Archive for July 14th, 2006

Fujifilm FinePix F20

Fujifilm FinePix F20Fujifilm press release 

Big brother's little brother: FinePix F20 joins award-winning high sensitivity camera range from Fujifilm

Announcement Date: 13 July 2006

Little brother to the TIPA award-winning FinePix F30 Zoom reinforces Fujifilm's commitment to class-leading sensitivity for digital camera users

Embargo, 13 July 2006

Fujifilm today announced the launch of the FinePix F20, an affordable and slimline 6.3 megapixel camera that reflects the company's commitment to producing a wide range of high-end, high sensitivity digital cameras that work in low light.

The FinePix F20 refines the body shape of the acclaimed FinePix F30. However its convenient, pocketable dimensions do not prevent it from featuring the same powerful sixth generation Super CCD HR sensor and Real Photo Processor II technology as its bigger brother.

Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology cameras are among the only digital compacts to deliver ISO sensitivity of 1600 and above at full resolution. This ensures crisp, clear images that are as close as any digital camera gets to reproducing a scene just as the human eye sees it, even in low light, without the use of flash. The FinePix F20's sensitivity of ISO 100-2000 makes it five times more effective at capturing detailed, natural looking images in low light than a conventional compact with ISO 400. It's a feature that users are coming to expect from high-specification cameras.

The camera also features Fujifilm's Intelligent Flash system. This helps avoid the messy background blur of 'slow-sync' flash as well as the starkness of conventional flash. Instead, the camera automatically sets the power output of the flash to produce balanced images that combine natural foreground illumination with optimum background exposure. It spells the end for bleached-out people and blacked-out backgrounds, and brings greater depth and clarity to twilight hour photography.

In addition, the FinePix F20's innovative 'Natural Light & Flash' Dual Shot mode takes two shots in quick succession, one with flash and one without, before displaying them side by side for instant comparison. It's like a photographic safety net and means the user can be confident of getting a great image for every unexpected, spontaneous moment.

With a 300-shot battery life, 14 scene positions including beach, snow and fireworks, the FinePix F20 is a versatile and dynamic companion that guarantees the user great pictures wherever they take it.

Adrian Clarke, Fujifilm's Director of Photo Products, said, "This new camera reflects Fujifilm's photographic strategy by broadening our range of high-sensitivity digital cameras. Digital photography has moved on from megapixels, and today sensitivity is the key area of advancement. Our cameras are at the vanguard of this movement and the FinePix F20 joins a growing family of models specifically designed to produce pictures just as your eyes see them."

FinePix F20 features at a glance:

ISO 2000* sensitivity at full resolution for low-noise photography in all light situations
(*On Picture Stabilisation and Natural Light Mode or ISO 1600 on Auto and Manual Mode)

Sixth generation Super CCD HR VI sensor delivering 6.3 million effective pixels

Real Photo Processor II reduces noise and delivers enhanced colour reproduction

Anti-blur button to set high shutter speed and reduce the risk of blurry images

Intelligent Flash achieves the optimum combination of high sensitivity and natural skin tones

'Natural Light & Flash' Dual Shot mode

Quick response times 0.01 second shutter lag and 1.4 second start-up

3x optical zoom

Long-life battery (up to 300 shots)

TV-quality VGA movie recording of 30 frames per second with sound

PictBridge™ compatible for direct printing without a PC

Accessories
A range of dedicated optional accessories is available for the FinePix F20, including premium leather case, WP-FXF30 Underwater Housing and Underwater Strobe Kit. For users who want to travel with their camera, a Fujifilm World Travel Adaptor, for charging abroad, and spare Lithium-ion battery, NP-70, are also available.

The camera comes with software CDs, FinePix Viewer and ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix. Also included are Lithium-ion battery NP-70, AC Power Adaptor AC-5VC, Hand Strap, and USB and A/V cables.

