[Akihabara News]

Its face recognition tech catches 10 faces in a scene, and sets exposure. "Beam it" referrers to Fujifilm's IrSimple technology that allows users to share the image wirelessly to friends with an IrSimple compatible device. "Blog it" is all about the Dual Blog Mode feature that automatically resizes any still image or movie on the camera, making it easier to post pictures and videos to blogs, video-sharing websites, and via email.

Other features include: 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD screen, 45MB of internal memory, dual shutter releases, i-Flash intellegent Flash, dual shot mode, special scenes modes, and a xD / SD / SDHC Compatible slot. Available in late March at a retail price of $199.95.

FUJIFILM GENERATION Z STYLE-CAM GETS AN UPGRADE The New 10 MP FinePix Z20fd Boasts New Colors, New Video Technology and New Dual Blog Mode

Valhalla, N.Y., January 24, 2008 - Continuing the tradition started by its stylish predecessor, the FinePix Z10fd, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today unveiled the FinePix Z20fd, a new ultra-glam digital camera packed with useful features that let you face it, beam it, blog it and now roll it with a new MPEG-4 movie recording mode for the movie-crazed Generation Z.

The 10-MegaPixel FinePix Z20fd comes in four luminous colors - Jet Black, Wasabi Green, Hot Pink and Ice Blue - an ultra-portable design, a Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5" LCD screen and packs 45MB of internal memory to give you some extra room when your memory card is full. The style-savvy FinePix Z20fd also introduces Fujifilm's handy new Dual Blog Mode that automatically resizes any still image or movie you've captured, letting you post pictures and videos to blogs, video-sharing websites like YouTube, or e-mail to friends with ease.

As with the FinePix Z10fd, the Z20fd also allows picture takers to Face It with Fujifilm's innovative Face Detection Technology with Automatic Red Eye Removal for capturing the ultimate group shots and Beam It with Fujifilm's IrSimpleTM technology to share the image instantly with friends. A one-touch selectable mode that identifies up to 10 human faces in a scene, Face Detection Technology sets the correct focus for a chosen primary face and exposure for all detected faces automatically, regardless of where subjects are located within the frame. After the shot is taken, each detected face is instantly checked for red eye; if found, it is corrected automatically, saving the time consuming process of fixing it later. Fujifilm's IrSimpleTM technology allows for fast, easy wireless image transfer to any IrSimpleTM equipped device.

Fujifilm's Picture Stabilization Technology uses higher sensitivities — up to ISO 1600 in the Z20fd — and faster shutter and operational speeds, that help reduce camera shake, allowing photographers to capture the moment just as it was meant to be captured.

This high-style camera can also Roll It with an impressive Movie mode, capturing full motion MPEG4 video with the touch of a separate movie shutter button. Using the Successive Movie mode, in-camera editing allows for the creation of a 60 second movie clip, even when shooting in two or more scenes is desired. Start and restart multiple times to build a 60-second compilation, and edit the start and end points.

In addition to these innovations, the FinePix Z20fd is packed with the following extraordinary features:
Dual Shutter Releases: One button for still capture, one for movie record, for ease of use.
i-Flash Intelligent Flash: i-Flash detects subtle lighting differences within a scene, and then varies the flash intensity accordingly. It also leverages the high sensitivity of the Z20fd to enable the camera to use less flash, preventing that "blasted with light" effect that so many digital camera flashes leave you with. The result is pleasing, natural tones with no flash "wash-out".
Dual Shot Mode: In this mode, the FinePix Z20fd quickly shoots two images in succession — one with and one without the flash — saving both. This convenient function lets the user perform an on-the-spot picture comparison and decide whether the FinePix Z20fd produced the most pleasing photo with flash, or without.
Special Scene Modes: The FinePix Z20fd has 16 scene positions including Fireworks, Beach and Snow, offering a one-touch setting for almost any situation.
xD / SD / SDHC Compatible slot: A single media slot that accepts both xD Picture Card and SD/SDHC media cards.
Stamp It: Add a little fun to your images by "stamping" a variety of fun designs to up to three detected faces in your shots!
Battery Life: Long-life rechargeable Li-ion battery.

