Steve's Digicams - Breaking News - Fujifilm 07/13/2006 Press Releases

NEW FINEPIX S6000FD DIGITAL CAMERA MARKS DEBUT OF FUJIFILM'S FACE DETECTION TECHNOLOGY

New Breakthrough Works with Other Real Photo Technology Features to Produce Better Picture

Valhalla, NY, July 12, 2006 - Fujifilm continues to make top-quality picture-taking a snap for consumers with today's introduction of the SLR-styled FinePix S6000fd, the first digital camera in Fujifilm's line-up with the company's new Face Detection Technology.

Face Detection Technology operates exactly as its name implies, identifying up to 10 faces in a framed scene. Once faces are identified and prioritized, the 6.3 MegaPixel FinePix S6000fd adjusts its focus and exposure accordingly to ensure the sharpness and clarity of human subjects in the picture, regardless of background. And since it is hardware rather than software based, Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology works in as little as 0.05 seconds, faster than similar in-camera detection systems currently on the market or soon to be available. Quicker operation reduces the likelihood of missed or blurry photos, frustrations often associated with digital photography.

Face Detection Technology is the latest addition to Fujifilm's suite of Real Photo Technology digital camera components that work collaboratively on the FinePix S6000fd to produce the best possible photographs. One of those components is i-Flash, the intelligent flash system introduced by Fujifilm earlier this year on the FinePix F30 compact digicam. The system reads scene conditions and adjusts its flash power output and exposure automatically, based on gathered information. The results are backgrounds with finer detail and sharp, accurate subjects without the 'washed out' look that often accompanies flash photography. Together, the Face Detection and i-Flash technologies will produce photographs with prominent subjects exhibiting pleasing, natural tones.

Like the FinePix F30, the FinePix S6000fd has a full-resolution ISO equivalency of 3200, a rarity in consumer-level digicams. Such high light sensitivities allow for faster shutter speeds, which reduce blurring caused by both camera shake and subject movement. This marriage of higher sensitivities with a faster shutter is the basis for Fujifilm's Picture Stabilization, another feature found on the FinePix S6000fd. The easy-to-access feature (selectable on the mode dial) enables the FinePix S6000fd to automatically choose the correct light sensitivity and best-matching shutter speed for the scene.

Other helpful features found on the FinePix S6000fd for top-quality picture-taking include:

• Dual Shot Mode: In this mode the FinePix S6000fd quickly shoots two images in succession -- one with and one without the flash -- saving both. This convenient function lets the user perform an on-the-spot picture comparison and decide which photo is the most pleasing.
• The FinePix S6000fd is equipped with a 28-300mm Fujinon 10.7X optical zoom lens with full manual control via the lens barrel. This high-quality Fujinon lens configuration offers tremendous flexibility for either zoom or wide- angle shots – almost like having two lenses in one, and without the risk of dust accumulation that comes with having to change lenses.

Due to come to market in September, the FinePix S6000fd will sell at a price of .95.

FACE DETECTION: THE LATEST ADDITION TO FUJIFILM’S REAL PHOTO TECHNOLOGYMEANS BETTER PEOPLE PICTURES – AUTOMATICALLY

A Technology Backgrounder

Valhalla, NY, July 12, 2006 – The advanced Face Detection Technology system built into Fujifilm’s new FinePix S6000fd digital camera is based on the Image Intelligence technology found in Fujifilm’s Frontier Digital Lab Systems, used by photofinishers to produce large volumes of top-quality photo prints. Face Detection is a selectable option the camera user can turn on whenever human subjects are the focal point of a picture.

Once Face Detection is activated, it automatically identifies faces in the scene and prioritizes them in as little as 0.05 seconds. It simultaneously displays a green rectangle around the top-priority face, and a white one around other faces before the picture is taken. Using this information, the FinePix S6000fd is able to focus more precisely on the main subjects and execute the best possible exposure.

The end result is sharper, more natural looking people pictures. Since Face Detection is an integral part of Fujifilm’s Real Photo Technology system, it also is linked to Fujifilm’s i-Flash intelligent flash system, for the proper exposure of flash pictures taken indoors and in low light.

How does Fujifilm’s Face Detection Technology differ from other such systems?

Fujifilm’s Face Detection Technology is distinguished by its advanced structural design. There is an LSI (large-scale integrated circuit) embedded within the FinePix S6000fd for the sole purpose of running the Face Detection Technology. This hardware-based set-up provides several advantages over a separate, peripheral program within the camera, most notably the ability to quickly identify up to 10 faces simultaneously.

What are the application advantages of Fujifilm’s Face Detection Technology?

Even if the subject is off to one side, the FinePix S6000fd, with Face Detection Technology activated, will automatically focus on the person rather than trees in the background or objects in the foreground that may happen to fall in the center of the frame. Since the system is capable of evaluating and scoring up to 10 faces at once, it will automatically provide the best possiblefocus.

Fujifilm’s Face Detection Technology also helps in delivering the most flattering exposure of the main subject by basing the exposure on the priority faces. No more dark, underexposed faces just because the main light happens to be behind the subjects or the background is too light or too dark.

Advanced Face Detection and i-Flash: A perfect combination

What happens when flash is needed? The sophisticated i-Flash system built into Fujifilm’s FinePix S6000fd works together with Face Detection Technology to deliver more accurate flash exposures too. First, the Face Detection system identifies the priority subject and calculates its distance from the camera. Then it hands off the automatic flash exposure decision to the i-Flash system, which adjusts the power output accordingly. Result: Fewer occurrences of washed-out faces of people positioned close to the camera or underexposedpictures of subjects farther away.

Real Photo Technology: Better pictures all the time

Face Detection is just the latest addition to Fujifilm’s Real Photo Technology. This integrated system includes Fujifilm’s 6th generation Super CCD sensor, the state-of-the-art Fujifilm RP II image processor, Fujinon lenses optimized for outstanding performance in capturing digital images, Picture Stabilization that combines higher light sensitivities with faster shutter speeds to reduce blur, and the i-Flash system.

About Fujifilm
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and delivers technology solutions to meet the imaging and information needs of retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers. As a global leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm pioneered the development of digital medical systems, and today is the leader in digital minilab systems. The company was ranked number 15 for U.S. patents granted during 2004, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ending March 31, 2006, had global revenues of more than .8 billion.

In the United States, Fujifilm is a leader in delivering high quality, easy-to-use imaging and information solutions in the following categories: Digital Imaging Systems, Film and Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media, Motion Picture Film, Graphic Arts and Printing Systems and Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Systems. Fujifilm is an environmentally friendly, humane enterprise and an exemplary corporate citizen.

For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the Fujifilm USA Web site at www.fujifilmusa.com.

FinePix S6000fd Digital Camera – Specifications

* Specifications subject to change without notice.