New Fujifilm camera shows its sensitive side

(Credit: Fujifilm UK)

The next generation of Super CCD sensor that Fujifilm announced last September, the Super CCD EXR, makes its debut this month in the FinePix F200EXR compact point-and-shoot. The sensor technologically weds Fujifilm's older Super CCD HR (high resolution) and Super CCD SR (more sensitive) in a single chip with 12 million photosites. It can generate 12-megapixel images by using the data from each site individually, or 6-megapixel images by combining adjacent same-color sites. Although the latter technique, known as binning, isn't new, Fujifilm claims it does it better job because it doubles up the adjacent same-color pixels.

The F200EXR's implementation will offer shooters access to these capabilities via three different modes: a standard 12-megapixel mode; a 6-megapixel Pixel Fusion mode, which bins the pixels to increase light sensitivity for theoretically better low-light photos; and a 6-megapixel Dual Capture mode, which combines two simultaneous exposures where every other pixel captures either shadow or highlight detail. All in all, a pretty intriguing idea. The camera will also have an EXR Auto mode, which uses scene detection to automatically choose which of those three modes to use.

(Credit: Fujifilm USA)

The rest of the camera seems like pretty typical fare. It has a 5X 28-140mm lens and 3-inch LCD, and incorporates sensor-shift image stabilization. Though the company states a maximum sensitivity of ISO 12,800, that's at 3 megapixels; it does ISO 3200 at full resolution and ISO 6400 at 6 megapixels. It includes all the standard Fujifilm features, like film-style simulations, flash output compensation for shooting in macro, and dual-shot (with and without flash), plus category standards like enhanced face detection. And--yay!-- this model will take SD cards in addition to the company's albatross xD-Picture Cards.

It's slated to ship this month for $399.95.