"Fujifilm introduced the FinePix Z10fd in 2007 to address the digital demands of a younger generation that weren't being met. However, like any product targeted towards this fast moving demographic, it needs to adapt rapidly to the latest trends to be successful and, the FinePix Z20fd does just that." said David Troy, senior product manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. "With new technology and features, like Dual-Blog Mode, the Z20fd provides Generation Z with a convenient all-in-one device to capture all their favorite moments in style."

The FinePix Z20fd will debut in late March at a retail price of $199.95.

It does 320x240 video capture, can scale the power of its flash, has dual shot mode for back to back shots (with and without flash). and SD card compatibility on top of the crappy xD flavor we've come to not ever, ever use. The Li-on battery is good for 200 shots. The camera takes photos at up to 1600 ISO, which is what they market as image stabilization. Not really honest, if you ask me.

Competition includes the Nikon Coolpix S200, Sony's T100, and one of the random powershot cameras (possibly the SD1000 or SD750).

FUJIFILM TAKES ON GENERATION 'Z' The New 7.2 MP FinePix Z10fd Style-Cam Features Cutting Edge Technology that Flirts with Today's Youth

Valhalla, N.Y., July 26, 2007 - Responding to popular demand to be 'hooked up' at all times, FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today unveiled a brand new digital camera designed specifically for today's fashion-conscious digital natives. Combining cutting edge technology with style and sophistication, the FinePix Z10fd provides tech-savvy Gen 'Z' users with an eye-catching digital camera that makes it easy to take great pictures and share them with the press of a button.

The 7.2 MegaPixel FinePix Z10fd features an ultra-portable design, making it easy to take this sexy micro-mini camera anywhere you go and it comes in five brilliant colors to match the latest styles of today's fashionistas - Wave Blue, Wasabi Green, Hot Pink, Sunset Orange, and Midnight Black. It also sports a Fujinon 3x optical Zoom lens, 2.5" LCD screen and packs 54MB of internal memory to give you some extra room when your memory card has had its fill. With its stunning high-resolution LCD, the FinePix Z10fd also has a cool new slideshow mode from Fujifilm that let's you view and share your photos spontaneously with friends with music provided to help set the mood.

Face_it, Beam_it, Blog_it
With endless possibilities the FinePix Z10fd makes it easy and fun to stay connected with friends and family and share all life's moments through technology

Face_it.
Capturing the ultimate party pictures will never be an issue with the FinePix Z10fd, as it features Fujifilm's innovative Face Detection Technology. A one-touch selectable mode that identifies up to 10 human faces in a scene, Face Detection Technology sets the correct focus for a chosen primary face and exposure for all detected faces automatically, regardless of where subjects are located within the frame. It can cope with back-lit scenes such as concerts and it also comes in handy for capturing the perfect self portrait. The Z10 also includes a new Automatic Red Eye Removal feature, that works in conjunction with Face Detection. Red eye is a common complaint given by 60% of digital camera users. Z10 instantly checks each detected face for red eye, and if it's found, corrects it automatically, saving the time consuming process of fixing it in your PC after the image is downloaded.

Beam_it.
The FinePix Z10fd comes equipped with Fujifilm's innovative IrSimpleTM technology for fast, easy wireless image transfer to any IrSimpleTM equipped device. With the FinePix Z10fd you can capture the moment, point to a similar device and share the image instantly with friends - so instead of making an innocent r take the group photo with five different cameras, they'll only have to take it once and IrSimpleTM handles the rest.

Blog_it.
Also making life easier for the bloggers of the world, the FinePix Z10fd comes equipped with Fujifilm's handy Blog Mode that lets you post pictures to blogs, websites, auctions, or e-mail with ease by copying and automatically resizing any image you've captured to a properly sized 640x480 (VGA) (or 320 x 240) image size, right in the camera, saving time from downloading it and adjusting it on your PC.

