Fujifilm has quietly added a new model to its ultra-slim 'Z' range. The FinePix Z5fd features a new 1/2.5" 6MP Super CCD sensor and sports Fuji's new face detection technology as well as a 'jump on the bandwagon' MySpace / blogging mode. The Z5fd will be available early next year in a range of colors.

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Press Release:

Fujifilm launches the ultra-compact FinePix Z5fd

New camera the first ‘Z’ series to feature Face Detection technology

Fujifilm is pleased to announce the launch of the FinePix Z5fd; the first in its range of ‘Z’ series cameras to feature hardware-based Face Detection technology. Available in three colours, Raspberry Red, Mocha Brown and Silver, the FinePix Z5fd becomes the flagship in Fujifilm’s ultra-slim, style-compact line-up alongside the FinePix Z3 and Z2. With 3x optical zoom, 6.3 Megapixels, ISO 1600, Intelligent Flash and new blog mode; plus Fujifilm’s unique Super CCD HR and RP Processor II, the camera’s diminutive size and chic outer-shell look at odds with the amount of technology at its heart.

The FinePix Z5fd is small enough that it will fit easily into a pocket or the most minimalist of clutch bags. It features the traditional ‘Z’ series sliding lens cover, with a ‘Z5’ motif that lights up in operation, 2.5” scratch resistant LCD screen and non-extending Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens so that it will emerge unscathed from even the most cluttered of spaces.

Face Detection

Fujifilm was the first manufacturer to develop hardware-based Face Detection technology for its compact digital cameras. The FinePix Z5fd joins the FinePix S6500fd and F31fd in Fujifilm’s current ‘fd’ line-up. Face Detection captures up to ten faces in a frame and optimises focus and exposure to take the best possible people-picture. Incorporating the technology on its Real Photo Processor II has enabled Fujifilm to develop a range that can detect faces and optimise settings in an industry-leading 0.05 seconds.

When Face Detection is turned on and the camera is pointed at people, target-like squares demonstrate that it has ‘locked-on’ to faces. The square will then follow those faces around in real-time until they move out of the frame or the picture is taken. In playback mode, pressing the Face Detection button will cause the camera to auto-zoom to each face in turn for easy close-up review.

Face Detection is perfect for those times, such as nights out with friends, when tweaking manual settings to get the same result may not be the user’s first priority. It can cope with back-lit scenes, settings where there’s a more obvious focus point between people’s faces or when the subject is off centre.

Real Photo Technology

Fujifilm’s Real Photo Technology (RPT) is the combination of lens, CCD and processor that helps the camera produce images of impressive quality, no matter where you take it. Fujifilm’s sixth generation Super CCD HR is a unique hexagonal shape, with a larger surface area than traditional sensors, enabling it to capture more light from the Fujinon lens. The Real Photo Processor II enables impressive operation speed and features an enhanced dual-noise reduction system that maximises the effectiveness of the camera’s high ISO capability.

A camera for any occasion

In addition to its portability, the FinePix Z5fd features a host of unique Fujifilm technologies that make it the perfect take-anywhere camera. ISO 1600 light-sensitivity at full resolution enables it to take photos in low light without flash and with less noise than competing models might produce at a lower ISO. Flash-free images are much more faithful to the original scene, with skin-tones looking more natural and no loss of background detail. In addition, because the sensor’s unique shape enables it to capture light more quickly, it is possible to use higher shutter speeds without image blurring.

For better results with flash photography, Fujifilm’s Intelligent Flash system analyses the scene and automatically controls flash power output. The result is balanced exposure where the scene is sufficiently illuminated without washing out the foreground in the picture or losing background detail.

Natural Light & Flash mode goes one step further, taking two photos in quick succession, one with flash and one without. Both images are then displayed on the camera’s screen for easy review.

With 14 special scene modes, including Fireworks, Beach and Snow, the FinePix Z5fd offers a one-touch setting for any situation. Continuous shooting keeps the camera shooting for as long as the shutter button is pressed down. Once released, the camera retains either the first or last three images for excellent natural shots.

