COLOGNE, GERMANY — Fuji and Canon were among the few companies introducing new digital cameras at the Photokina show here, while most other first-tier camera vendors were content to exhibit models introduced in the United States during the past month.
Fuji rolled out the entry-level FinePix2400 Zoom and FinePix 1300, and Canon showed a high-end 3.3-megapixel model.
The FinePix2400 Zoom is a replacement for Fuji’s 1400 Zoom. The 2.1-megapixel camera features a 3x optical zoom and to improve user friendliness, all functions are controlled by a single button and can be viewed on the LCD.
The FinePix1300 is based on Fuji’s MX1200 camera and is being targeted to people who use a high-end digital camera for work but might want a second, less-expensive model for pleasure. The 1300 has a 1.3-megapixel CCD and the same function button control as the 2400. Both models are USB ready.
The 2400 started shipping last week with a $499 estimated street price, and the 1300 will follow in October with an expected street price of $249.
Canon’s new flagship digital camera, the PowerShot G1, will ship in October with a $999 suggested retail price. The G1 is one of the growing number of digital cameras that has the look and feel of a 35mm SLR camera. Other features include a swivel-mounted LCD that can rotate 270 degrees, optical viewfinder and USB.
Canon claims the G1 has a faster shutter button response than previous PowerShot models and can record 15-second video clips.
Canon also brought the newly released Digital Elph, D30 and S20 digital cameras to Photokina.
