New on my lust list: Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR

The F200EXR utilises a fairly large (bigger than most compact cams) 1/1.6-in. "Super CCD EXR" sensor, which is supposedly able to provide superior picture quality, enabling a “3-in-1” sensor combination of “Fine Capture Technology” (High Resolution), “Pixel Fusion Technology” (High Sensitivity & Low Noise), and “Dual Capture Technology” (Wide Dynamic Range) (ital. from the Fujifilm website).

If all this proves to be reality rather than marketing hype, I may have found my P&S back-up to my Oly E-510 ;-D

Pros of the F200EXR:

• relatively bigger sensor
• 12 effective Mp (may be a pro or con, depending on how you look at it; read through the features in the link above and see why this isn't a big issue for me)
• "EXR Auto" (similar to Panasonic's Intelligent Auto w/c is arguably currently the best auto mode): "Just as your eye sees it" (big claim!)
  
• 5x optical zoom starting at a decently wide 28mm
• image stabilisation (CCD-shift type)
• has Aperture Priority and full Manual(!) modes
• 3.0-in., 230k dot LCD screen
• can use SD/SDHC cards (I used to knock Fujifilm for being as stubborn as Olympus in sticking with the xD format; Fujifilm is starting to come around...)

What I REALLY want is the Panasonic LX3, but the price of admission is just too steep. On the other hand, the F200EXR's SRP of USD399 is not entry-level, budget digicam realm either.

Click HERE for the official Fujifilm USA press release of the F200EXR.