Fuji Extends Finepix Lineup with 8 New Cameras

2013.01.30

In typical Fuji fashion, they just unveiled eight new additions to their Finepix family of fixed-lens digital cameras.

The new flagship F-series is the Fuji Finepix F900 EXR. This compact travel-zoom features an all-new 16 megapixels EXR II CMOS sensor with built-in Phase-Detect autofocus and paired with a incredibly slim ultra-wide-angle 20X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 25-500mm. This is the first time Phase-Detection returns to the F-series since the launch of the F300 EXR which focused faster than any fixed-lens camera at the time.

Like most of its predecessors, the F900 EXR is equipped with full manual-controls, including custom white-balance and spot-metering but not manual focus. The high-speed CMOS sensor paired with EXR II processor lets this camera shoot continuously at 11 FPS for up to 5 full-resolution images. While some F-series have a GPS, this one includes built-in WiFi instead.

The Fuji Finepix F850 EXR features the second generation 16 megapixels EXR CMOS sensor paired with the new EXR II processor. This makes it a faster version of F800 EXR launched last year. It keeps the same ultra-wide-angle 20X optical zoom lens and full set of manual controls, , including custom white-balance and spot-metering but not manual focus. The new processor lets it shoot at 9 FPS for 7 full-resolution images.

A new sub-series of ultra-zooms slips between the top-end of the S-series and the SL-series. Three models were launched together with the only difference being the optical zoom. The Fuji Finepix S6800 shown above includes a stabilized 30X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 24-720mm. The Fuji Finepix S6700 has a 28X zoom, equivalent to 24-672mm. The Fuji Finepix S6600 has a 26X zoom lens, equivalent to 24-624mm.

All these three cameras are built around a 16 megapixels BSI CMOS sensor capable of shooting up to 10 full-resolution images at 8 FPS and record full 1080p HD video at 30 FPS. High-speed video up to 480 FPS is also possible at lower-resolutions. The high-speed CMOS sensor is also used to provide a built-in HDR feature along with Fuji classics such as Pro Low-Light mode.

Like the SL-series, these new S-series cameras include an electronic zoom controller to the side of the lens barrel for greater stability. Unlike the SL-series, these new ones do not feature a hot-shoe for external lighting.

Mirroring the S6800, S6700 and S6600 with the same 30X, 28X and 26X optical zoom lenses, respectively, are yet another set of ultra-zooms. These ones are all built around a 16 megapixels CCD, so they record 720p video instead of 1080p and only shoot at 1.2 FPS.

The 30X zoom model, shown above, is the Fuji Finepix S4800. The 28X zoom one is the Fuji Finepix S4700, while the 26X one is the Fuji Finepix S4600. All the new S-series work on AA batteries and deliver exceptional battery-life.

No word on pricing or availability yet.

• Digital Camera