|
Editors' Rating:
7.4 of 10
| • Value for money |
7 |
| • Ease of Use |
8 |
| • Performance |
8 |
| • Image Quality |
7 |
|
Average User Rating:
8.7 of 10
(19 votes)
| •
Value for money
|
8 |
| • Ease of Use |
9 |
| • Performance
|
9 |
| • Image Quality
|
9 |
|
Approximate Price:
$529
Where to Buy ?
|
PROS
• Bright LCD.
• Fast start-up.
• Fast recycling between pictures.
• Colourful pictures.
• Automatic lens cover.
|
CONS
•
Orange cast to reds.
•
Normal sharpening level is too hard.
•
Flash doesn't have the power or the cover wide angle shots.
•
No histogram display in record review or playback modes.
|
Includes: Fuji FinePix F601 Digital Camera, PictureCradle for automatic download and battery recharge,
16MB SmartMedia card, Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery NP 60, Hand strap,
Soft case, USB cable, Video cable (for PictureCradle), AC Power Adapter AC-5VHS / AC-5VS,
CD-ROM included USB driver, FinePixViewer, DP Editor, Apple
QuickTime 5.0, VideoImpression, Adobe PhotoDeluxe HE 4.0 for Windows.
Recommended
Accessories |
Fuji FinePix F601 Zoom, a model built around the most recent
generation of Fuji's SuperCCD technology. The camera sports a 3.1
megapixel SuperCCD (producing 6.0 megapixel finished file sizes) and a 3x
optical zoom lens, and a surprising range of features, all packed into
sleek metal case.
Improving on previous FinePix models, the F601 Zoom has
sophisticated styling with the benefit of significantly expanded exposure
features, including a full manual exposure mode. Despite the extensive
features set, the camera's small size keeps it portable and compact enough
to fit into larger shirt pockets.
Overall, a very appealing little camera for the snapshooter looking
for high style and excellent color.
FinePix
F601 Major Features:
| • |
3x
Zoom Digital Camera featuring 3.1 effective megapixels. |
| • |
3.1
effective megapixels for 2,048
x 1,536-pixel
images. |
| • |
1.5-inch low temperature polysilicon TFT
LCD monitor. |
| • |
Super EBC
Fujinon 3X optical zoom
lens, 8.3-24.9mm
(equivalent
to a 36-108mm lens on a 35mm camera). |
| • |
Digital
zoom up to 4.4x magnification. |
| • |
Real-image
optical zoom viewfinder. |
| • |
Automatic, Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual exposure
modes. |
| • |
Multi, spot and average metering options. |
| • |
AF Area focus and manual focus. |
| • |
Five preset "Scene" modes. |
| • |
Programmed AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Manual
exposure modes. |
| • |
White
balance: Manual (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light. |
| • |
Aperture
settings from f/2.8-f/10.8. |
| • |
Shutter
speed settings from 1/2000 to 3 seconds. |
| • |
Built-in
flash with five modes (auto, Red-eye reduction, forced flash,
suppressed flash, slow synchro). |
| • |
Variable
light sensitivity:
equivalent
to ISO
100, ISO 200, ISO 400, and ISO 800, ISO 1600 only at 1,280 x 960 pixels. |
| • |
10-second
Self-Timer. |
| • |
Movie (with sound) and Audio recording modes. |
| • |
Images saved as JPEG files on SmartMedia
memory cards. |
| • |
Power from NP-60 rechargeable battery or AC
adapter (both included). |
| • |
USB
cable for high-speed connection to a computer. |
| • |
DPOF
(Digital Print Order Format) compatibility. |
|
Customer Reviews
|
Kelvin
Babka,
from Plano, TX, US, Jan 03, 2003
|
|
I have owned a Finepix 6800 for a year. I sold it and "upgraded" to the F601 for a few reasons... its tighter, smaller body and its 640x480 (VGA) video with sound.
I've heavily researched every camera and tried out several, including Canon (S30, S230, G2) and Olympus models (4040, 5050).
I'm a half-serious amateur photographer but I find most of my shots are of travel and family. Occasionally I take the time to do some more creative still life and landscape shots. And once in a while I'll use it for work (I'm a designer). The F601, for a point and shoot, does an excellent (!) job of outdoor shots. I've printed and framed 8x10's at not even the highest resolution.
