Fujifilm launches FinePix F600 EXR travel zoom

Fujifilm has announced the FinePix F600 EXR, an updated version of its F550 raw-capable compact superzoom. The F600 features the same back-illuminated 1/2" EXR CMOS sensor and 24-360mm equivalent zoom lens but gains a series of feature improvements, allowing users to make more of the camera's capabilities. The biggest advance is a motion detection mode that allows the camera to increase the ISO to better capture moving subjects. If motion isn't detected, the camera will use a lower ISO to maximise image quality. The camera's GPS is also better utilized, with the addition of a Landmark Navigator mode that informs you of nearby landmarks as well as tagging them in your photos. It also features an 'Intelligent Digital Zoom' context-sensitive sharpening feature when up-sizing the cropped images shot in digital zoom mode, to reduce the loss of image quality. The camera retains the F550's raw capability and 1080p30 HD movie shooting.

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Press Release:

FinePix F600 EXR – the ultimate travel companion

Fujifilm is proud to announce the launch of the FinePix F600 EXR - a model that defines new picture-taking possibilities for a compact camera. Despite being no bigger than the F550 EXR it supersedes, the FinePix F600 EXR boasts exciting new technologies that improve the user experience and make it the ideal camera for photographers who like to travel, as well as those who simply want high quality results from a camera that fits into a pocket.

The FinePix F600 EXR uses key aspects of the specification first seen on the F550 EXR, but adds extra functionality. The pioneering 16 megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor now features new EXR Auto with a Motion Detection capability to virtually reduce subject blur in all lighting conditions. The built-in GPS functionality adds a Landmark Navigator feature to help photographers pin-point locations, and the 15x wide-angle optical zoom lens now doubles its telephoto power thanks to the new intelligent digital zoom mode. It all stacks up to make the FinePix F600 EXR a dynamic package and one that will set new standards in the premium compact camera market.  

Intelligent Digital Zoom pulls in the most distant details

The FinePix F600 EXR is no slouch when it comes to zoom capability. The camera features a wide-reaching 15x optical zoom, which offers the 35mm equivalent of a 24-360mm lens. This ensures that users can capture a wide range of images from landscapes through to tightly framed details.

Thanks to the new Intelligent Digital Zoom feature, however, the F600 EXR’s zoom range offers double the telephoto power. With its 30x Intelligent Digital Zoom, even the most distant objects can be turned into frame-filling close-ups, greatly extending the creative uses for the FinePix F600 EXR.

Intelligent Digital Zoom is an enhanced digital zoom function. Cameras featuring conventional digital zoom functionality boost sharpness during processing by enhancing the edges of all objects in the frame. However, this also increases noise in unwanted areas of the image, leading to lower quality results. Fujifilm’s Intelligent Digital Zoom assesses areas of contrast within an image and applies selective processing to the sections of the image where sharpness can be boosted without lowering image quality. This ensures that digital noise is not increased uniformly across the frame so results are much improved. 

Improved sensor technology = improved low light pictures

The bespoke ½” 16 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor in the FinePix F600 EXR was first seen in the F550 EXR and combines Back Side Illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) and EXR technologies to deliver superb results across a wide range of lighting conditions. This is thanks to the design of the sensor, which improves light transmission to boost performance, most notably in low light conditions. On the F600 EXR, however, low light results are further enhanced thanks to the improved EXR Auto mode that now offers Motion Detection plus a superior scene recognition range than previous models.
 
The new Motion Detection function enables the FinePix F600 EXR to tackle motion blur on three fronts with mechanical image stabilisation, high ISO sensitivity and the new Motion Detection capability working together. In low light conditions with EXR Auto mode selected, the FinePix F600 EXR will automatically identify if the subject is moving. If it is, the camera deploys Motion Detection and a higher ISO to ensure the subject is captured, blur free. If no subject movement is identified, the FinePix F600 EXR will automatically keep the ISO lower and use image stabilisation for blur free results.

This new functionality is in addition to the EXR sensor’s unique technology. Leave the FinePix F600 EXR in EXR Auto and it will select the best option to deliver a great result. But users who prefer to take more control themselves can choose from:

• EXR HR (High Resolution) priority mode is where the sensor utilises every one of its 16 megapixels for the highest quality results.

• EXR DR (Dynamic Range) priority mode where two images are captured and then merged together to produce superb results on high contrast scenes.

• EXR SN (Signal to Noise) priority mode in which pixels are doubled up to increase sensitivity and give better results in low light conditions.

Augmented Reality Landmark Navigator – the next level of GPS

GPS tagging is the latest must-have feature on compact cameras and after introducing the functionality on the FinePix F550 EXR, Fujifilm has taken the technology further with the introduction of a GPS Landmark Navigator on the FinePix F600 EXR.

Imagine you’re visiting a city that you’ve never been to before. You want to be sure you take in all the famous sites – or you simply want to know where they are in relation to your current location. GPS Landmark Navigator enables you to do just that. The FinePix F600 EXR automatically locates places of interest from its on-board database of around one million locations before displaying these points on the camera’s LCD, showing their relative position, distance from your current spot and type of location depending on a range of category icons. Users can also add and edit location names.

This exciting new feature is offered in addition to the GPS functionality introduced in the FinePix F550 EXR. This includes Photo Navigation to help users to find their way back to a previously-photographed location, and tracking data where users can create a route of their travels – along with pictures taken along that route – once they return home using Google Maps*.

Great panoramic shots – seamlessly!

A 360° panoramic image of a location makes for a great memory and the FinePix F600 EXR has an enhanced Motion Panorama mode that ensures those memories are even better preserved. With the camera’s 360° panorama functionality, each side of the panorama is connected so you get one – seamless – panoramic shot. No details are missed and you’re assured of recording every single aspect of a location.

Good panoramic shots also rely on a steady grip on the camera and the FinePix F600 EXR’s new rubber coating (only available on Black version) on the front plate will ensure a solid hold, as well as enhancing the overall feel of the camera. Coupled with the high resolution 3.0-inch LCD screen (460K dots), the FinePix F600 EXR all adds up to a fantastic handling experience.

Fantastic features for maximum versatility

In addition to all these exciting new features, the F600 EXR also offers a wide range of picture taking modes that make it the ideal model for almost every photographic occasion.

ISO sensitivity up to 12,800, a full complement of exposure modes including aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual for creative shooting, continuous frame capture of up to eight frames per second at full resolution, RAW file format, a selection of film simulation modes, and a full-featured integrated flash are just some of the multitude of options available.

And for users preferring to capture video footage, the FinePix F600 EXR offers full HD 1080p movie capture with stereo sound and a high speed movie option for freezing fast moving action at up to an incredible 320 frames per second.

Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR key features:

• 16 megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor with NEW EXR Auto mode and Motion Detection technology
• 15x optical zoom covering 24-360mm (35mm equivalent) plus 2x Intelligent Digital zoom
• GPS Landmark Navigator
• Seamless Motion Panorama 360 mode
• 3.0” LCD screen (high resolution 460K dots)
• Rubberised body coating (Black model only)
• P, A, S, M exposure modes for creativity plus Scene modes
• Pro Low-Light and Pro Focus advanced shooting modes
• Full HD (1080p) movie capture
• Photobook Assist function
• Film Simulation modes
• RAW image capture (RAF file format)
• SD, SDHC and SDXC card compatibility
• 33MB internal memory
• Available in the UK in Red, Black and White colour variations

*You need to install “MyFinePix Studio” on your PC to access to this function.

Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR specifications

Additional images