Fujifilm launches high-def FinePix S2000HD

[David Rasnake]

Fuji has officially laid details out on the table for its new compact ultrazoom, the Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD, and several key updates showed up on the specs sheet this time around.

The S2000HD utilizes the same 10.0 megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor seen in the S1000fd, but an expanded 15x wide-angle zoom range, sensor-shift image stabilization, and HD video capture all push the capabilities of Fuji's base model ultrazoom to new levels.

The S2000HD's 15x lens – up from the 12x range seen in the S1000fd – covers a 35mm-equivalent range of approximately 28-414mm. Mechanical image stabilization in the new model is also a first for Fuji's compact ultrazoom line: the S2000HD's predecessor used ISO boosting digital image stabilization only.

The "HD" in S2000HD denotes the new camera's high-definition video capture and A/V output capabilities. In an important first, the S2000HD is the first Fujifilm model to capture HD quality, 1280x720 movies. A new signal processor also allows 720p video output, simplifying the task of viewing capture clips on an HDTV.

Similarly, 1080i still image output and a 16:9 aspect ratio setting make capturing and viewing still images on high-definition home theater setups equally easy.

In addition to its key upgrades, the basic features set that made the S1000fd an attractive option – manual exposure control, a well-stocked selection of scene presets, and Fuji's one-touch Instant Zoom function – appear to return largely unchanged for another generation. Likewise, one of the FinePix S1000fd's primary advantages in the ultrazoom market was its compact size: to this end, measuring just 4.4 by 3.1 by 3.0 inches and sporting a similar (albeit slightly larger shape), the S2000HD can still lay claim to its forerunner's palm-able form factor in spite of its expanded zoom range.

The S2000HD advertises an impressive 6.8 fps capture rate for stills at reduced resolution, but no data in Fuji's official materials hints at whether the S1000fd's painfully slow full-res continuous shooting speed has been upped with the new model.

As with previous FinePix cameras in this line, the S2000HD is powered by a quartet of AA batteries. According to Fuji, the new model should be good for up to 300 shots on alkaline cells, or closer to 400 on NiMH rechargeables.

The S1000fd has consistently been one of the most searched cameras on our site since its announcement early in the year, and with the addition of image stabilization, more zoom, and potentially more battery life, the S2000HD looks to build on the earlier model's success with some crucial improvements.

The new model is scheduled to make its retail debut in September, with a suggested price tag of around $300.

Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD Specifications:

Sensor	10.0 megapixel, 1/2.3" CCD
Zoom	15x (27.6-414mm) Fujinon zoom, f/3.5-5.4
LCD/Viewfinder	2.7", 230K-pixel TFT LCD
Sensitivity	ISO 100-6400 (ISO 3200-6400 at lower resolution)
Shutter Speed	4-1/1000 seconds
Shooting Modes	Auto, Picture Stabilization, Natural Light, Natural Light with Flash, Zoom Bracketing, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Scene, Movie, Custom
Scene Presets	Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, Text, Auction
White Balance Settings	Auto, Fine, Shade, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent, Custom
Metering Modes	Not Specified
Focus Modes	Center AF, Multi AF, Area AF; Continuous AF; Manual; Macro; Super Macro
Drive Modes	Normal, Top 3, Top 33 High Speed, Top 33 Ultra High Speed, Long Period
Flash Modes	Auto, Forced On, Slow Synchro, Forced Off, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Syncrho with Red-Eye Reduction
Self Timer Settings	10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off
Memory Formats	SD, SDHC
Internal Memory	55 MB
File Formats	JPEG, MPEG4, WAV
Max. Image Size	3648x2736
Max. Video Size	1280x720, 30 fps
Zoom During Video	Yes
Battery	4 AA batteries
Connections	USB 2.0, AV output, DC input
Additional Features	HD video recording/output, Face Detection 3.0, Dual Image Stabilization

[jetstar]

Hmm....the supported memory formats are SD/SDHC. Interesting....

I wonder why Fuji didn't include xD card support for this camera.

[Tinderbox (UK)]

Fuji seem to be falling behind 10.0 megapixel, 1/2.3" CCD

I still love my S6500fd 6mp with a 1/1.7"CCD

[David Rasnake]

Two out of three of the new Fuji releases have moved away from xD. With its slower transfer speeds, xD has been falling out of favor at Fuji for awhile. I'm betting they'll be out of the xD game completely by the next new cycle of cams early next year.

dr

[David Rasnake]

Fuji seem to be falling behind 10.0 megapixel, 1/2.3" CCD

I still love my S6500fd 6mp with a 1/1.7"CCD

Yeah, it's not a great spec in terms of density, though it's the same one they've used for several generations. We'll see what processing improvements come, but I'm betting noise performance will be much the same as we saw with the S1000fd.

dr

[Tinderbox (UK)]

I just wish Sony would drop Memory Stick Duo and go to SDHC , but i think there is very little chance of that!

[Tinderbox (UK)]

It`s not easy to find the faster type H cards , the majority are slower type M.

There is supposedly a type M+ according to wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XD-Picture_Card

Two out of three of the new Fuji releases have moved away from xD. With its slower transfer speeds, xD has been falling out of favor at Fuji for awhile. I'm betting they'll be out of the xD game completely by the next new cycle of cams early next year.

dr

[David Rasnake]

But if I remember correctly, the theoretical maximum speeds of high-speed xD top out around the minimum transfer speeds of Class 6 SDHC.

dr

[Tinderbox (UK)]

It look like it!

[Andy Stanton]

I'm glad to see the use of sensor shift image stabilization. Fuji undoubtedly realizes it goofed when it issued the S1000fd with without an effective image stabilization system.

The gap between the S2000fd and S8100fd seems exceedingly narrow. One of these camera lines is going to have to go.