14 DAY TRIAL // As the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Shows approaches, camera producers have started the launching frenzy.
The first two to announce new products are Fujifilm and Pentax, both with compact point and shoot devices.
Fujifilm expands its lineup with four new cameras, a compact, 8-MegaPixel digital camera with Face Detection Technology and two entry-level models boasting 8 megapixel Super CCDs and the most interesting of them all, the IS-1 infrared camera.
The Finepix F40fd incorporates an 8.3 MP sensor and the proprietary LSI chip that enables the latest technology in compacts, namely Face Detection Technology (can detect up to 10 faces).
Moreover, users have the ability to employ the Dual Shot mode, which captures two images in rapid succession, one with flash and one without and allows them to choose the one they fancy the most.
Other technologies employed by Fujilfilm are Picture Stabilization, which increases ISO sensitivity to minimize blur in low-light situations (this sounds good on paper, but in real life, you also get some nasty noise in your images) and 'i-Flash', which detects subtle lighting differences within a scene, and then varies the flash intensity accordingly.
The FinePix F40fd will debut in March 2007 at a retail price of $299.
The other two cameras are FinePix A800 and FinePix A610, with 8.3 megapixels and 6.3 respectively.
Other features include a 3x Fujinon optical zoom lens, a 2.5 inch display with anti-glare properties, 2 shooting modes and 17 scene positions.
The FinePix A610 and FinePix A800 will debut in March 2007 with retail prices of $129 and $179, respectively.
All three cameras support xD and SD cards.
Fujifilm will be showcasing the cameras, the 8-MegaPixel FinePix F40fd with Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology, and the 8-MegaPixel FinePix A800 and 6-MegaPixel A610 in meeting rooms N115 and N116 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center throughout the show.
The IS-1 was developed for use in the law enforcement, medical/dental and science fields and is a follow-up model to the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR D-SLR.
The IS-1 digital camera features a nine MegaPixel Fujifilm Super CCD sensor and ISO 80-1600 (in case of capturing a visible light image) capabilities.
The camera's high sensitivity range, made possible by Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology, enables IS-1 users to capture images using visible and infrared light (approximately 400nm -900 nm)
The camera has an articulating LCD, which simplifies the processes of previewing, capturing and reviewing photos, especially when the camera is in a laboratory environment. Its 10.7x, 28-300mm optical zoom system is built-in, minimizing dust, making operation a snap for forensic photographers.
Through the use of an infrared cut or "hot mirror" filter on the lens, the IS-1 can capture a visible light image very close in quality to that of a standard digital camera.
Priced at $899, the IS-1 will be available at select authorized dealers in the United States in February 2007.
Pentax has announced the Optio E30, a compact camera with 7.1 effective megapixels and a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 36-108mm lens in 35mm format. This zooming power may be combined with 4X digital zoom to achieve a total of 12X zoom capability.
Another useful feature is the 2.4 inch LCD monitor, which eases composition and usage.
The PENTAX Optio E30 will be available in February 2007 for US $149.95 and will be displayed along with the full line of other PENTAX products in Booth 31577 in South Hall 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2007.