Availability & pricing
The FinePix F20 will be available from UK retailers in September 2006. Pricing and stockists will be announced nearer to the date of retail launch*.
Contact details for customers
For information about Fujifilm and its products, please visit: www.fujifilm.co.uk or call
0870 084 1310

About Fujifilm
Fujifilm is a global leader in imaging technology, products and services including digital cameras, photofinishing, digital storage and recording media, consumer and professional film, motion picture film, professional video, printing systems, medical imaging, office technology, flat panel displays and graphic arts. The company employs more than 73,000 people worldwide, with 178 subsidiaries stretching across four continents.

Uniquely placed to be a market leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm develops and manufactures its own sensors, lenses and processing technology. In addition to its production plants and R&D operations in Japan, the company has key manufacturing facilities in Europe and the USA for core products such as colour film, colour paper, single use cameras and CTP printing plates, and has further factories in Brazil and China. It has a global turnover in excess of £13 billion.

In the UK, Fujifilm has been supplying the imaging, printing and graphics industries, as well as consumers, professional and enthusiast photographers, with high quality, innovative products and services for over 25 years. Fujifilm UK currently employs more than 450 people and has become one of the country's most popular photographic and imaging brands.

© 2006, Fuji Photo Film (UK) Ltd. Specifications are subject to change.

Number of effective pixels 6.3 million pixels
CCD sensor 1/ 1.7-inch Super CCD HR
Number of recorded pixels Still image: 2,848 x 2,136 (6.1m) / 3,024 x 2,016 (3:2 format) / 2,048 x 1,536 /1,600 x 1,200 / 640 X 480 pixels
Movie: 640 x 480 pixels (30 frames/sec.), 320 x 240 pixels (30 frames/sec.)
Storage media Internal memory (approx. 10MB) /xD-Picture Card™ ( 16MB - 1 GB )
File format Still image : JPEG (Exif Ver 2.2 )
Movie : AVI (Motion JPEG)
(Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)
Lens Fujinon 3.0x optical zoom lens , F2.8 - F5.0
Lens focal length 8.0 – 24.0mm (36-108mm on a 35mm camera)
Focus Auto Focus (Single, Continuous)
(Centre, Multi)
AF assist illuminator available
Focus distance Normal : Approx. 60cm (2.0 ft.) to Infinity
Macro: Wide Angle: Approx. 5cm (2.0 in.) to 80cm (2.6 ft.)
Telephoto: Approx. 30cm (1.0 ft.) to 80cm (2.6 ft.)
Shutter speed 4 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (depend on Shooting mode)
Aperture Wide-angle: F2.8 - F8, 10 steps in 1/3 EV increments
Telephoto: F5.0 - F8, 10 steps in 1/3 EV increments
Sensitivity Auto /Equivalent to 100/200/400/800/1600/(up to ISO2000 on Anti-blur/Natural Light mode)
Exposure control 256-zone TTL metering (Multi/ Spot/ Average)
Exposure mode Programmed AE, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE
White balance Automatic scene recognition
Preset (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light), Custom
LCD monitor 2.5 inches, Aspect ratio: 4:3, Amorphous silicon TFT, Approx 153,000 pixels, Coverage Approx. 100%
Flash Auto flash
Effective range: (ISO AUTO): Wide-angle: approx. 0.6 - 6.5m / 2.0 - 21.3 ft
Telephoto: approx. 0.6 – 3.5m / 2.0 – 11.5 ft
Macro: approx. 0.3m – 0.8m / 1.0 ft - 2.6 ft
Flash mode : Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro.
Red-eye Reduction + Slow Synchro.
Self-timer Approx. 10 sec./ 2 sec. delay
Video output NTSC / PAL selectable
Digital input/output USB High-speed
Power supply NP-70 Rechargeable Battery, AC Power Adapter AC-5VC (included),
Dimensions 93.5(W) x 56.7(H) x 26.6(D) mm/3.7(W) x 2.2(H) x 1.1(D) in. excluding accessories and attachments)
Weight Approx. 150 g/5.3 oz.(excluding accessories, batteries and xD-Picture Card)
Digital zoom 6.20 X
Shooting modes Normal : Auto, Anti-blur, Scene Position, Macro, Movie, Burst/Continuous
SP: Natural Light, Natural Light & with flash, Position: Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower Close-up, Text
Continuous :
1.Top-3 ( max.2.2 frames/sec., up to 3 frames)
2.Final-3 ( max.2.2 frames/sec., up to 3 frames )
3.Long-period ( max.0.7frame/sec. Up to memory card size)
High speed shooting
Movie recording 640 x 480 pixels, 30 frames/sec.
320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames/sec.
With monaural sound, AVI format (Motion JPEG)
Voice Memo Up to 30 sec. WAV format
Colour modes B&W/CHROME/STANDARD
Playback functions Single frame, 9 Multi-frame, Sorting by date, Image rotate, Post shot Assist window (3 frames), Voice Memo, Trimming, Automatic playback
Accessories included
  • Li-ion battery NP-70
  • AC Power Adapter AC-5VC
  • Hand Strap
  • USB cable for the FinePix F20
  • A / V cable for the FinePix F20
  • CD-ROM
  • FinePixViewer
  • ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix
  • Owner's Manual
Optional accessories
  • xD-Picture Card™ : 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB
  • PC Card Adapter DPC-AD
  • CompactFlash™ Card Adapter DPC-CF
  • Image Memory Card Reader DPC-R1
  • AC Power Adapter AC-5VX
  • Battery Charger BC-70
  • Soft Case SC-FXF30
  • Number of images / recording time
    Modes Still image Movie
    Number of recorded pixels 2,848 x 2,136 3,024 x 2,016 ( 3:2 format ) 2,048 x 1,536 1600 x 1200 640 x 480 Movie recording time : sec.
    Quality JPEG FINE JPEG NORMAL JPEG JPEG JPEG JPEG VGA (30fps ) QVGA (30fps )
    Image Data Size 16kHz 16kHz
    Internal Memories(10MB) 3 6 6 11 15 76    
    16 MB 5 10 10 19 25 122 Approx. 13 sec. Approx. 26sec.
    32 MB 10 20 20 40 50 247 Approx. 27 sec. Approx. 54 sec.
    64 MB 21 42 42 81 101 497 Approx. 55sec.. Approx. 109 sec.
    128 MB 42 84 84 162 204 997 Approx. 111 sec. Approx. 219sec.
    256 MB 85 169 169 325 409 1,997 Approx. 223sec. Approx. 7.3min.
    512 MB 170 339 339 651 818 3,993 Approx. 7.4min. Approx. 14.6min.
    1 GB 341 680 680 1,305 1,639 7,995 Approx. 14.9min. Approx. 29.3min.

