Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd Camera Unveiled in US

Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd Camera Unveiled in US

After Samsung and Pentaxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentax , now it looks like its Fujifilmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujifilm ’s turn to unveil a new camera in the US. The stylish new FinePixhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujifilm%23FinePix Z200fd camera by Fujifilm delivers sharp images with its 10-megapixel sensor.

Besides, the camera features 5x optical zoom lens and dual image stabilization. The FinePix Z200fd also possesses some usual features like Face Detectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_detection Technology and automatic intelligent red-eye removal. It also equips some unique features like Blog mode and Auction mode.

The Blog mode resizes images thus making it easier to upload images on social networking sitesMost-Networked-Executives . While the Auction mode combines up to 4 images in one frame. This mode is useful for retailers selling their products at online shopping sites like eBay. In addition latest Folder Select mode allows users to categorize their photos with the help of handy preset folders. Illustration Mode another latest attribute added in the Z200fd.

Moreover the Fujifilm’s latest camera comes with 52MB of internal memory which can be expanded with xD-Picture card, SD and SDHChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SDHC compatibility. The FinePix Z200fd sports a 2.7-inch high resolution display that allows users to view the captured images.

Apart from images, users can also capture their memories in video formathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_formats at 30 frames per second with sound.

At the launch of the camera David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, Fujifilm US said, “The FinePix Z200fd lets you focus on your style with the perfect digital camerahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_camera for consumers looking for a combination of cutting-edge technology and a chic, sophisticated design,”

“We believe consumers shouldn’t have to sacrifice performance for form or function,” added Troy.

The slim Z200fd camera is available in four trendy colors red, pink, silver and black.

The Fujifilm’s FinePix Z200fd is scheduled to be available in the US market from September 2008 at $299.95.

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Fujifilm’s FinePix Z200fd puts photographers in their photos

Fujifilm’s FinePix Z200fd puts photographers in their photos

Fujifilm announced the FinePix Z200fd today. The compact digital camera will have a 10 megapixel resolution, a 2.7-inch LCD screen. In addition to the traditional digital camera stats, the Finpix Z200fd also has added two features the “Couple Timer” and “Group Timer” modes that are designed with the intention of letting the photographer get in the shot.

The Couple Timer automatically shoots a picture when two faces get together. You can adjust the distance that’s required for the shot to be taken based on your relationship to the other subject, for instance you would probably be closer to your girlfriend than you would one of the other guys on the football team.

For shots of the whole football team the Finepix Z200fd has the Group Timer mode. Group Timer lets you specify the number of faces you plan on having in the shot, and won’t take the picture until everyone’s in.

Having been the photographer of many a group shot, I have to say that I’m a little hesitant to endorse the Finpix’s timer modes as something that’s going to be actually useful. While in theory the idea is a good one, just because someone’s face is in the shot doesn’t mean that they’re ready to take a picture. I can also picture a ton of situations where the camera doesn’t realize everyone’s there, or you’re not quite close enough to grandma to trigger the timer.

The FinePix Z200fd is expected to become available in September in silver, black, pink and red for $299.95. This is going to be a great one to check out once it’s released to the public just to see how the timer option works. The $300 price tag makes it a little more expensive than its competitor’s comparable digital cameras this season, it’ll be interesting to see if it’s worth it.

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Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd

Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd

As a colorful update to the Fujifilm FinePix F10fd digital camera, the FinePix Z20fd comes in one of five vibrant colors: red, pink, light green, blue, and black. The camera features a 10-megapixel sensor with a standard 3x optical zoom lens (covering a 35mm-equivalent range of 35-105mm).

Designed as a pocketable point-and-shoot, the Fujifilm Z20fd is extremely compact, and its rainbow of body colors will get you noticed in a crowd. In addition to the 3x optical zoom, there's another 5.6x of digital zoom (though remember that also means losses in resolution and overall quality).

Exposure control remains automatic, though a range of preset shooting modes aims to accommodate many commonly tricky situations, such as beach scenes and fast action. Additionally, there's Face Detection for better portraits, Picture Stabilization for reducing blur at higher sensitivity settings, and high-tech improvements such as IrSimple compatibility for wireless communication and even a Blog mode.

The FinePix Z20fd is suitable for a range of experience levels, from novices to more advanced users, and retails at an MSRP of about $200.

