Fujifilm launches FinePix S100FS digital camera in India

Benchmark in the Prosumer Digital Camera category

Offers the quality and versatility of an SLR without the weight, cost or bulk of extra lenses.

FUJIFILM India Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, Japan, which is one of the world’s largest photographic solutions company, has announced the availability of its latest and most advanced consumer digital camera, Fujifilm FinePix S100FS in India. The groundbreaking model offers DSLR control and advanced functionality with 14.3x zoom, expanded dynamic range and film simulation modes. Being Fujifilm’s most advanced SLR-styled camera to date, the FinePix S100FS provides an all-in-one solution for photo enthusiasts and advanced amateur photographers seeking the manual controls and functionality of a Digital-SLR without the bulk, hassle and expense of additional lenses and other accessories.

The FinePix S100FS is equipped with a 14.3x Fujinon manual zoom lens, Fujifilm’s 8th generation 2/3” Super CCD sensor with 11 Megapixels, third generation RP III processor, 2.5” tiltable LCD and ISO capabilities of up to ISO 6400 (at 6 MP) and an incredible ISO 10,000 at 3 Megapixels.

Mr. Kenichi Tanaka, Managing Director, FUJIFILM India, said, “We are extremely excited that the FinePix S100FS is now available to the photography enthusiasts in India. We are confident that our customers will appreciate the ease of use and shooting versatility offered by the Optical Image Stabilisation system, and Fujifilm’s acclaimed Face Detection 2.0 Technology with automatic red-eye removal, while enjoying a wide dynamic range of 100-400% that’s previously only been available to users of the highest-end D-SLR cameras, and film simulation modes that only Fujifilm can provide.”

“Fujifilm's S series range is extremely popular worldwide and the new S100FS will surely wow our Indian audience as it offers the very best in image quality combined with the versatility of a DSLR camera. For the consumer wanting the quality and versatility of an SLR without the weight, cost or bulk of extra lenses, we believe that the FinePix S100FS represents the most accomplished prosumer model on the market,” added Mr. A. Rajkumar, Country General Manager (DSC), Fujifilm India.

Fujifilm’s FinePix S100FS also has the distinction of being bestowed with the ‘European Superzoom Camera of the Year 2008-2009’ Award by judges at the esteemed European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), the largest editorial multimedia organization in Europe who were particularly impressed with the amount of technology offered at such a competitive price point.

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) has also voted the FinePix S100FS the ‘Best Superzoom Digital Camera’, and praised the camera for its wealth of features, including the impressive 28-400mm zoom lens (equivalent) and Film Simulation modes. The hotly contested TIPA awards are widely regarded as the European ‘Oscars’ of the photo and imaging industry.

One-of-a-kind lens design for a one-of-a-kind camera
The FinePix S100FS represents the cutting edge of Fujifilm’s imaging technology innovation, and redefines what users can expect from a Prosumer digital camera. Through a unique collaboration between Fujifilm and Fujinon R&D engineers, the development team approached the process of designing this unique camera as a single project, creating the lens and CCD for express function as a single unit.

This design allows the ultra-high precision Fujinon lens to achieve maximum resolution at all focal lengths of 28mm-400mm equivalent and maximum aperture of a bright F2.8 (wide angle) to F5.3 (telephoto). Because of the composite body and lens structure, there is no penetration of dirt and dust onto the CCD and the lens is perfectly matched to the sensor and perfectly aligned for the best possible results. The mechanical zoom offers framing with fingertip precision as well as offering a user experience that closely matches the use of a high end digital SLR.

Comprehensive Professional features
In the FinePix S100FS Fujifilm’s engineers have incorporated some of the features from the award-winning FinePix S5 Pro D-SLR that have been most appreciated by professional photographers, including film simulation modes and settings that expand the camera’s dynamic range. The FinePix S100FS has an extended dynamic range (100%, 200%, 400%) similar to that of negative film thanks to the newly developed low-noise 2/3-inch 11.1 Megapixel Super CCD VIII HR and the new RP Processor III.

This unique technology preserves subtle highlights and shadow tones and prevents harsh clipping whatever the subject. Fujifilm’s unique Film Simulation modes (FS) allow photographers to select the ideal “film” mode for the scene with a choice of four modes that optimise for portraiture, low-contrast (soft), vibrant colours (Velvia), or general use (Provia). Only Fujifilm has developed its camera technology from its photographic heritage in film, which allows the FinePix S100FS to capture subtle changes in tone and colour reproduction and provide the photographer the widest latitude for the ultimate creative expression.

Face Detection 2.0 with automatic red-eye removal
Fujifilm’s proprietary Face Detection 2.0, featuring automatic red-eye removal was first seen on the award-winning FinePix F50fd. This one-touch selectable mode enables cameras such as the FinePix S100FS to detect up to 10 human faces in a scene, correcting focus, exposure and white balance automatically as fast as 0.05 seconds to ensure that photos of human faces are clear and properly exposed, no matter where subjects are located within the frame.

Fujifilm’s Face Detection 2.0 has an advantage over the other face detection systems currently on the market because it can identify faces at extreme angles – even in full profile. The system allows for up to a 90 O movement in either direction for profiles and up to 135 O for leaning or lying down in either direction, for a total range of 270°.

The automatic intelligent red-eye removal feature works in conjunction with Fujifilm’s Face Detection 2.0, automatically correcting red eye directly after the shot is taken and then saving both the original image and the corrected file.  The user can then perform a side-by-side picture comparison in playback mode and select the best image.

