Fujifilm has announced the FinePix S200EXR, an upgraded version of the FinePix S100FS 'bridge' camera that sits somewhere between a digital SLR and a fixed-lens compact. The company says that the model is aimed at top-end enthusiasts looking for excellent picture quality without the expense of a digital SLR system -- though pricing has yet to be announced.
The FinePix S200EXR has the same 14.3x zoom lens as the S100FS, but adds the company's latest 12-megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor, as found in the FinePix F200EXR (read our review of the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR).
The EXR sensor on the FinePix S200EXR was built to match the optical qualities of the 14.3x lens, with Fujifilm saying that its goal was to produce a sensor/lens combination that works as close to that of the human eye as possible. It offers three switchable modes: HR, DR and SN.
High Resolution (HR) mode uses deploys all 12 million pixels, and is designed to offer the finest detail of intricate subjects when light is full and even. Wide Dynamic Range (DR) mode captures different exposures with two sets of 6 million pixels, which, when combined, gives an excellent level of detail in highlights that would otherwise be lost. High Sensitivity and Low Noise (SN) mode caps two adjacent pixels together to produce 6 million large photodiodes, which are big enough to absorb light in the darkest of conditions for better low-light shots with minimal noise and grain.
The Fujinon 14.3x zoom lens has a focal length of 30.5-436mm (35mm equivalent) with maximum aperture of a bright F2.8 (wide angle) to F5.3 (telephoto).
The FinePix S200EXR offers the EXR Priority Mode full auto setting, and the EXR Auto Mode with a choice of six settings: Portrait, Night, Macro, Landscape, Night Portrait and Backlit Portrait. The camera will recognise the scene and not only will optimise focus, colour balance, exposure, flash and sensitivity, but will also automatically switch the sensor to HR, SN or DR mode depending on the lighting conditions of the scene.
Pro Focus Mode works by taking a burst of two or three frames, and analysing the distance between the subject and the background. The camera then is able to take the main subject and crisply matte it against a defocused foreground and background.