The Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR is a new compact digital camera with a 10x wide-angle zoom lens. Measuring only 22.7mm thick, the Fujifilm F70EXR offers several enhancements over its predecessor, the FinePix F60. The F70 EXR has a 10x optical zoom lens that covers a focal length of 27-270mm, Picture Stabilization and CCD Image Stabilization to counteract handshake, and an improved high contrast 230K-pixel 2.7” LCD screen. Fujifilm’s EXR technology, introduced earlier this year on the FinePix F200EXR, offers three shooting modes - HR (High Resolution) mode, SN (High Sensitivity and Low Noise) mode and DR (Wide Dynamic Range) mode, plus EXR Auto which automatically switches the sensor to HR, SN or DR mode depending on the lighting conditions. The FinePix F70EXR also offers the new Pro Focus Mode which combines two or three burst shots together to create a crisp shot of the subject against a defocused background and foreground. In Pro Low-light Mode the F70 EXR will take bursts of four high sensitivity images using Pixel Fusion Technology to create one image with extremely low noise. The Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR will be available in August 2009 at a retail price of $279.95. In the UK the F70EXR will be available end of August 2009 with pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

Fujifilm USA Press Release

FUJIFILM’S UNVEILS ITS FIRST LONG-ZOOM DIGITAL COMPACT CAMERA: THE FINEPIX F70EXR

Powerful New Addition to Fujifilm’s Award-Winning F-Series Offers DSLR-like Capabilities in an Affordable, Stylish Package

Valhalla, NY, July 22, 2009 – FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced the FinePix F70EXR, a sleek, compact digital camera that combines intuitive use with the most advanced features and technology available in a point-and-shoot digital camera. The announcement of the FinePix F70EXR also marks Fujifilm’s first model in the growing long-zoom compact segment with an impressive Fujinon 10x wide angle optical zoom.

Encased in a beautifully sculpted metal shell with a double coated lacquer finish and measuring only 22.7mm thick, the FinePix F70EXR offers several enhancements over its predecessor, the FinePix F60 and boasts marked improvements over competing long-zoom digital cameras, particularly in the areas of design, image quality and capture technology.

“The FinePix F70EXR, which has been designed specifically for taking demanding shots in challenging conditions, requires a sophisticated sensor and control algorithms to ensure every shot looks the very best,” said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.  “By adding our EXR technology to the FinePix F70EXR, users will achieve outstanding images in virtually any lighting condition, and have the advantages of a 10x zoom that fits in your shirt pocket.” 

Super CCD EXR
Long zoom compact cameras, as opposed to standard compact digital cameras, typically use a smaller sensor that is vulnerable to difficult lighting conditions since light has a harder time reaching the CCD sensor. To mitigate this vulnerability, Fujifilm has introduced its award-winning EXR technology into the FinePix F70EXR, allowing for significant improvement in image quality against the competition. 

Introduced earlier this year with the FinePix F200EXR, Fujifilm’s EXR technology uses the human eye as the basis for the perfect camera sensor, creating a Super CCD sensor capable of registering excellent levels of detail when switched to its HR (High Resolution) mode. The FinePix F70EXR is also capable of offering excellent quality in low light and superb highlight detail in contrast light when switched to its SN (High Sensitivity and Low Noise) mode and DR (Wide Dynamic Range) modes respectively.

EXR Modes
An advanced feature on the FinePix F70EXR, ‘EXR Auto’ helps take the guesswork out of setting the camera by doing it for you.  EXR Auto is a sophisticated set of program modes that can automatically detect six different types of scenes - Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Backlit Portrait, Night, and Night Portrait. The camera will recognize the scene and optimize focus, color balance, exposure, flash and sensitivity and will automatically switch the sensor to HR, SN or DR mode depending on the lighting conditions of the scene.  By using EXR Auto, users can let the camera do all the hard work and concentrate more on getting the best shot possible.

Multi Frame Technology: Pro Focus Mode / Pro Low-light Mode
New Fujifilm EXR digital cameras, including the FinePix F70EXR will offer several new shooting modes that combine the power of Super CCD EXR with Multi Frame Technology to enable users to capture exceptional images that rival the most expensive professional D-SLR cameras.

