Fujifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom is announced today. The Fujifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom is a 9 megapixel digital camera with a 28-300mm lens with twist-barrel zoom control. The Fujifilm S9500 features Fujifilm’s brand new 5th generation Super CCD sensor with Real Photo Technology and offers an ISO range of ISO 80 - ISO 1600. The Finepix S9500 also has a new tilting 1.8” LCD screen, 30fps movie mode with manual zoom capability and a RAW format for uncompressed and unprocessed images. The FinePix S9500 Zoom will be available from UK retailers in August 2005, price to be announced. This camera is known as the Fujifilm FinePix S9000 Zoom in the USA.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom: DSLR approach, with a flexible attitude

Fujifilm’s new ‘bridge’ camera marries high end image quality with a lens so good, you’ll be glad it’s not removable

Fujifilm today announces the launch of the FinePix S9500 Zoom, a new model that marks the point where compact digital cameras and digital SLRs meet.  Aimed at amateur and enthusiast photographers, the FinePix S9500 Zoom features resolution good enough to challenge entry-level digital SLRs.  It combines this with a range of features that enable a level of photographic flexibility more often associated with compact digital cameras.

The FinePix S9500 Zoom features Fujifilm’s brand new 5th generation Super CCD sensor, and offers an image size of nine megapixels.  Recognising that image quality is determined by more than just pixel count, the inclusion of Fujifilm’s Real Photo Technology gives the FinePix S9500 Zoom a true advantage.  It has a class-leading sensitivity range of ISO 80 - ISO 1600, which reduces the need for reliance on image stabilisation.  The ISO range means that sharp, focused images can be achieved in all light conditions - from bright sunny days to night-time shots - without the use of a flash.  Fast shutter speeds not only lessen the effect of blurring from camera shake, but subject movement, too.

The camera incorporates a 28-300mm (equivalent on a 35mm camera) Fujinon zoom lens with twist-barrel zoom control.  This is a zoom range that encompasses all the major focal lengths, and the manual zoom control enables the photographer to make precision adjustments.  Furthermore, because the lens and body on the FinePix S9500 Zoom are built as a closed unit, it eliminates the possibility of dust on the lens and CCD - a serious problem when removing lenses on a digital SLR. 

A new tilting LCD screen on the camera means that it is possible to view images at awkward angles, such as close to the ground or above the head.  Unlike digital SLRs, the LCD can also be used to compose images, which means even more convenience for the photographer. 

In addition, the camera features a 30-frames-per-second movie mode with manual zoom capability, giving high quality moving images with sound - a function that cannot be integrated into traditional digital SLRs due to the physical design of the cameras. 

With a 0.8 second start-up time, and just 0.01 second shutter lag, the FinePix S9500 Zoom will give users a near-instant response so that spontaneous shots and unexpected action need never be missed.  The camera also incorporates RAW mode, for uncompressed and unprocessed image quality.  A hotshoe attachment and PC sync terminal for external flash make it a camera that’s as happy in the studio as it is out and about.

FinePix S9500 Zoom features at a glance:

* New Fujifilm Super CCD sensor with 9.0 million effective pixels
* New 28-300mm (10.7x) Fujinon zoom lens with manual twist-barrel zoom control
* Class-leading sensitivity setting of ISO 1600 for photography in low light conditions
* Low sensitivity of ISO 80 for ultra-high quality photography
* 1.8” tilting LCD screen for easy high and low angle shooting
* Ultra-fast response times (0.01 second shutter lag and 0.8 second start-up)
* Real-time histogram to assist exposure settings before shooting
* Highlight Warning feature for displaying highlight areas in playback
* VGA movie capture of 30 frames per second with zoom capability and sound
* Closed unit design to eliminate dust accumulation on the CCD
* Hotshoe and PC sync terminal
* RAW format shooting for uncompressed and unprocessed images
* xD-Picture Card(tm) providing large storage capacity, lower power consumption and fast write speeds (16MB to 1GB capacities currently available)

Adrian Clarke, Director of Photo Products, Fujifilm, said,  “Enthusiast photographers are drawn towards digital SLRs because of the image quality they offer.  Certainly, a digital SLR is the definitive tool for professional photographers wishing to take stills photography.  However, as DSLRs are specialist cameras, they inevitably offer less flexibility when it comes to everyday photography. We’ve introduced the FinePix S9500 Zoom to add a credible alternative for consumers considering an entry-level DSLR.

“Photography enthusiasts will be delighted by the image quality produced by the new Fujifilm-designed sensor and the 10.7x zoom capability.  Usually, with an optical range like this, you’d also be dealing with detachable lenses and the problem of dust, which is incredibly tricky to deal with.  The FinePix S9500 Zoom’s closed unit eliminates this problem.

“At the same time, the camera offers a freedom of functions more usually associated with a compact digital camera, such as a tilting LCD screen that can be used to compose images, and a high quality movie mode.  Our aim was to design a camera that gives the best of both worlds, and the S9500 Zoom truly delivers.”

Availability & pricing
The FinePix S9500 Zoom will be available from UK retailers in August 2005.  Pricing will be announced nearer to the date of retail launch.*

Contact details for customers: For information about Fujifilm and its products, please visit: www.fujifilm.co.uk or call 0870 084 1310.

About Fujifilm
Fujifilm is a global leader in imaging technology, products and services including digital cameras, photofinishing, digital storage and recording media, consumer and professional film, motion picture film, professional video, printing systems, medical imaging, office technology, flat panel displays and graphic arts. The company employs more than 73,000 people worldwide, with 178 subsidiaries stretching across four continents.

Uniquely placed to be a market leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm develops and manufactures its own sensors, lenses and processing technology.  In addition to its production plants and R&D operations in Japan, the company has key manufacturing facilities in Europe and the USA for core products such as colour film, colour paper, single use cameras and CTP printing plates, and has further factories in Brazil and China. It has a global turnover in excess of £13 billion.

In the UK, Fujifilm has been supplying the imaging, printing and graphics industries, as well as consumers, professional and enthusiast photographers, with high quality, innovative products and services for over 25 years.  Fujifilm UK currently employs more than 450 people and has become one of the country’s most popular photographic and imaging brands.

© 2005, Fuji Photo Film (UK) Ltd. Specifications are subject to change.