The Fuji S5 Pro is a digital camera that recently made its North American debut at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York. The camera is really above standard for the amateur photographer, and was developed with the professional in mind.

Astounding features include an expanded dynamic range by Fujifilm’s Super CCD SR Pro sensor, less noise due to Read Photo Technology Pro, and post-capture Face Detection technology.

All in all, it is a superlative camera boasting 12.3 Megapixels of clear, digital quality pictures. The Fuji S5 Pro should be available soon.

Good news for those waiting for a digital SLR from Fuji. While they enjoy a considerable following in their film-based SLR cameras, when it comes to digital SLRs, Fuji takes a backseat. Hopefully, the upcoming Fuji FinePix S5 Pro will be able to carve a niche for itself in the market.

Fuji announced the development of the Fuji FinePix S5 Pro, equipped with an increased dynamic range from the Super CCD SR double-pixel technology. Add to it the new Real Photo (RP) Processor Pro, and you get images close to film-quality.

The Fuji FinePix S5 Pro will be offered in a durable magnesium alloy body frame. This camera will also feature Fuji's Face Detection technology that ensures the right amount of exposure when photographing people. It will also be Nikon F-mount compatible, allowing consumers to take advantage of the wide variety of Nikkor lenses available in the market today.

Dual-save mode lets you save images in both RAW and JPEG formats. A 2.5" preview LCD is provided on the S5 Pro. CF Type I/II and Microdrive are supported for storing images.

No word yet on the pricing, but the camera may be available early 2007.

Fujifilm announced the new Fuji FinePix F31fd, the first compact digital camera from Fujifilm featuring the new Face Detection technology. Face Detection technology was first introduced in the FinePix S6000fd, but this was far from a compact camera.

The Fuji FinePix F31fd is equipped with a 6 megapixel Super CCD HR sensor, while the Fujinon zoom lens offers 3x optical zoom. A 2.5" LCD is available for previewing images. The camera allows you to shoot movies at VGA resolution (good enough for playback on TVs) at 30 frames per second.

Capable of identifying up to 10 faces in a frame, the Fuji FinePix F31fd will automatically zero in on faces and photos will be properly exposed giving the images a better feel. The Face Detection technology is integrated onto the camera's processor, so it can identify faces and optimize image settings in as little as 0.05 seconds.

The Fujifilm F31fd also serves as an enhancement to the F30 digital camera, bringing in ISO 3200 light sensitivities at full resolution. Picture Stabilization and i-Flash system are available as well, and an unprecedented 580 shots per full battery charge. Featuring a host of scene modes (15 of them, including beach, snow, fireworks), the F31fd lets you play professional with the shutter and aperture priority modes, although the manual mode is missing.

Priced at US $399, the Fujifilm FinePix F31fd will be available this December.

If you thought it was Canon’s and Nikon’s day to shine today, think again. The folks at FujiFilm decided to liven up things by launching the FinePix S9600 which boasts of an impressive 9 megapixel resolution. But its not always about Pixels is it? Fuji knows that’s and has equipped the FinePix S9600 with a 1/1.6-inch Super CCD HR sensor for unrivaled performance

The FinePix S9600 seeks to be a great alternative to those who don’t want a casual Point and Shoot and yet are not ready to jump into the DSLR world. It sure looks like a DSLR and it goes withouy saying that it has a great looking body. This ‘prosumer” digicam has a 10.7x optical zoom lens and the high performing lens is equivalent to 28-300mm on a 35mm camera. Thus thanks to its wide range one can indulge in a wide array of photographical scenarios like Nature, Landscape, and Potrait photograph.

In digital photography image noise is every photographer’s nightmare and Fuji to combat this nuisance has incorporated a patented RP Processor which performs noise suppression. As you know by now that many DSLR suffer from dust accumulation and Fuji to combat this problem has incorporated a dust-free, integrated lens which means goodbye sensor cleaning. The 2.0-inch LCD monitor that swivels vertically makes photography more fun and easy and the digicam includes a Hyper Utility Software.

There is a Movie mode too on the camera which can capture movies at 30 frames/sec with monaural sound. The camera comes bundled with shoulder strap, USB and A/V cables, Lens cap and hood and, USB driver, FinePix Viewer ImageMixer VCD2 for FinePix and RAW File Converter LE. It should be available By October but pricing is still a mystery. For more info visit Fuji

The Fujifilm FinePix S3 digital SLR camera just got better. Fujifilm unveiled the new FinePix S3 Pro UVIR camera, claimed to be the first digital SLR camera capable of shooting images in the UV (ultraviolet) and IR (infrared) light spectrums.

Targeted at the scientific and medical communities in general, it finds use in interesting applications like investigations on gun-shot residue (think CSI). Of course, with IR photography night-time shooting is a breeze. The FinePix S3 Pro UVIR features a live CCD previewing feature - allowing the photographer to manually focus while dark filters are applied to the lens.

The S3 Pro UVIR uses the same Super CCD SR II image sensor used in the original S3 - giving images finer detail which is important to any investigation. Bundled software includes the HyperUtility Processing Software, allowing side-by-side image comparisons for metadata analysis.

Thinking of pocketing the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR? It'll put you short by US $1,799.95. Available from select dealers across the US starting next month.

