Fuji Camera Accessories

Fujifilm's FinePix S602 Zoom digital camera is packed with features sure to satisfy the more serious photographer's appetite for quality digital images, but it's also easy enough for a novice to operate.

The S602 Zoom proved to be quite intuitive, despite all its bells and whistles, buttons and functionality.

The camera is equipped with FujiFilm's third-generation, 3.1 million effective-pixel Super CCD sensor system, which can produce a high-resolution image with 2832 x 2128 (6.03 million) recorded pixels. It also sports a Fujinon EBC-coated 6x optical zoom lens.

Fujifilm's proprietary image processing method, and its noise reduction technology, combined with higher sensitive Super CCD, enables the S602 Zoom to deliver a wide range of ISO sensitivities all the way up to 1600 in 1280 x 960 mode with a minimal increase in CCD "noise." Super CCD also provides for vertical and horizontal "Pixel-Mixing Technology" that enables the camera to capture VGA digital video at a rate of 30 frames per second.

An answer to the pleas of users who need more storage for their high-resolution photos, FujiFilm has included a dual media slot for both SmartMedia and IBM's 1GB Microdrive, which can be inserted into the camera's CompactFlash (Card Type II) slot for the storage of 145 pictures with 2832 x 2128 pixels (fine compression) and 15 minutes of VGA, 30 frames-per-second video.

The S602 Zoom has advanced features such as a passive auto-focus sensor combined with TTL CCD contrast auto-focus for capturing better images in a variety of lighting situations, including low light.

In addition to its manual control modes (aperture, shutter speed, focus), the FinePix S602 Zoom also offers automatic point-and-shoot mode. Shutter speeds range from 3 to 1/2000 of a second in auto mode and 15 to 1/1000 of second in manual mode with adjustable ISO sensitivity of 160/200/400. Other continuous shooting modes capture five frames/second for up to five frames. A voice annotation feature enables the user to attach 30-second voice notes to photos.

The camera's 180,000-pixel TTL electronic viewfinder looks like a regular viewfinder, but it's actually a tiny LCD display which reproduces what you'd see on the regular LCD monitor. Overall, the LCD display showed mostly bright and sharp images. However, viewing it from an angle or in brighter sunlight proved problematic.

Along with DP Editor, Arcsoft's VideoImpression 5.0 and Apple QuickTime software, the camera is packaged with Fujifilm's FinePixViewer software program that automatically launches and organizes pictures stored on the camera's storage media. The camera also ships with Adobe Photoshop Elements and is both Windows and Macintosh compatible. It measures 4.8 inches wide by 3.2 inches high by 3.8 inches deep and weighs 17.6 ounces, without batteries. Bundled accessories include a 16MB SmartMedia storage card, four AA NiMH batteries with charger, shoulder strap and USB and video cables.

For the advanced amateur who's looking for a spiffy new toy--and who can afford this one at $1,299--the S602 Zoom might be the camera of choice for easy, professional-looking results.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Plesman Publications
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group