    1 comment July 14th, 2006

    The new Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd

    Fujifilm FinePix S6500fdFujifilm press release:

    …it can't wait to see your face

    Announcement Date: 13 July 2006

    New digital camera combines hardware based Face Detection technology and high ISO sensitivity to stunning effect

    Embargo, 13 July 2006

    Fujifilm today announces the launch of the FinePix S6500fd digital camera, debuting industry-first hardware based Face Detection technology to enable the camera to recognise faces and optimise settings to get the best photograph in just 0.04 seconds. With Fujifilm's acclaimed sixth generation, six megapixel Super CCD sensor and Real Photo Technology II, class-leading ISO 100-3200 sensitivity and Fujinon 10.7x (28-300mm equivalent) optical zoom lens, the FinePix S6500fd combines the photographic possibilities of a digital SLR with the ease of use of a compact.

    Fujifilm expects the FinePix S6500fd to be a popular camera for hobbyist photographers. It will be a powerful, fun tool for people looking to move on from their compact digital camera, but who don't want the restrictions or level of manual input that can be required by a Digital SLR.

    Face detection
    Photographs of friends and family are among the most popular in day-to-day photography. Yet these are the shots that are hardest to get right because the best photographs are not the posed ones, but those that are unexpected. Previously, face detection concepts have been a slow, software based process, relegating them to a novelty feature rather than a powerful picture-taking tool. The potential delay in 'seeing' a face and optimising settings is not conducive to good people photography. Crucially, Fujifilm has built its Face Detection technology into the FinePix S6500fd's processor, enabling it to identify faces and take a photo within 0.04 seconds.

