I can recall the joy I had when I bought my first camera. It was a dSRL-like (oh, how I loved that word) and it was Fuji, FinePix s5600. I was very happy with it for that time, but drooled over the better s6500 and even more, the s9600. Drooling no more nowadays but cannot resist applauding.

On this summer day of July 22, Fuji revealed the FinePix S200EXR. I must admit (with little shame) that I didn't stay in touch with what it released after the s9600 pointing that way (leave s5700 and s5800 behind, those were coughs due to a severe Fuji flu).

Now, it is proudly stating that this is its "most advanced consumer model to date," so let's see what's up with it. The first point in that direction, that I saw, is that it kept the 1/1.6" size sensor (the biggest in compact / bridge camera class), still Super CCD and added with EXR technology.

"This camera benefits from the culmination of Fujifilm's Super CCD EXR technology and EXR Processor development," said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. "This powerful combination allows the FinePix S200EXR, with its wide dynamic range, to capture the subtleties in color, tone and detail to deliver perfect shot conditions every time."

It sports all the features of the FinePix F70EXR and even more. EXR Auto Mode offers six modes depending on setting, portrait, night, macro, landscape, night portrait and backlit portrait. It will automatically recognize scene type and not only optimize focus, color balance, exposure, flash and sensitivity, but will also switch the sensor to one of the HR, SN or DR mode accordingly to ambient light. In Film Simulation mode, for Velvia, Provia and ASTIA, you can set the dynamic range all the way up to 800% for further improvement in highlights and details.

A powerful lens ensures major versatility, with a 14.3x manual zoom, covering from the (almost) wide 30.5mm all the way to super-tele 436mm, featuring a maximum aperture of F2.8 for the shortest end and F5.3 for the longest. Encased in a composite body and considering the lens structure, you won't have to worry about dirt or dust getting on the Super CCD EXR sensor.

Manual settings haven't changed; bracketing features have been added. Shutter speeds are still selectable between 1/4000 second and 30 seconds, with bulb included. As for bracketing, the maker has implemented Film Simulation Bracketing that sets Velvia, Provia and ASTIA for simultaneous capture of three frames and Dynamic Range Bracketing (that sets DR to 100%, 200% and 400% for a simultaneous three-frame capture).

The only downside I have found was the video size that hasn't changed and has remained just like my s5600 (I bought it about four years ago), so no Full HD 1080p and not even HD 720p for you, just the lame old 640 x 480 @ 30FPS. I guess that would have upped the tag a lot starting from the retail price of $599.95. Why? Because it would have offered an HD camcorder with a 30 - 436mm lens.


We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is