FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced a new addition to its FinePix REAL 3D system – the FinePix REAL 3D W3 digital camera. The FinePix REAL 3D W3 steps it up from its predecessor with the ability to shoot high-resolution 3D photos and movies in 3D HD at 720p, with the help of a new RP (Real Photo) Processor.

It also sports a new Mini HDMI port for easy playback on most 3D television systems and an Autostereoscopic 3D Widescreen 3.5″ LCD. All components make for stunning 3D still photos and movies that can be viewed and enjoyed through an easy connection between the FinePix REAL 3D W3 and their 3D TV, or printed in stunning 3D quality.

After introducing the world’s first consumer stereoscopic 3D shooter to dismal reviews, FujiFilm chose door number two, replacing the camera with a thinner, lighter, and easier-to-use version that addresses a host of complaints and costs $100 less to boot. The FujiFilm FinePix Real 3D W3 adds a larger 3.5-inch, 16:9 LCD screen, a 720p video recording mode, and HDMI 1.4 out for dropping images and videos right into your 3D-ready TV.

Surprisingly enough, FujiFilm didn’t start from scratch with the W3, as the FinePix Real 3D system inside hasn’t changed one bit: you’ll find the same 3x zoom lenses, the same 10 megapixel CCD sensors, and the same RealPhoto processor under the hood. If you weren’t happy with the horrendous noise and limited low-light sensitivity of the W1, you won’t find better image quality here, but for most every other physical feature Fuji went back to the drawing board. Gone are the wonky controls and guesswork menus, replaced with the standard dial-and-directional-pad and UI identical to Fuji’s other models.

Viewed from the rear, it’s practically indistinguishable from a standard pocket cam, and if you’ve ever used another Fuji you’ll be right at home with the W3. From the front, the camera’s a dead ringer for the original, but less glossy and chunky, though it’s still quite the lump in a pants pocket and weighs over half a pound. Making the camera smaller involved a tradeoff, too — the camera now uses a smaller (but admittedly more common) NP-50 battery pack rated at 150 shots sans flash.