Fujifilm turns out four new J-series, two A-series point and shoots

[Allison Johnson]

Fujifilm brings a grand total of six new entry-level cameras to market. The FinePix AV100 and Finepix AX200 A-series compacts will both record HD video. The J-series FinePix JV100, FinePix JX250, FinePix JZ300, and FinePix JZ500 offer a range of price points and feature sets for the beginning photographer.

Fujifilm FinePix AV100 and Fujifilm FinePix AX200
Both the AV100 and AX200 feature a 12 megapixel CCD sensor as well as a 2.7 inch LCD. They both offer ISO sensitivity settings up to 3200, and are both ready to record 720p HD videos. The primary distinction between the models is that the step-up AX200 will have a 5x wide angle zoom lens and the AV100 will offer a 3x optical zoom lens. Both units are charged by AA batteries.

Fujifilm FinePix AV100

Fujifilm FinePix JV100 and Fujifilm FinePix JX250
The JV100 and JX250 round out the lower end of the zoom-scale in the J series. The FinePix JV100 features a 12 megapixel sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens; the JX250 steps up to a 5x optical zoom starting at a wide 28mm. Both cameras feature a 2.7 inch LCD and record 720p HD video. The JV100 and JX250 will also offer smile and blink detection.

Fujifilm FinePix JX250

Fujifilm FinePix JZ300 and Fujifilm FinePix JZ500
The JZ300 and JZ500 are both equipped with 10x optical zoom lenses. Like the JV100 and JX250, they record 720p HD video and will each feature a 2.7 inch LCD. The JZ300 will offer a 12 megapixel sensor; the JZ500 clocks in at 14 megapixels.

Only the FinePix JZ500 will offer Fuji's new face recognition technology, a feature that allows the user to programming the camera to remember up to five faces. When the camera recognizes a registered face, it will optimize exposure and focus for that person. For feline and canine friends, the JZ500 will feature pet detection. Another new feature for this crop of cameras, pet detection is designed to recognize top cat and dog breeds so that when they appear in the frame, the camera will identify and focus on the pet.

Pricing and availability
The Fujifilm FinePix JV100 and FinePix JZ300 will be available starting February 2010 priced at $129.95 and $199.95 respectively. The FinePix JZ500 is scheduled to arrive in March 2010 for $249.95, and the JX250 will arrive in April for $159.95.

 

[KCook]

In spite of the "J" leading the label on the JZ300, it features some of the camera controls found on my F45fd that were useful. Happily, the old "M"anual mode seems to have been relabeled "P"rogram, which is much more honest. The main mode wheel on the camera back has the Natural & Flash setting. Where a single shutter button press gives you both a high ISO Natural shot without flash and an additional flash shot too. No need to guess which might have been best, you've got both. The mode wheel also has the SP1 and SP2 settings for scene selection. Any camera will leave its Scene mode set at the last Scene you selected. But having SP1 and SP2 gives you two Scenes cued up for quick use.

Unfortunately the old "f" button is gone, which was a quickie 1 page menu for the most common camera settings. Also gone is the AUTO400 setting for ISO. Which would limit AUTO ISO values to 400 or less.

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/...ons/index.html

Kelly

[KCook]

Had a brief look at the new JV100 today. Zoom was nice in that you could adjust it in small steps. In contrast to most compacts at this price level that jump between 5 or 6 set focal lengths.

Kelly