Equipped with a 6.3 megapixel 6th generation Super CCD, the FinePix F20 uses an RP Processor II. The i-Flash intelligent flash system selects flash power output and exposure delivering images with the right combination of foreground illumination and background exposure.

The F20 offers 15 scene modes, including the Dual Shot mode where two images are taken successively - one with flash and one without - giving users an opportunity to choose the best image for the given light conditions. Fujifilm claims a battery life for 300 shots. With a Fujinon 3.0x optical zoom lens and big 2.5" preview LCD, this is a perfect starter camera.

The Fujifilm FinePix F20 carries a price tag of US $299.95 and will be available starting August 2006. Check out the specs in the extended entry.

One of the interesting things about this face detection technology in the S6000fd is that it is hardware-based rather than software-based, so it works in just 0.05 seconds - reducing the chance of blurred photographs because of subject movement.

The Fuji FinePix S6000fd retains the intelligent i-Flash system (seen on the F30 camera), where flash power is calculated based on scene conditions. Being highly sensitive to light, faster shutter speeds are possible, so say goodbye to those blurred images. In the Picture Stabilization mode, the camera selects light sensitivity and corresponding shutter speed for a given scene.

Featuring a 28-300mm Fujinon 10.7X optical zoom lens with manual control, this is great for zoom as well as wide-angle shots. Dual Shot Mode is helpful in letting the user decide whether ot use flash or not.

Priced at US $499.95, the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd digital camera will be available starting September 2006. Check out the extended entry for specs.

Fujifilm's FinePix A400 and A500 digital cameras users can now make a splash thanks to the new 'Aquamask' Waterproof Digital Camera Case. This protective housing protects the cameras from photography nightmares like sand, dust and dirt, plus water up to a depth of 10 feet. So now thanks to the protective case you can now take your Fuji camera to all your outdoor and sporty activities.

The Aquamask not only does the job but also looks pretty darn cool. The case has a very hip and a sporty design and the touch of green adds a lot of panache. So hit the beach, the mountains or the pool with your camera in tow! The Fujifilm's Aquamask waterproof case is going to be available very soon for $79.99. For more info visit: http://www.fujifilmusa.com/

The Fuji FinePix Z3 carries a Real Photo (RP) processor on-board. A host of features make the Z3 ideal for amateurs and something the pros can look at seriously. Thanks to Picture Stabilization, the Z3 can reduce blur caused by motion of the camera or the subject. This is done by combining higher light sensitivities, up to ISO 1600, and faster shutter speeds.

Boasting an intelligent flash (i-Flash) system, the FinePix Z3 can more accurately determine subtle light differences, and decide the correct flash intensity. Fuji claims that the system can even differentiate properly when the subject is standing under a streetlight by correcting the exposure automatically. Get ready for more natural-looking images!

In the Natural Light special shooting mode, background detail is enhanced by shooting with faster shutter speeds with a suppressed flash - great for low light photography when you are out in the jungles. The unique Dual Shooting Mode is also available, where two images are taken successively - one with flash and one without it - so you can do a quick comparison which one is better.

Get ready for the Fujifilm FinePix Z3 this July. Suggested retail price is US $279.95. Access Fujifilm. Check out the extended entry for specs.

Some features of the Fuji Finepix S3 Pro Camera include:

- 12.34 million effective pixels (6.17 million S-pixels + 6.17 million R-pixels)
- 23.0 x 15.5mm-size Super CCD SR II
- New 2.0-inch, 235,000-pixel LCD monitor
- Sensitivity: ISO 100, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600
- Shutter speed: Bulb, 30 to 1/4000 sec
- Flash X-Sync max 1/180 sec
- 4256 x 2848 (12.1 million) recording pixels
- Image sizes: 4256 x 2848, 3024 x 2016, 2304 x 1536, 1440 x 960 pixels
- - Dimensions: 147.8 x 135.3 x 78.5 mm (5.8 x 5.3 x 3.1 in)
- Weight (without batteries/lens): 815 g (28.7 oz)DI-2 3/3.

The Fuji FinePix F30 will free the avid photographer from the shackles of pixel counting and is the world’s first digicam to produce ISO 3200 sensitivity at full resolution. Sounds incredible don’t it? With the F30 you can kiss lightening woes goodbye as the F30 captures brilliant images in very dark lightening conditions. Fuji has incorporated a sensitivity setting that is eight times as effectual in low light as a usual compact with ISO 400.This would result in sharp, well composed and well lit pictures even when they are set in night.

The Fuji FinePix F30 has a sixth generation Super CCD and includes Fuji’s revolutionary Real Photo Processor II. Technology. It has a unique and novel flash system which Fuji calls intelligent flash’ which combine natural foreground illumination with balanced exposure in the background. The camera also boasts of a 2.5-inch LCD screen which is coated and reduces glare and reflection two major irritants in dig cams. Special care has been taken to reduce image noise and the camera includes scene positions from underwater, beach and snow, to sunset, party and fireworks.

No word on pricing yet but users can get their hands on this exciting digicam around June 2006.

The A600 is a 6MP camera which also features Fuji’s acclaimed proprietary Super CCD.Targeted at both new comers and veterans the Fuji A600 has a brilliant 2.4-inch LCD monitor and produces high quality images without losing the realistic touch amiss many digital images these days. The images are highly detailed and sharp thus making the user ecstatic. Though there is no viewfinder users can compensate by using the big LCD and compose perfect pictures.

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