Other key features found on the FinePix S100FS include:

• Dual Image Stabilisation: The FinePix S100FS features Fujifilm’s Dual Image Stabilisation technology to ensure clean, sharp and blur-free images, even in low-light conditions. This combines image stabilisation through a mechanically stabilised “floating” lens element to reduce blur from the photographer’s hand-shake, with Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilisation Technology, to reduce blur caused by subject movement, for the ultimate in stabilisation technology
• Multi-Bracketing function: The FinePix S100FS has three bracketing functions useful for high level photography: Film Simulation Bracketing, Dynamic Range Bracketing and AE Bracketing
• Comprehensive photographic controls: Including Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority exposure modes
• High-speed shooting: Reliable high-speed performance is possible through Fujifilm’s newly developed Super CCD VIII HR and the new RP (real photo) III Processor.  At 3 Megapixels, a maximum of 50 continuous shots at 7 frames/second is possible.  In addition, 14 scene settings and customer settings can be selected, as can four auto-focus modes offer convenient high-speed, high-precision shooting and focusing for a diverse range of conditions
• Image formats: Capture images in both JPEG and RAW format
• Movie Mode: Movie mode with sound at 30 frames per second in VGA quality, and zoom capable with manual zoom ring while in movie mode
• xD/SD/SD-HC compatible slot: The FinePix S100FS features an xD/SD  compatible slot which accepts not only Fujifilm’s traditional xD-Picture cards but also Secure Digital (SD) and SD-High Capacity/SD-HC cards too
• 2.5” tiltable LCD: The FinePix S100FS features a tilting 2.5” LCD that makes it easy to frame shots from a variety of shooting positions
• Real Photo Technology: The secret to the FinePix S100FS’s class-leading image quality is Fujifilm's unique Real Photo Technology (RPT). The guiding principles behind RPT are simple; to set the highest possible standards for overall image quality, to expand digital photography opportunities and to give users fewer wasted shots. RPT is an umbrella term for the combination of cutting edge technologies such as the Super CCD sensor, Real Photo Processor and Fujinon lens, all optimised to work together to produce the most natural, beautiful results in any conditions. As one of the largest imaging companies worldwide, Fujifilm is in a position to develop and to manufacture these components themselves, and it is this control over the design of the entire system that makes RPT so powerful. Real Photo Technology cameras are designed from the ground up to capture 'real' photographs with stunning quality - giving users the power to capture the moment exactly as the eye sees it, no matter how challenging the shooting conditions. With the human eye as the ideal, RPT continues to evolve and to set even higher standards for digital photography.

Fujifilm S100FS specifications

• Sensor: 2/3" Super Type CCD, 11.1 million effective pixels
• Image sizes: 3840 x 2880, 4032 x 2688 (3:2), 2816 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480
• Movie clips: 640 x 480 @ 30 fps, 320 x 240 @ 30 fps, AVI Motion JPEG with WAVE monaural audio
• Lens: 28 - 400 mm (35 mm equiv), F2.8 - F5.3 , 14.3x optical zoom
• Focus: TTL contrast-type autofocus, Single / Continuous AF, Manual focus , Center / Moveable area / Multi
• Focus distance: 
  * Normal: 50 cm (wide) / 2.5 m (tele) - Infinity
  * Macro: 10 cm (wide) / 90 cm (tele) - 3.0m
  * Super macro (28mm equiv. only) 1 cm - 1.0 m
• Metering: TTL 256-zone metering, Multi-area, Average, Spot
• Shutter speed: 30-1/4000 sec (extremes depending on exposure mode) 
• Aperture
  * F2.8-F11 (wide), F2.8-F8 in automated modes
  * F5.3-F11 (tele), F5.3-F8 in automated modes
•  Shooting mode: Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Film simulation bracketing, Movie, 2 custom modes, Scene modes
• Scene modes: Nature, Nature soft, Nature vivid, Flowers, Portrait, Portrait soft, Baby mode, Portrait enhancer, Night, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Sport, Fireworks
• Sensitivity: Auto, Auto (Max ISO 400), Auto (Max ISO 800), Auto (Max ISO 1600), ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200, ISO 6400 (up to 6MP), ISO 10000 (up to 3MP)
• White Balance: Auto, Fine, Shade, Fluorescent (daylight), Fluorescent (warm white), Fluorescent (cool white), Incandescent, Custom
• Image parameters 
  * Film simulation modes: Provia, Velvia, Soft, Portrait
  * Color, Tone and Sharpness controls
  * Dynamic range expansion
•  Continuous 
  * 3 fps, max 7 JPEG, 3 RAW (Top-3 or Final-3)
  * 7 fps, 50 shots at 3MP
  * 1 fps until card is full
• Flash 
  *  Built-in pop-up
  * Range (Auto ISO): 7.2 m (w), 3.8 m (t) 
  * Modes: Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, all with Red-eye reduction option.
• Storage
  * 25 MB internal memory
  * SD/SDHC memory card (not included)
  * xD-Picture Card (not included)
• Viewfinder 
  * 0.2" electronic viewfinder (EVF) 
  * 200,000 pixels (each pixel shows R,G and B consecutively)
  * Approx.100% coverage
• LCD monitor: 2.5" TFT LCD, 230,000 dots, Approx. 100% coverage
• Connectivity USB 
  * 2.0 High speed 
  * A/V out (NTSC/PAL switchable)
• Power: NP-140 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery, Charger included
• Other features: DPOF, PictBridge, Index view, Histogram, 2 and 10 sec self-timer, Hardware-based Face Detection AF/AE
• Weight (w/o battery): 918g without
• Weigh: 968 g (34 oz) including memory card and batteries
• Dimensions: 133 x 94 x 150 mm (5.3 x 3.7 x 5.9 in)
• Warranty: 3 Years
• Price: Rs.35,000/-
• Availability: At all major retail stores

About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM Corporation (NASDAQ:FUJI) 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, 2008, had global revenues of $24.7 billion. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilm.com. For more information on FUJIFILM India, please visit: www.fujifilm.in