Fujifilm Announces XP50 and XP150 Waterproof Compacts

Fuji today announced no less than 19 new cameras, updating its entire compact camera range. Among them are two waterproof compacts—the XP50, a direct descendant of the previous models—and the XP150, a new and more ambitious model that's waterproof to 10 metres.



In terms of technology, the two cameras are quite similar, sharing the same 28-140 mm lens probably taken straight out of the XP30. From the outside, the XP50 is also very similar to the XP30, and only the grip handle has changed.

On the inside, both cameras have a 14-Megapixel CMOS sensor. That's something of a surprise, since Fuji has generally used classic CCDs in its waterproof compacts. Although Fujifilm often develops its own sensors, these are usually built for the firm's high-end models. We therefore suspect that this CMOS is made by someone else—Aptina, for example, makes a sensor with the same specs. It'll be interesting to compare picture quality with the Sony 16-Megapixel CMOS, especially since the sensor used in these Fuji models isn't backlit.

The new sensor brings Full HD video to both cameras, as well as burst modes of up to 10 fps and a sweep panorama function.

We were, however, disappointed to see that these cameras have 2.7-inch LCD screens with the same specs as the XP30.

The main difference between the two new cameras is that the XP150 has a more rugged design, with a big black protective bumper around the edge of the camera. This model is altogether tougher than the XP50—it's shock-proof to 2 metres and waterproof to 10 metres, compared with 1.5 metres and 5 metres respectively for the XP50. The XP150 is therefore lined up to rival the Panasonic FT3 and the Olympus TG-810, rather than the entry-level waterproof snappers Fuji usually competes with.

The XP150 has a GPS for tagging pictures with the location at which they were taken (latitude, longitude, altitude and direction). Plus, it can show you the distance between your current location and the place your last photo was taken.

The XP100, a model identical to the XP150 but with no GPS will also be up for release in certain countries.

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