Fujifilm FinePix F500/F550/F600 EXR compact cameras are of interest to travelers, professionals as a pocket-sized camera, and genre photography enthusiasts

In a press release issued by Fujifilm at the time of the models appearance, the FinePix F550 EXR is unashamedly labeled as the must-have camera of 2011, that is, an absolutely and absolutely necessary acquisition. And although it is not customary to believe the fine print of the developers’ speeches, in this case there is no doubt in their honesty and correctness. Cameras really show the unique qualities and the best characteristics, assembled in a compact and convenient housing, and at quite reasonable money. Here are just some of the key reasons why Fujifilm representatives are right.

16 MP 24-360 15x 3″ $380, $390

The F550 EXR is equipped with a new proprietary 1/2-inch backlit EXR-CMOS sensor with 16M. pixels. EXR technology not without the help of a powerful tri-core processor allows the camera in addition to normal shooting in all its megapixels to engage in unique modes to enhance the sensitivity by virtual association of the light cells and expand the dynamic range by stacking images taken simultaneously with different exposures.

In addition to frame quality, the new system also provides advanced speed capabilities: in burst mode, the camera captures events at 16 full-size frames per second and can raise the speed to 11 fps at 8MP.

What’s more, if you’re worried about missing the action, the F550 EXR lets you choose from seven pictures taken before or after the shutter release: a considerate feature helps you get the shots you want, even if you’re too late. Of course, for long dynamic scenes there is also video recording 1920×1080@30p in modern H format.264 MOV container .

The freedom to choose subjects to test the quality of the EXR system is assured by a lens with a range of focal lengths from a wide 24 mm to a respectably distant 360 mm. Of course, there is a full set of a variety of intelligent modes, effects, panorama function and “smart” album with sorting by faces and scenes.

In addition, the F550 EXR is equipped with a GPS receiver, which provides you with the coordinates of the shooting point and the nearest point of interest which can also be used to sort images .

A bonus for tourists is the “compass” function, which shows the direction and distance to the point in which you shot a particular image and a tracker, which complements the geotagging images with a detailed route of the movements every ten minutes the device adds the current coordinates to the key points of the route .

Finally, equipped with a 3-inch display with 460k. The F550 EXR features a new proprietary vector interface with smooth, clean icons and text – beauty is everything, isn’t it??

After all of the above, only one moot point remains: how to determine the type of amateur photographer who should focus on this model in the first place? The camera is interesting for travelers, professionals in search of a pocket-sized device, and fans of genre or sporting events. Fujifilm’s statement begins to look not even like an exaggeration, but a simple statement of fact: the FinePix F550 EXR is a must-have for anyone who needs a compact camera at all..

The new F600 is already replacing it on store shelves, having recently gone on sale. The updated version has an additional EXR-mode of protection against blurring. The electronics raise the sensitivity when they see movement and lower it when they don’t to minimize noise. And geotagging is expanded with a geographic base: the F600 not only records coordinates in the frame, but also an indication of a nearby landmark.

As for the smaller FinePix F500 EXR, with almost identical looks and basic features, it saves the trouble of not having a GPS receiver for those who haven’t yet appreciated the benefits of geotagging.

Here, however, is not quite an obvious catch: simultaneously F500 EXR for some reason are deprived the ability to save files RAW, and continuous shooting speed is reduced to only three frames per second. Given the currently almost imperceptible difference in price, the junior F500 is worth choosing only if you really want a camera in champagne color, “ceramic” white very pretty , red or blue. The F550 EXR only comes in strict black with a red lens trim, no options.