Yes, it’s that time of year again and you’ve guessed it – new camera announcements for fall! But Fujifilm isn’t sitting around, oh no, they’re not going to wait any longer… And so, they’ve become one of the first camera manufacturers to announce a bunch of new cameras for fall 2010. That’s a whole two months ahead of Photokina 2010 coming in September.

But let’s get right to the cameras, shall we? These new Fujifilm cameras feature something totally unique, that we’re seeing for the first time – a dual “hybrid” autofocus system that makes use of both contrast detection and phase detection (compact cameras have traditionally been using contrast detection AF only), made possible by having the phase detection system built onto Fujifilm’s special SuperCCD EXR imaging sensor. Fujifilm says this allows today’s new cameras to focus with digital SLR-like speeds (a statement we’ll have to put to the test when we review them).

There’s also a new Motion Panorama feature that two of today’s Fujifilm FinePix EXR cameras have, which allow for automatic capture and stitching of a panorama just by panning the camera from side-to-side (like what Sony has been doing with their Sweep Panorama)

Fujifilm FinePix F300 EXR
(Compact super-zoom camera)

• 12 megapixel SuperCCD EXR sensor
• 24 – 360 mm (f3.5 – f5.3) 15X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 3 inch LCD (460,000 pixels)
• Full manual controls and auto scene mode selection
• Hybrid High Speed AF combines traditional contrast detection with phase detection autofocus
• EXR sensor modes: High resolution, high sensitivity or high dynamic range
• Intelligent IS mode combines mechanical stabilization with high ISO
• Motion Panorama automatically captures and creates a panoramic image as you pan the camera; up to 360 degrees
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 24 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in August for $330

Fujifilm FinePix Z800 EXR
(Touchscreen compact camera)

• 12 megapixel SuperCCD EXR sensor
• 36 – 180 mm (f3.9 – f4.7) 5X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 3.5 inch wide touchscreen LCD (460,000 pixels)
• Point and shoot operation with auto scene mode selection; no manual controls
• Hybrid High Speed AF combines traditional contrast detection with phase detection autofocus
• EXR sensor modes: High resolution, high sensitivity or high dynamic range
• Intelligent IS mode combines mechanical stabilization with high ISO
• Motion Panorama automatically captures and creates a panoramic image as you pan the camera; up to 360 degrees
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 24 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in August for $230

Fujifilm FinePix S2800 HD
(Basic super-zoom camera)

• 14 megapixel CCD
• 28 – 504 mm (f3.1 – f5.6) 18X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 3 inch LCD (230,000 pixels) and electronic viewfinder
• Full manual controls and auto scene mode selection
• Automatic in-camera panorama stitching
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 24 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses 4 AA batteries
• Available in September for $260

Fujifilm FinePix JX280
(Entry-level camera)

• 14 megapixel CCD
• 28 – 140 mm (f3.6 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
• No manual controls; only automatic/scene modes and SR Auto scene mode selection
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in August for $150

Sony announced three new compact cameras over the weekends, two of which are capable of taking 3D shots (to a certain extent). The announcement also marks a quiet introduction of Sony’s new 12 megapixel “Exmor R” backlit CMOS sensor (versus the 10 megapixel backlit sensors we’ve been seeing for quite a while now), which I’m pretty sure we’ll be seeing in other manufacturers’ cameras later this summer/fall. The high-speed, high sensitivity CMOS sensor allows the two models announced today that utilize it (the Cyber-shot WX5 and Cyber-shot TX9) to perform various tricks such as quick continuous shooting, combining multiple photos into a single ‘high quality’ (At least in theory) shot and doing seamless in-camera panoramas without having to constantly take multiple shots and stitch them up later. The ultra-thin Sony Cyber-shot TX9 also sports a touchscreen display with TruBlack technology (first seen on Sony’s NEX cameras announced in May), which improves on contrast and screen legibility.

