FUJIFILM India Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, Japan, which is one of the world’s largest photographic solutions companies, has reportedly introduced the Finepix S1800 – 18x super zoom camera, at a very affordable price.
Mr. Kenichi Tanaka, Managing Director, Fujifilm India, has reportedly stated, “The feature rich S1800 which comes up with 18x optical zoom is a perfect camera for any shutterbug. Holding, looking and feeling like a DSLR, the S1800 offers full manual photographic control for the more experienced user and an Automatic Scene Recognition mode for beginners. With a very competitive price tag this camera is sure to get a wide and serious attention.”
FinePix S1800 is claimed to ship with a mechanically stabilized CCD sensor and high ISO sensitivity (ISO 6400) for anti-blur protection, to reduce the blurring effect of both hand-shake and subject movement to provide sharp, crisp and clear images even at the longest zoom settings or in the adverse lighting conditions. Adopting Fujifilm’s Scene Recognition Auto (SR Auto), the FinePix S1800 is designed to intelligently select the scene type and adjust to the ambient shooting conditions. The camera settings are optimized accordingly to achieve the best possible results.
In addition, it is said to incorporate an adaptable Instant Zoom feature which enables the users to keep their subject in focus at long distances, by offering a wide viewing area around the viewfinder and then cropping in to the subject once the photo is taken. Zoom Bracketing is another useful function that enables three shots to be taken at the single shutter click, at varying degrees of magnification (original, 1.4x and 2.0x). This enables instant editing on the camera to choose the ideal shot, rather than having to go back to a PC to facilitate a digital crop.
This camera also claims to feature a Tracking Auto Focus function. This function is said to enable you to track moving subjects by half-pressing the shutter button and ensure that when you capture your subject in the centre of the frame and in perfect focus, leaving no room for frustrating missed shots! To further enhance the existing face detection system, Fujifilm has reportedly added two new and valuable features: Smile & Shoot Mode which can recognize the precise moment your subject smiles and releases the shutter only when this happens, ensuring that all your photos are happy ones. Blink Detection warns you if any of your subjects have blinked so that you can re-take the photo if necessary.
The New Auto Picture Rotation function is meant to ensure your photos are always inclined the right way around in playback. Irrespective of a landscape or portrait image, you are invited to enjoy your pictures whichever way around you are holding the camera, as the image will rotate in the screen to suit. In addition, the Micro Thumbnail – a playback feature that allows for viewing an index-style image on the LCD. The FinePix S1800 is designed to show up to 100 images in micro form. The control buttons are purportedly used to select specific images.
Panorama mode allows you to take a series of pictures and then stitch them together to create an impressive continuous shot of a landscape or a group of friends. This new model reportedly features pre-programmed scene modes that offer a one-touch setting for almost any situation, including: Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Party, Flower, and Text. The new S1800 quickly shoots two images in rapid succession – one with the flash and one without – and saves both. This convenient function lets users perform a comparison at their convenience and select the most pleasing image. It is also said to feature Programmed AE, Shutter Priority AE, and Manual mode with extensive metering and focus options for the more advanced user.