Fujix DS-200F (1993)

< Prev Next >

After sucessfully having marketed the DS-100 card camera, consumers complained that the camera was too bulky and the status display on the side was not visible when taking shots. Another thing that consumers weren't too happy with was the battery powered memory card. Fujix tried to resolve this with the DS-2H prototype that never hit the market. Instead they launched the DS-200F. The Fujix DS-200F therefore was one of the first digital cameras in the world to adopt a battery-free memory card, the IM-16F, a two megabyte flash memory image card. Fujix also simplified the zoom feature of the lens, reducing the price of the camera by one third. Please note that this camera, as well as it's predecessor, only worked with the proprietary Fujix iM SRAM memory cards. Although other SRAM cards were available, i.e. from Toshiba, but there were slightly thicker and therefore incompatible.

The used ADCT compression for three compression levels (fine, normal and economy). This is one of the first times I have to mention that there was no white balancing within the camera, the white balance was indeed fixed at daylight settings (5500° K). it featured a built-in flash, optical viewfinder and self-timer. Macro shooting was also possible but not closer than 40cm. Also a wide lens converter set (MA-D2) was available for this camera! Almost identical to the one used with the DS-220 but with only one flash at the side. Another rarity here is the image card processor DP-200F, I personally have never seen a picture of one such unit. Fujix also mentions a handy (?) transmitter, a dust proof cover and camera control unit.

Here's something not many people know. Bruno Peyron sailed the world in under 80 days in 1993. On his trip he used the Fujix DS-200F not only to capture photos of his journey but he also transmitted them, from his boat on the open ocean, to the mainland!

Trivia:
Did you know that Fuji used the exact same battery pack and battery charger from the Fujix ES-30TW still video camera for the Fujix DS-200F?