Fuji JX580, JX500, and AX550: Three new entry-level compacts
posted Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 1:01 AM EDT
...and so, we reach the end of Fujifilm's deluge of digicam debuts for the Consumer Electronics Show, with the launch of three new entry-level compact cameras: The Fuji AX550, JX500, and JX580.
Starting from the bottom, the most affordable of the trio is the Fuji AX550, priced at just US$90. Based around a 16 megapixel CCD image sensor and Fujinon-branded 5x zoom lens, the FinePix AX550 offers 720p movie recording, and draws power from standard AA batteries. No info is available on LCD panel size for this model, as of press time. Availability is slated from March 2012, in black only.
Next up, we have the Fuji JX500, priced at approximately US$100. This camera features the same 5x zoom lens and a 2.7-inch LCD panel, but uses a lower-res 14 megapixel CCD image sensor, and has a lithium-ion power source. Availability is set for February 2012, with body colors including black, red and blue.
And finally, the Fuji JX580 has the same availability and body color selection, but boosts pricing to around US$120. For this, you get a larger 3.0-inch LCD panel, and the same 16 megapixel CCD imager that's in the AX550. As with the JX500, power comes from a lithium-ion pack.
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The Fuji AX550 is the most affordable of today's announcements, coming in at US$90. Image provided by Fujifilm North America Corp. |
Press Release
Fujifilm Feature-Packed FinePix JX580, JX500 And AX550 Digital Cameras Make Great Photography Easy For Everyone
FinePix JX580, JX500 and AX550 Combine Cool Design with 5x Zoom and Simplicity for Great Value
Valhalla, N.Y., January 5, 2012 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced three new feature-packed and easy-to-use FinePix JX and AX-Series digital cameras – the JX580, JX500 and AX550. Each camera is slim, highly-portable and designed with simplicity to offer consumers a digital camera with high resolution sensors, powerful FUJINON 5x zoom lens and 720p HD movie capture capabilities, all for a fantastic value.
The JX580 has a powerful 16-MegaPixel CCD sensor and a FUJINON 5x wide angle (26mm-130mm) optical zoom lens to ensure that the highest image quality is captured every time. The JX580 easily gives everyone the ability to take terrific pictures, even in low light, by offering a large 3.0” LCD screen with improved viewing in bright light, metal body and a powerful Li-ion rechargeable battery.
The AX550 also features the performance-driven 16-MegaPixel CCD sensor and a FUJINON 5x wide angle (26mm-130mm) optical zoom lens, while the JX500 has an impressive 14-MegaPixel CCD sensor, a FUJINON 5x wide angle (26mm-130mm) optical zoom lens and a 2.7” LCD screen with two choices for battery power: Li-ion for the JX500 and AA batteries for the AX550.
“The FinePix JX580, JX500 and AX550 digital cameras represent Fujifilm’s commitment to delivering an easy-to-use camera that still produces fantastic images for everyday photographers,” said David Troy, director of marketing, Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “Consumers want a camera that reflects their personal style without being overly complicated to use and these FinePix digital cameras give users the simplicity that they are looking for while maintaining a high-quality FUJINON 5x zoom, choices of battery power and HD movie capture along with the numerous other great features that they expect from Fujifilm.”
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The Fuji JX500 has slightly lower sensor resolution, but uses a rechargeable battery pack. Image provided by Fujifilm North America Corp. |
HD Movie Capabilities
The JX580, JX500 and AX550 each offer 720p HD movie capture that enables users to take stunning, detailed pictures and movies that can be enjoyed in ultra-sharp high definition on any HD ready television or PC, using the optional HD Player (HDP-L1) accessory kit with wireless remote control (HDMI cable not included). In the FinePix JX580 and JX500, a new dedicated movie recording button on the rear of the camera makes it even quicker to start capturing movie, and with their in-camera editing functionality, users can enjoy trimming, cropping and re-cutting their short movies right in the palm of their hand.
Smile / Blink Detection
The FinePix JX and AX-Series cameras feature Smile Detection that works with Fujifilm’s impressive Face Detection technology to detect smiles on faces – it will not take a picture until it detects a smile, so you’re guaranteed great looking shots. Another feature is Blink Detection which warns you if you have captured an image with people blinking, so you can re-shoot if necessary.
Facebook and You Tube Easy Web Upload
The new FinePix JX and AX-Series cameras offer an innovative function called ”Easy Web Upload” that allows you to sort through your photos on-camera and decide which ones to upload to Facebook or You Tube. Simply connect to a PC and launch the MyFinePix Studio software (for Windows) and they will immediately upload.
Other features include:
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i-Flash Intelligent Flash: Offers a 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.
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Tracking Auto Focus (AF): Tracks fast moving subjects so they don’t escape from the frame in a blur. Subjects will be tracked automatically for as long as it is kept in the frame and the shutter is half-pressed; when users fully press the shutter button your subject will be in the centre of the photo in perfect focus.
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Scene Recognition Auto (SR AUTO): This mode intelligently identifies the scene type and necessary shooting conditions to optimize picture perfect potential.
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Motion Panorama Mode: Automatically stitches up to three shots to create a panoramic picture
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Face Detection and Automatic Red-eye Removal:To provide perfectly exposed and focused portrait shots, the cameras are fitted with Fujifilm’s latest Face Detection technology which is able to track up to 10 faces simultaneously. The system instantly corrects red-eye and then saves both the original and the corrected image file automatically.
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Digital Image Stabilization: Reduces image blur automatically, resulting in excellent picture quality.
The FinePix JX580 and JX500 will be available in February 2012 at the price of $119.95 and $99.95, respectively, in black, red and blue colors. The AX550 will be available in March for $89.95 in black.
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The Fuji JX580 has a larger LCD panel and higher resolution than the JX500. Image provided by Fujifilm North America Corp. |
NOTE: For more information, please go to: www.FujifilmUSA.com/CES2012.
For complete camera specifications, please go to:http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/.
About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM North America Corporation, a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation, consists of five operating divisions and one subsidiary company. The Imaging Division sells consumer and commercial photographic products and services including film, one-time-use cameras, online photo services and fulfillment, digital printing equipment and service. The Electronic Imaging Division markets consumer digital cameras. The Motion Picture Division provides motion picture film, and the Graphic Systems Division supplies products and services to the printing industry. The Optical Devices Division provides binoculars, and optical lenses for closed circuit television, videography, cinematography, broadcast and industrial markets. FUJIFILM Canada Inc. markets a range of Fujifilm products and services. For more information, please visit www.fujifilm.com/northamerica, or go to www.twitter.com/fujifilmus to follow Fujifilm on Twitter. To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm via RSS, subscribe at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, digital printing 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 16 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2010, and in the year ended March 31, 2011, had global revenues of $25.8 billion*. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.
* At an exchange rate of 86 yen to the dollar.
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