In addition to these innovations, the FinePix Z10fd is hooked up with the following fantastic features:
Picture Stabilization: Picture Stabilization utilizes higher sensitivities, up to ISO 1600 in the Z10fd, (with an incredibly high signal to noise ratio for clean images), and faster shutter and operational speeds to help reduce camera shake, freeze subject movement and improve low light background detail.
i-Flash Intelligent Flash: i-Flash detects subtle lighting differences within a scene, and then varies the flash intensity accordingly. It also leverages the high sensitivity of the Z10fd to enable the camera to use less flash, preventing that "blasted with light" effect that so many digital camera flashes leave you with. The result is pleasing, natural tones with no flash "wash-out".
Dual Shot Mode: In this mode, the FinePix Z10fd quickly shoots two images in succession — one with and one without the flash — saving both. This convenient function lets the user perform an on-the-spot picture comparison and decide whether the FinePix Z10fd produced the most pleasing photo with flash, or without.
Special Scene Modes: The FinePix Z10fd has 14 scene positions including Fireworks, Beach and Snow, offering a one-touch setting for almost any situation.
xD / SD / SDHC Compatible slot: A new single media slot accepts both xD Picture Card and SD/SDHC media cards. One slot - two media options.
Battery Life: Long-life rechargeable Li-ion battery (up to 200 shots).

"Fujifilm recognized that today's younger generation wants to be connected with their friends at all times and that there wasn't a digital camera manufacturer that really addressed this." said David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. "We decided to create a camera that would mesh our latest technological advancements with today's popular trends and styles, and came up with the Z10fd."

Win_it.
Further information on the FinePix Z10fd will be available at HYPERLINK "http://www.offZhook.com" www.offZhook.com, the official website created especially to celebrate the 'Z-Lifestyle,' when it goes live on August 1st. Along with a myriad of fun downloads and interactive displays, aspiring photographers between the ages of 18 and 24 will have the chance to submit original photos in a competition that will award 4 lucky winners with a VIP trip to New York to attend the Z10fd launch party in October.

The FinePix Z10fd will debut in late September at a retail price of $199.95.

About Fujifilm
Fujifilm brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries including medical, life sciences, consumer electronic, chemical, graphic arts, information systems, photography and office products based on its vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company provides products and services that contribute to the advancement of culture, science, technology and industry, as well as to improved health and environmental protection. It is the global leader in digital minilabs; Computed Radiography systems; ink dyes, pigments and UV inks for inkjet printers and materials used in the production of flat panel displays. It was ranked number 15 for U.S. patents granted in 2006, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2007, had global revenues of $23.6 billion.

FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc., Valhalla, NY, is a U.S. marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, providing digital and analog photographic Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media and Motion Picture Film products and services to consumers, professionals and businesses.

For more information on FUJIFILM U.S.A. products, customers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the FUJIFILM U.S.A. Web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.fujifilmusa.com/" \o "blocked::http://www.fujifilmusa.com/" www.fujifilmusa.com. To receive news and information direct from FUJIFILM U.S.A. via RSS, subscribe free at HYPERLINK "http://www.fujifilmusa.com/rss" \o "blocked::http://www.fujifilmusa.com/rss" www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.

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FinePix Z10fd Digital Camera - Specifications*
CCD sensor
1/ 2.5-inch
Number of effective pixels
7.2 million pixels
Number of recorded pixels
Still image: 3,072 x 2,304( M) /3,072 x 2,048(3:2) / 2,304 x 1,728/ 1,600 X 1,200 / 640 X 480
Storage media
Internal memory (approx. 54MB) / xD-Picture Card TM ( 16MB - 2 GB ) /SD memory card /SDHC memory card
File format
Still image : JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.2)
Movie : AVI (Motion JPEG)
(Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)
Recording Capacity with 256 xD Picture Card (not included)
Still Image Movie
7MP(F) 7MP(N) 3:2 3MP 2MP 0.3MP 640x480 320x240
73 146 164 257 410 1,999 Approx. 4.6min Approx 7.4min
Recording Capacity with 512 SD memory card (not included)
Still Image Movie
7MP(F) 7MP(N) 3:2 3MP 2MP 0.3MP 640x480 320x240
143 286 322 503 793 3869 Approx. 9.1min Approx 1.5min
Recording Capacity with 4GB SDHC memory card (not included)
Still Image Movie
7MP(F) 76MP(N) 3:2 3MP 2MP 0.3MP 640x480 320x240
1,124 2,229 2,502 3,955 6,131 30,655 App.70.5min App113.5min
* A movie recording will stop automatically when the movie file size becomes approx. 2GB.
Lens
Fujinon 3x Optical zoom lens , F3.7 - F4.2
Lens focal length
f=6.63mm - 18.9mm, Equivalent to 38-110mm on a 35mm camera
Digital zoom
Approx. 4.8 X
Aperture
Wide-angle: F3.7/8
Focus distance
Normal : Approx. 60cm/2.0 ft to infinity
Macro: Approx. 8cm/3.1 in to 80cm/2.6 ft
Sensitivity
AUTO/Equivalent to ISO 64/100/200/400/800 /1600(Standard Output Sensitivity)
Exposure control
TTL 256-zones metering
Exposure mode
Programmed AE
Shooting mode
Auto, Manual, Natural Light, Natural light with Flash, portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Auction, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, Close-Up, Text, Picture Stabilization, Movie
Shutter speed
3 sec. to 1/1000 sec. (depend on exposure)

