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-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from CNET Asia. --------------------------------------------------------------
How to select the right Fujifilm camera 
By Leonard Goh
09/04/2009 URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001469,62043875,00.htm Fujifilm introduced its first FinePix camera more than a decade ago. Since then these shooters have undergone several revamps. According to the Japanese company, the brand FinePix is associated with quality, where "Pix" stands for both pictures and pixels. Meaning that images taken with these cameras are of "fine quality".
 The new Super CCD EXR Fujifilm's niche lies in producing great-looking, low-light and wide dynamic range photos. This expertise was acquired from the company's knowledge of film manufacturing (which it is still doing). Thus, you may notice that the colors from FinePix shooters tend to look more stunning and accurate. In the past, Fujifilm competed against other film manufacturers. While most have since faded into the background after the digital revolution, the firm managed not only to adapt to a new environment, but also thrived in it. The rationale for its success is simple: "Embrace technology, and stay ahead of the challenge." If you've set eyes on a Fujifilm point-and-shoot but aren't quite sure which one to get, we've put together a handy snapshot of each series' strengths and weaknesses for you right here. Last updated on 9 April 2009. Click on the images to find out more about the series.
Click on the brand names to find out more about their cameras.
The A series The A-series of shooters are essentially like those in the J family, but an even more scaled-down version. It uses AA-sized batteries for power and is typically more bulky. Fujifilm told us the A-series is targeted at students who want an affordable camera. Even though the prices for powerful point-and-shoot units have been dropping, the firm told us it will still continue to rely on the A-series to capture the entry-level market. In this series
FinePix A150 With a thickness of 21.7mm, Fujifilm claims the A150 is the world's smallest point-and-shoot to use AA-size batteries. The 10-megapixel snapper has 3x optical zoom, but the LCD size has been bumped up from 2.5 inches on its predecessor to 3 inches on this model. Despite that, the shooter still remains an affordable option for shutterbugs. Other related models: A100, A920 and A820 The J series When the J-series lineup was first unveiled, Fujifilm told CNET Asia that these no frills shooters were suitable for first-time digicam users. Since then, the J-series has gotten upgrades in its specifications. Face detection feature was added to some cameras, and higher-end models given wide-angle lenses and sensor-shift image stabilizing systems. That said, these snappers are still easy to use with an intelligent scene recognition function that automatically adjusts exposure settings according to the ambient light situation. Price range: In this series
FinePix J250 From its literature, the 10-megapixel J250 seems to be a great all-round point-and-shoot. It has a 5x optical zoom lens which is 28mm at its widest. The sensor-shift image stabilizer prevents blurry images when taking pictures with the zoom extended. Unlike typical budget shooters, the J250 has a generous 3-inch LCD to aid in framing shots and viewing images during playback. Other related models: J150W and J100 
FinePix J20 For an entry-level shooter, the J20 is extremely slim with a thickness of just 17.4mm. However, the tradeoff for such style is a shorter zoom range of only 3x and no wide-angle lens. That said, this 10-megapixel snapper will still appeal to those who want a sleek-looking camera equipped with scene recognition and face detection features. Other related model: J10 The Z series Targeted at the stylish, young and trendy crowd, the Z-series shooters are clad in different shades other than the usual black or silver. Teenagers and young working adults will appreciate the budget price tag that doesn't compromise on design. According to Fujifilm, the Z-series is the first to implement a sliding lens cover for digital cameras and this fad has caught on with other brands. The slim shooters also have a slew of features such face detection and image stabilization to make snapping pictures easier for beginners. Price range: In this series
FinePix Z200fd Just when we were getting bored of face detection and smile shutter, along came the Z200fd to add some spice. The Couple Timer measures the distance between two people and automatically snaps a shot when they are close enough. This three-digit lineup is targeted at a more mature audience, which explains the more subtle colored chassis. However, this shooter may not be available in every region, so check with your local retailer for availability. Other related model: Z100fd 
FinePix Z30 The Z30 ditches its predecessor's (the Z20fd) angular looks and adopts more fun, curvy aesthetics. Specs-wise, it has also been upgraded with scene recognition feature. For those who use social networking sites a lot, Fujifilm has incorporated a blog mode which has several image-adjusting settings to optimize pictures for the Web. Other related model: Z20fd The Z-WP series The WP suffix stands for waterproof, which is exactly what this series is about. Fujifilm is targeting trendy youngsters who are casual divers and would want a camera that they can bring along to the beach or the pool. As with the Z series point-and-shoots, the waterproof variation also has scene recognition and face detection. In this series
FinePix Z33WP Fujifilm claims the Z33WP is the world's smallest and lightest waterproof camera. Despite its compact footprint, the 10-megapixel shooter can dive to depths of 3m. Although the specifications are not great, the 3x optical zoom lens and scene recognition should suffice for most picture taking situations. The Z33WP is available in several eye-catching shades to keep in line with its target audience profile. The F series The F series is Fujifilm's flagship compact camera lineup, and it has been given a performance boost this year with the F200EXR which utilizes the new Super CCD EXR technology. One reason this family of shooters is so popular is because it has a niche in low-light photography, which is complemented by a high ISO sensitivity of 12,800 and the Super CCD EXR's High Sensitivity and Low Noise mode. In this series
FinePix F200EXR The F200EXR uses the new Super CCD EXR which, in our tests, delivered images with wide dynamic range and low noise levels. That's enough to convince us that this model is a worthy successor of the acclaimed F31fd. Specs-wise, this unit has a handy 5x optical zoom lens which is widest at 28mm. The 3-inch LCD is also great for framing and viewing shots. Other related models: F100fd and F60fd 
FinePix F480 The lack of the "fd" prefix at the end of this model indicates that there is no face detection technology in this unit. The larger-numbered lineup is a more affordable option for shutterbugs who don't need fancy features but insist on the essentials. It would be a sin to call it "no frills" when it has a 28mm wide-angle lens, 4x optical zoom and 2.7-inch LCD. The S series With dSLR-like styling, the shooters in this series attempt to bridge the gap between point-and-shoots and the big guns. Most of them come with long zoom range and are targeted at shutterbugs who want more creative control with less bulk. Although the prices for dSLRs are dropping, Fujifilm told us its bridges are holding on strong. In this series
FinePix S100FS It may feel intimidating the first time you hold the S100FS--after all, its build and footprint surpass those of most entry-level dSLRs. The wealth of controls which mimic its more advanced cousins should go well with fussy photographers who demand control in every aspect when snapping a shot. The 14.3x zoom is coupled with an optical IS to counter shaky hands when shooting through the far end of the lens. This snapper is also the first to feature Film Simulation, which emulates the color of Fujifilm's popular positive slides. 
FinePix S2000HD This FinePix shooter is Fujifilm's only digicam to date that can record HD-quality video clips. Targeted at travelers, this camera has a 15x optical zoom and 27.6mm wide-angle lens. The S2000HD also employs a sensor-shift image stabilizer to reduce blurriness in pictures caused by hand shakes. Other related models: S1500 and S8100fd |
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