VALHALLA, N.Y. — Fujifilm North America continued its focus
on EXR CCD sensor technology as it introduced four digital
point-and-shoot cameras for the fall selling season.
The emphasis this time out was on
stylish bodies, high-speed low-light
shooting, long zoom lenses and attractive
price points.
Among the highlights was the new
flagship F-series model F300EXR
(shipping in September at a $330 suggested
retail). Targeting step-up photographers,
the camera features a 12-
megapixel EXR Super CCD image
sensor, Fujinon 15x optical zoom, ultra-
compact 23mm thin chassis, and a
3-inch (460,000-pixel) high-contrast LCD
screen.
The sensor-technology advancement was said to enable
the “world’s first consumer camera to support phase detection
auto focusing” in addition to contrast AF in a powerful
hybrid system. Auto Focus speed is listed at up to 0.158 seconds,
even at full 15x zoom extension.
A Pro Focus mode captures several images in sequence and
combines them to create a crisp shot of the subject against a
defocused background and foreground.
An intelligent image stabilization system uses a gyroscope
to keep the sensor properly balanced to reduce image blurring,
and also works while recording 720p HD video.
The new Z800EXR (available at the end of August at a $230
suggested retail) is an ultra-slim camera with phase detection
included in the 12-megapixel
EXR Super CCD sensor, a 3.5-inch
(16:9 widescreen) LCD high-resolution
touchscreen, 720p HD video
recording and a 5x optical zoom
with enhanced low-light performance.
The camera will ship in a choice
of matte black, red, pink or gold colors.
Features include 360-degree motion
panorama shooting, and easy
uploading to Facebook and YouTube
with the included Fine Pix Studio software.
The S-series S2800HD (shipping at the beginning of September
in a $260 suggested retail) is a digital point-and-shoot
with a d-SLR-styled one-piece body. It includes a 14-megapixel
1/2.3-inch CCD, an 18x Fujinon zoom lens with a 28mm to
504mm equivalent range, 720p HD video capture, 3-inch LCD
screen, electronic viewfinder, dual image stabilization system
and zoom bracketing mode.
The JX280 (shipping in August at $150) features a 14-megapixel
sensor and button controls, 720p video recording and a
telescoping 28-140mm-equivalent zoom lens.
