boost the zoom to 1.4x or 2x digital magnification at the center focus point in the frame. A new zoom-bracketing feature uses face detection to locate and magnify a subject's face automatically.

The S8100fd features a CCD-shifting image stabilization system, i-Flash, manual controls, 13 scene modes, ISO 6,400 (at 5 megapixels) and a 13.5 fps burst mode for up to 33 3-megapixel images. A super macro mode enables focusing up to 0.4 inches from the subject.

Additional features include a dual shot mode, VGA/30 fps movie recording and a 2.5-inch LCD screen and an electronic viewfinder with a 60 fps refresh rate. It will ship in March for a suggested $399.

The company is also refreshing its Z-series model geared toward younger users. The new, 10-megapixel Z20fd builds off the Z10 with MPEG-4 movie recording.

A new successive movie mode allows users to edit 60-second movie clips in-camera.

The camera features a 3x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, 45MB of internal memory and a new dual blog mode that resizes both still images and movie files for easier Internet posting.

The Z20fd offers the company's face-detection technology with automatic red-eye removal, IrSimple and a picture stabilization mode which boosts ISO sensitivity (to a maximum of ISO 1,600) and shutter speed to reduce blur. Additional features include i-Flash, which adjusts flash intensity based on surrounding lighting, 14 scene modes and the ability to add designs to up the three faces in an image.

The FinePix Z20fd ships at the end of March in four colors — black, green, pink and blue — for a suggested retail of $199.

In its new entry-level J series the company will introduce two 8-megapixel compact models — the J10 and J50. Both models will feature an ISO-boosting picture-stabilization mode and VGA/30 fps movie capture.

The J10, for a suggested $149, features a 3x optical zoom lens, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and 14 scene modes. It will be available in black and silver.

The FinePix J50 (silver) sports a 5x optical zoom (37mm-185mm, 35mm equivalent) and a 2.7-inch LCD. It will have 15 scene modes and retail for $179.