    The FinePix S6500fd's Face Detection uses an algorithm, which recognises eyes and a mouth to lock on to faces in the frame. Coping with up to ten faces in a frame, it optimises settings such as focus and exposure level before taking the photo. Face Detection can identify a face irrespective of its position in the frame or the composition of the shot, and is not confused by spectacles. Furthermore, movement tracking ensures the camera stays locked on the subject until they move out of the frame. All this, combined with split-second accuracy, results in picture-perfect people shots with no need for user intervention.

    High sensitivity for precision photography
    Alongside Face Detection, the FinePix S6500 features Fujifilm's Real Photo Processor II technology, delivering class-leading ISO 100-3200 sensitivity. Research shows that the majority of photos are taken in low light with the subject in the foreground. These shots can be problematic because of blur, or because the subject is over-exposed by an automatic flash. The high ISO of the FinePix S6500fd means that sharp, focused images can be achieved in low light without the need for a flash, so skin tones look natural and foreground and background exposure remain balanced. When used in conjunction with Face Detection, the result is natural-looking people pictures that appear just as the human eye sees them, even when shot in low light.

    The FinePix S6500fd features a Fujinon 10.7x optical zoom lens with twist barrel control to give plenty of scope for precision composition. Because the camera's high ISO sensitivity also combats image blur, the user can even achieve sharp, clean images at the telephoto end of the zoom; perfect for fast-moving sports photography. Its fixed lens also prevents dust collecting on its sensor, another convenience factor versus DSLRs.

    For flash photography, the camera features Fujifilm's Intelligent Flash system, which automatically balances flash power output and exposure for both foreground and background. This ensures more natural-looking skin tones and clearer background exposure when using the flash function. In addition, a 'Natural Light & Flash' Dual Shot Mode takes two shots in quick succession, one with flash and one without. These are then displayed side by side for immediate comparison.

    The FinePix S6500fd also features a High Speed Shooting Mode with rapid focus and a shutter lag of just 0.035 seconds.

    The 2.5" LCD screen and high resolution electronic viewfinder give the user a choice of how to compose and view images. With fourteen special-scene modes, including Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum and Party, the FinePix S6500fd ensures users will never miss an opportunity for a great photo. A 30 fps VGA movie mode with sound and manual zoom capability provides an attractive alternative to still photography that can not be incorporated into a digital SLR.

    Adrian Clarke, Fujifilm's Director of Photo Products said, "The FinePix S6500fd is aimed at people for whom photography is a hobby. They want to be able to get fantastic images but also want the option of point-and-shoot simplicity on demand. With Face Detection and incredibly high sensitivity, this camera does a particularly good job of photographing the most important subject of them all: people. This model is all about combining absolute convenience with fantastic image potential."

    Accessories
    The FinePix S6500fd's optional Wide Conversion Lens, WL-FXS6, expands the camera's wide-angle capability without compromising image quality. It allows the extreme angles of view normally only available with changeable lenses on an SLR camera.

    Also available is an optional premium leather case. Fujifilm World Travel Adaptor, for charging abroad, and spare Lithium-ion battery, NP-70 make travelling with the FinePix S6500 easy.

    The camera comes with shoulder strap, USB and A/V cables, Lens cap and hood and software CDs FinePix Viewer (with RAW File Converter included), ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix and RAW File Converter LE.

