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Fujifilm FinePix 2300 Fuji updates their "value priced" entry-level camera with 2 megapixels and USB connectivity. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet FinePix 2300 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on FinePix 2300 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 07/2/2001

Viewfinder
The FinePix 2300 is equipped with a real-image optical viewfinder and a 1.6-inch color LCD monitor for composing images. The optical viewfinder is an Inverted Galilean design, which provides very clear viewing, but does not have a diopter adjustment dial. We found the optical viewfinder accommodating to eyeglass wearers, as it has a moderately high eyepoint to allow room for eyeglass lenses. In the center of the viewfinder display is a circular focus and exposure target, intended to help line up shots, however the target mark is transparent, so it's hard to see when you're looking directly into the viewfinder. We also noticed that the optical viewfinder shows a much smaller image area than what is actually recorded, and furthermore that the area you can see through it varies quite a bit as you move your eye around. This makes it somewhat difficult to accurately frame images, particularly if you're looking for tight, precision framing. Fujifilm estimates that the optical viewfinder provides about 80 percent frame coverage, but we found it to be about 86 percent accurate, using a "best guess" for where our eye should be behind the viewfinder. We achieved best results by judging the framing at the center of the frame, rather than using the outside edges as marks. Overall, the poor framing of the optical viewfinder was one of our biggest gripes with the camera.

The 1.6-inch, D-TFT color LCD monitor provides much better framing accuracy than the optical viewfinder (95 percent in our testing). Comprised of approximately 55,000 pixels, the FinePix 2300's LCD monitor delivers average color saturation and brightness (we found it to be a bit dark in interior settings). The Display button above the LCD monitor controls the image and information displays, cycling through three options: information with no image display, information with an image display, and the image display by itself. The information readout includes basic status indicators, such as operating mode, flash mode, and the number of available images, image size and quality settings, exposure compensation, and white balance (aperture and shutter speed are not reported).

In Playback mode, the LCD information display reports the file number and date and time it was recorded. As in Record mode, pressing the Display button turns off the information readout. Pressing it a third time brings up the index display, which shows as many as nine thumbnail images on a single page. When a single image is displayed, the up and down arrows serve as playback zoom buttons, enlarging captured images as much as 4x, and the right and left arrow keys allow you to scroll through captured images.