Fujifilm has just released no less than 16 cameras just this moment, and I’m going out of my mind, each accompanied by a thousand-word press release. I’m going to have to punch a pillow here. I haven’t even had breakfast, or coffee, or tied my shoes yet. But this is the life! Forward, into the breach!
All right, this is ridiculous, I’m going to group these by general use and leave the details to the curious reader to find out at Fujifilm’s site, where these cameras are semi-helpfully labeled “new” and listed in some sort of order.
HS20EXR, F500EXR, F550EXR
These feature a new 16-megapixel EXR sensor, which uses a different pixel well layout than most sensors and has a few special modes for capturing pictures in difficult lighting situations. They can shoot high-speed video, lots of burst shots,
The HS20EXR is in the super-zoom category, with a 30x optical zoom that’s probably overkill. It’s got a tilting 3″ screen as well as an EVF. $500.
The F500EXR and F550EXR are more compact items, with the EXR sensor and the usual stuff, but “only” have a 15x zoom. The F550 version has GPS built-in. $330 and $350.
S____ series
Does it start with an S and have four numbers with it? Must be a Fujifilm super-zoom of the non-EXR variety. Personally I don’t find these compelling, and there are way too many models to even consider deciding between. Get a used DSLR instead. Many prices.
Z90
It’s hip, it’s slim, it’s got… a resistive touchscreen?! And a “dual-direction” UI. These things do not bode well for normal use. There are lots of slim and stylish cameras out there, I’d wait until they upgrade this one to capacitive and let their UI go in one direction. $170.
XP20/XP30
The successor to the XP10, which I reviewed a little while back. With luck they improved the feel of the thing. It felt kind of chubby and cheap to me. The new one looks better. $200 and $240. You’re taking it on vacation, spring for the GPS version.
A, J, and T series
These are your basic cameras covering the $100-$200 range. The T-series is the nicest, with 720p and a longer 10x zoom. Really, Fujifilm, did there need to be this many models?
Okay, that’s that. Man oh man. Remember, all the details are at Fujifilm’s site, so head on over there if you’re interested.
Digital overkill. Also, the megapixel war shows no end in sight even if image quality isn’t improved or worse. Multi-X zoom lens are fine, but how good are the optics for larger prints to match all the megapixels? How many buyers really learn about all the “cool” features when many cameras only have a detailed manual on CD?
The sad fact is at this point no matter how many pixels you have, film quality is still better than digital. Although film is normally measured in grain, the equivalency to digtal would be about 2 giga pixels, I don’t know a digital camera that uses 2 giga pixels and probably won’t be for a very long time! Don’t be a sheep and believe the hype, digital is only good for the convenience factor and that’s it! Good luck in about 20 years trying to access your pictures if they are on your hard drive or cd rom!
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You must be one of the fools that still thinks film is better than digital. Please, film is now a niche, did you notice that Kodachrome is dead? Digital res is now better than film. Not even pros shoot film anymore. Good luck with your fading pics at pitiful res.
YES! Film is way better than digital! I myself (being a 27 yr. old guy) “hate” digital! I use Canon 35mm AE-1, A-1, FT, and T-90! I also use medium format Mamiya C-330 (twin lens) and RB-67 cameras! I use slide, color and BW films!
It’s just so good! Even high resolution scans of negatives are superior. I only know my film cameras and don’t mind waiting for processing! Print wise, ink-jet prints don’t last nearly as long as C-41 prints! They fade and nothing can be spilled on it without ruining it! Traditional Ilfochrome (Cibachrome) prints from slides are the best prints known to man albeit expensive!!!! The colors are outstanding! They will last a few hundred years without fading! Now ink-jet prints only will last only 40 years approx!
I’m decided for my Photography!!!!!