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Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd 'couple cam' debuts...again

Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd 'couple cam' debuts...again

We reported on the global announcement of the Z200fd back in May, but Thursday at 12:01 a.m. Fujifilm announced this slim, feature-packed camera for the U.S. You can read the full announcement and spec sheet on Fujifilm's press site.

It's actually--from a feature standpoint at least--an interesting read, giving you an idea of just what it takes to compete in this space. The hook for the Z200fd, for example, is its use of Couple and Group Timer modes that take advantage of Fujifilm's face-detection technology.

The Couple Timer takes the picture as the camera detects two faces getting closer together and has three settings for distance between faces. (Presumably allowing you to take pictures with people you love, like, and don't necessarily hate enough to not want to be in a picture with them.) The Group Timer sounds particularly nice, since it'll hold off on taking the shot until it detects the correct number of faces in the frame.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to capture your summer crush with the Z200fd; it won't be for sale until September at a price of $299.95. It'll be available in four colors: black, silver, red, and pink.

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Sanyo releases new and improved Xacti 720p camcorder (HD800)

Sanyo releases new and improved Xacti 720p camcorder (HD800)

Sanyo announced the successor model to its Xacti HD700 720p camcorder today, the HD800 [JP]. The new cam comes with an 8 megapixel 1/2.5-inch CMOS sensor, and shoots 720p video (1280×720) at 30fps in MPEG4 format.

Features include SD/SDHC support, a “face chaser” function for up to 12 persons, 5x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD screen. Sanyo also developed a “three-dimensional digital noise reduction” (3DDNR) filter to improve the video quality over the HD700.

The HD800 will be sold in Japan from August 22nd for $460 (in gold, pink and black). No word yet on availability and pricing outside this country.

Press release in English after the jump (original text).

SANYO’s Sleek, Slim HD*1 Xacti Digital Video Image Quality ImprovedOne unit takes both HD videos and high-resolution stills, and easy to use with the Internet!

Tokyo, July 30, 2008 – SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) announces the DMX-HD800, a new sleek, slim high definition dual camera Xacti that can take both stills and videos. The camera sports a compact and light-weight body, and easily saves data onto SD/SDHC memory cards for convenience. The DMX-HD800 will take stills and videos used on a personal computer or for the Web, houses a new three-dimensional digital noise reduction (3DDNR) filter, and adds the ‘Face Chaser’ for both stills and videos with an active scanner visible on the monitor.
On the new product launch, Hideki Toyoda, General Manager of SANYO’s Digital System Company, DI Company Products Planning Department, said, “The DMX-HD800 has not only has it been designed to be sleek and stylish, but it now offers our unique three-dimensional digital noise reduction (3DDNR) filter, which allows clear, beautiful images with simple operation of a dual camera offering high resolution stills and HD videos in a single unit.”

1. Compact, light-weight camera capable of high definition movies compatible with personal computers and/or upload video data to the Internet
- Easily drag and drop recorded files on to the hard drive or upload to the Internet
- Ideal for website-use/blog-use videos as well as standard video creation
- Take either high definition videos (1280 x 720, 720p) or 8.0-Megapixel stills with one unit
- Snap photos anytime, even during video filming, without changing modes or pausing the viedo
- Preview the frame for photos while still recording video with the one-push ‘Photo View’ button
- Uses AVC/H.264 codec format for longer, higher quality recording than traditional codecs

2. Built-in, newly developed ‘3-dimension Noise Reduction’ (3DDNR) filter allows for more vivid and clear videos
- Uses the same, low-power consuming engine as the Full HD DMX-HD1010
- Through new 3DDNR filter, it is possible to decrease significantly the random noise that vacillates over time
- New CMOS sensor adoption allows faster image processing, up to 1.7 x more than the previous equivalent model
- CMOS sensor allows sharper feeling images by increasing the diagonal high-frequency component (sharpness)
- Image compression codec algorithms have been updated
- Optimized signal processing functions such as compression codec algorithm, gamma characteristics and edge treatment as well as the enhancement of basic performance functions all contribute to the improvement of quality in resolution, coloration and recording in dark places

