Fujifilm Finepix F200EXR – Image Quality vs. Resolution

2009 PMA Featured Fujifilm News Uncategorized

Fujifilm F200EXR Digital Camera It seems that digital camera manufacturers are finally starting to let go of megapixel marketing. How many of us really need a 15-megapixel point-and-shoot camera, anyway? Isn’t everyone starting to figure out that we’re sacrificing image quality for more resolution? A few enlightened camera makers are starting to offer cameras that choose overall image quality over increased resolution. A good example is the new Fujifilm F200EXR digital camera. It’s built around a new 12-megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor and offers three capture modes so you can choose between maximum resolution, low noise, or increased dynamic range. The Super CCD EXR sensor is housed in a pocket-sized body, with a 5x 28-140mm (equivalent) zoom lens, 3-inch LCD, and sensor shift image stabilization. Based on the specs and sensor concept, this could be my next pocket point-and-shoot camera.

“There is strong demand in the digital camera market to increase the number of pixels on a sensor, which, all too often, is used as a convenient yardstick for image quality,” said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. “Consumers have realized there’s more to a good picture than just the number of MegaPixels, and with our Super CCD EXR sensor we prove that true image quality is about a combination of many factors like tone, hue, color fidelity, dynamic range, sharpness, and resolution – all brought to life vividly in the FinePix F200EXR.”

 

The Super CCD EXR sensor’s three capture modes are “Fine Capture Mode” which uses all 12 million pixels to capture the most detail; “Pixel Fusion Mode”, which combines two pixels for low-noise, 6-megapixel images in low light; and “Dual Capture”, which essentially brackets two 6-megapixel images and merges them into one image with increased dynamic range.

Fujifilm claims the F200EXR has “the lowest noise signature to date.” That’s a pretty big deal, although it’s not clear whether they’re comparing it to previous Fujifilm cameras or the compact digital camera world at large. They also claim the new Super CCD EXR in combination with the Real Photo Processor allow the F200EXR to capture “up to 800%” wider dynamic range. Translation: more shadow detail and less blow highlights – always a problem a point-and-shoot digital cameras. Image quality isn’t everything, though. Speed is important, too. If it’s molasses-slow, very few people will care how good the image quality is. No matter what, I’m excited to see the image quality from this camera – maybe a little too excited. It’s still a tiny point-and-shoot sensor.

Some excellent high-end compact digital cameras were introduced last year, most notably the Canon PowerShot G10, the Panasonic Lumix LX3, the Nikon Coolpix P6000, and the Sigma DP1. But none of those is a true pocket camera. And for me, if it’s not pocket-sized, I’d rather just pack a small DSLR kit. So, with an image quality-over-resolution strategy, nice zoom range, and mechanical image stabilization in a truly pocket-sized package, the Fujifilm F200EXR is looking really good to me. So far it’s the camera I most looking forward to seeing at the PMA tradeshow in March.

Official FinePix F200EXR Digital Camera Press Release & Specs >>

Related Content:
Fujifilm Camera Reviews
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Fujifilm Web Site

Fujifilm F200EXR Digital Camera

About the author: Photo-John

Photo-John, a.k.a. John Shafer, is the managing editor of PhotographyREVIEW.com and has been since the site launched back in 1999. He's an avid outdoor enthusiast and spends as much time as possible on his mountain bike, hiking or skiing in the mountains. He's been taking pictures for ever and ever, and never goes anywhere without a camera.


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  • CD Price - drg says:

    Now this is one I look forward to trying out!

    Hopefully this is the long promised and much awaited Fuji successor to the f20/f31fd series of cameras.

    Still no optical viewfinder.

    Need a review?

    - C

  • Photo-John says:

    You’ll have to fight me for it!

    But yeah, we will need a review. I will plan to make sure you get one :-)

  • Photo-John says:

    I never did see the press release for Fujifilm’s new Super CCD EXR sensor. But evidently they made a separate announcement just for the sensor. I found out from a link to a Wired magazine article posted on our Digital Cameras forum. It shows the Super CCD EXR sensor RGB pixel array and it’s actually pretty interesting what Fujifilm has done. They’ve always been creative with their sensor array strategies and it’s good to see that they’re continuing to innovate. Here’s a link to Wired mag’s online article:

    How Does Fujifilm’s New Camera See in the Dark?

  • Carl Garrard says:

    This camera is just “raw capture” shy of taking the photo world by storm, as is however it should be a great seller imo. Already tempted to get it for the wife for family photos etc. I think Fuji is revolutionary in some of its design features, and far behind in others, tis an interesting paradox they create imo. This is a compelling camera never the less, and I give props to Fuji for trying so many good things in one package.

    With the industry slowing down in the technology advancment snowball, it is features this camera has imo that will set it apart from the competition. Too many carbon copy cameras out there doing the same ol thing. Ricoh is another company I look at for user features/customization, the GX200 is marvelous for available light if you want full control as a DSLR user. I am watching both companies very closely.

    Carl

  • Jonas says:

    The F200EXR lens have an maximum aperture of 3.3 while the F30 had 2.8, so the sensor will have less light to work with. But sensor is a little bit bigger 1/1.6″ vs 1/1.7″ and it has sensor stabilization. Interesting to see the results.

  • Ray Brown says:

    I have owned Fuji ‘s S 1, 2 and the very best S-5 and even today I had to make a choice when coming to China, either bring my Newer Canon D40 or my ol Fuji S-5. I chose the S-5 as the tonality and DR are still superior even if the S-5 is almost three years old.

    I will now replace my Canon point and shoot with this Fuji F200 EXR.

    I condemn Fuji for getting out of the professional camera market as they were light years ahead of the pack and everyone could afford their quality professional cameras. I have hauled the S-5 around China since 2006 and it is still the camera of my choice, I choose quality over speed every time.

    Ray Brown

  • macsuperfly says:

    I’m not sure if “pixel binning” with the f200exr will ever outperform the standard 6mp picture of the f31fd but I’m hopeful. It would be nice to have a 5x zoom point and shoot with relatively low noise. Although in the point and shoot department you usually expect the ability to take video. The kodak v1073 has a 1/1.6 inch sensor @ 10mp and it takes good hd video. It is relatively low noise (not as good as the f30 but better than the Canon G10). Anyway for a list of low noise pocket cameras you can go to:

    http://www.findbesttech.com

    For links to sample pictures of the f200exr as well as owners manual pdf, pamplet pdf, reviews, discussion of the exr sensor you can go to:

    http://www.f200exr.com

  • koo says:

    The review, like most out there, failed to look at the battery longevity per charge in this camera.
    The per frame to memory speed, not the continuous mode, is pretty essential in wedding and events that most camera in the market failed misery.

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