Valhalla, N.Y. – Fujifilm North America recently unveiled the first of its 2015 cameras including a new X-series mirrorless compact system camera (CSC) and an advanced point-and-shoot and a trio of FinePix point-and-shoots highlighted by the XP80 weatherproof model.
Fujifilm also unveiled a pair of FinePix S series models in the S9900W (with built-in Wi-Fi) and S9800 (without Wi-Fi).
The new mirrorless X-A2 ($549.95 suggested retail) and the advanced point-and-shoot XQ2 ($399.95), expand the X-Series line. For its mirrorless CSCs, Fuji also introduced the new Fujinon XC16-50mm II, XC16-50mm II (24-76mm) F3.5-5.6 OIS and XC50-230mm II (76-350mm) F4.5-6.7 OIS lenses.
The rugged FinePix XP80 ($229.95) is waterproof to 50 feet, shockproof from 5.8 feet, freezeproof to 14 degrees F and dustproof. It features a 16.4-megapixel CMOS sensor with a 28-140mm 5x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi connectivity for one touch transfers to smartphones and tablets, and captures full HD movies at 1080p, even underwater.
Wireless functionality is available for remote shooting using the free Fujifilm Camera Remote app and dedicated Wi-Fi button on the camera. The XP80 also allows users to select images or movies to be transferred to smartphones, tablets and computers.
The camera offers an action camera mode that turns the XP80’s lens into a fixed 18mm and enables hands-free shooting so the camera can be mounted on the shooter’s body or a piece of sporting equipment. The rear LCD turns off automatically to preserve battery life and extend recording times.
The FinePix S9900W (March, $349.95) and FinePix S9800 (March, $329.95) both feature a 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 12,800, and rapid focusing speeds.
Both cameras also come with 50x optical F2.9-F6.5 zoom lenses for a 24-1200mm optical range that can be digitally boosted to 100x. For macro shots, the cameras allow focusing from as close as 1cm.
The cameras each have a 1 second startup time, 0.15 second autofocus, and are ready to take another shot in 0.6 seconds. The camera also offers a 10fps continuous shooting mode.
The FinePix S9900W offers remote shooting via a smartphone or tablet, and photos and movies can be easily sent to devices using the same wireless connectivity.
Meanwhile, the X-A2 CSC, is billed as an ultra-light, selfie-ready camera offering a 175-degree tilting LCD with face and eye detection. Fuji said the X-A2 is an affordable entry point into the X-Series line of digital cameras and delivers outstanding image quality using its large 16.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, easy operation and wireless image transfer for quick photo sharing.
The X-A2 uses a newly-developed Eye auto focus (AF), Auto Macro AF and Multi-Target AF with easy and accurate auto focus performance.
The XQ2 is billed as a premium pocket-sized digital camera with a bright Fujinon F1.8 4x zoom lens, an advanced 12-megapixel 2/3 inch X-Trans CMOS II sensor with phase detection, and the EXR Processor II offering “the fastest autofocus speed in its category of up to 0.06 seconds.”
The camera’s sensor was designed to control moiré and false color generation by using an original color filter array with a highly randomized pixel arrangement. This technology removes the need for an Optical Low Pass Filter (OLPF) that degrades resolution. The image quality in the XQ2 is further enhanced by using a Lens Modulation Optimizer (LMO) for stunningly sharp pictures, as well as a 3.0 stop Optical Image Stabilization for shooting in low light situations.
The newly developed Fujinon F1.8 4x zoom (25-100mm) is constructed with four aspherical and three extra low dispersion lenses and each lens surface is coated with HT-EBC to reduce flare and ghosting. The XQ2 also has a wide sensitivity range from ISO100 to ISO12800 so you can take realistic and vibrant images even in low light.
The camera’s EXR Processor II more than doubles the processing speed of the previous generation, and it easily captures the information taken from over 100,000 phase detection pixels incorporated in the X-Trans CMOS II.
As for the new lenses, the XC16-50mm II is versatile and produces clear low-light scenes, portraits and vibrant landscapes. The lens consists of 12 all glass elements in 10 groups including three aspherical elements, an ED element, and seven round-edged aperture blades, which offer 17 stops in 1/3 EV increments.
The XC50-230mm II (76-350mm) F4.5-6.7 OIS adds an expanded zoom range with optical image stabilization.
