Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item

Fujifilm's FinePix F70EXR digital camera. Photo provided by Fujifilm USA Inc. Fuji announces long-zoom compact F70EXR
By
(Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 00:01 EDT)

Fujifilm has today announced its first entry in the long-zoom compact digital camera market and the replacement for its FinePix F60, the Fuji F70EXR.

Based around a powerful Fujinon-branded 10x optical zoom lens with a useful 27mm wide angle, the Fuji F70 has a maximum aperture that varies from F3.3 at wide angle to F5.6 at telephoto. Inside the F70EXR's 22.7mm thick metal body is a 1/2" Super CCD EXR image sensor with a resolution of ten megapixels. The F70's sensor offers the ability to trade off image resolution for increased sensitivity or dynamic range - more on that is described in our Fuji F70 preview. CCD shift-type mechanical image stabilization is available to help fight blur from camera shake, and the Fuji FinePix F70's ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 12,800 equivalents. Images are framed and reviewed on the Fujifilm F70's 230,000 dot, 2.7" LCD display with 160-degree viewing angle.

Among the more unusual functions on the Fujifilm F70EXR are its Pro Focus and Pro Low-Light modes. In the former, the F70EXR combines several consecutive shots to yield a single image with a sharply focused main subject, and a blurred background. The latter mode combines four high-ISO sensitivity exposures into a single image with reduced noise levels as compared to a single longer-exposure high ISO shot. Another less common capability is the Fujifilm FinePix F70's film simulation mode, which offers five settings that mimic a variety of film types - Velvia, Provia, Astia, Black & White or Sepia. Usefully, the F70's Face Detection mode is used to offer a Red-Eye Removal function, allowing a second copy of images to be saved after automatic correction of red-eye.

The Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR stores images in either 47MB of built-in memory or on Secure Digital cards, and draws power from an NP-50 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. Connectivity options in the Fujifilm F70EXR include standard-definition NTSC/PAL video and USB 2.0 high-speed data connections

The Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR ships from August 2009, with pricing of approximately $280. More details can be found in our Fuji F70EXR preview.

Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR
Fujifilm's FinePix F70EXR digital camera. Photo provided by Fujifilm USA Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type Compact
Manufacturer Fujifilm
Model Number F70EXR
Dimensions 3.9 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.
(99 x 59 x 23 mm)
Weight 6.3 oz
(180 g)
Planned Price $279.95
Planned Availability August 2009
Image Capture
Sensor Type 1/2" Fujifilm SuperCCD EXR
10.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions 3616 x 2712 (9.8 megapixels)
3616 x 2400 (8.7 megapixels)
3616 x 2048 (7.4 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2592 x 1728 (4.5 megapixels)
2592 x 1440 (3.7 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
2048 x 1360 (2.8 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
Capture Speed Continuous: 1.8 frames per second
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder No
LCD 2.7", 230,000 pixels
Lens
Lens Type Fujinon
10x optical zoom
Image Stabilization Yes
Focal Length 5.0 - 50.0mm (actual)
27 - 270mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/3.3 - f/6.4 (wide); f/5.6 - f/11 (tele)
Focusing System Contrast-Detection: Auto focus (Area, Multi, Center) / Continuous AF with AF assist lamp
Focusing Range Normal: 18" - infinity (45 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - 102" (5 cm - 250 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Shutter Speed 8 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes Aperture, Manual
Metering Modes 256-zone multi
White Balance Image Sensor - Auto, Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, Custom, Manual
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, Forced Flash, No Flash, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, No Flash, Red-eye & Slow Synchro
Range: ISO 800: Wide: Approx. 30cm - 4.2m / 1.0 ft. - 13.8 ft.; Tele: Approx. 90cm - 2.4m / 3.0ft. - 7.9 ft.
Creative
Scene Modes EXR, Natural Light, Natural Light & with Flash, Pro Focus, Pro Low-light, Portrait, Portrait Enhancer, Landscape, Sport, Night, Night(Tripod), Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Party, Flower, Text
Digital Zoom Up to 4.0x
Self Timer Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie Format AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio
Storage
Recording Medium SD/MMC, Built-in
File System FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format JPEG (Exif v2.2)
Connectivity
Video Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer USB 2.0 High Speed
Power
Battery Type Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor Proprietary NP-50
Product Bundle
Software Fujifilm Software Suite CD-ROM
Battery / Charger 1 x Proprietary NP-50 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory 47.0MB Built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
Remote Control No
More Photos
Fujifilm's FinePix F70EXR digital camera. Photo provided by Fujifilm USA Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix F70EXR digital camera. Photo provided by Fujifilm USA Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

