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Check out the rest of Fujifilm’s new compact line-up in the gallery to the right.__
Finepix HS20 EXR
Compact cameras with pro-level features seems to be the hot trend right now and the Finepix HS20 EXR certainly fits the bill. The replacement to the Finepix HS10, Fujifilm’s all new HS20 features some impressive upgrades—the most striking being its new Back Side Illuminated 16MP EXR CMOS sensor.
The brand-new sensor technology allows for improved light sensitivity due to the placement of photo diodes in front of wiring layers (in traditional CMOS sensors the layers of wiring are in front of the photo diodes). The sensor’s triple-layer EXR array also contributes to its superior light capture-ability.
In terms of optics, the HS20 features a versatile 30x optical zoom f/2.8-5.6 lens(24-700mm 35mm equivalent).
Other notable features include: 8 fps burst at full resolution and 11fps burst at 8MP. This is made possible thanks to Fujifilm’s new triple core EXR processor. It also contains a constant autofocus system that Fujifilm claims is capable of finding a point of focus in less than .16 seconds.
In the video department, the HS20 does 1920x1080p HD video capture at 30fps. In addition to being able to record in full HD, the HS20 can film in super slow motion, offering 80fps shooting at 640x480p and 320fps at 320x112p.
Another impressive feature is the HS20’s Dynamic Range function which utilizes dual capture technology and gives a maximum range of 1600%—suddenly capturing great HDR’s has become a whole lot easier.
The camera also features a total of 27 auto scene modes as well as a newly re-designed user interface for maximum user-ability. Other standout specs include the ability to use TTL flash metering, a 3” articulated LCD, Advanced Anti-blur Technology, RAW shooting capabilities and a 360-degree panorama mode.
The FujiFIlm Finepix HS20 EXT will be available in March for $499.95.
Finepix F550 Fujifilm’ new Finepix F550 is, in many ways, a more compact version of the HS20. It features the same Back Side Illuminated 16MP EXR CMOS sensor, 8fps burst (11fps burst using 8MP’s) and 1080p HD video capture at 30fps. As a result of its smaller compact body, the Finepix F550 has half the zoom-range of the HS20—offering a 15x optical zoom lens (24-360mm 35mm equivalent). One thing the F550 has that the HS20 doesn’t is GPS functionality, which is capable of tagging images with both longitude and latitude as well as the proper names of locations. There is also a Route Logging function that helps users to find the exact location of where they shot an image. It does this by recording one’s location every 10 minutes. Once a memory card is uploaded, a map of one’s trip is generated using Google maps. The images taken along the way are also integrated into the map. Other standout specs include a 3” LCD, RAW shooting capabilities, 27 auto scene modes and Advanced Anti-blur Technology. The Finepix F550 will be available mid-March for $349.95.Finepix F500 The Finepix F500 is essentially the same camera inside and out as the F550 minus the GPS functionality and 8fps burst speed (the F500 does a maximum 3fps burst). It will also be available mid-March for $329.95.Finepix S4000 Fujifilm is also revamping its line of super-zoom compacts, offering three new units, the top dog being the new S400, which offers a 30x zoom range (24-720mm 35mm equivalent). All three of the Fujifilm’s new superzooms (the S400, S320 and S2950) feature a 14MP CCD sensor, 3” LCD, Dual Image Stabilization, ISO sensitivity up to 6400, full manual controls, AF tracking and 720p HD video capture at 30fps. They all also offer a nifty feature that allows users to review and select images and video in-camera to later be added to Facebook or Youtube. Once connected to a PC, the Finepix Studio software will automatically upload the tagged media. The Finepix S400 will be available some time in March for $279.95.Finepix S3200 The Finepix S320 is essentially the same camera as the S400, but with a 24x zoom range (24-576mm 35mm equivalent). It will be available in February for $249.95Finepix S2950 The Finepix S2950 is also essentially the same cameras as the S400 and S3200 but with a18x zoom range (24-432mm 35mm equivalent). It will be available mid-January for $229.95.Finepix XP30 Fujifilm is also offering some new ruggedized cameras in the form of the XP30 and XP20. The Finepix XP30 is a waterproof/freeze-proof/dust-proof compact that also offers GPS geo-tagging. It features a 14.2MP sensor, a 5x optical zoom range (28-140mm 35mm equivalent), a 2.7” LCD and Sensor-shift Image Stabilization. The camera is waterproof up to 5 meters and freeze-proof up to -10 degrees Celsius. Available in mid-February the XP30 will run you $239.95.Finepix XP20 The XP20 is the same rugged waterproof/freeze-proof/sand-proof camera as XP30 minus the GPS. It will also be available mid-February for $199.95.Finepix Z90 The Finepixe Z90 represents Fujifilm’s newest ultra-compact camera. It features a 14MP sensor, 3” touchscreen and a 5x zoom (28-140mm 35mm equivalent) all in an ultra-slim design with a vertical sliding cover for the lens. It also features the same Youtube/Facebook-easy-upload seen on the S2950, S3200 and S4000. Other features include Digital Image Stabilization, Tracking Auto-focus and 720p HD video capture. The Finepix Z90 will be available mid-January for $169.95.Finepix T300 The Finepix T300 is Fujifilm’s newest super-slim12MP compact. Other than being only 18.5mm thick, the T300 offers a 10x optical zoom range (28-280 35mm equivalent), a 3” LCD, 720p HD video capture, Sensor-shift Image Stabilization and Tracking Auto-focus. Available in March, the T300 will run you $199.95.Finepix T200 The Finepix T200 is essentially the same super-slim compact as the T300 but with a scaled-down 2.7” LCD. It will also be available in March for $179.95.Finepix JX350 The Finepix JX350 is a 14MP compact offering a 5x optical zoom range (24-140mm 35mm equivalent) and 720p HD video capture. It also features the same easy Facebook/Youtube upload function as the S2950, S3200 and S4000. Other features include Tracking Auto-focus and Digital Image Stabilization. It will be available mid-February for $159.95.Finepix JX300 The JX300 is essentially the same camera as the JX350, but with a 12MP CCD sensor instead of a 14MP sensor. It will also be available mid-February for $129.95.Finepix AV200, AV250, AX300 and AX350 Fujifilm also announced the addition of the AV200, AV250, AX300 and AX350 budget compacts. The AX350 comes standard with a 16MP CCD sensor, 5x optical zoom and a 2.7” LCD. The AX300 (pictured) features a 14MP CCD sensor, 5x optical zoom and a 2.7” LCD. The AV250 sports 16MP CCD sensor, 3x optical zoom and a 2.7” LCD. And the AV200 contains a 14MP CCD sensor, 3x optical zoom and a 2.7” LCD. All four cameras will be available some time in the first quarter of 2011.
Dan Bracaglia, the News & Features editor at Popular Photography, has been covering imaging and camera technology for 13 years, with work appearing—both written and photographic—in publications including American Photo magazine, Digital Photography Review, Popular Science magazine, the Star-Ledger, Sound & Vision magazine, and of course, Popular Photography. Contact the author here.
