Fujifilm Finepix Z20fd 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Hot Pink)
From FUJIFILM
The Z20fd Finepix digital still camera features face detection to significantly improve your picture taking by identifying human subjects' faces in the frame (up to 10 faces) and in real time, determining the optimal focus and exposure settings for the absolute best results possible in any shooting conditions. Behind Fujifilm's face detection technology is a newly developed LSI chip combined with patented software that allows the FinePix Z20fd digital still camera to reach a level of performance in digital photography never before possible. And the sophisticated, intelligent software algorithms detect red-eye and correct it in-camera. More than just red-eye reduction, this is red-eye elimination, after the image has been captured, to assure every picture looks its best.The FinePix Z20fd with picture stabilization will automate professional photographic techniques to help reduce camera shake, freeze subject movement and improve low light background detail. Picture stabilization utilizes higher sensitivities, up to ISO 1600 in the Z20fd, an incredibly high signal to noise ratio, and faster shutter and operational speeds to deliver virtually blur free images where conventional digital cameras cannot.The Finepix Z20fd features high sensitivity of up to 1600 ISO at full resolution. It is combined with Fujfilm's advanced processor capabilities, shooting in low light environments with the Z20fd yields exceptional performance with less noise. The FinePix Z20fd is designed with style and fashion in mind for the youthful photographer that's on the move.The Finepix Z20fd features an xD / SD / SD-HC compatible slot, allowing the use of either xD picture card or SD media to store and transfer your photos. This convenient and flexible capability assures compatibility with a wider variety of applications than ever before, and allows users to choose the media technology that is right for them.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #4528 in Camera & Photo
- Color: Hot Pink
- Brand: Fuji
- Model: 15825376
- Released on: 2008-03-05
- Original language: English
- Dimensions: 1.40 pounds
- Memory: 45MB
- Display size: 2.5
Continuing the tradition started by its stylish predecessor, the FinePix Z10fd, the FinePix Z20fd is a new, ultra-glam digital camera packed with useful features that let you face it, beam it, blog it and now roll it with a new MPEG-4 movie recording mode for the movie-crazed among us.
The 10-megapixel FinePix Z20fd features an ultra-portable design, a Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD screen, and packs 45MB of internal memory to give you some extra room when your memory card is full. The style-savvy FinePix Z20fd also introduces Fujifilm’s handy new Dual Blog Mode that automatically resizes any still image or movie you've captured, letting you post pictures and videos to blogs, video-sharing websites like YouTube, or e-mail to friends with ease.
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Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilization Technology uses higher sensitivities -- up to ISO 1600 in the Z20fd -- and faster shutter and operational speeds, that help reduce camera shake, allowing photographers to capture the moment just as it was meant to be captured.
This high-style camera can also Roll It with an impressive Movie mode, capturing full motion MPEG4 video with the touch of a separate movie shutter button. Using the Successive Movie mode, in-camera editing allows for the creation of a 60-second movie clip, even when shooting in two or more scenes is desired. Start and restart multiple times to build a 60-second compilation, and edit the start and end points.
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Additional Features
Dual shutter releases One button for still capture, one for movie record, for ease of use.
i-Flash Intelligent Flash i-Flash detects subtle lighting differences within a scene, and then varies the flash intensity accordingly. It also leverages the high sensitivity of the Z20fd to enable the camera to use less flash, preventing that "blasted with light" effect that so many digital camera flashes leave you with. The result is pleasing, natural tones with no flash "wash-out."
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Dual Shot mode In this mode, the FinePix Z20fd quickly shoots two images in succession -- one with and one without the flash -- saving both. This convenient function lets the user perform an on-the-spot picture comparison and decide whether the FinePix Z20fd produced the most pleasing photo with flash, or without.
Special scene modes The FinePix Z20fd has 16 scene positions, including Fireworks, Beach and Snow, offering a one-touch setting for almost any situation.
xD/SD/SDHC-compatible slot A single media slot that accepts both xD Picture Card and SD/SDHC media cards.
Stamp It Add a little fun to your images by "stamping" a variety of fun designs to up to three detected faces in your shots!
Battery life Long-life rechargeable Li-ion battery.
Fuji Z20 is a nice compact camera
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2A1ZEQNJ195TD Update Sept 2009: Still a great camcorder for taking quick low-light videos. I have owned this Fuji Z20fd camera (color Black) for over a year, since May 2008. I am still very satisfied because it is a good easy-to-use, easy-to-carry, point-and-shoot camera that takes good pictures in low light. As a great bonus, it also takes very good videos in low light, when compared to other camcorders (I can view videos in Windows XP Media Player and by turning up the "brightness" and "contrast" to see dark details).
