Fuji FinePix 2400 ZoomA two megapixel CCD, 3x zoom lens and USB make a fine, value-priced digital point & shoot from Fuji<<Intro and Highlights :(Previous) | (Next): Design>> Page 2:Executive OverviewReview First Posted: 11/19/2000 |
Executive Overview
The new FinePix 2400 Zoom is a nice upgrade to the previously announced 1.3 megapixel FinePix 1400 Zoom. It's an affordable camera that boasts a compact, portable body and all the basic exposure controls, plus a nice array of advanced features. The camera's sleek, lightweight body design makes it very portable, fitting easily into most shirt and coat pockets. A sliding cover plate protects the lens, thus eliminating the hassle of holding onto a lens cap. The camera is powered by the mode dial on the top panel, which offers three options: Off, Playback mode, and Photography (Record) mode. The camera has a very clean look, thanks to a limited number of external controls; and while this puts more camera adjustments back into the LCD Menu system (thus increasing battery usage), it also presents a very simple, easy-to-learn user interface.
The FinePix 2400 provides an eyelevel optical viewfinder and a 1.6-inch color LCD monitor for composing images. The LCD screen provides basic camera information, although not specifics such as aperture or shutter settings. In Auto mode, on-screen icons show shooting mode (Auto or Manual), File Size, Macro mode, the number of shots available, and Flash mode. In Manual mode, Exposure Compensation and White Balance settings are added to the display. Playback mode shows the capture number, date, and time. The on-screen information display appears automatically in both Record and Playback modes, but can be easily eliminated by pressing the Display button a second time.
The 3X, 6-18mm lens (equivalent to a 38-114mm lens on a 35mm camera) provides a nice zoom range and automatically controlled aperture settings of f/3.5 or f/8.7. Focus is automatically controlled from 31.5 inches (0.8 meters) to infinity, and a Macro mode, allows you to get as close as 3.9 inches (10 cm). The 2.5X digital telephoto is enabled by zooming past the optical zoom range, but only when the 1,280 x 960- or 640 x 480-pixel resolutions are selected. The FinePix 2400 provides two exposure modes—Auto and Manual—both of which offer somewhat limited options. Auto mode puts the camera in charge of all exposure settings except for Flash mode, File Size, and Quality mode.
Manual mode allows you to adjust the Exposure Compensation from -0.9 to +1.5 EV in one-third-step increments, and the White Balance adjustment lets you choose between Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Daylight Fluorescent, Warm White Fluorescent, Cool White Fluorescent, or Incandescent settings (in addition to the previously mentioned Auto settings). Flash is controllable in both modes, with settings for Auto, Redeye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, and Slow-Synchro, all of which are accessed by pressing the Flash button on the back panel. It is important to note that the 10-second Self-Timer and Continuous Shooting modes are only available in Auto mode. Continuous Shooting enables you to capture up to nine successive frames as fast as 1.5 frames per second.
Images are stored on a 3.3v SmartMedia card (an 8MB card is supplied with the camera), and can be saved as 1,600 x 1,200-, 1,280 x 960-, or 640 x 480-pixel resolution, with Quality settings of Fine, Normal, and Basic. Four AA alkaline batteries accompany the camera, but you can also use NiMH or NiCd rechargeable batteries and/or purchase the AC adapter accessory (both of which we highly recommend). Despite its reliance on the LCD monitor for menu adjustments, the FinePix 2400 performs quite well in the power consumption category, demonstrating a bit more efficiency than most cameras we've tested. Even so, we strongly suggest purchasing a good battery charger and two sets of rechargeable NiMH batteries. They perform extremely well, and you'll save a lot of money over time.
The FinePix 2400 connects to your PC or Mac via a USB cable and comes with a nice complement of software on a single CD. The Exif Viewer, DP Editor, Exif Launcher, and Adobe ActiveShare (Windows only) programs allow you to view and organize your images, as well as set them up for printing, and make minor corrections. Adobe PhotoDeluxe, also for Windows only, allows you to get creative with your images by adding filters and creating cards and calendars with the supplied templates. The CD also includes a USB Driver and Acrobat Reader.
Like its predecessor, we found the FinePix 2400 Zoom, to be well-designed and performance driven. Its sleek, compact package provides a 2.11 megapixel CCD, zoom lens, basic exposure controls, advanced playback features, and very nice image quality, all at a very reasonable price (at introduction, the retail price was under $500). This camera is a perfect match for the consumer who wants to take great pictures without worrying about exposure issues or spending too much money. Given its compact size, we think the FinePix 2400 Zoom will prove an excellent companion for just about any destination.
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