Typically, one of the ways to distinguish ‘D-SLR’ photography from ‘compact’ photography has been the use of ‘wide aperture’ to create mood and depth in a picture. These ‘professional’ shots are now possible on the FinePix F70EXR, which uses Pro Focus Mode to combine two or three burst shots together. Through complex digital imaging technology, a crisp shot of the subject is synthesized against a defocused background and foreground. Ideal for portraiture, nature photography or any subject that needs ‘lifting’ from its background, the FinePix F70EXR Pro Focus Mode provides satisfying professional results at the touch of a button.

Meanwhile, Pro Low-light Mode is applied to solving the problems of noisy low light shots.  With current cameras, it is possible to achieve relatively blur-free low light shots using high ISO and CCD shift mechanical image stabilization.  However, high ISO settings typically come at a cost, as the ISO 1600 setting will invariably produce distracting and ugly noise. In Pro Low-light Mode, the camera will take bursts of four high sensitivity images using Pixel Fusion Technology[*1] in quick succession.  With Multi Frame Technology, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th images are overlapped to create one image with extremely low noise.

Super Slim 10x Zoom Lens
In conjunction with the Super CCD EXR sensor, the FinePix F70EXR features a Fujinon 10x optical zoom lens that produces crisp high resolution results throughout the focal range, from 27mm wide-angle to 270mm telephoto.  The lens of the FinePix F70EXR features Super EBC Coating that keeps ghosting and flare to minimum to allow for optimal picture quality. 

Film Simulation Modes
Similar to other high-end FinePix models, the FinePix F70EXR offers five different film ‘modes’ to allow the photographer full creative expression to explore a variety of pre-set color and contrast modes designed around Fujifilm’s most famous film emulsions. The modes are:

• Velvia/Vivid mode for rich and luscious landscapes
• PROVIA/Standard mode for excellent, sharp, standard photography
• ASTIA/Soft mode for soft, fine, smooth tonality
• Black & White mode captures the dramatic honesty of your image in black and white
• Sepia mode creates a sense of nostalgia with the warm brown “antique” tones of Sepia

In the Provia, Velvia and Astia modes, the dynamic range can now be set to 800% to improve and highlight details further.

New ‘Super Intelligent’ Flash
The FinePix F70EXR offers a radically improved flash control system which efficiently controls the level of flash for a given exposure to produce beautifully balanced flash illumination across the foreground and background.  Gone are the ugly washout shots where the subject is blasted with light and the background dark and unexposed.  Super Intelligent Flash is most useful in macro photography where the contrast between subject and background can be especially challenging, but is also effective for night and backlit photography.

New High Contrast LCD
The FinePix F70EXR is fitted with an improved high contrast 230K-pixel 2.7” LCD.  The high contrast LCD is a considerable benefit in bright light, and means that the camera can be pitched at various shooting angles to enable framing of awkward shots.  Viewable at 160 degrees both vertically and horizontally, the LCD is bright and clear for beautiful rendition of shots in playback.

Dual Stabilization
Long zoom cameras need stabilization more than any other compact, with handshake and subject movement a particular problem in low light at telephoto range.  The FinePix F70EXR reduces blur to a minimum by deploying Picture Stabilization to automatically increase shutter speeds to freeze action, and CCD Image Stabilization to counteract the problems of handshake.  By cleverly combining these two, blur is reduced to an absolute minimum.

Face Detection 3.0 and Automatic Red-eye Removal
To provide perfectly exposed and focused portrait shots, the FinePix F70EXR is fitted with Fujifilm’s latest Face Detection technology which is able to track up to 10 faces simultaneously, at almost any angle to the camera. The system instantly corrects red-eye and then saves both the original and the corrected image file automatically.

The FinePix F70EXR will be available August 2009 at a retail price of $279.95.

About FUJIFILM
FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. is a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, providing digital and analog photographic Imaging Systems 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 visit www.fujifilmusa.com. To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm U.S.A. via RSS, subscribe free at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.

FUJIFILM Corporation brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, photofinishing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 15 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2008, employs more than 70,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2009, had global revenues of $24 billion. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.

[*1] Pixel Fusion Technology: Technology of Fujifilm changing the color filter arrangement. Two side-by-side, same-colored pixels are taken together as a single pixel. The area of imaging elements is doubled, the sensitivity is twice the normal level, and “dark noise” is extremely small. Therefore it is possible to create a high sensitivity image with little noise, instead of increasing the gain from a single pixel and increasing the noise.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

FinePix F70EXR:  A Stylish New EXR Model for the Long Zoom Compact Market

Fujifilm today announces the FinePix F70EXR, the Company’s first model in the growing long-zoom compact sector. 

