Fuji Shows Cell Phone-Compatible Camera

Fuji Photo Film has unveiled a cell phone-compatible digital still camera for its Fine Pix series. Images recorded by the camera can be immediately downloaded to, and sent by, a cellular phone, the company says.

The 2-megapixel Fine Pix 30i is compatible with some of KDDI's mobile handsets. By connecting the camera to their handset via a cable, users can download images to their mobile phones and send them to other handsets via wireless Internet services. The camera will be on sale November 23 priced at $529.

Like the other Fine Pix series cameras, this model features Fuji Photo Film's "Picture the Future" service. When the camera is connected to a PC using a USB cable, "thumbnails" of images stored in the camera can be viewed. Users are then directed to the company's photo printing service on the Web to order prints chosen from the thumbnails, said Chisato Yoshizawa, a spokesperson for Fuji Photo Film.

Music, Too

In addition, the camera has an MP3 audio function that allows users to listen to music for four and a half hours and to record audio for 160 minutes with a 128MB Smart Media card, according to a company statement.

Up to 166 still images can be stored.

The camera's compact design, at 3.3 inches wide by 2.9 high by 1.18 inches deep, and 5.25 pounds, is targeted at young people, Yoshizawa said.

The company plans to ship the product overseas, but does not expect oversea versions to be equipped with the cell phone function at first, Yoshizawa said.