3. Create beautiful memories easily with newly developed high-precision ‘Face Chaser’ function for both videos and stills
- Able to detect up to 12 faces in both videos and stills
- Face recognition database has been increased 5 times over the previously used database for face recognition
- Function upgraded with new method for regulation for even diagonal movement, improving precision
- Upgrades allow for higher quality photographic subject recording in both videos and stills
- Functions for face detection in videos upgraded to adjust focus and follow subject in real-time during recording, prioritizing the subject (person) as the focus of the recording

4.Other Features
- ‘Digital Image Stabilizer’ senses camera revolution and photographic subject movement
- Original DVD authoring and editing on the computer made easy with bundled ‘Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0’
- Continuous shot function allows more photo opportunities (8.0- /2.0-Megapixels)
- ‘Simple Mode’ operability available for first time users and and ‘Manual Mode’ operability for more advanced users
- Long-lasting battery allows up to 250 stills or 90 minutes of continuous video filming
- ‘Photo view button’ for smooth transition of monitor between videos and stills
- In-camera video editing (cutting & pasting) function
- Allows recording and playback of videos up to 4GB continuously
- Record in low-light scenes with camera’s low-light mode compatible down to 3 lux
- Confirm that faces are being detected with new LCD monitor display showing which subject is main
- Optional AV-connection kit available for camera to be used with ‘Xacti Library’ which includes saving of files by dates taken

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Pentax announces the Optio M60

Pentax announces the Optio M60

Pentax has launched the new Optio M60 compact camera, the latest model in its Optio M series of lightweight digital cameras.

Boasting 10 megapixels, a 5x optical zoom and a large LCD monitor, the M60 has built on the features of its predecessor, the M50, and also improved a number of others.

This includes the strengthening of the face recognition function to recognise 32 faces at once, and further advancement of the convenient “Auto Picture” function unique to Pentax, where the camera automatically detects the conditions of the subject and selects the optimal scene mode.

A total of eight scenes can be recognised with this function on the Optio M60, which is the most in this series. Modes include Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Standard, Flower, Sport and the new Candlelight.

The Optio M60 also comes with application functions such as Smile Capture, which automatically distinguishes smiles and takes photos, and Blinking Detection, which is a function where the camera warns the photographer if the subject blinked at the moment the shot was taken.

The Optio M60 will be available in three colors - silver, pink, and blue, and has been given a release date of August 22nd, at a price of around £90.

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Kodak Zi6 (pink)

Kodak Zi6 (pink)

Product Summary
The good: Solid 720p video; comparatively large LCD; memory-card expansion slot; AA rechargeable batteries included along with protective carrying case and video output cables.

The bad: Insufficient onboard memory and price doesn't include an optional memory card; can't recharge batteries via USB connector; included software isn't Mac compatible.

The bottom line: While bigger than most of its competitors and high priced for a mini camcorder, the Kodak Zi6's attractive design and decent video quality adequately compensate for some usability drawbacks.

Specs: Video input type: Camcorder; Effective sensor resolution: 1.6 megapixels; Optical zoom: 2x

Like many inexpensive competitors, the Kodak Zi6 is technically an HD camcorder the way a tomato is technically a fruit: it meets the definition, but doesn't deliver the experience. True, the Zi6 records video in 1,280x720-pixel resolution at both 30 frames per second and 60fps--720p resolution--which technically qualifies it as an HD camcorder, but a lot of factors go into creating an image, not just a CMOS sensor capable of capturing an image at a certain resolution and frame rate. Still, the 720p video it does capture is a step up from the 640x480-pixel VGA resolution video you typically find on competing sub-$200 direct-to-YouTube camcorders from Flip Video, RCA, and Creative.

That higher resolution comes at a price. To accommodate the larger 1/4.5-inch 1.6-megapixel sensor and generous 2.4-inch LCD, the Zi6 is bigger than most of its competitors, particularly the similarly priced Flip Video Mino. Weighing 5.6 ounces, it's not huge and it fits in most pockets, but if supercompact is what you're after, there are better alternatives.

Instead of a built-in or removable lithium ion rechargeable battery, Kodak opted to include a set of two rechargeable AA nickel metal hydride batteries and a charger. The upside is that in a pinch you can use readily available standard AA alkaline batteries to power the unit. The downside is you can't just charge the battery with the built-in USB connector like you can with some models, such as the Mino and Creative Vado. Also, a smaller lithium ion battery would probably have helped trim the size of Zi6 a bit.

