Not only Panasonic completes it’s digital cameras offer at this time. Fujifilm also presents five compact digital cameras, all from the FinePIx series, and they are all scheduled to be released by the end of August 2010. Unfortunately Fujifilm also has different names for geographical zones, and they are not very good. But let’s review each one and see what they can do.
Let’s begin with the S2800HD ( or S2900HD ), ultra zoom model equipped with a CCD 1*2.3′ sensor and 14 mega pixels. The Fujinon lenses offers a 18x optical zoom and the digital one can reach 6.7x. Unfortunately, the image stabilizer is located on the sensor. We have to mention the 1.2 fps burst, that can go up to 8 fps if we lower the power of the sensor, and the normal 1600 ISO or 6400 in S mode.
The images are saved on the 23 MB of internal memory or on SDHC cards. The LCD is 3” ( 7.6 cm ) and 203K pixels. S2800HD can record in the 720p format, it has 110 x 81 x 83 mm dimensions and weights 437 grams, including the battery and card. Another negative aspect of this camera is that it uses four AA type batteries. At least the price of $260 is spot on.
F300EXR ( or F305EXR ) is probably the most interesting model presented now. Because this high zoom camera uses a new sensor, named Super CCD EXR of 1/2” and 12 mega pixels which, of course, would get some pretty good results. The lenses have 15x optical zoom, excellent value for a camera of only 104 x 59 x 33 mm and 215 grams. The optical zoom is 4.4x, ISO can reach 3200 / 12800 and the 1.5 fs burst normally goes up to 4.5 when the quality is lowered.
But the stabilizer is also located on the sensor. At least Fujifilm uses a Li-Ion battery for this modem, enough to take 250 photos that can be saved on the 40 MB of internal memory available or on any SDHC card. And also the 3″ display is superior, thanks to the 460.000 pixels resolution. Filming can be done at 720p and the price for this model is $330.
Z800EXR or ( Z808EXR ) comes with the same Super CCD EXR of 1/2″ and 12 mega pixels sensor, in a more stylish design, scarifying some parts of the specifications. So, the optical zoom is 5x and the digital one 4.4x, the stabilizer is also on the sensor, internal memory went down to 30 MB but we can always use the SDHC card slot, ISO sensitivity is of 1600 / 3200 and the burst is settled at 1.6 fps.
The LCD however is one of the most generous of it’s class, with a size of 3.5″ ( 8.9 cm ) and covering the entire back of this 98 x 59 x 20 mm digital camera. By the way, this digital camera only weights 158 grams. Filming can be done at 720p and the battery is also Li-Ion with an autonomy of around 170 photos. Z800EXR will be available in black, red, pink and gold, at $230.
Z80 ( or Z81 ) is a digital camera available in pink, purple, gold, brow, and light purple. The incorporated sensor is a CCD of 1/2.3″ and 14.2 mega pixels. It teams up with a 5x optical zoom and a 6.8x digital zoom. We have ISO at 1600, digital image stabilizer, 1 fps burst, 720p support, and 13 MB internal memory space and SDHC card slot.
The display sizes 2.7″ ( 6.9 cm ) and 230.000 pixels resolution. The Battery is Li-Ion with 180 photos autonomy. Z80 dimensions are 91 x 57 x 20 mm and weights 145 grams. But the price, because of unknown reasons was not announced yet.
Let’s wrap things up with the JX260 model, a model with CCD 1/2.3″ and 14.1 mega pixels sensor, 5x optical zoom and 6.7 digital zoom. This 93 x 55 x 23 and 130 grams digital camera allows ISO sensitivity of 1600 / 3200, burst at 1.2 fps and is capable of 720p filming. It has 23 MB of internal memory, SDHC slot, 2.7″ LCD and 230.000 pixels, Li-Ion battery and digital image stabilizer. Nothing too impressive, and the price of $150 does not make this digital camera more attractive.
