FujiFilm FinePix F300EXR. Photo Credit: FujiFilmJuly 23, 2010, (Sawf News) - FujiFilm's FinePix F300EXR compact super-zoom for the first time offers the fast and predictive phase detection autofocus technique in a compact camera.
Phase Detection autofocus has so far been confined to the domain of expensive DSLRs with mirror box assemblies. Compacts and mirror-less DSLRs have used the much slower contrast detection autofocus technique.
You can read more about the two techniques at the knol Compact vs Traditional DSLRs
The following spreadsheet summarizes the differences between the two techniques.
The FinePix F300EXR uses its main sensor for contrast as well as phase detection atutofocus.
1 pixels used in Phase Detection. Image Courtesy FujiFilm. Photo Credit: FujiFilmIts 1/2" CCD sensor has built-in phase detection pixels, making it the first sensor in the world with both contrast and phase detection auto focus.
The camera automatically uses the faster, phase detection autofocus in bright light, switching to the more reliable, albeit slow, contrast detection autofocus in low light conditions.
Phase detection sensor pairs on the EXR sensor work like the sensors of a DSLR.
For Phase Detection AF, the EXR divides incoming light into image pairs, performs a single calculation of the phase difference to determine the precise direction and amount of focus adjustment achieving an incredible auto focus detection speed of 0.158* seconds.
The new technique pioneered by FujiFilm would make the newly introduced mirror-less compact DSLRs more competitive against traditional DSLRs.
Panasonic, Olympus, Samsung and Sony have introduced mirror-less compact DSLRs in the market. Their slower contrast focusing has been looked down by photography enthusiasts and professionals.
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