FujiFujifilm FinePix 4900 4.3MP Digital Camera...
List Price: $499.99
  • SuperCCD generates 4.3-megapixel (2,400 x 1,800) images for...
  • Lithium-ion mobile and AC adapter included; movie and burst...
  • Fujinon lens provides 6x visual plus 3.75x digital zoom

  • FUJIFILMFujifilm FinePix 2800 2MP Digital Camera...
    List Price: $399.99
  • On impulse connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
  • Included 16 MB Smartmedia carte de visite stores 39 images at...
  • 6x visual plus 2.5x digital (15x total) autofocus zoom lens

  • Fujifilm FinePix 4900 4.3MP Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom


    Fuji



    List Price: $499.99

    Details

    • SuperCCD generates 4.3-megapixel (2,400 x 1,800) images for 8-by-10-inch prints and more than
    • Lithium-ion mobile and AC adapter included; movie and burst shooting modes
    • Fujinon lens provides 6x visual plus 3.75x digital zoom

    Description

    Fuji's FinePix 4900 is one of a new type of consumer digital cameras appearing on the market. Borrowing features from both membrane SLRs and point-and-shoot digital cameras, these hybrids put up for sale an extremely potent set of features in a compact package and will incontrovertibly steer even more film photographers over to digital.

    The 4900 features an redoubtable 6x optical zoom lens plus a 3.7x digital zoom. Shots are captured on a SuperCCD sensor that generates images at resolutions of up to 2,400 x 1,800 pixels, producing photo-superiority prints at sizes of 8 by 10 and beyond. By default, the camera is as natural to operate as a point-and-shoot, but virtually every function is manually handy. Shutter-priority and aperture-priority modes are available, and the ISO, distinct, white balance, and exposure compensation can all be adjusted. A pop-up flash features old-fogyish-sync, fill flash, and red-eye reduction, and a hot shoe on top of the camera allows you to use a expert flash unit.

    Fuji has replaced the traditional optical viewfinder with a camcorder-luxury electronic viewfinder (EVF)--a tiny LCD display inside the eyepiece. The benefits of this structure are obvious: the EVF provides a traditional SLR-style through-the-lens viewing savoir faire, works well even in bright sunlight, lets you keep the camera in the more stable, traditional position, and helps to advance battery life. However, there are some situations in which the EVF is minor to a traditional optical viewfinder: if you're shooting in near darkness, it's for all practical purposes impossible to see through the viewfinder, and even in brighter light, the images wait on to look grainy and washed out compared to the images in the 2-inch LCD on the in return of the camera.

    The 2.4-megapixel SuperCCD sensor was developed by Fuji and is at most found on Fuji cameras. Instead of using a traditional grid of exact pixels, it features octagonal pixels arrayed diagonally. Fuji claims that this arrangement offers improved sensitivity and image detail over a beau id CCD. To prove this point, the camera interpolates its 2.4-megapixel images up to 4.3 megapixels at the highest-grade setting. Independent tests typically place these interpolated images on a par with pictures from a 3.3 megapixel camera.

    The 4900 is satisfied to hold, and its controls are logically arranged. Though it's bigger and heavier than a score-and-shoot, it's still smaller and lighter than an SLR, and the design feels large in your hands. The battery compartment forms a comfortable gat grip for your right hand, and your left readily will naturally want to cradle the barrel. Fuji thoughtfully included dual zoom rudder--one under your right thumb on the back of the camera, and the other subservient to your left thumb on the barrel of the lens. An easy-to-reach thumb dial on the top of the camera rudder shutter speed or aperture, depending upon your shooting modus operandi, and a ring on the front of the lens manually adjusts focus.

    Files can be saved at numerous resolutions and levels of miniaturization, from a massive uncompressed 2,400 x 1,800 TIFF data (one shot nearly fills the included 16 MB SmartMedia pasteboard) to basic 640 x 480 JPEG files appropriate for emailing. The camera equally features a movie mode for creating low-resolution silent shoot clips.