Sharpness isn’t always a factor! It all depends on color/contrast/depth/tonality/along with the overall “feel” of a photograph! In this case, film wins over digital! To me digital images just look flat or over-saturated. Film is the “winner” because I love it not just because I’m stuck on it! We need more photographers like myself to embrace film! Still the medium format film cameras produce sharper than digitals! The RB-67 (6X7 cm negative) is so superior! If you know what you are doing, the results are fabulous! To get any digital even close with anything, you’d have to spend an enormous amount of money!
I sure am sticking to film since most of my pix taken are excellent! I know photography like 2nd nature! Also, I have over 150 rolls of it in the freezer kept fresh like new!
Nothing can convince me about digital!!!!!!!!
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What the hell does a camera need GPS for? That is a very dangerous function, particularly if the pics are posted on a social website. It would enable tech savvy stalkers to track and locate their potential victims; it would put deployed military and their families back home at risk, if they post those GPS enabled photos online and it will compromise privacy for anyone pictured. Who is the “genius” that thought adding GPS to a camera was in any way a good idea?
great.. more mega-pixels.. however until you get into a real lens.. not this cheap excuse for a lens, it doenst matter.. you any kind of zoom in and you will never be able to print anything of quality from the picture you take.
forget these PHD (push here dummy) cameras.. get something real.. canon, nikon.. or whatever brand you like.. just remember its the lens that captures the light.. dont go cheap on the lens and you will appreciate your pictures more.
Bring back the VIEWFINDER on point and shoots!! On sunny or glare days it’s click and pray since you can’t see in the LCD screen.
End the megapixel war and stop with all the “features” that no one can figure out how to use.
I have an S-1800 with an 18x zoom. My main complaint is having the complete manual only on CD. Who wants to have to go to the computer anytime you want to access it or print ur own ( if u have a printer that is ) It would’nt cost that much to print a nice small COMPLETE Manual you could take with you. I ,d be willing to pay a few more bucks if they would do it. My other complaint about all digital Camera is the time lag between the time u push the button & the shot. I guess I,ll have to get a real DSLR to eliminate it. I actually like my old Nikon N2020 that I also have a small fortune invested in different lenses but its hard to find any film except asa 400 or more. I never see asa 64 or 100 anymore that make for better enlargments. Otherwise, I like the camera & it takes excellent HD videos. If anyone knows a way to eliminate the lag please let me know.
I am of the opinion that digital was shoved down everyone’s throat because of the great marketing and profit potential it represented. No one at Nikon or Canon thought or even cared if they were giving you a better system or not. I personally would like to see the public vote with their wallet and refuse to buy the damned things personally. But the American public being the spoiled prigs they are will have to have the very latest and best of everything (and hey, if its that new it has to be better, right?) so I do fear that good quality film photography is indeed a thing of the past.
SORRY MATE,DIGIT OR FILM ANY DAY BUY THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT.
I use my little digital point and shoot for casual family, vacation, spot impulse shots. Last year I bought a little OM fe. It didn’t have a viewfinder – none of the newer ones do. I get a lot of fuzzy shots because I can’t hold a camera out from my body and prevent movement as I depress the shutter. Forget it if I am on a moving vehicle or boat.
I also have a great Sony SLR that shoots up to 1/1000 of a second. However it doesn’t handle contrast well at all. Still (spoiled prig that I am) I prefer the ease of a digital camera.
Anyway, good photographs come from good photographers, not cameras. There have been Pulitzers shot with Brownie cameras (well, one or two).
I have a digital panoramic I printed from using a Canon 5D, about 13 megapixels. it is printed 24″ high by 114 inches wide. it is sharper than my old medium format rotating Swiss film camera and that was one of the best. so, Digital is tack sharp. those complaining should learn how to develop digital, which means mastering programs like photoshop and their printer. My printer is archival and when adjusted properly prints tack sharp. I did have to learn how to print and adjust the digital images since they do require work. However, film required proper development, so it is similar, but without chemicals, delays and gives outstanding results. Those complaining are just incompetent with digital. I was a late comer to digital and really appreciate the conveniences, including the equivalent of over 100 rolls of film being able to be put in a shirt pocket.
Steve
Talk about flooding the market at one shot.