Monthly Archives: June 2008

Fujifilm Finepix A850

The Fujifilm FinePix A850 (announced 22 May 2008) is an affordable entry level point and shoot digital camera featuring a 3x optical zoom lens (36-108mm equivalent), 8.1 megapixels, and 2.5 inch LCD monitor.

The Fujifilm A850 also features selectable sensitivity up to 800 ISO, 14 selectable scene modes, 24 megabytes of internal memory and Picture Stabilisation to reduce image blur dur to camera movement.

Fujifilm Finepix A850

Press Release

The Fujifilm A850 is the new addition to Fujifilm’s A-Team

Fujifilm is pleased to announce the launch of the new Fujifilm A850. The stylish new camera will offer high-end technology to every-day users who want point-and-shot simplicity at an affordable price point, but are not prepared to compromise on image quality. The Fujifilm A850 features a sharp Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens, an 8.1 Megapixel CCD sensor and ISO 800 sensitivity at full resolution.

The Fujifilm A850 features Image Intelligence processing combined with a 3x Fujinon lens to deliver images of unrivalled quality. Fujifilm has employed decades of imaging know-how to ensure that each image, no matter how challenging the shooting conditions, is optimised for colour, tone, exposure and colour balance. This makes the A850 the perfect camera for beginners, because the combination of a sharp lens and cutting-edge image processing means that quality images, without overdue effort, will be produced time after time. Despite its modest credentials, Fujifilm employs its Picture Stabilisation (usually found on higher-priced models) to ensure that image blurring, caused by subject movement or camera shake, is kept to an absolute minimum.

In addition to this, the Fujifilm A850 offers handy features such as selectable scene modes and movie recording with sound, for versatility and ease of use.

An intuitive, icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) and simple button layout make it easy for users to navigate through menus and switch between shooting modes and scene positions.

The 14 selectable scene modes simplify shooting even further. With options including Beach, Snow, Sports and even Museum mode, users can be creative with their picture taking, regardless of the situation or their experience behind the lens.

The Fujifilm A850 features 24MB of internal memory, which is a great fallback storage option, so users can continue to shoot and save pictures even when the media card is full. What’s more, the camera’s low power consumption (operating on two standard AA batteries) means users will never miss out on capturing the action.

Lastly, looks are everything for modern electronic products. Consumers demand elegant styling, beautiful curves, and simple ergonomics. They demand a product to be proud of. The A850 does not disappoint in any respect. It has the feel of a high-end camera, with a sculpted grip and metallic finish, and mimics models sold for more than twice the price.

Fujifilm has designed three key features into this model: excellent image quality, simple operation and amazingly good looks. The A850 is likely to be the hit camera for this summer’s key selling season.

Fujifilm A850 features at a glance:

  • 8.1 Megapixels
  • 3x optical zoom
  • 2.5-inch LCD monitor
  • Selectable sensitivity up to ISO 800
  • 24MB internal memory permits shooting without a media card
  • Power source 2x AA-size alkaline (included),2x AA-size Ni-MH (optional) and AC Power Adapter AC-3V (optional)
  • Movie mode, 30 frames/ second with monaural sound
  • Picture stabilisation
  • 14 selectable scene positions

Availability & pricing
The Fujifilm A850 will be available from retailers from July. Pricing will be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

BenQ T850

The BenQ T850 (announced 28 May, 2008) is a super slim touch screen digital camera featuring 8 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens (38-112mm equivalent) and a 3.0 inch TFT LCD touch screen.

With the 3 inch touch screen almost all camera functions can be accessed and engaged by using one of three simple finger movements: tap, circle, swipe. At only 14.9 mm thick and weighing just 120 grams the BenQ T850 also features a Super Shake-Free setting, Auto Face Tracking and up to ISO 1600.   

Wrapped in a stainless steel casing the BenQ T850 is available is black or red.

BenQ T850

BenQ T850 Press Release

BenQ’s New T850 8M Digital Camera Has Users Smiling

EUROPE, May 28, 2008 – BenQ announced the launch of the world’s slimmest 8-mega-pixel digital camera, the T850 with 1600 ISO, 3x optical zoom and smc PENTAX lens. Sleek and compact at 14.9mm thick, the T850’s chic stainless steel casing (available in black or red) reflects the minimalist operating ease of the camera. Exceptional efficiency and user-friendliness are made possible by the highly intuitive photo taking and photo editing functions, which center around smartly organized circular touch buttons on the 3” TFT LCD screen. Furthermore, almost all camera functions can be accessed and engaged by using one of three simple finger movements: tap, circle, swipe. In fact, the T850 standouts among touch screen cameras as the only one employing a natural “swipe” gesture for viewing photos and video. A comprehensive selection of options including “Smile Catch”, Auto Face Tracking, Z Lighting, advanced photo art, scribble & scrawl and Quick Bar make the T850 a fabulously fun companion for bringing enjoyment and quality to today’s digital life.

Photo Taking So Simple, It’s Second Nature!
Spontaneous, quick, spur-of-the-moment. Such is what defines that special moment so precious to capture in a photo. And that’s exactly what defines the T850: controls and menus so simple and second nature that capturing a spontaneous moment is a snap. No pressing button after button to navigate through multiple menus. The T850 has pared down complex camera operations to a minimalist, logical approach. Circular touch buttons (just the size of the fingertip), which can be pulled up instantly on the extra-large screen, get users to the right setting fast so the moment isn’t just a memory. Plus, the T850 features a Quick Bar that gives users even faster access to 80% of all photo taking needs. For customized convenience, users can add three of their favorite functions to the Quick Bar. Intelligently designed touch-screen icons that clearly represent their functions further eliminate the confusion typical of other complicated camera menus.

Tap, Circle, Swipe for Easy Navigation and Photo Editing
Once pictures are taken, users can easily view and enhance photos via three types of finger motions on the screen. To reset the focal point, simply tap the preferred spot on the screen, and the T850 will re-center and automatically refocus the image. To enlarge a specific portion of the image, simply draw a circle around the location with your fingertip. The T850 will instantly perform a 12x zoom to the circled area. Plus, by using the picture cropping mode, users can save the enlarged image as a new image. Playback is no longer a pain with the T850’s ingenious functionality, which includes “swipe” recognizing ability – it’s the only camera currently available to perform functions with a simple finger swipe across the screen. While reviewing pictures, swipe a finger right to left across the screen to see the next picture; swipe left to right to see the previous image. When playing video or audio content, users can tap the playback bar forward (advance) thus eliminating the hassles of restarting the content from the beginning every time. The T850 is also equipped with advanced photo art functions. Touch screen capability lets users free-hand scribble and scrawl fun captions and drawings to photos. In addition, users can select from a numerous callout balloons and photo backgrounds/frames.

User-Friendly Conveniences
Despite a minimalist approach for operational ease, the T850 is packed with an array of thoughtful features for picture-perfect results. A high ISO 1600 lets users take pictures in dim lighting without artificial flash. “Z Lighting” enables users to adjust the image’s lighting after the photo has already been taken. The T850’s brilliant “Smile Catch” mode captures every elusive smile by automatically shooting in rapid succession, stopping only when the shutter button is pressed again. Competitors’ similar function can only shoot up to six times in succession. And for capturing life in fractions of second – such as for action shots – a “12 Burst” feature snaps 12 pictures in one second! Crisp, clear, well-defined pictures are guaranteed with a Super Shake-Free setting and Auto Face Tracking, which can fine-tune up to nine faces in one frame – perfect for scenes with many people. The T850’s 30 preset modes range from standard auto and video to more exact settings such as “Museum,” “Party,” “Beach” and “Fireworks.”

Benq T850