Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR

Fujifilm announces the FinePix F200 EXR – the F30 Evolution

The latest FinePix F-Series digital camera with revolutionary Super CCD EXR sensor technology

Mississauga, ON, Feb. 4, 2009 – First announced at Photokina 2008, Fujifilm’s new EXR technology makes its first appearance in a new camera announced today, the FinePix F200EXR.

The FinePix F30 Evolves
Following a long line of famous Super CCD sensors in cameras like the FinePix F30 and FinePix F31fd, the FinePix F200EXR is designed by Fujifilm to be the perfect compact digital camera for photographers of every skill level. Primed to be the class-leading compact digital camera of 2009, the FinePix F200EXR utilizes brand new, ground-breaking technology to create an unprecedented level of image quality. Using the human eye as the basis for the sensor, Fujifilm has yet again extended technological boundaries, creating a Super CCD capable of registering excellent levels of detail when switched to its high resolution mode, but at the same time, capable of offering excellent quality in low light and superb highlight detail in contrasting light when switched to its high sensitivity and wide dynamic range modes respectively.

The World’s Most Versatile Photographic Sensor
Faced with a market driven by the demand for more pixels, yet conscious that high concentrations of pixels on small sensors can produce poor image quality, Fujifilm engineers had a radical rethink about sensor technology. Why not make a sensor that can flex its behaviour according to the scene to be photographed? Why not give full resolution when bright light allows, but use the pixels in a different way when the light is not ideal? The FinePix F200EXR offers 3 switchable modes in one sensor:

• High Resolution mode, which deploys all twelve million pixels, and is designed to offer the finest detail of intricate subjects in normal daylight.
• High Sensitivity and Low Noise mode, which caps two adjacent pixels together to produce 6 million large “photodiodes”, which are big enough to absorb light in the darkest of conditions and to produce low-light shots of extraordinary quality with minimal noise and grain.
• Wide Dynamic Range mode (up to 800%), which captures different exposures with two sets of six million pixels, which, when combined, gives an excellent level of detail in highlights and shadows that would otherwise be lost in a bright contrasting scene.

In EXR Mode, the photographer can choose which sensor setting is preferable for the subject to be photographed by choosing High Resolution Priority (HR) to maximise resolution, High ISO and Low Noise Priority (SN) for high quality low-light work or D-Range Priority (DR) for the best detail with contrasty subjects.

Rich Features
In addition to the 12 Megapixel 1/1.6” Super CCD EXR and completely redesigned EXR Processor, the FinePix F200EXR inherits its rich feature set from the FinePix F100fd, which includes a responsive Fujinon 5x wide angle optical zoom lens, and one of the most powerful face detection technologies on the market, Face Detection 3.0, with auto red eye removal and 360 degree detection to capture subjects even when they are lying down. On top of this, the F200EXR offers 5 Film Simulation Modes, a 3.0” high-resolution (230,000 pixel) wide view LCD, HD Photo Output, Dual Image Stabilisation and ISO 3200 sensitivity at full resolution and up to ISO 12800 at 3MP.

This combination of cutting-edge technology in a slim digital compact body means that any level of photographer will be able to capture breathtaking pictures, even in the most challenging conditions.

Perfect Pictures – Automatically
The FinePix F200 EXR takes the next technological step by combining Intelligent Scene Recognition technology with EXR technology by automatically and intelligently choosing the correct Super CCD EXR Priority in conjunction with a range of other controls (image quality, exposure, focus, white balance etc). Now, the photographer can let the camera choose the best sensor mode by using the revolutionary EXR AUTO mode to quickly optimize the camera’s settings to allow the photographer to concentrate on capturing the perfect shot. EXR AUTO offers six modes to choose from: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Backlit Portrait, Night, and Night Portrait. As an example, when taking pictures of close subjects, the F200EXR will intelligently choose Macro mode by recognizing the scene. Then the sensor will switch to the best EXR mode – High Resolution Priority (HR), High ISO and Low Noise Priority(S/N) or D-Range Priority (DR) – to capture the best possible shot.

Like all great compacts, the FinePix F200EXR lets the photographer decide the best shooting mode. On standard AUTO, the camera deploys 12 million pixels and operates like other standard high-class compacts. On MANUAL, the aperture and shutter speed can be chosen independently, while PROGRAM mode offers a choice of Program AE and Aperture Priority AE also at full 12 MP resolution.

Intelligent Flash
The FinePix F200EXR also retains Fujifilm’s improved exposure modes. New “Super Intelligent Flash” can control technology that even lets you take flash assisted macro shots without flash “washout”. Other popular exposure modes such as Natural Light and Flash (giving the user a choice of flash ‘on’ or flash ‘off’ shots) or Natural Light, are featured to capture great candid portraits when a powerful flash might be intrusive.

Favourite Film Simulation Modes
Photographic versatility is stretched yet further with the addition of five Film Simulation modes. Producing beautiful images is something which is in the very DNA of Fujifilm, and Fujifilm engineers are determined to leverage the considerable strengths gained through years of perfecting film to making the best sensor possible. Introduced to Fujifilm compacts for the very first time, the FinePix F200EXR offers Velvia/Vivid mode for rich and luscious colours, Provia/Standard mode for excellent, sharp, natural tones, ASTIA/Soft mode for soft, fine, smooth tonality, Black and White for dramatic effects and Sepia for a warm-toned “antique” look.

HD Ready
Images captured by the F200EXR look breathtaking when displayed on any HDTV. With standard HD cameras, HD-out means pictures can de displayed in the correct aspect ratio in excellent resolution. But with the F200EXR it goes beyond just aspect ratio. Noise and grain in the shadows is hardly noticeable while highlights, so often poor with conventional cameras, can be seen in excellent detail. And colours, sometimes washed out and dull, look bold and vibrant, especially when Film Simulation modes are used.

High Quality Fujinon Lens
The FinePix F200EXR is fitted with a 5x Optical Fujinon lens from 28mm wide to 140mm telephoto. With its precision optics and 5x optical zoom range, sharp, crisp pictures are delivered to the sensor every time. And with CCD shift image stabilization combined with high sensitivity, shots will be blur-free time after time, even in the most difficult of conditions.

The FinePix F200EXR is expected to be available in Canada April 2009 at a suggested retail price of CAD $399.99.

Feature at a glance:

• Brand NEW Super CCD EXR 12 megapixel switchable sensor
• 5x (28-140mm) wide-angle optical zoom lens
• Dual Image Stabilization
• 3” high resolution LCD screen
• Ultra high sensitivity in low light (ISO 6400 at 6MP resolution & 12800 at 3MP resolution)
• Full manual controls (including Aperture priority)
• EXR Auto mode (Portrait, Night, Macro, Landscape, Night portrait & Backlit portrait)
• Film Simulation modes (Provia/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, ASTIA/Soft, Black & White, Sepia)
• Full HD Photo output

About FUJIFILM Canada Inc.
FUJIFILM Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation of Tokyo, one of the world’s leading imaging and information companies. FUJIFILM Canada is based in Mississauga, Ontario, with regional offices in Montreal and Vancouver. A leader in the development of technologies that provide the back bone for state-of-the-art Imaging, Graphic Arts, Photofinishing and Recording Media products, FUJIFILM Canada stands proud as a proven solutions-provider. For more information, visit www.fujifilm.ca.

Related links:
– Fujifilm Canada
– Fujifilm USA
– Fujifilm UK