The FinePix F70EXR gives three critical improvements on current models.  First, image quality.  The one drawback with long zoom cameras is that the sensor has to be necessarily small, with less light reaching the CCD than would be the case with standard compacts.  Fujifilm has introduced its award-winning EXR technology into the FinePix F70EXR, giving a significant improvement in image quality against other models.  The second major benefit of the FinePix F70EXR is the neat compact design.  At only 22.7mm thick and crafted into a beautiful sculpted shell with a double -coated lacquer finish.  Lastly, Fujinon 10x Zoom lens, developed in conjunction with the Super CCD EXR sensor, produces crisp high resolution results throughout the focal range, from 27mm wide-angle to 270mm telephoto.

Super CCD EXR-The Quality Edge
Introduced earlier this year with the FinePix F200EXR, this radical new approach to sensor technology has paid handsome dividends with a stream of positive reviews.  Modelling the EXR sensor on the human eye, for the first time the user can ‘flex’ the behaviour of the sensor according to the scene to the photographed.  When the light is strong and even, the camera can be switched to HR (High Resolution) mode to ensure every small detail is recorded.  When light is strong but contrasty, the sensor can switch to DR (Wide Dynamic Range) mode to get the optimal balance between highlight and shadows.  Lastly, in low light the sensor will switch to SN (High Sensitivity and Low Noise) mode, to ensure clean noise-free pictures even in the darkest conditions.
EXR was invented to maximise quality when the size of the sensor is necessarily constrained.  So EXR is a perfect sensor for a long zoom compact, delivering extraordinary results even in the most challenging conditions.

EXR Modes – You Decide
The FinePix F70EXR is fitted with the same EXR Priority modes as its more premium F and S sister cameras (F200EXR and S200EXR).  Users can choose to default to HR ‘Resolution Priority’, SN ‘High ISO & Low Noise Priority’ or DR ‘D-Range Priority’ for consistent shooting using one sensor setting (for instance, always choosing ‘best dynamic range’ whatever the lighting conditions).

A fantastic addition to the FinePix F70EXR, EXR Auto takes the guesswork out of setting the camera by doing everything for you.  EXR Auto is essentially a very sophisticated set of program modes.  The camera can automatically detect six different types of scenes - Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Backlit Portrait, Night, and Night Portrait. The camera will recognize the scene and not only will optimise focus, colour balance, exposure, flash and sensitivity, but will also automatically switch the sensor to HR, SN or DR mode depending on the lighting conditions of the scene.  Users of the FinePix F70EXR will rely heavily on EXR Auto for their general photography, as for many, letting the camera ‘do all the hard work’ leaves the photographer free to concentrate on getting the best shot possible.  And a camera like the FinePix F70EXR, taking demanding shots in challenging conditions from macro to full telephoto,  needs a sophisticated sensor and control algorithms to ensure every shot looks the very best.

Super Slim 10x Zoom Lens
Most long-zoom compacts are hybrid models between bigger bridge equivalents and smaller 5x compacts. They are often bulky and not designed to be pocketable. After much market testing Fujifilm opted for a sleek, thin design, almost the same thickness as current x5 models. The FinePix F70EXR is not only perfect for general family use but also for ‘enthusiast’ photography and will be a perfect camera for both men and women alike.
The 22.7mm-thick metal chassis oozes quality while the double-coated varnishing not only protects the camera from accidental knocks, but provides a jewellery-like finish.

It’s all in the lens
Long zoom compacts depend heavily on the quality of the optics, so no expense has been spared to provide the FinePix F70EXR with the sharpest, clearest Fujinon 10x zoom lens.  The lens of F70EXR features Super Electronic Beam Coating (EBC).  The original coating system of Fujinon that keeps ghosting and flare to minimum to promise optimal picture quality.  Enabled by making the reflection to low level even under extensive wavelength with special coating structure.  At the same time, newly designed complex aspheric lens and original lens driving unit promises minimum color aberration all in a slim body.
 
DSLR-like Effects with Pro-Focus Mode
Typically, one of the ways to distinguish ‘DSLR’ photography from ‘compact’ photography has been the use of ‘wide aperture’ to create mood and depth in a picture. These ‘professional’ shots are now possible on the FinePix F70EXR, uses Pro Focus Mode to combine 2 or 3 burst shots together.  Through complex digital imaging technology, a crisp shot of the subject is created against a defocused background and foreground.  Ideal for portraiture, nature photography or any subject which needs ‘lifting’ from its background, the FinePix F70EXR Pro Focus Mode provides satisfying professional results at the touch of a button.