Here is a nice raw, unedited video file straight from this camera's memory card of a dim low light dance ballroom (camera was on a tripod) from the famous Champion Ballroom Academy, in San Diego, CA. (Note: For this video my original raw videos is very clear and looks good. However after uploading this to Amazon, Amazon processed it and condensed the video to 1/10 of its original 18 MB size, and put some pops and gaps and the quality is lower.)
This Fuji Z20 camcorder's good things pros outweigh the cons. Here are some of the pros ( pluses + ):
+ This is a easy-to-use and fast point and shoot camera, and that did not have the time delay lag of a mechanical zoom lens that goes in and out. Also, internet research talks about other camera such zooming lens breaking (e.g., "e18 error") because of mechanical breakage, or getting stuck with sand or dirt. This Fuji Z20 is great and turns instantly on and off, with just a slide of the protective cover.
+ This camera takes great MP4 low light videos, and excellent that it has a separate video push button. Videos are viewable in my Windows XP Media Player. For low light videos, my 1st choice is my large JVC GZ-MG255 F1.2 camcorder, my 2nd choice is this Fuji Z20 camcorder. However, the only problem is that I can not find any software to directly make the MP4 into a DVD; I have to "convert" the MP4 to MPG using AVS Video Editor, and then use the MPG to make a DVD using my Nero 8 (I already tried, and found does not work for MP4 using Adobe Premier.)
+ This works nicely with my SD memory cards. (Note: I always buy and use higher speed lifetime warranty SD cards such as Kingston Pro 2GB or SanDisk Ultra II 2GB. I have made many test experiments logs of standard SD cards and premium cards (like SanDisk Ultra II and Kingston Pro 2GB), and the premium cards has higher and faster read and write speeds, and allow to take next shot faster, and make a big difference.) I do not have any reason to buy any "xD" memory cards.
+ This Fuji Z20 has lots of menu manual settings including image quality, flash, ISO, etc.
+ Nice compact camera and size is: 3 1/2 inch wide; 2 1/8 inch high; 13/16 inch thick.
+ Has Automatic Red Eye Removal, and other features.
+ Feels solidly built, and is very easy to carry in jacket pocket (I just keep inside easy-to-use protective zip lock sandwich bags).
Update May 2009: Looks like this camera is becoming unavailable. As a backup to my first Fuji Z20 #1, I decided to buy a second Fuji Z20 #2 (color Black) and had placed my order with Amazon's buy waiting list since March 2009, but still was not available from Amazon (either out of stock, or not made anymore). Then in May 2009 I decided just to buy from Target via Amazon, and I have already received my second Fuji Z20 #2. I like the Fuji Z20 because it is the only one that takes videos in smaller MPEG (".mp4"); I prefer not to have the larger size "AVI" videos of the other Fuji's such as Z10, Z30, or Z33, or other brands.
I really wanted to keep it...
This is a very attractive camera, with lots of cool features and very good screen. However, the core function of a camera, for me, is to take pictures, and in this respect the Z20fd failed.
I am not a `novice' user, but nor am I an expert. I don't even have the best eyesight in the world. I do not expect perfection from such a well priced product. However, it was clear to me from the outset that the picture quality on this camera was poor. Such was the good quality of the screen that I could tell without even downloading the pictures, that they were not good. When I downloaded them, they all clearly lacked definition and wereoverexposed. This was a couple of trial shots taken around the house and garden. I couldn't believe it! I therefore took a series of identical shots (on identical settings) with the Z20fd and my cheap old pocket Olympus (D-435). When the pictures were compared side-by-side, I was surprised to find that the Olympus was obviously better. I then showed the pictures to my wife, without telling her what camera took the pictures, and in every case she thought the Olympus was better.
All the professional reviews of this camera agree that its picture quality is rubbish. I ignored them as I don't regard myself as expert enough to see or care about the imperfections they find. Instead, I decided to go with the all the positive feedback left here.
Regrettably, I sent the Z20fd back and am looking for another camera. In the meantime I'll stick with my old Olympus. As I said, I am not one who expects the earth for a dime. I really wanted this snazzy little camera. But ultimately, it can't take a decent picture.
(The reason I'm giving it two stars instead of one, is that it has loads of cool features and a good screen, so good, in fact, I immediately saw how crap it's pictures were.)
This Fuji is a top performer
Scientifically and industrially, Fuji builds world beater optics and optical systems. Mass market cameras are a sideline for them to privilege us with their technology in a consumer package.
Here is the simplest, cheapest, coolest little camera among the pack of little cams. The view finder has a state of the art high resolution LCD. Picture quality is perfect. It's fast and fun. I'm not sure how you could make the user interface more intuitive. There is a lot of technology whipping around inside the package that I can well appreciate.
Because the name is not Nikon or Canon, don't be put off. Fuji consumer products always seem to insure that you get more delight for your money as Fuji fights the known brands for market share by one-upping the competition. This little camera is a another great example.