Sony Cyber-shot WX5
(Stylish compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels (CMOS)
• 24 – 120 mm (f2.4 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.8 inch LCD (460,000 pixels)
• Some manual controls; new “Superior Auto” (that’s some name there)
• Intelligent Sweep Panorama automatically constructs a panorama from panning the camera;
  New 3D Sweep Panorama does the same thing, except this time the result comes out as a 3D photo
• Intelligent Multi Angle lets you take 15 shots at various angles and assembles one image that moves when you angle and tilt the camera in playback
• Background Defocus mode blurs out the background behind your subject (faux SLR shallow depth-of-field effect) by combining one ’sharp’ photo and another defocused one
• Anti-blur and Handheld Twilight prevents blurry photos in low-light by automatically taking and combining 6 photos into one
• Continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second at full resolution (up to 10 pictures)
• Face, blink and smile detection, software redeye removal
• Full HD (1920 x 1080) 60i FPS movie mode with stereo sound using AVCHD codec;
  1080i and 720p recording also available as options
• Single memory card slot takes either SD/SDHC/SDXC or Memory Stick Duo cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in September for $300
• Comes in your choice of silver or black

Sony Cyber-shot TX9
(Stylish compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels (CMOS)
• 25 – 100 mm (f3.5 – f4.6) 4X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 3.5 inch wide touchscreen LCD (921,000 pixels) with TruBlack technology
• New “Superior Auto” (that’s some name there)
• Intelligent Sweep Panorama automatically constructs a panorama from panning the camera;
  New 3D Sweep Panorama does the same thing, except this time the result comes out as a 3D photo
• Intelligent Multi Angle lets you take 15 shots at various angles and assembles one image that moves when you angle and tilt the camera in playback
• Background Defocus mode blurs out the background behind your subject (faux SLR shallow depth-of-field effect) by combining one ’sharp’ photo and another defocused one
• Anti-blur and Handheld Twilight prevents blurry photos in low-light by automatically taking and combining 6 photos into one
• Continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second at full resolution (up to 10 pictures)
• Face, blink and smile detection, software redeye removal
• Full HD (1920 x 1080) 60i FPS movie mode with Dolby Digital stereo sound using AVCHD codec;
  1080i and 720p recording also available as options
• Single memory card slot takes either SD/SDHC/SDXC or Memory Stick Duo cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in September for $400
• Comes in your choice of black or red

Sony Cyber-shot T99
(Ultra-compact camera)

• 14 effective megapixels (regular CCD)
• 25 – 100 mm (f3.5 – f4.6) 4X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 3.0 inch wide touchscreen LCD (230,000 pixels)
• No manual controls
• Standard Sweep Panorama automatically constructs a panorama from panning the camera
• Face, blink and smile detection, software redeye removal
• Standard 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with mono sound using MPEG4 codec
• Single memory card slot takes either SD/SDHC/SDXC or Memory Stick Duo cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in September for $250
• Comes in your choice of silver, black, pink, purple or green

Here’s the Nikon Coolpix P100 Photo Gallery containing full-sized pictures taken by the camera. Be sure to check out the Nikon Coolpix P100 review as well.

View the Coolpix P100 gallery

Here’s my review of the Nikon Coolpix L21, a super-simple, budget camera. I’ve also got the Nikon Coolpix L21 photo gallery online too. Click the link for the full review of the camera.

Check out the L21 review

Here’s the Nikon Coolpix L21 Photo Gallery containing full-sized pictures taken by the camera. Be sure to check out the Nikon Coolpix L21 review as well.

View gallery

Here’s my review of the Olympus PEN E-PL1, an entry-level addition into Olympus’ PEN Micro Four Thirds camera range. In this more affordable model in the PEN series, Olympus took away several things but also added a few features. Find out if the PEN E-PL1 still offers good value or if it’s wiser to step up instead. Also head on to the Olympus PEN E-PL1 photo gallery for full-sized photos taken using the camera.

Read the E-PL1 review

It’s been quite a while since our last camera review and I promise we’ll be rolling out reviews at a quicker pace now that summer is here. Let’s kick June off with our Olympus PEN E-PL1 Photo Gallery containing full-sized pictures taken by the camera. Be sure to check out the Olympus PEN E-PL1 review for more about the camera.

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