Fuji has just announced the F600EXR which looks to be quite a beastly camera for a retailed $350. Boasting a 16mp sensor, RAW capture, 1080P video, 11fps burst, 15x zoom lens (24-360mm equivalent), and all visible on a large 3" screen. Though this camera will perform more like traditional compacts, the features alone will allow you to take photography to the next level. This could be a great starter camera for a beginner learning about photography, or as a general pocket shooter for those who like options. If you primarily shoot on full auto, the interface and options of the F600 may be slightly daunting though not horribly so. Due to arrive at stores this October for $349.95.

Fuji F600EXR Press Release

Valhalla, N.Y., August 11, 2011 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the newest addition to the FinePix F-Series lineup: the FinePix F600EXR. This sleek, compact digital camera combines advanced features, including a 16 MegaPixel EXR-CMOS sensor, a FUJINON 15x super Wide-Angle lens (24-360mm equivalent), Intelligent Digital Zoom and a 3.0” high contrast 460K resolution LCD with 160° viewing, to produce exceptional images.

The FinePix F600EXR brings together several exciting new technologies that deliver outstanding images – even in low light situations – that are ideal for both travelers and those who simply want high quality results from a camera that can fit into a pocket. These new technologies include an advanced EXR Auto mode with a Motion Detection capability to virtually eliminate subject blur in all lighting conditions and a FUJINON 15x Wide-Angle optical zoom lens that now doubles its telephoto power with amazing sharpness and detail thanks to the new Intelligent Digital Zoom mode.

The FinePix F600EXR also delivers incredible high speed auto focus (as fast as 0.16 seconds) and high speed continuous shooting (up to 11fps for 32 frames) to help capture perfect images in every situation. And to help you find where those perfect images are, an improved built-in GPS adds a Landmark Navigator feature to help photographers pin-point locations and new shooting opportunities.

EXR Auto mode with Motion Detection

The new function enables the FinePix F600EXR to tackle motion blur on three fronts with mechanical image stabilization, high ISO sensitivity and the new Motion Detection capability working together. In low light conditions with EXR Auto mode selected, the FinePix F600EXR automatically identifies if the subject is moving. If it is, the camera deploys Motion Detection and a higher ISO to ensure the subject is captured with reduced blurring. If no subject movement is identified, the FinePix F600EXR automatically keeps the ISO lower and uses image stabilization to reduce noise.

Users who prefer to take more control themselves can also choose from:
• EXR HR (High Resolution) priority mode – the sensor utilizes all of its 16 megapixels for the highest quality results.
• EXR DR (Dynamic Range) priority mode – the two images are captured and then merged together to produce superb results on high contrast scenes.
• EXR SN (Signal to Noise) priority mode – pixels are doubled up to increase sensitivity and give better results in low light conditions.

Intelligent Digital zoom pulls in the most distant details

The FinePix F600EXR uses a Wide-Angle 15x optical zoom (24-360mm equivalent) lens that ensures users can capture a wide range of images from landscapes to tightly composed images. With Intelligent Digital Zoom, the F600EXR’s zoom range offers double the telephoto power by allowing even distant objects to be turned into frame-filling close-ups, greatly extending creative possibilities. Fujifilm’s Intelligent Digital Zoom assesses areas of contrast within an image and applies selective processing to the sections of the image where sharpness can be boosted without lowering image quality.

Great panoramic shots with a sure grip

The FinePix F600EXR includes an enhanced Motion Panorama mode that allows users to capture beautiful, seamless 360° panoramic images and a new rubberized black coating that prevents finger print smudging and ensures a solid and comfortable grip.

Landmark Navigator – the next level of GPS

GPS tagging is the latest must-have feature on compact cameras and the FinePix F600EXR takes that technology further with the introduction of a Landmark Navigator. The FinePix F600EXR automatically locates places of interest from its on-board database of approximately one million locations and then displays the points on the camera’s LCD screen, showing their relative position and distance from your current location. Users can also add and edit location names. Photo Navigation is also included to help users find their way back to a previously-photographed location and Tracking Data allows users to create a route of their travels – along with pictures taken along that route – once they return home using Google Maps1.

Fantastic features for maximum versatility

In addition to all these exciting new features, the F600EXR also offers a wide range of picture taking modes that make it the ideal camera for almost every photographic occasion. ISO sensitivity up to 12,800 (S mode only), a full complement of exposure modes including aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual for creative shooting, continuous frame capture of up to eight frames per second at full resolution, Raw file format, a selection of film simulation modes and a full-featured flash are just some of the options available.

And for users who want to capture video footage, the FinePix F600EXR offers full HD 1080p movie capture with stereo sound and a high speed movie option for freezing fast moving action at up to an incredible 320 frames per second.

Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR key features:

• 16 megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor with new EXR Auto mode and Motion Detection technology
• Landmark Navigator
• 15x optical zoom covering 24-360mm (35mm equivalent) plus 2x Intelligent Digital zoom
• Motion Panorama 360 mode (seamless)
• Rubberized black body coating
• Raw file format (RAF)
• SD, SDHC and SDXC card compatibility and 33MB internal memory
• P, A, S, M exposure modes for creativity plus Scene modes
• Pro Low-Light and Pro Focus advanced shooting modes
• Full HD (1080p) movie capture with HDMI output
• Film simulation modes
• Photo book Assist function

The FinePix F600EXR will be available in October 2011 at a retail price of $349.95.
¹ Installing “MyFinePix Studio” is required