Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd and F20

Fujifilm has announced two new digital cameras, the "SLR-styled" FinePix S6000fd (at right) and the FinePix F20. The S6000fd comes with Fuji's new "Face Detection Technology," detecting up to 10 human faces regardless of their position in the scene. The camera then prioritizes the faces so they are photographed "in the most flattering manner." The camera also comes with "i-Flash," which automatically adjusts intensity depending on conditions. Other features of the 6.3 megapixel camera include a 3200 ISO equivalent sensitivity and a 28-300mm 10.7x optical zoom lens. The FinePix F20 carries many of the same features. Click on the headline of this article for the Fujifilm press releases.

Face Detection Technology Highlights Digital Camera Announcements from Fujifilm; SLR-Styled FinePix S6000fd the First Camera with Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology; FinePix F20 Debuts

Fujifilm strengthened its standing as a leader in digital imaging innovation with today's announcement of the FinePix S6000fd, the first digital camera with Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology. Also today, Fujifilm unveiled the FinePix F20, a sister camera to the award-winning and critically-praised FinePix F30.

The newest component of Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology, Face Detection Technology helps digicam users take better pictures. It operates exactly as its name implies, detecting up to 10 human faces regardless of their position in the scene. Once identified, Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology prioritizes the faces. Then, the FinePix S6000fd adjusts its focus and exposure automatically so the intended subject is sharp, clear and exposed in the most flattering manner. The photographer can easily disengage the Face Detection Technology at the touch of a button.

Face Detection Technology is a perfect complement to the other components of Real Photo Technology, particularly the i-Flash system, which also is found on the SLR-styled FinePix S6000fd. After the detection system identifies faces and the camera sets focus and exposure, i-Flash adjusts its power intensity accordingly depending on scene conditions. The end result of the two features working in concert is a more life-like 'people picture' with natural tones and finer detail.

"Fujifilm continues to stay true to its rich photographic legacy by making image quality its top priority when developing new digital camera technologies," explained David Troy, Senior Product Manger, Electronic Imaging Products Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. "Face Detection is the latest addition to Fujifilm's suite of Real Photo Technology features that reduce blur and noise and contribute to the overall quality of consumers' photographs."

The FinePix S6000fd's impressive features do not end with Face Detection and i-Flash. The list includes:

-- 6.3 MegaPixel Super CCD HR sensor

-- ISO equivalency up to 3200 at full resolution

-- 28-300mm Fujinon 10.7X optical zoom lens

-- Dual Shot Mode

The FinePix F20 shares many of the same features as the highly-regarded FinePix F30. It has a compact design, a 6.3 MegaPixel Super CCD HR sensor, Real Photo Technology, and a 2.5-inch LCD display. It also has a convenient and helpful Picture Stabilization button that sends ISO sensitivities as high as 2000 at full resolution.

The FinePix F20 will be available in August at a retail price of $299.95. The FinePix S6000fd will be available in September at a retail price of $499.95.

Camera-specific press releases for the FinePix S6000fd and FinePix F20, product photography and specification charts can be found at www.fujifilmusa.com/press.

Face Detection: The Latest Addition to Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology Means Better People Pictures - Automatically; A Technology Backgrounder

The advanced Face Detection Technology system built into Fujifilm's new FinePix S6000fd digital camera is based on the Image Intelligence technology found in Fujifilm's Frontier Digital Lab Systems, used by photofinishers to produce large volumes of top-quality photo prints. Face Detection is a selectable option the camera user can turn on whenever human subjects are the focal point of a picture.

Once Face Detection is activated, it automatically identifies faces in the scene and prioritizes them in as little as 0.05 seconds. It simultaneously displays a green rectangle around the top-priority face, and a white one around other faces before the picture is taken. Using this information, the FinePix S6000fd is able to focus more precisely on the main subjects and execute the best possible exposure.

The end result is sharper, more natural looking people pictures. Since Face Detection is an integral part of Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology system, it also is linked to Fujifilm's i-Flash intelligent flash system, for the proper exposure of flash pictures taken indoors and in low light.

How does Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology differ from other such systems?

Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology is distinguished by its advanced structural design. There is an LSI (large-scale integrated circuit) embedded within the FinePix S6000fd for the sole purpose of running the Face Detection Technology. This hardware-based set-up provides several advantages over a separate, peripheral program within the camera, most notably the ability to quickly identify up to 10 faces simultaneously.

What are the application advantages of Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology?

Even if the subject is off to one side, the FinePix S6000fd, with Face Detection Technology activated, will automatically focus on the person rather than trees in the background or objects in the foreground that may happen to fall in the center of the frame. Since the system is capable of evaluating and scoring up to 10 faces at once, it will automatically provide the best possible focus.

Fujifilm's Face Detection Technology also helps in delivering the most flattering exposure of the main subject by basing the exposure on the priority faces. No more dark, underexposed faces just because the main light happens to be behind the subjects or the background is too light or too dark.

Advanced Face Detection and i-Flash: A perfect combination

What happens when flash is needed? The sophisticated i-Flash system built into Fujifilm's FinePix S6000fd works together with Face Detection Technology to deliver more accurate flash exposures too. First, the Face Detection system identifies the priority subject and calculates its distance from the camera. Then it hands off the automatic flash exposure decision to the i-Flash system, which adjusts the power output accordingly. Result: Fewer occurrences of washed-out faces of people positioned close to the camera or underexposed pictures of subjects farther away.

Real Photo Technology: Better pictures all the time

Face Detection is just the latest addition to Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology. This integrated system includes Fujifilm's 6th generation Super CCD sensor, the state-of-the-art Fujifilm RP II image processor, Fujinon lenses optimized for outstanding performance in capturing digital images, Picture Stabilization that combines higher light sensitivities with faster shutter speeds to reduce blur, and the i-Flash system.