Fujifilm's Unveils Its First Long-Zoom Digital Compact Camera: The FinePix F70EXR

Powerful New Addition to Fujifilm’s Award-Winning F-Series Offers DSLR-like Capabilities in an Affordable, Stylish Package

Valhalla, NY, July 22, 2009 – FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced the FinePix F70EXR, a sleek, compact digital camera that combines intuitive use with the most advanced features and technology available in a point-and-shoot digital camera. The announcement of the FinePix F70EXR also marks Fujifilm’s first model in the growing long-zoom compact segment with an impressive Fujinon 10x wide angle optical zoom.

Encased in a beautifully sculpted metal shell with a double coated lacquer finish and measuring only 22.7mm thick, the FinePix F70EXR offers several enhancements over its predecessor, the FinePix F60 and boasts marked improvements over competing long-zoom digital cameras, particularly in the areas of design, image quality and capture technology.

“The FinePix F70EXR, which has been designed specifically for taking demanding shots in challenging conditions, requires a sophisticated sensor and control algorithms to ensure every shot looks the very best,” said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.  “By adding our EXR technology to the FinePix F70EXR, users will achieve outstanding images in virtually any lighting condition, and have the advantages of a 10x zoom that fits in your shirt pocket.”    

Super CCD EXR
Long zoom compact cameras, as opposed to standard compact digital cameras, typically use a smaller sensor that is vulnerable to difficult lighting conditions since light has a harder time reaching the CCD sensor. To mitigate this vulnerability, Fujifilm has introduced its award-winning EXR technology into the FinePix F70EXR, allowing for significant improvement in image quality against the competition.

Introduced earlier this year with the FinePix F200EXR, Fujifilm’s EXR technology uses the human eye as the basis for the perfect camera sensor, creating a Super CCD sensor capable of registering excellent levels of detail when switched to its HR (High Resolution) mode. The FinePix F70EXR is also capable of offering excellent quality in low light and superb highlight detail in contrast light when switched to its SN (High Sensitivity and Low Noise) mode and DR (Wide Dynamic Range) modes respectively.

EXR Modes
An advanced feature on the FinePix F70EXR, ‘EXR Auto’ helps take the guesswork out of setting the camera by doing it for you.  EXR Auto is a sophisticated set of program modes that can automatically detect six different types of scenes - Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Backlit Portrait, Night, and Night Portrait. The camera will recognize the scene and optimize focus, color balance, exposure, flash and sensitivity and will automatically switch the sensor to HR, SN or DR mode depending on the lighting conditions of the scene.  By using EXR Auto, users can let the camera do all the hard work and concentrate more on getting the best shot possible.

Multi Frame Technology: Pro Focus Mode / Pro Low-light Mode
New Fujifilm EXR digital cameras, including the FinePix F70EXR will offer several new shooting modes that combine the power of Super CCD EXR with Multi Frame Technology to enable users to capture exceptional images that rival the most expensive professional D-SLR cameras.

Typically, one of the ways to distinguish ‘D-SLR’ photography from ‘compact’ photography has been the use of ‘wide aperture’ to create mood and depth in a picture. These ‘professional’ shots are now possible on the FinePix F70EXR, which uses Pro Focus Mode to combine two or three burst shots together. Through complex digital imaging technology, a crisp shot of the subject is synthesized against a defocused background and foreground. Ideal for portraiture, nature photography or any subject that needs ‘lifting’ from its background, the FinePix F70EXR Pro Focus Mode provides satisfying professional results at the touch of a button.

