Fujifilm has today announced the FinePix Z3 Zoom, available in silver, metallic blue and light pink (Europe). The new Z3 offers some improvements to the Z1 and Z2 including 5.1 million pixels, ISO up to 1600 and a 36-108mm lens. The camera features Picture Stabilization mode to eliminate blurring caused by a fast-moving subject or camera shake, Intelligent Flash which automatically controls flash output to an appropriately low setting, and Dual Snapping mode for continuous snapping in flash off / flash on mode for quick comparison.

In addition to these innovations, the FinePix Z3 has a number of other noteworthy features:

A reinforced, scratch-resistant, 2.5-inch LCD with a 230,000-pixel resolution and Fujifilm’s glare-reducing CV Film for better viewing in direct light.
A high-quality, non-extending, refractive 3x optical zoom lens from Fujinon that keeps the FinePix Z3 thin.
Fourteen pre-programmed scene positions that trigger optimal settings based on the surrounding conditions.
VGA movie recording of 30 frames per second with sound.
The FinePix Z3 features 10MB of internal memory, a convenient feature that ensures extra storage space should the user want to squeeze in a couple of additional shots once their xD Picture Card is full.
“The FinePix Z3 has combined Fujifilm’s rich photographic legacy with the style and sophistication that made the FinePix Z1 such a popular digital camera,” explained David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. “With industry leading innovations such as Picture Stabilization and the i-Flash system, along with its sleek design and cool new color, the FinePix Z3 is sure to turn heads.”

The FinePix Z3 will debut in July 2006 at a retail price of $279.95.