While I think a true "enthusiast" wants a larger camera with external flash, etc... I really think this almost fits that category, especially if you want a take- anywhere camera.
I like the F601 because I can slip it in shirt or coat pocket. I don't want to have anything bulkier. I considered the bulkier cameras like G2 and 5050. But I knew I'd hesitate to take them with me. While the F601 doesn't have their lens size and optional features, it has manual controls like shutter and aperature priority if you want it.
My experience has reflected what the major review sites found. There are very few chromatic aberratons (purple fringing) and the images are a pleasing sharpness. Like most compacts, there is some barrel role at full wide angle. No noticeable distortion at telephoto. One subtle negative is in flesh tones when using a flash under incandescent lighting – there is a slight warm cast and skin looks a little "peachy". I don't know how this compares to other cameras.
Where the F601 (and the Fuji S602 and Canon S230) are unique is their ability to shoot 640x480 full-frame video. I didn't want to spend $1,000 on a dv camera and have an extra bag to carry around. While it's only 15 fps and is a little grainy, it's the best video around on a digital still camera.
I like the vertical format of the body. I have large hands and it's comfortable. And I love the docking cradle. I just leave the camera there all the time. Easy transfer, easy charging. But you don't have to use the cradle, which is also nice (mine came included in the price of the camera - $699 Canadian)
The menu system is about as user-friendly as most I've tried. I'd rather have the LCD and dials of a larger camera but I understand the compromises of a small camera body. The menu navigation button that also serves as the zoom control can be really handy and also sometimes a little tricky. But it's just a matter of getting used to it.
Finepix Viewer software is average. But sufficient for organizing photos. I do all my image manipulation in Photoshop. Video Impression is bothersome.
The battery life is quite good for a small battery. I was shooting family throughout the day for about four days over Christmas and it still had juice.
Another feature I've used quite a bit is the audio recording. I've done interviews for work (I'm also a writer) and it works great as a "tape" recorder.
As far as digital cameras go (which all have that annoying shutter-lag problem and extensive menus to navigate) this is a winner. It's quite fast in all areas and nice to carry around. I sold all my film equipment a year ago and haven't looked back. Digital is just too much fun.
|
|
•
Value for money
|
8 |
|
•
Ease of Use |
8 |
|
•
Performance
|
8 |
|
•
Image Quality
|
8 |
|
The Lowest Price is not always best !
 When you buy a digital camera, the basic package almost always includes
extras such as a battery charger, lens cap, batteries, flash memory card, and software.
One of the more disreputable practices a dealer can engage in is called unbundling. These
dealers remove items from the package that are normally included in the price and
price them separately.
When purchasing
a camera you have three components of the price to consider - the camera price, postage and
handling, and taxes. Many dealers lower the price to make the camera more attractive, then
increase the postage and handling to boost their profits.
Hesitate before
accepting extended warranties. Every knowledgeable consumer expert says it's better to
gamble. Most of a company's profit is in the sale of these warranties so they press, and
press hard. Your job is to resist, and resist hard. The only thing to keep in mind is that
digital cameras can be horribly expensive to repair. If you want peace of mind, you may
want the warranty, even though it's probably overpriced. The cost of a repair can
approach, or even exceed, the original purchase price.
When you buy a
camera from a reputable dealer, you expect to be able to return it if you aren't
satisfied. Some dealers try to discourage this by requiring a restocking fee for returned
merchandise. This is always explained as a way to recover their costs of checking the
merchandise and restoring the packaging you may have opened.
Many dealers is
truly a false, deceptive and a total crook. Bait and switch tactics used. Does not sell
new merchandise and will ship used or refurbished goods without notifying customer. They then
try to charge a restock fee on top of their exobitant shipping fees to make a profit where
they could not on their goods. A try case of buyer beware.
|
Store Profiles and Customer Evaluation of top rated
reliable merchants:
(Merchant Compare feature, powered by BizRate, lets you compare the performance of popular online merchants based on actual customer feedback.)
Approximate Price:
$529
Where To Buy
Fuji FinePix F601 Digital Camera:
|