The FinePix Z5fd records movies at 30 fps with sound. Movie recording time is limited only by the size of the xD-Picture Card used in the camera.

Blog mode – for the My Space generation

The FinePix Z5fd features Fujifilm’s new blog mode. In this mode the camera adjusts image settings for posting online. With the increasing popularity of blogging, Internet messaging and sites such as MySpace.com, Fujifilm expects blog mode to be a well-used feature on the FinePix Z5fd.

FinePix Z5fd key features

  • New colours: Raspberry Red, Mocha Brown, Silver
  • 6 Megapixel Super CCD HR
  • Real Photo Processor II
  • ISO 1600 at full resolution
  • 26MB Internal memory
  • Intelligent Flash, Natural Light & Flash, Continuous shooting
  • New slim design with tripod mount
  • Illuminated product logo on sliding front cover
  • 2.5” TFT LCD with reinforced glass coating
  • Blog mode

The FinePix Z5fd will be available from January 2007. Pricing and stockists will be announced nearer to the date of retail launch.

For information about Fujifilm and its products, please visit: www.fujifilm.co.uk

Fujifilm FinePix Z5 specifications

Sensor

• 1/2.5 " Type Super CCD HR l
• 6.3 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 2,848 X 2,136
• 3,024 X 2,016 (3:2 format)
• 2,048 X 1,536
• 1,600 X 1,200
• 640 X 480 pixels
Movie clips • 640 X 480 pixels, 30 frames/sec.
• 320 X 240 pixels, 30 frames/sec.
• With monaural sound, AVI format (Motion JPEG)
File formats JPEG
Lens • Fujinon 3.0 X zoom lens , F 3.5 - 4.2
• Equivalent to 36 - 108 mm on a 35 mm camera
Image stabilization No
Conversion lenses No
Digital zoom 6.2x
Focus Auto Focus
AF area modes n/a
AF assist lamp n/a
Focus distance • Normal : approx. 60 cm / 2.0 ft. to infinity
• Macro : approx. 8 cm /3.1 in.(W) / 45 cm / 1.5 ft.(T) to 80 cm /2.6 ft.
Metering 256-zone TTL metering
ISO sensitivity AUTO / Equivalent to ISO 100/200/400/800/1600
Exposure compensation Yes
Exposure bracketing No
Shuttter speed 4 sec. to 1 / 1000 sec. ( depending on the shooting mode)
Aperture F 3.5 / 5.0 / 8.0, 3 steps
Modes Normal : Auto, Anti-blur, Scene Position , Macro, Movie, Burst/Continuous
Scene modes Natural Light , Natural Light & Flash, Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower close-up, Text
White balance • Automatic
• Manual (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light
White balance fine tune no
Self timer Approx.10sec. / 2 sec. delay
Continuous shooting • Continuous : 1.Top-3 ( max.2.2 frames/sec., up to 3 frames)
• 2.Final-3 ( max.2.2 frames/sec., up to 3 frames )
• 3.Long-period ( max.0.7 frame/sec., up to memory card size)
Image parameters B&W / CHROME / STANDARD
Flash • Auto
• Effective range : Wide angle: Approx.0.3 m -3.5 m / 1.0 ft.- 11.5 ft.
• Telephoto:Approx.0.6m - 2.8m / 2.0 ft - 9.2 ft.
• Flash mode : Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro, Red-eye Reduction + Slow Synchro.
Viewfinder no
LCD monitor 2.5-inch TFT ( approx.230,000 pixels), approx. 100 % coverage)
Connectivity USB 2.0 High-Speed
Print compliance DPOF
Storage • Internal memory (approx. 26MB)
• xD-Picture Card ( 16MB - 2 GB )
• No card supplied
Power • NP40 Lithium Ion battery
• Charger included (Picture Cradle CP-FXZ3)
Other features Intelligent Face Detection, Infrared communication, Trimming for web, Voice Memo, Trimming, Slideshow
Weight (no batt) Approx.148 g / 5.2 oz.(excluding batteries and xD-Picture Card )
Dimensions 92.8 (W) X 55.0 (H) X 19.4 (D) mm / 3.6 (W) X 2.2 (H) X 0.8 (D) in.