Meanwhile, Pro Low-light Mode is applied to solving the problems of noisy low light shots.  With current cameras, it is possible to achieve relatively blur-free low light shots using high ISO and CCD shift mechanical image stabilization.  However, high ISO settings typically come at a cost, as the ISO 1600 setting will invariably produce distracting and ugly noise. In Pro Low-light Mode, the camera will take bursts of four high sensitivity images using Pixel Fusion Technology[*1] in quick succession.  With Multi Frame Technology, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th images are overlapped to create one image with extremely low noise.

Super Slim 10x Zoom Lens
In conjunction with the Super CCD EXR sensor, the FinePix F70EXR features a Fujinon 10x optical zoom lens that produces crisp high resolution results throughout the focal range, from 27mm wide-angle to 270mm telephoto.  The lens of the FinePix F70EXR features Super EBC Coating that keeps ghosting and flare to minimum to allow for optimal picture quality. 

Film Simulation Modes
Similar to other high-end FinePix models, the FinePix F70EXR offers five different film ‘modes’ to allow the photographer full creative expression to explore a variety of pre-set color and contrast modes designed around Fujifilm’s most famous film emulsions. The modes are:

  • Velvia/Vivid mode for rich and luscious landscapes

  • PROVIA/Standard mode for excellent, sharp, standard photography

  • ASTIA/Soft mode for soft, fine, smooth tonality

  • Black & White mode captures the dramatic honesty of your image in black and white

  • Sepia mode creates a sense of nostalgia with the warm brown “antique” tones of Sepia

In the Provia, Velvia and Astia modes, the dynamic range can now be set to 800% to improve and highlight details further.

New ‘Super Intelligent’ Flash
The FinePix F70EXR offers a radically improved flash control system which efficiently controls the level of flash for a given exposure to produce beautifully balanced flash illumination across the foreground and background.  Gone are the ugly washout shots where the subject is blasted with light and the background dark and unexposed.  Super Intelligent Flash is most useful in macro photography where the contrast between subject and background can be especially challenging, but is also effective for night and backlit photography.

New High Contrast LCD
The FinePix F70EXR is fitted with an improved high contrast 230K-pixel 2.7” LCD.  The high contrast LCD is a considerable benefit in bright light, and means that the camera can be pitched at various shooting angles to enable framing of awkward shots.  Viewable at 160 degrees both vertically and horizontally, the LCD is bright and clear for beautiful rendition of shots in playback.

Dual Stabilization
Long zoom cameras need stabilization more than any other compact, with handshake and subject movement a particular problem in low light at telephoto range.  The FinePix F70EXR reduces blur to a minimum by deploying Picture Stabilization to automatically increase shutter speeds to freeze action, and CCD Image Stabilization to counteract the problems of handshake.  By cleverly combining these two, blur is reduced to an absolute minimum.

Face Detection 3.0 and Automatic Red-eye Removal
To provide perfectly exposed and focused portrait shots, the FinePix F70EXR is fitted with Fujifilm’s latest Face Detection technology which is able to track up to 10 faces simultaneously, at almost any angle to the camera. The system instantly corrects red-eye and then saves both the original and the corrected image file automatically.

The FinePix F70EXR will be available August 2009 at a retail price of $279.95.

 About FUJIFILM
FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. is a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, providing digital and analog photographic Imaging Systems and Motion Picture Film products and services to consumers, professionals and businesses.  For more information on Fujifilm U.S.A. products, customers can call 800-800-FUJI or visit www.fujifilmusa.com. To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm U.S.A. via RSS, subscribe free at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.

FUJIFILM Corporation brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, photofinishing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 15 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2008, employs more than 70,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2009, had global revenues of $24 billion. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.

  1. Pixel Fusion Technology: Technology of Fujifilm changing the color filter arrangement. Two side-by-side, same-colored pixels are taken together as a single pixel. The area of imaging elements is doubled, the sensitivity is twice the normal level, and "dark noise" is extremely small. Therefore it is possible to create a high sensitivity image with little noise, instead of increasing the gain from a single pixel and increasing the noise.

###

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item