Like other products in this category, the USB connector is of the flip-out variety. Cleverly, the button for the connector also serves as a tiny mirror for recording yourself. Another nice touch: a switch that toggles between standard and macro focus distance. We also appreciate that the Zi6 incorporates an expansion slot for SD cards. However, the onboard memory is a paltry 128MB--only 30MB of which is available for storage. That 30MB only lets you capture 36 seconds of video recorded at the highest quality (HD, 60fps). Extrapolating--since Kodak hasn't published any capacity information--that's about 50MB per minute, or 41 minutes of video on a typical 2GB card. The Zi6 will accept cards up to 32GB, but you must supply your own cards, whatever the capacity. Kodak includes an inexpensive neoprene carrying case, hand strap, video cables for output to a TV, and there's a threaded mount on the bottom of the unit in case you want to use a tripod.

As with all these mini camcorders, the Zi6 is meant to be easy to use--and for the most part, it is. Unfortunately, we have a few problems with the design. First, it takes some effort to get used to the controls. There's a joystick button flanked on either side by a video/playback button and stop/delete button. When the same button performs two functions it can be a little confusing for some people. and I found myself accidentally hitting the play button at times when I should have been clicking the joystick button. Second, the camcorder doesn't turn on when you plug the USB into your computer, the way the rest of the mini camcorders we've tested do. That's just a bit annoying. But the real kicker is there's no way to completely erase and format a memory card--or even delete more than one image/clip at a time--within the Zi6. Kodak expects you to do that when connected to the PC via its bundled software; that's a serious usability problem in general.

When in video recording mode, you can use the joystick to toggle down the setting to HD, VGA (640x480), and finally, still image capture. The lower VGA setting is useful if you're low on memory (files sizes are much smaller when you capture in lower resolution) or know you're going to be compressing your video for Web distribution or e-mail distribution. That said, it's always better to capture the best possible image and keep that as your "master" and work down from there.

We do appreciate the four speeds of fast-forwarding and rewinding, and you can advance or rewind your footage frame-by-frame if you want. The 2.4-inch LCD is pretty sharp and the sound played back loud enough through the Zi6's little speaker so long as I cranked up the volume (the mic seems sensitive enough). No complaints there.

What do you do after you've captured your video? Well, like most of these types of mini camcorders, Kodak loads software into its memory. Windows-only ArcSoft MediaImpression is included with the Zi6 and it automatically installs when you plug the Zi6's USB connector into your desktop or laptop PC. There's the usual shortcut upload to YouTube, as well as some editing features that allow you to trim your clips, adjust contrast, color, and brightness, and splice you clips into a cohesive movie, complete with customized background music and titles. If you own a Mac, you can copy your video and still images to your computer by dragging and dropping the files from the camcorder as you would with any USB storage device (and upload them to YouTube easily enough) and then edit your video using iMovie. So, all is not totally lost.

The Zi6's extra resolution helps when comparing its video with that of the Flip Mino and Ultra, but image noise and lack of sharpness keep it from overshadowing those models. Though the video looks softer overall, it looks that way at a larger size, which some people may find ample compensation. Typically, you only view these video files in a small window on your computer. However, with the Zi6's footage you can actually blow the video up full screen and it retains more detail. Video shot in the Zi6's VGA-resolution mode does look comparably sharp to that of its competitors. In low light, however, the Zi6's footage looks perceptibly noisier than that of the other camcorders. But it remains usable.

The Zi6 delivers reasonably accurate color and exposure, but performance feels a bit slow. While it adjusts properly moving from brightly lit environments to darker scenes and compensating for overly backlit subjects, it doesn't do so particularly quickly and its autofocus is relatively sluggish. When you pan and move the camera around, things tend to go in and out of focus. For rock-solid video, you really have to keep the camera still.

When you factor in that you have to buy an additional memory card, its price runs it up against a whole other class of products, such as the Aiptek Go-HD, which offer features like higher resolution stills and optical zoom rather than digital zoom. Despite its problems, I generally liked the Zi6. The video is pretty good and plays larger than Flip Video's current lineup offers; with its big screen, support for removable memory and the ability to use AA batteries it all adds up to an attractive package.

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