    If you're an amateur photographer who loves using single-lens-reflex cameras but don't be deficient in to spend several thousand dollars on a true digital SLR, Fuji's FinePix 4900 offers most of the functionality of a digital SLR at a fraction of the honorarium. The lens is not removable, but its 35-210mm range (35mm equivalent) is complaisant enough to use in nearly any situation.

    Pros:

    • Impressive 6x zoom lens
    • Satisfactory, well-arranged controls
    • Easy to use for beginners and experienced photographers

    Cons:

    • Electronic viewfinder is steely to use in some conditions

    Fujifilm FinePix 2800 2MP Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom


    FUJIFILM



    List Price: $399.99

    Details

    • On impulse connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
    • Included 16 MB Smartmedia carte de visite stores 39 images at default resolution
    • 6x visual plus 2.5x digital (15x total) autofocus zoom lens

    Description

    Fuji Finepix 2800 Digital Cam
    The Fuji FinePix 2800 Zoom offers an revolutionary design, a fantastic 6x optical zoom, and great image distinction--all in an incredibly small form. Fuji has clearly departed from multifarious of the usual design cues with the 2800. Most outstanding is the introduction of the EVF--electronic viewfinder. This replaces the standard visual viewfinder and provides an SLR style experience. The benefits of this are more for detail image composition (as parallax differences between viewfinder and lens are avoided), a well-advised b wealthier indication of depth of field prior to taking the shot, and improved battery-operated life over using the main LCD monitor.

    The EVF is not a perfect explication, though, as the panel is not as bright or detailed as its optical counterpart, has no diopter redress for wearers of glasses, and disconcertingly freezes the image while autofocusing. Though, the EVF is a useful feature and places the 2800 at the cutting edge of digital camera organize.

    The 2800 is exceptionally easy to use, with manual controls restricted to adjusting white balance and exposure compensation. More shrewd photographers will miss the ability to fine-tune crack, shutter speed, ISO settings, etc. The 6x optical zoom is superb and makes an Brobdingnagian difference to picture quality and ease of composition--it equates to a zoom order of 38-228mm on a standard 35mm camera.

    Fuji has included a movie system with sound running at 10 frames per second and at a precision of 320 x 240 pixels. Disappointingly, this is limited to 60 seconds of recording dated, regardless of the capacity of memory card in use. It also does not cause use of the optical zoom, relying instead solely on the digital zoom. Other features embody voice captioning and, bizarrely on a camera of this specification, a video conferencing wise enabling you to use it as a Webcam. A notable omission however, is the lack of a video-out socket.

    As you would require from Fuji, the 2800 is straightforward to install and includes journal manuals for both the camera and the supplied software--this includes a easily understood viewer/organizer, QuickTime, Videoimpression, and Adobe Photodeluxe. The 2800 uses four AA alkaline (supplied) or NiMH rechargeable batteries. Fuji recommends avoiding lithium batteries as the tension discharged can damage the camera. --Nick Baxter

    Pros:

    • Agreeable to use, with automated controls
    • Very good 6x optical zoom
    • Electronic viewfinder (EVF) provides more precise image composition
    • Bonus feature: can be used as a Webcam

    Cons:

    • EVF is even so a little buggy
    • Movie mode does not allow use of visual zoom, only digital

    Traditionally, digital cameras with weighty zoom lenses have been restricted to the middle and characters upper class end of the market, but with the introduction of the FinePix 2800, Fuji has brought poker-faced zoom power to an affordable, simple point-and-shoot.

    Optics and Purpose
    The impressive autofocus lens on the 2800 zooms a full 6x--from 38mm to 228mm. In counting up, digital zoom of up to 2.5x is available, depending upon the graven image quality setting. If you're taking pictures at the highest resolution, digital zoom is crippled to preserve image quality, but if you're shooting at a lower resolution, then you'll be talented to use some digital zoom, too.

