Fuji Releases Two GPS-Cams

A Fujifilm Two Cameras include built-in GPS

Fujifilm recognized the benefits of GPS tagging way back in 1997 when they became the first company to introduce an optional GPS recording device for a digital camera on the DS-300.  The GPS NMEA feed required a serial connector to the GPS handset.  Kodak had a similar camera and external GPS connection.  Neither became much of a seller on this feature only.

The legacy DS-300 GPS-CAM

Today, the FinePix F550 EXR and the FinePix XP30 become the first Fujifilm models to have the facility built in and offers a wide range of user benefits to make the most of the technology.  These FinePix GPS-cams store location data every 10 minutes and, once the images are downloaded to a PC through MyFinePix Studio (bundled image viewing software), a map of the route, along with the pictures you took along the way is created using Google Maps.

Regardless of where you are in the world, the either FinePix camera just release in January of 2011 will recognise your location and display it either as longitude and latitude or by place name thanks to the camera's embedded 0.5 million list of locations. A tag is also placed on the image which, when using place names, can easily be searched for, enabling you to quickly find shots of a specific location or point of interest.

Once images are found using the search function, it's simple for users to create a photobook using the Photobook Assist function. Just choose the images you want in the book, mark them (including which image you want to use on the front cover) and then you can even preview the book on the rear LCD.

Additional functionality is also provided by the Photo Navigation function, where you can find your way back to where a photo was taken. For example, if you took a shot at a restaurant that you'd like to return to, simply find the picture and the FinePix F550 EXR or will provide the distance and direction you need to travel from your existing location to get back there.

For those who want to re-trace their steps and map a route of their travels, the Route Logging function is sure to appeal. The FinePix F550 EXR stores location data every 10 minutes*1 and, once the images are downloaded to a PC through MyFinePix Studio (bundled image viewing software), a map of the route, along with the pictures you took along the way is created using Google Maps.

*1Anytime On or Only Power On must be selected for data to be logged

Fujifilm FinePix F550 / F500 EXR key features:  $330 Estimated Street

·         All-new 16 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor

·         GPS functionality

·         15x optical zoom covering 24 - 360 mm (35 mm equivalent)

·         Fast AF

·         3.0 inch LCD with 460,000 pixel and new Rich User Interface using Vector fonts and graphics

·         Advanced anti blur technologies*2

·         Advanced Anti blur mode in EXR Auto and CMOS Shift I.S.

·         1600% wide dynamic range

·         Full resolution high speed shooting at 8 fps*3

·         Raw file format*2

·         Full HD movie capture using H.264 (MOV) format

·         New EXR Auto mode featuring 27 scenes

·         Film simulation modes

·         Motion Panorama 360 mode

·         Photobook Assist function

Fujifilm FinePix XP30 key features:  $235 Estimated Street

·         14.2 megapixel resolution

·         GPS functionality

·         5x wide optical zoom covering 28 - 140 mm (35 mm equivalent)

·         CCD shift image stabilisation

·         2.7 inch rear LCD with 230,000 pixels

·         Waterproof to five metres

·         Shockproof up to 1.5 metres

·         Freezeproof to −10°C

·         Dust / Sandproof

·         Motion Panorama mode

·         Available in Black, Silver, Orange, Blue, Green and White

Fuji GPS

Records the Latitude, Longitude and Name of Location

On-board GPS function creates geo tags displaying latitude and longitude or place names on photo and video images, for immediate identification of where each photo was taken.

·         Latitude and Longitude Display

·         Landmark and Place Name Display

Image Search by the GPS Place Name

Image search criteria are enhanced by the ability to search for and select photos according to the place names in their GPS tags, making it easy to sort and display photos from specific locations.

Photobook Assist

Pre-select images from specific locations in-camera, enabling you to create personalized Photobook travel documentaries in just moments at your local Fujifilm photo center.

Photo Navigation

On-board GPS calculates and displays the distance from present location to the place where a tagged photo was taken, enabling you to return to your favorite snowboarding spot or fishing spot in the middle of a lake!

Automatic My Library Update

Just connect your camera to PC and the new images will be added to My Library automatically.

Image Search
You can quickly search for your image, sorted by locations, dates and events.

Route Logging with MyFinePix Studio

GPS tags generated in a log file can be displayed on Google Maps™ to plot your route on a PC running MyFinePix Studio software.

·         *MyFinePix Studio is required to be updated through Internet to use this function.

Microsite

Capture images and reflect back to your unforgettable trips with FinePix GPS.

·       FinePix GPS Special Site