Fujifilm FinePix Z3 Zoom

Tuesday, 30 May 2006 06:05 GMT

Fujifilm has today announced the FinePix Z3 Zoom camera sporting 5.1 million pixels, ISO up to 1600 and a 36-108mm lens. A marginal update to the Z2, the Z3 adds Intelligent-Flash mode and a higher resolution 2.5-inch screen. The Z3 will be available in silver, metallic blue and light pink. Must be why it's marketed at us ladies...after all, we can't use anything but a pink camera now, can we?

FinePix Z3: Sociable, stylish and reliable – a ladies’ favorite

Fujifilm today announced the launch of FinePix Z3, the 3rd generation of the iconic ‘Z’ series design. With a re-designed body and funky new colours, the FinePix Z3 will appeal to the most fashion conscious customers, and is likely to be particularly popular with female owners. Women now buy almost as many digital cameras as men, however the FinePix Z3’s appeal to this market is more than the usual ‘slim camera’ story.

Research has shown that the majority of pictures taken by women are ‘people pictures’ in low light situations and taken in close proximity. Ironically, it is exactly this kind of situation that spells trouble for conventional digital cameras. Blurry shots, unnatural-looking flash and a complete absence of background detail mean that very few photos from social events make it into the picture frame or onto the mantelpiece.

With Fujifilm’s Super CCD and Real Photo Processor II, it is possible that the ‘delete’ button will be one of the Z3’s least-used controls. Here is why the Z3 could spell the end for spoiled shots:

High sensitivity (up to ISO1600) with minimum ‘noise’ will help to reduce the blur caused not only by handshake, but also subject movement. The FinePix Z3 operates with a much faster shutter speed than conventional cameras.
The Intelligent-Flash system ingeniously combines both a clear, well-exposed background and natural skin tones on subjects in the foreground. No more washed-out faces with dark backgrounds!
The innovative Dual-Shooting Mode takes two consecutive shots (one with flash and one without flash) giving users the choice between the two – almost like being guided by a seasoned expert.

FinePix Z3 features at a glance:

Super CCD HR sensor delivering 5.1 million effective pixels
RP (Real Photo) Processor II resulting significantly less noise by enhanced double noise reduction and delivering enhanced color reproduction across entire sensitivity range
Intelligent Flash achieving the optimum combination of high sensitivity and natural skin tones
Anti-blur button setting up ultra-fast shutter speed to minimize the risk of blurry images
14 pre-programmed scene positions including Dual-Shooting mode (Natural Light without Flash & With Flash) which takes two consecutive shots giving the flexibility for choosing preferred picture
Non-extending refractive optical zoom lens with 3x optical zoom
Sensitivity range of ISO 64-1600 for low-noise photography in all conditions
Slim and Stylish body, wrapped by Monocoque rear shell
High resolution (230K Pixels) 2.5 inch LCD screen with reinforced, scratch-resistant glass
Continuous shooting mode for action photography
10 MB Internal Memory for being ready-to-shoot
TV-quality VGA movie recording of 30 frames per second with sound
PictBridge™ compatible for direct printing without a PC

Joining an impressive line-up of Fujifilm FinePix digital cameras featuring the breakthrough Real Photo Technology, the FinePix Z3 will be available in 3 colours, Silver, Metallic Blue and Light Pink.

Adrian Clarke, Fujifilm’s Director of Consumer Products, said “This is camera that fits right into a night out. So many slim cameras are marketed as the ‘ultimate party accessory’, yet they amount to little more than electronic jewellery, unable to cope in the dark world of indoor, sociable photography. The FinePix Z3 Zoom is the ideal blend between a very serious low-light picture-taking tool and head-turning design.”

FinePix Z3 Zoom specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.5 " Type CCD • 5.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 2592 x 1944 • 2736 x 1824 (3:2) • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 @ 30fps • 320 x 240 @ 30fps • Monaural sound
File formats	• JPEG Exif v2.2 • DPOF • AVI Motion JPEG
Lens	• 36 - 108mm equiv • 3x optical zoom • F3.5 - 4.2
Image stabilization	No
Conversion lenses	No
Digital zoom	up to 5.7x
Focus	Auto focus
Focus distance	• Normal: approx 60cm - infinity • Macro: approx 8cm (wide)
Metering	TTL 256 zone
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 64 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
Shuttter speed	4 - 1/1000 sec
Aperture	F3.5 / F5.0 / F8 3 steps
Modes	• Auto • Anti-Blur • Scene Position • Macro • Movie • Burst / Continuous
Scene modes	• Natural Light • Natural Light with Flash • Portrait • Landscape • Sport • Night • Fireworks • Sunset • Snow • Beach • Museum • Party • Flower • Close-up • Text
White balance	• Auto • Manual (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent Light (Daylight, Warm White & Cool White), Incandescent Light
Self timer	2 or 10 sec
Continuous shooting	• Top-3 (max 2.2 fps up to 3 frames) • Final-3 (max 2.2 fps up to 3 frames) • Long-period (max 0.7 fps up to memory card size)
Flash	• Auto • Red-eye reduction • On / Off • Slow sync • Red-eye reduction + slow sync • Range: Wide approx 0.3 - 3.0m • Tele approx 0.6 - 2.3m
Viewfinder	No
LCD monitor	• 2.5-inch • 230,000 pixels
Connectivity	• NTSC / PAL • USB 2.0 High speed
Print compliance	• PictBridge • DPOF • Exif Print 2.2
Storage	• xD-Picture Card • 10MB internal memory
Power	• Rechargeable battery NP-40 • AC adapter AC-5VC
Weight (no batt)	130 g (4.6 oz)
Dimensions	92.7 x 56.7 x 27.8 mm (3.6 x 2.2 x 1.1 in)

Photography