But I'm not planning to review every little silver camera that falls in my lap (ouch). This baby stands out because it is supposed to have tools to make a blogger's life easier.

Bloggosize It: The most trumpeted feature is an auto-resizing tool that lets you shoot at full resolution, then do a "save as" at 640x480, the better to fit on your little patch of real estate in the blogosphere. When you are reviewing your shots, you just hit the F button and then select "Trimming for Blog." You can crop or not, but either way, you save the file in the low-res format. It's a great idea, but there's this problem: The largest image we typically run on the Giz is 500 pixels across. I don't know what fancy blog Fujifilm had in mind, but I need to shrink things down a little tighter than VGA res. Also, there's no file optimization. The resulting file is still over 100KB, rather than a nice tight 25KB.

Transmit (to 1998): When you are in the "Trimming for Blog" mode, you can press the F button again to wirelessly transmit the file via infrared (IrSimple interface). I love the idea of a low-powered wireless transmission technique, as so many blogging missions require fast photo management. However, I don't much encounter the IR interfaces on laptops anymore, and that's what I use for field posts. As lovely as IR was in the past, and some wise commenter is likely to tell me that IR will soon make a comeback, but these are the days of RF, and if Fujifilm really cared about bloggers, it would have included a Bluetooth file-transfer tool.

Globebloggin': A true blogger has a bag packed by the door, ready to hop on a plane for Timbuktu or Toledo, OH, to spend $3,000 getting a 200-word post up online before his competition does. That's why I love the Z5fd's Time Difference feature. You just plug in the time difference between your home and your destination. Then when you get back, you just flick the setting back to Home, and all of your files should be properly timestamped (according to your locale).

In Your Face: Fujifilm has boasted about its Intelligent Face Detection software for a while, but I've never noticed its auto-crop function before. If you have used the detection button to take your pic, go into "Trimming" then press the detection button again. As you can see in the shots of the very handsome man below, the camera automatically crops and re-centers the image around the face. You can cancel, accept or spend a second or two more tweaking, but it's a great way to get would-be close-ups of Steve Jobs posted fast, even when you're blogging from the nosebleed section.

Real Bloggers Don't Use Flash: You guys all know how annoying it is to see a product shot with a blinding flash blasted right through the middle of it. It's hard to get the right balance of natural light and sharp detail when trying to show off a new device. Fujifilm has done an admirable job with its Natural Light setting (not to be confused with a beverage I consumed too much of in college). Still, I have to say, it's a little ISO happy sometimes. It might even come down to personal taste, but I say, if the Natural Light shots are looking a little gritty, go in and ratchet down your ISO: the camera is surprisingly good at low-light shots, even around 400. See no-flash examples below.

So, it's a nice camera, in fact, further proof that Fujifilm is no longer as categorically crappy as it once was, but can this baby blog? Not yet. Fujifilm: We don't know where you got your impression of tha bloggin' life, but there's a little more going on here. That said, please try again, because anything that keeps me from launching Photoshop out in the field would be sweet indeedy. – Wilson Rothman

Product Page [Fujifilm]

"double pixel technology," which will double the resolution from 6MP to 12MP. We'll have to see how that works before making any conclusions. Otherwise the cam will have an ISO sensitivity of up to 3200 and Fujifilm's RP Processor Pro which will allow for smoother tonality. $1,199 is a helluva lot to splurge on an SLR with 6MP so we're prone to go with the blog-friendly Z5fd. But the SLR will make its debut first in February while the point-and-shoot will follow up a month later.

– Louis Ramirez
Fujifilm Z5fd [Press Release]
Fujifilm S5 Pro [Press Release]

FujiFilm FinePix Z5fd [via Akhibara News]