Fujifilm: Two new A-series digicams
By
Mike Tomkins
(Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 00:00 EST)
Fujifilm U.S.A. Inc. has today announced two new entry-level digital cameras for its FinePix A-series lineup.
Featuring the higher specification of the two models, the Fujifilm FinePix A800 is based around an eight megapixel SuperCCD HR imager, with a maximum resolution of 3,296 x 2,472 pixels. Fuji's SuperCCD HR sensors use an octagonal array of photodiodes that increases image resolution in the horizontal and vertical planes - where the maximum detail in pictures should be found. Coupled to a Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 36 - 108mm, the sensor offers ISO sensitivity from 100 to 800 equivalent. As with other recent A-series models, the Fujifilm A800 eschews an optical viewfinder in favor of a larger 2.5" LCD display. The FinePix A800 marks a first for Fuji, in that it includes not just 12MB of built-in storage and an xD-Picture Card slot, but is also compatible with Secure Digital cards - a move we're sure will make the model far more attractive to users considering an upgrade from an existing SD-based camera. Other features of note on the Fuji A800 power from two AA batteries (with alkaline disposables in the product bundle), an AVI movie mode with audio, and a product bundle including Fuji's FinePix Viewer-S software. Aimed at the more budget-conscious customer, the Fujifilm FinePix A610 is largely similar to the A800, but is based around a smaller, lower-resolution six megapixel SuperCCD HR imager, with a maximum resolution of 2,848 x 2,136 pixels. Coupled to a slightly more telephoto Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 39 - 117mm, the sensor offers ISO sensitivity from 100 to 400 equivalent. One other notable difference on the Fuji A610 is that its AVI movie mode does not include audio, since the camera lacks a microphone. The Fuji FinePix A800 is priced at $179, while the Fuji FinePix A610 will cost $129. Both cameras ship from March 2007. | Fujifilm FinePix A800 |  | | General | | Camera Type | Compact | | Manufacturer | Fujifilm | | Model Number | A800 | | Dimensions | 3.8 x 2.4 x 1.2"
96.5 x 61.0 x 30.5mm | | Weight | 150.0 g
5.2 oz | | Planned Price | $179.00 | | Planned Availability | March 2007 | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | 1/1.6" Fujifilm SuperCCD HR
8.30 megapixels (effective) | | Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 3:2 | | Image Dimensions | 3296 x 2472 (8.1 megapixels)
3504 x 2336 (8.2 megapixels)
2304 x 1728 (4.0 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
| | Image Preview / Review | | Viewfinder | No | | LCD | 2.5", 115,000 pixels
100% field of view | | Lens | | Lens Type | Fujinon Zoom
3x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | No | | Focal Length | 8.0 - 24.0mm (actual)
36 - 108mm (35mm equivalent) | | Aperture Range | f/2.8 - f/8.0 (wide) / f/5.2 (tele) - ??? | | Focusing Range | Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 4.1" - 33" (10 cm - 80 cm) | | Exposure | | ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800 | | Shutter Speed | 4 - 1/1600 second | | Exposure Modes | Program | | Metering Modes | 256-zone multi | | White Balance | Image Sensor - Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light | | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction + Slow Synchro
Range: Wide angle (Approx. 1.6 -12.5ft.); Telephoto (Approx. 2.0 .-6.6ft); Macro (Approx. 1.0-2.6ft) | | Creative | | Scene Modes | Baby mode, PS(Anti-Blur), Red-eye Reduction, Digital ZOOM, Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Natural light, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Sunset, Underwater, Flower, Party, Museum, Text, Manual | | Digital Zoom | 6.9x | | Self Timer | Yes, 2 or 10 seconds | | Time Lapse | No | | Movie Format | AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio
320x240
Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second | | Storage | | Recording Medium | SD/MMC, xD Picture Card, Built-in | | File System | Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) | | File Format | JPEG (EXIF 2.2) | | Connectivity | | Video | Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable | | Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed | | Other | DC In | | Power | | Battery Type | Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable | | Battery Form Factor | 2 x AA | | Product Bundle | | Software | FinePixViewer-S for Windows 2000 Pro / XP / Vista; FinePixViewer for Macintosh, Windows 98 SE / Me | | Battery / Charger | 2 x AA alkaline disposable battery | | Flash Memory | 10.0MB built-in memory | | Other | | Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant | Yes | | Internal Microphone | Yes | | Tripod Mount | Yes | | Remote Control | No | | |
| Fujifilm FinePix A610 |  | | General | | Camera Type | Compact | | Manufacturer | Fujifilm | | Model Number | A610 | | Dimensions | 3.8 x 2.4 x 1.2"
97.5 x 61.9 x 31.0mm | | Weight | 145.0 g
5.1 oz | | Planned Price | $129.00 | | Planned Availability | March 2007 | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | 1/2.5" Fujifilm SuperCCD HR
6.30 megapixels (effective) | | Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 3:2 | | Image Dimensions | 2848 x 2136 (6.1 megapixels)
3024 x 2016 (6.1 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
| | Image Preview / Review | | Viewfinder | No | | LCD | 2.5", 115,000 pixels
100% field of view | | Lens | | Lens Type | Fujinon Zoom
3x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | No | | Focal Length | 6.6 - 19.8mm (actual)
39 - 117mm (35mm equivalent) | | Aperture Range | f/3.0 - f/8.0 (wide) / f/5.4 (tele) - ??? | | Focusing Range | Normal: 24" - infinity (60 cm - infinity)
Macro: 4.1" - 33" (10 cm - 80 cm) | | Exposure | | ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100, 200, 400 | | Shutter Speed | 4 - 1/1500 second | | Exposure Modes | Program | | Metering Modes | 256-zone multi | | White Balance | Image Sensor - Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light | | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction + Slow Synchro
