Fujifilm updates S1000 with FinePix S1500

[Allison Johnson]

Fujifilm has announced the FinePix S1500, successor to the SLR-style S1000 ultrazoom.

The FinePix S1500 is an update to a popular model – the S1000 has been at or near the top of our list of most searched models on the site for awhile now – and Fujifilm has added a couple of interesting new features to the S1000's low-cost ultrazoom formula.

High tech, low cost ultrazoom option
Like the S1000fd, it will feature a 10 megapixel sensor, 2.7 inch LCD, and 12x optical zoom. New to the S1500 is an automatic scene recognition mode designed to identify six types of scenes and adjust focus, exposure, ISO and white balance.

So what else is new? The S1000fd offered a Picture Stabilization mode that adjusts shutter speed and sensitivity to cut back on blur in photos. Fujifilm hopes to improve that technology with the S1500 by adding dual image stabilization, offering mechanical sensor shift as well as shutter speed and sensitivity adjustment.

The instant zoom function is another new addition to the S1500. Users will be able to select and bracket a subject via the LCD in standard widescreen view. Once the shutter is released, the camera will automatically zoom to capture the subject in the center of a full-size image.

The panoramic shooting mode is carried over from the previous model. In this mode, users are able to combine three consecutive shots to create a panoramic photo.

Still more features include fully manual exposure control, face detection, continuous high-speed shooting mode, and 14 pre-programmed scene modes. The S1500 is also going to feature a 30 fps movie recording mode with sound.

Pricing and availability
The Fujifilm S1500 looks to hit retail outlets in March at $249.95.

[Andy Stanton]

This looks very interesting. It fixes one of the main problems of the S1000fd, the absence of mechanical or optical image stabilization.

[David Rasnake]

Let's hope they've ironed out speed/performance concerns to match...

dr

[KCook]

The instant zoom function is another new addition to the S1500. Users will be able to select and bracket a subject via the LCD in standard widescreen view. Once the shutter is released, the camera will automatically zoom to capture the subject in the center of a full-size image.

Err, is this another play on the digital zoom game? Hard to see how the "instant" label could be applied to triggering the shutter and then waiting on the physical zoom to take place?!?!

Humm, extra deep mounting of the front element of the lens. Dare we hope for a conventional filter thread?

Kelly