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The fine folks at Fujifilm in Japan must have some frustrated pet owners on their development team because they’ve launched a 12 mega-pixel camera, the FinePix Z700 EXR, that recognizes when it’s being pointed at a dog or cat (using the “Auto Dog / Cat Detection” function) and instantly optimizes the focus and exposure.

You can actually program it to store the parameters for up to 10 dog and cat faces. There is also an auto-release function that will automatically get the shot when the pet is looking directly at the camera. But if your pet is sitting perfectly still, and is of a type mentioned on FujiFilm’s extensive list of breeds that work best with the technology, the Finepix Z700 might help you get that perfect shot.

FujiFilm’s Finepix Z700 has technology that snaps a photo when your furry friend smiles. Talk about capturing the zeitgeist.This 12MP point-and-shoot is the first to include FujiFilm’s pet detection software, but early adopters beware: apparently there are still some kinks to be worked out. At a camera show in Japan this week, the Z700 excelled at shooting stuffed animals but was a bit less successful when live animals were thrown in front of the lens. It also has trouble tracking animals if they’re moving around.

The camera will be available later this month for $280.