Fujifilm has revealed a March release date for five new cameras, including the Wi-Fi-enabled FinePix F900EXR compact ultra-zoom – which also features a new Intelligent Hybrid AF system that's claimed to give it the world's fastest autofocus of 0.05 seconds – and the S8600 long-zoom bridge camera.
The FinePix F900EXR premium compact has been given a newly-developed EXR Processor II that offers more than twice the performance of the first generation EXR image processor. This translates to a startup time of just 1.1 seconds, a shot interval of 0.5 seconds and 11 frames per second continuous shooting at full resolution.
Though Fujifilm says that the camera automatically decides whether to use phase detection or contrast detection AF modes, depending on subject and scene, it's the new phase detection autofocus system in its 1/2-inch 16-megapixel EXR-CMOS II image sensor that makes the super-fast AF speed of 0.05 seconds possible.
An 802.11b/g/n transmitter caters for wireless image transfer functionality, with the Fujifilm Camera App connecting the camera to iOS and Android mobile devices for the transfer of images or recorded video. The free-to-use Fujifilm PC AutoSave software offers wireless image backup (via an existing home/office network).
The F900EXR sports a FUJINON 20x wide-angle long-zoom lens made up of 14 elements in 11 groups, for 25-mm wide-angle to 500-mm telephoto photography. The Intelligent Digital Zoom feature is said to effectively double the camera's zoom capabilities and camera shake is handled by sensor-shift image stabilization, while the Macro Mode allows snappers to get as close as 1.9 inches (48.2 mm) from the subject.
The 4.1 x 2.4 x 1.4-inch (105.1 x 61 x 36-mm) ultra-zoom compact weighs in at 8.1 ounces (232 g), including memory card and battery, and benefits from a high contrast 3-inch LCD display panel at 920,000-dot resolution. The included Li-ion battery is claimed to be good for 260 shots per charge.
It's capable of full 1080p video recording at up to 60 frames per second, a built-in stereo microphone captures the audio to go with the moving pictures, and the Scene Recognition feature automatically adjusts settings so that users can concentrate on being creative. Users can also make use of the F900EXR's hybrid autofocus system while filming. There's a mini-HDMI output for big screen TV viewing, too.
The FinePix F900EXR will be available in either black or blue for US$399.95.
Fujifilm has also announced a slightly less capable compact ultra-zoom in the shape of the F850EXR. This camera features a 16-megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor with EXR Processor II, a similarly powerful optical zoom lens, the same startup time and shot interval as its bigger brother, but a slower autofocus at 0.21 seconds and a burst shooting rate of nine frames per second. This model will be released in black only for $299.95.
The first of two long-zoom bridge cameras to be unveiled by Fujifilm is the FinePix S6800. It features a 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor and benefits from up to ISO12800 sensitivity, takes just a second to start up, is able to autofocus in 0.3 seconds and has a 0.5 second shot interval. The camera is capable of continuous shooting of eight frames per second at full resolution.
It has a 30x FUJINON f/3.1 - 5.9 optical zoom lens (24 - 720 mm) with dual zoom control and optical image stabilization, and a Super Macro mode that allows users to get just 0.78 inches (19.8 mm) from the subject.
The S6800 is topped by a mode dial for manual exposure control, and has a 3-inch LCD panel at 460,000-dot resolution to the rear. It's capable of 1080i video recording at up to 60 frames per second with stereo sound, and slow motion capture at 480 frames per second at 320 x 120 pixel resolution. It also has basic in-camera movie editing functions, can snap photos while recording video, and has a mini-HDMI port.
This model is powered by four AA-sized alkaline batteries (which should be good for about 320 shots), and will be available in black, white or red for $249.95.
Standing next to S6800 on the S-Series new product podium is the FinePix S4800, with a 16-megapixel CCD image sensor and a 3-inch display of a much lower 230,000-dot resolution. It does have the same lens as its stable-mate and is able to autofocus at the same speed, but it's a little slower to start from cold (1.3 seconds). It differs in the video recording department, too, with 720p HD on offer at 30 frames per second in 16:9 aspect. This model comes in black only for $229.95.
Completing the batch of new arrivals is the FinePix JX680 ultra-compact. Despite being just 0.7 inches (19.4 mm) slim at its thinnest point, Fujifilm has managed to squeeze in a FUJINON 5x optical zoom lens (26 - 130 mm) with digital image stabilization, a 16-megapixel CCD sensor and a 3-inch, 230,000-dot resolution LCD screen. It will come in either black or red for $99.95.
