Consumer digital camera users should get ready for some serious megapixel push as Fujifilm announced yesterday they were getting ready to release the first nine megapixel cameras to the consumer market. These new models, the FinePix S9000 and FinePix E900, will join the five megapixel FinePix S5200 in venturing to store shelves this fall.
Debuting in early September for $699.95, The FinePix S9000’s feature list looks to be pretty impressive. Besides the nine megapixel high resolution sensor, it will also offer a 10.7x optical zoom with a 28mm-300 wide angle equivalency for wider scenes, high level noise filtering at high ISO settings at full resolution, tilting LCD screen, RAW file format shooting, dual media slots and 30 frames per second VGA resolution filming.
The compact FinePix E900, priced at $499.95 for an October debut, also delivers a nine megapixel sensor. It also offers a 4x optical zoom, two-inch LCD screen, mode dial for common shooting functions and higher shutter speeds to minimize photo blurriness.
The five megapixel, 10x optical zoom FinePix S5200, hitting the market in October as well for $399.95, is targeted towards the mid-level digital photographer. Fujifilm said this camera comes with an advanced manual feature set including continuous shooting, continuous auto-focus, shutter priority AE and aperture priority AE modes.
“As the digital camera market has matured so have consumers, who now want their digital cameras to perform across the board, not just in terms of the number of megapixels,” said Bill Drysdale, Vice President and General Manager, Electronic Imaging Products Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A, Inc. “More than ever, consumers are looking for a digital camera that provides the whole package, including great image quality, form factor, and manual options allowing them to grow as they expand their digital know how. As an imaging technology leader, Fujifilm feels these new models will offer users across all levels cameras that are faster, smarter and most importantly armed with the ability to provide people with the high level of performance they seek when capturing memories.”