Fujifilm Rolls Out Plenty of Point-and-Shoots at CES

LAS VEGAS—Fujifilm is announcing several new point-and-shoot cameras here at the Consumer Electronics show. The headliner is the FinePix HS50EXR, a 42x zooming camera in a D-SLR style body. Its manual zoom Fujinon lens covers a 24-1,000mm f/2.8-5.6 range (35mm equivalent) and the 16-megapixel CMOS sensor is a 1/2-inch design, slightly larger than the 1/2.3-inch sensors that are found in most point-and-shoot cameras. Physically it’s very similar to the HS30EXR in design—although it now features a hinged vari-angle 921k-dot LCD rather than one that could only tilt up or down.

Raw and JPG shooting are both supported, and the camera can record full-resolution images at an impressive 11 frames per second. Like the other CMOS cameras that Fuji is unveiling at CES, the top ISO is 12800, but photos shot at the highest sensitivity are limited in resolution; ISO 3200 is the top setting for full-resolution capture. Video recording is supported at up to 1080p60 quality, and there is an eye-level EVF, bringing the camera more close to an SLR in terms of ergonomics. Its autofocus system supports phase detection and contrast detection for faster and more accurate focus lock, and focus peaking is supported as a manual focus aid. It will sell for $549.95 and ship in March.

If you don’t need a 42x lens, you could opt for the FinePix HS35EXR. It’s an upgraded version of the HS30EXR, and share many of its features—including a 3-inch tilting 460k-dot LCD, 1080p30 video, and a 30x (24-720mm f/2.8-5.6) manual zoom lens. It also ships in March for $399.95.

Joining the family as Fuji’s longest zooming camera, the 50x FinePix SL1000 is a smaller bridge-style superzoom with a 24-1,200mm f/2.9-6.5 lens, a 16-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, 1080i60 video capture, and a 3-inch tilting 920k-dot LCD. It uses the same 920k-dot EVF that is found in the HS30EXR and HS50EXR, and has a hotshoe for flash and accessory connectivity. Unlike its larger brethren, the zoom lens is a powered design, so you’ll control the focal length via a toggle switch rather than by twisting the lens barrel. It is set to debut in March for $399.95.

The FinePix S8200 and S8300 are also long zoom models. The former sports a 40x (24-960mm) zoom lens, while the latter uses a 42x design that covers 24-1,008mm. Both cameras use the same 16-megpixel CMOS sensor that is found in the SL1000 and share 1080i60 video capture, a 460k-dot 3-inch rear LCD, and a 230k-dot EVF. They are powered by four AA batteries, so you can use them for extended periods of time when away from a power outlet, assuming you’ve packed enough batteries with you. The S8200 is priced at $299.95 and the S8300 at $309.95, both will go on sale in March.

The FinePix XP60 is an entry-level rugged camera, designed with rough handling in mind. The 16-megapixel CMOS shooter is waterproof to 20 feet, shockproof to 5 feet, dustproof, and freezeproof. Its locking battery door has double seals, and there are three shutter buttons—one for standard shooting, one for burst shooting, and one for movie recording. The camera ha a 5x (28-140mm) lens with an internal zoom design—image stabilization is achieved by shifting the sensor rather than the lens elements. Its 2.7-inch LCD is coated to prevent reflections, and images can be captured at up to 10 frames per second. It will be available yellow, blue, red, or green in March for $199.95.

A lone 16-megaipxel CCD model was also announced at CES. The FinePix T550 is priced at a low $159.95, but still manages to squeeze a 12x (24-288mm f/3.4-6.9) optical zoom lens with stabilization into its svelte body. The rear LCD is 3 inches in size with a 460k-dot resolution, and the camera’s battery can be charged in-camera the USB port. The CCD sensor limits video resolution to 720p, and limits the top ISO to 3200, so it isn’t the most advanced camera you can get in terms of video capture or low-light shooting, but its zoom range and 24mm wide-angle coverage are both impressive at this price point. Fuji also promises that the autofocus system has been improved when compared to the previous-generation T400 model—by an impressive 20 percent.

All of the models support Fuji’s latest EXR processing technology. This includes a number of artistic filters that you can apply to your photos, including a toy camera effect, a miniature effect, partial color capture, and soft focus.

By Jim Fisher, PCMag