    FinePix S6500fd features at a glance:
    Hardware based Face Detection technology

    Sensitivity range of ISO 100-3200 for low-noise photography in all light situations

    Super CCD HR VI sensor delivering six million effective pixels

    Real Photo Processor II reduces noise and delivers enhanced colour reproduction

    Fixed 10.7x (28-300mm equivalent) optical zoom lens with twist barrel control

    Intelligent Flash achieves the optimum combination of high sensitivity and natural skin tones

    Manual, shutter- and aperture-priority and program exposure modes

    Single, continuous and manual focus modes

    Jpeg and RAW file formats

    High Speed Shooting Mode with a shutter lag of just 0.035 seconds

    High resolution 2.5 inch LCD screen with reinforced, scratch-resistant glass

    TV-quality VGA movie recording of 30 frames per second with sound

    PictBridge™ compatible for direct printing without a PC

    Availability & pricing
    The FinePix S6500fd will be available from UK retailers in October 2006. Pricing and stockists will be announced nearer to the date of retail launch.*

    Contact details for customers
    For information about Fujifilm and its products, please visit: www.fujifilm.co.uk or call
    0870 084 1310

    About Fujifilm
    Fujifilm is a global leader in imaging technology, products and services including digital cameras, photofinishing, digital storage and recording media, consumer and professional film, motion picture film, professional video, printing systems, medical imaging, office technology, flat panel displays and graphic arts. The company employs more than 73,000 people worldwide, with 178 subsidiaries stretching across four continents.

    Uniquely placed to be a market leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm develops and manufactures its own sensors, lenses and processing technology. In addition to its production plants and R&D operations in Japan, the company has key manufacturing facilities in Europe and the USA for core products such as colour film, colour paper, single use cameras and CTP printing plates, and has further factories in Brazil and China. It has a global turnover in excess of £13 billion.

    In the UK, Fujifilm has been supplying the imaging, printing and graphics industries, as well as consumers, professional and enthusiast photographers, with high quality, innovative products and services for over 25 years. Fujifilm UK currently employs more than 450 people and has become one of the country's most popular photographic and imaging brands.

    © 2006, Fuji Photo Film (UK) Ltd. Specifications are subject to change.


