Valhalla, N.Y. – Fujifilm USA took the wraps off of four point-and-shoot digital still cameras slated to reach retail shelves this summer, offering ease of use, high-quality images and attractive styling.
Launching at the company’s entry level were models A170 (shipping in July at a $90 suggested retail) and A220
(shipping in August at $100), offering an affordable user-friendly upgrade to older, less-flexible models.
Both models feature SR Auto Mode (Automatic Scene Recognition), panoramic shooting mode, face detection technology and feature slim 21.9mm body designs.
The 10-megapixel A170 and 12-MP A220 both feature 3x Fujinon optical zoom lenses developed specifically for the A series and 2.7-inch LCD screens with 230,000-pixel resolution.
Both offer Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilization with ISO levels of up to 1,600 that automatically chooses the correct light sensitivity and compatible shutter speed, to reduce blur and noise.
The new SR Auto Mode system intelligently recognizes six types of scenes and automatically selects the best settings for the desired image, adjusting for focus, white balance and ISO.
Both models also include Fujifilm’s face-detection technology, panoramic shooting mode, and movie mode with zoom, capturing VGA-level video at 30 fps with sound.
Each camera is also supplied with 20MB of internal memory to serve as a storage backup for when an optional SD memory card has been filled.
The cameras are both powered using standard AA batteries.
“We wanted to provide consumers with an affordable, easy to use digital camera that still offered a competitive feature set,” said David Troy, Fujifilm USA consumer digital cameras marketing manager. “The new A170 and A220 combine this in a highly portable form factor making it easier than ever to ensure that you never miss a shot and the convenience of AA battery power.”
FujiFilm’s FinePix Z37 will ship in August at a $150 suggested retail and is targeting young, “tech-savvy fashionistas,” the company said. The latest addition to the popular Z-series includes tools for social-networking enthusiasts, including a blog mode that automatically resizes images and movies for Web use.
The design is said to be thinner and bolder than previous Z-series models, offering a 19.1mm metal front body that can be carried in jean pockets and a choice of three colors – blue- green or violet.
Key features include a 10-megapixel CCD sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.7-inch LCD screen
The unit’s SR auto mode detects the correct scene settings without the need to pre-select the mode on the camera. Recognized scenes include portraits, landscapes, macros, backlit portraits, night and night portrait modes.
The Z37 has a maximum high ISO of up to 1,600 to capture quality shots in low light situations.
Other features include face detection with automatic red-eye removal, picture stabilization one touch movie mode using a separate one touch movie shutter to capture VGA-quality movies at 30 fps with sound; micro thumbnail display of up to 100 images on the 2.7-inch LCD screen; SD/SDHC card slot and a li-ion battery.
Meanwhile, the new FinePix J38 will ship in late August at $130 and is being positioned as a well-featured digital camera for consumers on budget. Key features include a sleek design style – measuring 20mm thick – with a black metal front body; a 12-megapixel CCD, a 3x Fujinon optical zoom lens and a 2.7-inch high-resolution LCD.
The J38 also includes SR Auto (automatic scene recognition), face detection with auto red-eye correction and panoramic shooting modes.
In SR Auto mode, the camera automatically recognizes six types of scenes and will optimize the exposure, focus, white balance and ISO settings and engage face detection and picture stabilization as needed.
The camera is powered by a long-life li-ion battery.
