Fujifilm FinePix A800
8-megapixel entry-level Fuji sports higher sensitivity, accepts SD Card (by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)
CES 2007, Las Vegas , January 4, 2007 - It is now easier and more affordable than ever for consumers to capture high-quality, natural-looking photographs at the click of a button. FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today raised both the picture-taking and purchasing power of first-time digital camera buyers with the launch of two new models, the six-MegaPixel FinePix A610 and eight-MegaPixel FinePix A800.
More than half of all digital camera purchases in 2006 were made by first-time buyers. Almost 60% of these first-time purchases totaled less than $200*. Designed specifically for the first-time digital camera buyer or consumers seeking an easy-to-operate upgrade to their current digital camera, Fujifilm's A-Series models provide users with a choice of digital cameras that offer top-notch image quality at consumer-friendly price points.
The FinePix A800 is the first model in Fujifilm's A-Series line-up to sport an eight-MegaPixel Super CCD Sensor and the first to incorporate light sensitivities of up to ISO 800 at full resolution. Borrowing a page from Fujifilm's more advanced camera models, the FinePix A800 shoots at higher light sensitivities with less noise than comparative models. This results higher quality "natural light" photos and less blur in images as the FinePix A800 matches these higher light sensitivities with faster shutter speeds.
Fujifilm's A-Series digital cameras are among its most popular models and the FinePix A610 should help continue this trend. This camera has the same comfortable design as the FinePix A800 and is priced right for the first-time digital buyer. In a first for Fujifilm's compact digital camera range, the FinePix A800 and A610 both feature a "xD/SD Compatible slot", which accepts not only Fujifilm's traditional xD-Picture Cards, but also Secure Digital (SD) cards.
In addition to the highlights previously referenced, Fujifilm's new A-Series models offer the following attractive features:
New icon-based Graphic User Interface (GUI): Fujifilm debuts its intuitive icon-based graphical user interface on the FinePix A610 and FinePix A800. When users switch shooting modes, scene positions or control settings, a brief explanation of the setting is momentarily displayed on the LCD screen, taking much of the guess work out of digital camera operation.
Fujinon Lens: The 3x optical zoom lens for both cameras was developed specifically for the A-Series by Fujinon, a Fujifilm sister company and leading provider of broadcast-grade television lenses.
Internal memory: When the xD Picture Card (sold separately) is filled with images, users have a little extra internal storage space on each camera to capture additional pictures. A great storage fall-back option for the most active picture-takers.
Mode Dial: The FinePix A800 is the first A-Series camera to feature a mode dial, allowing users to easily toggle between camera, playback and movie recording modes.
Single slot compatibility with both xD-Picture Card and SD storage media
Large LCD: 2.5-inch LCD display with anti-glare properties
Scene Modes: A wide range of scene modes provides top-quality photos in a range of shooting conditions. The FinePix A800 has 2 shooting modes and 17 scene positions and A610 has 2 shooting modes and 14 scene positions.
The FinePix A610 and FinePix A800 will debut in March 2007 with retail prices of $129 and $179, respectively.
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 18 for U.S. patents granted in 2005, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2006, had global revenues of $22.8 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 www.fujifilmusa.com.
We like:
- 256 TTL metering vs 64
- 30 fps moviews wit sound instead of 15 fps
- Can now use SD Cards!
- More scene modes
- Improved menu system
- 800 ISO sensitivity
Not so much:
- Still no 640 x 480 movie mode
- Still no voice recording
- Screen remains low-res
- No anti-shake limits use of digital zoom
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Specifications Fujifilm FinePix A800
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Status
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Added 1/2007 (available 3/2007)
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Camera Type
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Compact
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Size
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3.8 x 2.4 x 1.2
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Weight (oz.)
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5.3 (without battery)
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Effective Pixels
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8.3 mp |
CCD Type
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1/1.6" Super CCD HR
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Max pixel size
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3296 x 2472
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File formats
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JPEG, AVI (Motion JPEG), WAV
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Compression
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fine, normal
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Movie recording (best)
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30fps without audio til full
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Max movie pixels
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320 x 240 with sound (no zoom)
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Voice recording
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not sure
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Lens
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Fujinon
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Focal length
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8.0-24 (36-108mm)
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Zoom (optical/digital)
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3X/6.9X
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Aperture
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f/2.8 - f/8
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Focus modes
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Auto/Macro
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Focus minimum/macro
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3.9 inches, 1.6 feet
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Shutter speed
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1/1600 to 4 sec
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Sensitivity (ISO)
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auto/100/200/400/800
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Autofocus system
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TTL contrast type; Center
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Metering
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TTL 256-zones metering
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White-balance modes
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Auto, Preset (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light )
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Shooting modes
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Auto, Baby mode, PS(Anti-Blur), Red-eye Reduction, Digital ZOOM, Portrait, SP(Scene Position) Movie
Scene Position: Landscape, Sport, Night, Natural light, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Sunset, Underwater, Flower, Party, Museum, Text, Manual
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Exposure compensation
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+/- 2 in 1/3 increments
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Viewfinder Type
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None |
LCD size
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2.5" LCD (115k)
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LCD construction
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fixed
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Flash type
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built-in
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Flash range
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up to 12.5 feet
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Flash modes
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Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction + Slow Synchro
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Camera internal memory
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10MB
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Storage Medium
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xD-Picture Card or SD Card
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I/O
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A/V, DC
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Battery type
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2 AA; NiMH AAs and AC/DC adapter optional
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CIPA Battery life (LCD/off)
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NA
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Retail Price
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US$179
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Contact
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www.fujifilmusa.com
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Technology Information
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Inside the CCD
Digital Camera Primer
PictBridge, PIM, Exif, DPOF
Recent advances
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Search
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