Range: Wide angle (Approx.0.5 -3.5m/1.6 -11.5ft.); Telephoto(Approx.0.6-1.9m/2.0 - 6.2ft); Macro (Approx.0.3-0.8m/1.0-2.6ft) | | Creative | | Scene Modes | Baby mode, Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Sunset, Underwater, Flower, Party, Museum, Text | | Digital Zoom | 6.2x | | Self Timer | Yes, 2 or 10 seconds | | Time Lapse | No | | Movie Format | AVI (Motion JPEG) without audio
320x240
Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second | | Storage | | Recording Medium | SD/MMC, xD Picture Card, Built-in | | File System | Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) | | File Format | JPEG (EXIF 2.2) | | Connectivity | | Video | Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable | | Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed | | Other | DC In | | Power | | Battery Type | Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable | | Battery Form Factor | 2 x AA | | Product Bundle | | Software | FinePixViewer-S for Windows 2000 Pro / XP / Vista; FinePixViewer for Macintosh, Windows 98 SE / Me | | Battery / Charger | 2 x AA alkaline disposable battery | | Flash Memory | 10.0MB built-in memory | | Other | | Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant | Yes | | Internal Microphone | No | | Tripod Mount | Yes | | Remote Control | No | | |
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Original Source Press Release:
| FUJIFILM UNVEILS FIRST 8-MEGAPIXEL ENTRY-LEVEL DIGITAL CAMERA Expands A-Series Line-Up with Two New Models Valhalla, NY, January 4, 2007 – It is now easier and more affordable than ever for consumers to capture high-quality, natural-looking photographs at the click of a button. FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today raised both the picture-taking and purchasing power of first-time digital camera buyers with the launch of two new models, the six-MegaPixel FinePix A610 and eight-MegaPixel FinePix A800. More than half of all digital camera purchases in 2006 were made by first-time buyers. Almost 60% of these first-time purchases totaled less than $200*. Designed specifically for the first-time digital camera buyer or consumers seeking an easy-to-operate upgrade to their current digital camera, Fujifilm’s A-Series models provide users with a choice of digital cameras that offer top-notch image quality at consumer-friendly price points. The FinePix A800 is the first model in Fujifilm’s A-Series line-up to sport an eight-MegaPixel Super CCD Sensor and the first to incorporate light sensitivities of up to ISO 800 at full resolution. Borrowing a page from Fujifilm’s more advanced camera models, the FinePix A800 shoots at higher light sensitivities with less noise than comparative models. This results higher quality “natural light” photos and less blur in images as the FinePix A800 matches these higher light sensitivities with faster shutter speeds. Fujifilm’s A-Series digital cameras are among its most popular models and the FinePix A610 should help continue this trend. This camera has the same comfortable design as the FinePix A800 and is priced right for the first-time digital buyer. In a first for Fujifilm’s compact digital camera range, the FinePix A800 and A610 both feature a “xD/SD Compatible slot”, which accepts not only Fujifilm’s traditional xD-Picture Cards, but also Secure Digital (SD) cards. In addition to the highlights previously referenced, Fujifilm’s new A-Series models offer the following attractive features: - New icon-based Graphic User Interface (GUI): Fujifilm debuts its intuitive icon-based graphical user interface on the FinePix A610 and FinePix A800. When users switch shooting modes, scene positions or control settings, a brief explanation of the setting is momentarily displayed on the LCD screen, taking much of the guess work out of digital camera operation.
- Fujinon Lens: The 3x optical zoom lens for both cameras was developed specifically for the A-Series by Fujinon, a Fujifilm sister company and leading provider of broadcast-grade television lenses.
- Internal memory: When the xD Picture Card (sold separately) is filled with images, users have a little extra internal storage space on each camera to capture additional pictures. A great storage fall-back option for the most active picture-takers.
- Mode Dial: The FinePix A800 is the first A-Series camera to feature a mode dial, allowing users to easily toggle between camera, playback and movie recording modes.
- Single slot compatibility with both xD-Picture Card and SD storage media
- Large LCD: 2.5-inch LCD display with anti-glare properties
- Scene Modes: A wide range of scene modes provides top-quality photos in a range of shooting conditions. The FinePix A800 has 2 shooting modes and 17 scene positions and A610 has 2 shooting modes and 14 scene positions.
The FinePix A610 and FinePix A800 will debut in March 2007 with retail prices of $129 and $179, respectively. About Fujifilm
Fujifilm brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries including medical, life sciences, consumer electronic, chemical, graphic arts, information systems, photography and office products based on its vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company provides products and services that contribute to the advancement of culture, science, technology and industry, as well as to improved health and environmental protection. It is the global leader in digital minilabs; Computed Radiography systems; ink dyes, pigments and UV inks for inkjet printers and materials used in the production of flat panel displays. It was ranked number 18 for U.S. patents granted in 2005, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2006, had global revenues of $22.8 billion. FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc., Valhalla, NY, is a U.S. marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, providing digital and analog photographic Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media 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 access the FUJIFILM U.S.A. Web site at www.fujifilmusa.com. To receive news and information direct from FUJIFILM U.S.A. via RSS, subscribe free at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss. ###
*Synovate Continuing Consumer Data Survey - 2006 |
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