The Pro Low-light Mode is applied to solving the problems of noisy low light shots.  With current cameras, it is possible to achieve relatively blur-free low light shots using high ISO and CCD shift (or optical image) stabilization.  But this comes at a cost, as the ISO 1600 setting will invariably produce distracting and ugly noise.

Once switched to Pro Lowlight Mode, the camera will take burst of 4 high sensitivity images using Pixel Fusion Technology *2 in quick succession.  By Multi Frame Technology, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th images are overlapped to create one image with extremely low noise.

Load Your FinePix F70EXR with Film
Similar to other high-end FinePix models, the FinePix F70EXR offers 5 different film ‘modes’ to allow the photographer full creative expression to explore a variety of pre-set colour and contrast modes designed around Fujifilm’s most famous film emulsions.  The modes are: Velvia/Vivid (for dramatic full saturation colour), PROVIA/Standard (for classic ‘neutral’ photography), ASTIA/Soft (for gentle, low contrast portraiture and soft, fine, smooth tonality), Sepia (for antique, warms tones) and Black & White (for dramatic monotones). In the Velvia and Astia modes, the dynamic range can now be set to 800% to improve highlight detail yet further.

New ‘Super Intelligent’ Flash
The FinePix F70EXR offers a radically improved flash control system which efficiently controls the level of flash for a given exposure to produce beautifully balanced flash illumination across the foreground and background.  Gone are the ugly washout shots where the subject is blasted with light and the background dark and unexposed.  Super Intelligent Flash is most useful in macro photography where the contrast between subject and background can be especially challenging, but is also effective for night and backlit photography.

New High Contrast LCD
The FinePix F70EXR is fitted with an improved high contrast 230k dot 2.7” LCD.  The high contrast LCD is a considerable benefit in bright light.  The Wide View Filter on the LCD means that the camera can be pitched at various shooting angles to enable framing of awkward shots.  Viewable at 160 degrees in both vertically and horizontally, the LCD is bright and clear for beautiful rendition of shots in playback.

Dual Image Stabilization
Long zoom cameras need stabilization more than any other compact, with handshake and subject movement a particular problem in low light at telephoto range.  The FinePix F70EXR reduces blur to a minimum by deploying Picture Stabilization to automatically increase shutter speeds to freeze action, and CCD Image Stabilization to counteract the problems of handshake.  By cleverly combining these two, blur is reduced to an absolute minimum.

Face Detection With Automatic Red-eye Removal
To provide perfectly exposed and focused portrait shots, the FinePix F70EXR is fitted with Fujifilm’s latest Face Detection technology which is able to track up to 10 faces simultaneously, at almost any angle to the camera. The system instantly corrects red-eye, as fast as 0.1 second, and then saves both the original and the corrected image file automatically.

Summary of the FinePix F70EXR Specification:
• Super CCD EXR 1/2” 10 Megapixel switchable sensor
• EXR Priority Modes and EXR Auto Modes
• Fujinon 10x optical zoom (27mm - 270mm)
• 2.7”, 230k dot High Contrast LCD Monitor
• Ultra High sensitivity (up to ISO 12800 at 3 MP Resolution)
• Pro Focus Mode / Pro Low light Mode
• Dual Image Stabilization (ISO and CCD Shift)
• 5 Film Simulation Modes
• Up to 800% Wide Dynamic Range
• Face Detection with Automatic Red-eye Removal
• Super Intelligent Flash
• Movie Mode with sound (640 x 480, 30 fps)
• High Speed Continuous Shooting of 5 fps up to 12 frames (3 MP resolution)
• 230 shot battery life (with included NP-50 Li battery)

*1 Pixel Fusion Technology:  Technology of Fujifilm changing the colour filter arrangement. Two side-by-side, same-coloured pixels are taken together as a single pixel. The area of imaging elements is doubled, the sensitivity is twice the normal level, and “dark noise” is extremely small. Therefore, it is possible to create a high sensitivity image with little noise, instead of increasing the gain from a single pixel and increasing the noise
*2 Measured by Fujifilm

Availability & pricing
The FinePix F70EXR will be available end of August 2009. SRP will be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

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