New FujiFilm Cams Easy on The Wallet

FujiFilm has announced three new cameras, two aimed at new digital photographers and another aimed at photo-savvy snappers on a budget.

Not to be left out of the pre-PMA hype, FujiFilm today announced three new FinePix cameras sure to appeal to first-time digital photographers as well as experienced snappers looking for advanced features at a checkbook-friendly price.

First up, the FinePix S5700 (which FujiFilm seems to want to call the S700 elsewhere…) offers a 7.1 megapixel resolution with a nice 10×optical zoom and ISO sensitivity all the way up to 1600. The S5700 offers a Picture Stabilization mode (which looks to be an electronic combination of high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds rather than optical image stabilization), an intelligent flash which varies in intensity depending on the scene, a dual shot mode, 14 scene modes, and compatibility with both xD and SD storage media. The camea sports a 2.5-inch LCD, 27M of internal memory, and runs off 4 AA batteries. The S5700 boasts a DSLR-like styling—just in case you want to try to fool people into thinking you’re one of those
photographers—and should be available in March for a surprisingly friendly price of $249.95.

[Update 23-Feb-2007: FujiFilm says th 7.1 megapixel DSLR-like FinePix camera, above, will be marketed as the S5700 in Europe, and the S700 in the United States, which explains the initial confusion and duplication in the company's product materials.]

For the first-time digital camera buyers, FujiFilm has also announced the FinePix A820 and FinePix A900 point-and-shoot cameras, respectively offering 8.3 and 9 megapixel resolutions, 4× optical zooms, and ISO sensitivities up to 800. To be friendly for first-time buyers, the cameras feature icon-based interfaces (because we all know icons make things easy!) along with a mode dial which enables users to quickly switch between commonly-used shooting modes. Both cameras offer electronic image stabilization through a combination of fast shutter speeds and high sensitivity, are handle both xD and SD storage media; both also feature IrSimple connectivity to wirelessly share pictures with other cameras, devices, and photo kiosks, and 2.5-inch LCD viewfinders. The A820 and A900 should hit retailers this May at suggested prices of $179.95 and $199.95.