FinePix S8100fd digi compact launched

...packing in a 18x wide angle lens and 10 megapixels

24 January 2008 10:15 GMT / By Katie Scott

The successor to the Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd is the FinePix S8100fd, which was unveiled today.

The FinePix S8100fd is being touted as an alternative to DSLRs.

It offers face detection (hence the fd), a Fujinon 18x wide angle optical zoom fixed lens (delivering an equivalent focal range of 27mm-486mm) and inherited from its predecessor, and new Zoom Bracketing and Instant Zoom modes.

The face detection tool is capable of identifying and prioritising up to 10 faces in a frame and then adjusts the focus and exposure accordingly.

After the shot is captured the new automatic red-eye removal feature will check each detected face for red-eye and then correct it in the camera automatically.

The new Instant Zoom function captures moving subjects at high zoom settings. After zooming on a subject, a single button gives an additional 1.4x or 2x digital zoom at the centre focus region of the frame.

The Zoom Bracketing performs a similar action using Fujifilm’s Face Detection Technology to lock its zoom action on a subject’s face automatically as it enters the shot.

The FinePix S8100fd also features Fujifilm’s Dual Image Stabilisation which combines mechanical sensor shift stabilisation with Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilisation Technology, which uses fast shutter speeds and ISO levels of up to ISO 6400 (at 5 Megapixels) to counter blur.

Also worth a mention is the camera's Continuous Shooting Mode, which supports shooting of up to 33 frames at 13.5fps (at 3 megapixels; 6.8fps at 5 megapixels).

And the S8100fd also boasts full manual photographic control including resolution, ISO, aperture and shutter speed; 13 pre-programmed scene modes; a Super Macro Mode: for shooting as close as 1cm; and VGA quality movies shot at 30fps with sound.

The S8100fd also has both a 2.5 inch Wide View LCD display and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a 60 fps refresh rate.

It is compatible with xD, SD and SDHC cards.

The FinePix S8100fd will be available in the UK in March, and its price will be announced nearer to its arrival.