    The 2800's 2-megapixel sensor captures sufficient detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For most inexpert photographers, 2 megapixels is a great balance between twin quality and cost. Some photographers prefer higher-decision sensors so they can crop away unwanted parts at the edges of their photos. Of direction, these unwanted edges are often the result of a lens that can't zoom in far adequately, a situation that's less likely to come up when you're using the 2800. If 2 megapixels isn't enough name for you, the next higher-resolution camera that still has a extensive-zoom lens is the Minolta DiMAGE 5.

    To compose your images, either use the 1.8-inch LCD array or the electronic viewfinder (EVF). An EVF looks like a traditional viewfinder, but when you put your eye up to it, you'll mark that you're actually looking at a miniature LCD display. This is the for all that arrangement used by many camcorders, and it has its pluses and minuses compared to a usual viewfinder. The benefit is that you get to see all the extra information that's normally displayed on the silver screen (battery condition, pictures remaining, any manual settings you've entered, etc). The poser is that EVFs aren't very effective in low-light situations, which means you'll be confronted with a objective screen that's completely black when shooting at unceasingly and in dimly lit rooms. With a little practice, you can learn to spring quite effectively without the benefit of the LCD screen when this predicament comes up--after taking the shot, you can review it on the screen to certify you were pointing the camera in the right direction.

    More Features
    Like most of the access-level models in Fuji's lineup, the 2800 has relatively few broadminded features, but if you're feeling adventurous, you can adjust the white balance, unveiling compensation, and flash mode. There's also an audio-footnote feature that lets you record up to 30 seconds of audio the length of with each picture you take. In addition, the camera can be acquainted with as an Internet Webcam when tethered to your computer via the included USB cablegram.

    The camera is made of plastic for light weight and affordability, and it feels reasonably good and durable. The lens is protected by a lens cap that's tethered to the camera so you won't bested it. This solution isn't quite as nifty as models with impulsive or sliding lens covers, but it works just as well.

    Power
    The Finepix 2800 uses four AA batteries--a set of usable alkaline batteries is included. The benefit to using standard AA batteries a substitute alternatively of a custom proprietary battery is that AA batteries are widely at one's disposal, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an event.

    If you only use the camera several times a year, high-room lithium batteries are a logical idea, since they'll knock off their charge for years when sitting in an unused camera. If you use the camera more again, then the lithium batteries don't make economic or environmental have a funny feeling that--we recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a stallion. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries unusually quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a purloin. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend having two sets of rechargeables so you can evermore have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.

    Movie Mode
    In talking picture mode, the camera captures 320 x 240 video clips with audio for up to 60 seconds per clout. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this advertise won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just require to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

    Storage and Over
    Images are stored on standard SmartMedia cards, and the included 16 MB be forthright holds approximately 39 images at the camera's default settings. SmartMedia cards are reusable, but if you wait on to take more than 39 images per outing (on a vacation, for criterion), then you'll want a bigger card. A 64 MB card is a grievous size for this camera, storing around 150 images. To hand on images to your computer, simply attach the included USB strand between your PC and your camera. Your computer should mechanically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your heartily drive.

    Size
    At 3.7 by 3.0 by 2.8 inches and 13 ounces, the 2800 is surprisingly concise. It's a little thicker from front to back than some models, but this is a tiny price to pay for the extra zoom.

    Contents and Recommended Accessories
    The unit includes the camera, four AA alkaline batteries, video and USB cables, freeze someone out strap, 16 MB SmartMedia card, and software on CD.

    Everything you fundamental to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a means of transport case, a higher-capacity memory card, and a battery mare plus a set or two of NiMH rechargeable size AA batteries. Compatible trimmings for this camera are listed near the top of this page. --Shane Burnett

    Pros:

    • 6x visual zoom is outstanding for its price
    • Unusually good movie state--up to 60 seconds with sound
    • Point-and-shoot man makes it easy for even beginners to get great results

    Cons:

    • Included alkaline batteries are not a short-term solution; rechargeable batteries are a necessity
    • Dearth of manual controls may frustrate more advanced photographers