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| (Photo Credit: Fujifilm) |
Fujifilm introduced two new digital cameras to its fashionable Z-series. Both cameras come with 12 megapixels and a YouTube/Facebook Automatic Web Upload, but the Z700 comes with a 3.5-inch touch screen and the Z70 has a smaller standard screen. The Z700 will retail for $279 and the Z70 for $149.
The Fujifilm FinePix Z700 has a large 3.5-inch touch screen LCD with 460,000 pixels. Its specs are nearly identical to the recently announced Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS, which has the same size, resolution, and functionality. The Canon comes with 14.1 megapixels and a 5x lens for $329. The Fujifilm Z700 has 12 megapixels on a Super CCD and a 5x optical zoom lens and will retail for $279 next month. It is equipped with CCD-shift image stabilization, HD video, ISO up to 1600, and a face detection system that can register up to eight names with faces. The names not only display in real-time, but allow users to search images based on the names. This feature will make identifying images easier for consumers who frequent sites like Facebook.
“Fujifilm pays close attention to the needs of style conscious consumers and offers a range of social networking capabilities making it easier than ever for them to share their pictures and videos,” said Fujifilm’s camera marketing manager David Troy, in the Feb. 2 press release. To streamline the uploading process for social networkers, the company introduced a new Facebook/YouTube Automatic Web Upload feature. Users can flag images and videos in the playback mode and then they are automatically loaded when the camera is connected to a computer that is enabled with the included MyFinePix Studio software.
“The Z-series category has always been Fujifilm’s flagship fashionista camera line and the Z700EXR is no exception,” Troy said. “The new touch screen interface and Super CCD EXR sensor gives fashion-forward consumers a digital experience in tune with the technology of today.”
The Z700 appeals to fashion-forward consumers with its three color options – red, black, and silver – and its slim 16.9mm profile. It has a small horizontal lens cover with a unique wave-like shape that can turn the camera on and off.
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| (Photo Credit: Fujifilm) |
The Fujifilm FinePix Z70 is no slouch either. It has a standard 2.7-inch LCD screen, but it has respectable specs with its 12 megapixels and the same Facebook/YouTube upload feature as the Z700. While both cameras feature 720p HD video, the Z700 has a dedicated button for one-touch movie recording as well as LED illuminated buttons. The Z70 has the same 5x optical zoom lens, but uses digital image stabilization instead of the CCD-shift version on the Z700.
Both cameras have an automatic scene recognition mode as well as a new pet face detection mode that can recognize up to 80% of dogs in the top 20 dog breeds of the American Kennel Club and up to 60% of breeds registered with the Cat Fancier’s Association.
The Z70 has face detection, but does not have the same name registration process that the Z700 has. The Z70 costs much less than its counterpart at $149, but obviously takes a few shortcuts. A few minor shortcuts include the ISO and internal memory: the Z70’s ISO expands to 1600 and its internal memory to 13MB, while the Z700 goes to 3200 and stores up to 30MB. The FinePix Z70 will be available this month.
