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Why We Think Fujifilm Doesn’t Have Animal Face Detection Yet

Chris Gampat
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08/16/2021
3 Mins read
Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 200mm f2 OIS WR review sample images f2, ISO 1600, 1-600s,

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Animal Face Detection has been a huge thing in the photo world. Everyone wants it. In the pandemic, we’ve taken to photographing wildlife and our furry friends as much as possible. But frustratingly, Fujifilm cameras don’t have it. A while ago, Fujifilm said it was available, but just not on the GF and X series cameras. It’s a shame; imagine how many Nat Geo-worthy shots you could’ve made! While it’s available on a point-and-shoot camera, I don’t think it’s the same thing.

The article specifically talks about the Fujifilm F80EXR camera. But here’s the thing, that’s a minimal version of animal detection. It only recognizes certain pet breeds. Here’s some literature on the breeds it recognizes. And if you’re wondering where all these images of birds came from, they’re from our 200mm f2 review.

When Sony started to implement AI into their cameras, it was confusing. But the way it was explained to me, cameras were trained to look at a scene and find something that is a certain shape. However, AI is different. AI, in this case, will reference an entire database of animals. It won’t perform adaptive learning. Now, I can’t confirm whether or not Fujifilm put AI in that camera, but I doubt they would and then not give a feature like that to higher-end cameras. AI makes it even more complicated through 3D mapping. It lets you detect not only a face but eyes. Then it will easily track them through the scene by constantly referencing the database. 

So why doesn’t Fujifilm have this? 

I’m not sure. I wanted to think part of it is a database issue. Maybe they can’t get access to the AI databases they need. It’s not like Fujifilm doesn’t have AI. They surely do. They even have a policy on it for the medical world. 

After some more digging, I found an article by Intel that talks about Fujifilm using AI for animal testing. Here’s a pertinent quote:

“VisualSonics, a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Sonosite, designs and manufactures the world’s highest resolution ultrasound and photoacoustic instruments. Used in many areas of pre-clinical research, VSI products enable researchers to study live animals in real-time, longitudinally, while eliminating safety issues and side effects encountered with other imaging modalities. VSI designs and develops tools for pre-clinical research, whereas Sonosite provides point-of-care ultrasound systems and medical informatics to physicians and clinicians, with the goal of enabling them to improve procedure efficiency, time-to-diagnosis, and patient outcomes. Sonosite and VSI work closely together to enable technologies to migrate from pre-clinical research directly to important patient care solutions. “

So why can’t the Fujifilm XT4 have this feature? Or why not the GFX100s? Well, as Fujifilm has explained to me before, sometimes it’s a storage issue on the camera. The Fujifilm X Pro 1 couldn’t get the Acros feature because of the processor and the onboard storage. The X Pro 3 apparently won’t get the Bleach Bypass filter for the same issue. Yet somehow, Fujifilm still pumps out tons of firmware updates for their cameras. Indeed, you can’t really complain here. You start the camera life cycle with one camera, and by the end of it, you get your value with firmware updates and fixes.

As a member of the press, I have to go along with what Fujifilm says in meetings; I have no choice. But I can and do question it until it’s proven true. That is, after all, my job.

But could Fujifilm really just want you to upgrade your camera for the new Animal Face Detection and AI? It could be possible. Lots of folks have complained and wondered why you can’t deliver new film simulations through firmware. 

The truth is that I don’t know the answer. But it’s fascinating to ponder.

AI animals fujifilm fujifilm ai fujifilm animal pets XT4
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Chris Gampat

Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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