    Number of effective pixels 6.3 million pixels
    CCD sensor 1/ 1.7-inch Super CCD HR
    Number of recorded pixels Still image : 2,848×2,136 / 3,024 x 2,016(3:2 format) / 2,048 X 1,536 / 1,600×1,200 / 640 X 480 pixels
    Movie : 640 x 480 pixels ( 30 frames/sec.), 320 x 240 pixels ( 30frames/sec.)
    Storage media Internal memory (approx. 10MB)/ xD-Picture Card™ ( 16MB - 1 GB )
    File format Still image : JPEG (Exif Ver 2.2 )
    CCD-RAW
    (Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)
    Movie : AVI (Motion JPEG )
    Lens Fujinon 10.7 X zoom lens , F 2.8 - 4.9
    Lens focal length f=6.2-66.7mm Equivalent to 28 - 300 mm on a 35 mm camera
    Focus Mode : Single-AF , Continuous AF, Manual Focus, One-touch AF(when using Manual focus)
    AF system : TTL contrast-type , AF-assist illuminator
    AF frame selection : AF(CENTER), AF(MULTI), AF(AREA)
    Focus distance Normal : approx. 40 cm / 1.6 ft. to infinity(W) approx. 2 m / 6.6 ft. to infinity(T)
    Macro : approx. 10 cm /4.0 in. to 3.0m / 9.8 ft.(W) approx. 90 cm /3.0 ft. to 3.0m / 9.8 ft.(T)
    Shutter speed 30 sec. to 1 / 4000 sec.
    Aperture F 2.8 F11Up to 13 steps in 1/3 EV increments Manual /Auto selectable
    Sensitivity AUTO / Equivalent to ISO 100/200/400/800/1600/3200
    Exposure control 256-zone TTL metering Multi, Spot, Average
    Exposure modes Programmed AE(When using P mode : Program shift is enable), Shutter-priority AE,
    Aperture-priority AE, Manual exposure
    White balance Automatic
    Manual (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White) Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light
    Viewfinder 0.33 inch low-temperature polysilicon TFT (approx. 115,000 pixels) , approx. 100 % coverage
    LCD monitor 2.5 inch Amorphous silicon TFT ( approx.235,000 pixels), approx. 100 % coverage
    Flash Auto
    Effective range (ISO 1600): Wide angle: Approx.0.6 m - 8.3 m / 2.0 ft.- 27.2 ft.
    Telephoto: Approx.2.0m - 4.6m / 6.6 ft - 15.1 ft.
    Flash mode : Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro.
    Red-eye Reduction + Slow Synchro.
    Self-timer Approx.10sec./ 2 sec. delay
    Video output NTSC / PAL selectable
    Digital Interface USB 2.0 High-Speed
    Power source 4 AA type alkaline batteries (included)/4 AA type Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (optional) or AC power adapter AC-5VX(optional)
    Dimensions 130.9 (W) X 97.5 (H) X 128.0 (D) mm / 5.2 (W) X 3.8 (H) X 5.0 (D) in.
    Weight Approx.600 g / 21.2 oz.(excluding batteries and xD-Picture Card )
    Digital zoom Approx 2x
    Shooting modes Normal : Auto, Picture Stabilization, Scene Position ,Macro, Movie, Continuous,
    SP: Natural Light, Natural & Flash, Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, Close-up, Text
    Continuous :
    1.Top-3 ( max.2.2 frames/sec., up to 3 frames)
    2.Final-3 ( max.2.2 frames/sec., up to 3 frames)
    3.Long-period (max.0.7frame/sec. Up to memory card size)
    Colour modes B&W / CHROME / STANDARD
    Movie recording 640 x 480 pixels, 30 frames/sec.
    320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames/sec.
    With monaural sound, AVI format (Motion JPEG)
    Voice Memo Up to 30 sec. WAV format
    Playback functions Single frame, 9 Multi-frame, Sorting by date, Image rotate, Post shot Assist window (3 frames), Voice Memo, Trimming, Automatic playback
    Accessories included
    • 4xAA type Alkaline batteries
    • Shoulder Strap
    • USB cable
    • A / V cable
    • Lens cap
    • Lens cap holder
    • Lens hood
    • CD-ROM
    • FinePixViewer RAW File converter included)
    • ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix
    • RAW FILE CONVERTER LE
    Optional accessories
  • xD-Picture Card™: 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB
  • PC Card Adapter DPC-AD
  • CompactFlash™ CardAdapter DPC-CF
  • 4 x AA type Ni-MH 2700Ah batteries
  • Wide conversion lens WL-FXS6
  • Premium and mini multi-purpose leather cases
  • Worldwide Travel Charger (including 4x AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries)
  • Wide Conversion Lens WL-FXS6
  • DPC-AD PC Card Adatptor (xD Picture Card and Smart Media)
  • DPC-CF CompactFlash Adaptor for xD-Picture Card
  • DCR2-161 16 in 1 USB 2.0 multi-format Digital Card Reader and 3 portUSB 2.0 Hub
  • DCR2-xD USB 2.0 Memory Card Reader for xD-Picture Cards
  • AC-5V Car Adaptor
  • Number of images / recording time on xD-Picture Card™:

    Number of images / recording time
    Modes S6000 fd Still image Movie
    Number of recorded pixels 2848 x 2136 6F 2848x 2136 6N 3024 x 2016 ( 3:2 format ) 2048 x 1536 1600 x 1200 640 x 480 640 x 480 320 x 240
    Internal Memory (approx.10MB) 3 6 6 12 15 77 Approx. 8 sec. Approx. 16 sec.
    DPC-16(16 MB) 5 10 10 19 25 122 Approx. 13 sec. Approx. 26 sec.
    DPC-32(32 MB) 10 20 20 40 50 247 Approx. 27 sec. Approx. 54 sec.
    DPC-64(64 MB) 21 42 42 81 101 497 Approx. 55 sec.. Approx. 109 sec.
    DPC-128(128 MB) 42 84 84 162 204 997 Approx. 111 sec. Approx. 219 sec.
    DPC-256(256 MB) 85 169 169 325 409 1,997 Approx. 223 sec. Approx. 7.3 min.
    DPC-512(512 MB) 170 339 339 651 818 3,993 Approx. 7.4 min. Approx. 14.6 min.
    DPC-M1GB(1 GB) 341 680 680 1,305 1,639 7,995 Approx. 14.9 min. Approx. 29.3 min.

     

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