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Fujifilm FinePix 4800 Zoom Fuji updates their SuperCCD pocket camera with improved color and a hot-sync cradle! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet FinePix 4800 Zoom 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 4800 Zoom Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:Design Review First Posted: 08/16/2001

Design
Originally announced in February 2001, the FinePix 4800 Zoom and 6800 Zoom "Twins" were the first digital cameras ever designed by the legendary sports car designer F.A.Porsche. Their sleek, aluminum-magnesium alloy bodies combine the Porsche concept of "aesthetic synthesis of form and function" with Fujifilm's trademark vertical camera orientation, silver-gray surface, and compact, lightweight feel. Measuring just 3.1 x 3.8 x 1.4 inches (80 x 97.5 x 36.3mm) with the lens retracted, the 4800 Zoom should fit comfortably into any large pocket or bag, and its extraordinarily light 10.6 ounces (300 grams) is evenly distributed throughout the camera, even with the SmartMedia and battery pack installed.

Like Fujifilm's other classic upright digicams, the LCD monitor and controls make maximum use of available space, extending almost to edges on all four sides of the back panel. Even the LCD monitor is larger than most, measuring a full two inches from corner to corner. Unfortunately, that leaves little space for the hand grip, so to avoid putting thumbprints on the monitor, you have to hold the camera more with your fingertips than allowing it to nestle in the palm of your hand. We felt more secure holding it with two hands, with the thumb and forefinger gripping the top and bottom of the left side. (It comes with a large, rubber-like wrist strap to enhance portability.) Because of the delicate (and large) LCD monitor, we highly recommend buying a softcase to protect the camera when it's stashed in your pocket or bag.

 

A recessed grip is provided on the lower righthand side of the camera, which led some reviewers to think that the intended grip for the camera was something like what's shown above on the left. You certainly can hold the camera with your thumb in this recess, and doing so does position your finger to operate the (nicely) knurled mode dial control. The problem with this grip is that it makes it almost impossible to actuate the shutter button. Likewise, there's no easy way to actuate the soft keys around the LCD readout. Finally, it leaves you with a fairly precarious grip on the camera, forcing your second and third fingers toward the bottom of the camera on its front.

In actual fact, we discovered that the status LCD display is actually intended to serve as a resting place for your thumb during normal shooting, as shown above right. The evidence for this is that the LCD readout's cover-glass has a nice concave contour to it, making a secure resting/gripping place for your thumb. Those times when you need to read the display and actuate the buttons, your thumb is easily moved aside. (We usually found ourselves holding the camera two-handed whenever we needed to actuate the arrow buttons.) The grip position with your thumb over the LCD readout was actually quite natural and comfortable, particularly surprising given our large hand size. With your hand further up the back of the camera, the color LCD screen is also more visible, nestling into the curve of the shank of your thumb. Finally, this hand position also moves your other fingers up the front of the camera case, providing a much more secure-feeling grip.

Included with the 4800 Zoom is Fujifilm's PictureCradle docking station, which works similarly to the cradle of a cell phone or a palm PC device. (The photo above shows the twin 6800 in its cradle, the 4800 is identical except for the labeling.) A USB cable runs from the cradle to the computer, allowing you to transfer image files, much like you would with a card reader. The cradle also acts as a battery charger, and sets up the camera to work like a "webcam" with the included PictureHello software (Windows only).

The front panel of the 4800 Zoom is a little different from previous upright FinePix models, with a lightly sculpted edge that outlines the lenses and lights along the top. These include (from left to right), the microphone, flash control sensor, self-timer lamp, and optical viewfinder window. The 3x Super EBC Fujinon zoom lens takes up a large portion of the front panel, with a sliding metal cover that retracts when the camera is powered on. When fully extended, the telescoping lens measures approximately one inch long. A short beveled edge along the right side of the camera serves as a finger grip for the front panel. The automatically-retracting lens cover contributes to the camera's great portability.

On the right side of the 4800 Zoom is a single wrist strap attachment eyelet, with no other visible controls.

The left side houses the SmartMedia card compartment and the A / V Out, USB, and DC In connector jacks. A small door covers the SmartMedia slot, and is opened by pushing down a sliding lever just to the right of the door.

On top of the camera are the pop-up flash compartment in the center and the Shutter button on the right side. You can also see the round top of the Mode dial, which has a very roughly knurled surface for easy turning.

Nearly all of the camera's external controls are on the rear panel, along with the optical viewfinder and LCD monitor. A status LED light on the left side of the viewfinder eyepiece reports camera status, indicating when exposure and focus are set, when the flash is still charging, and when the camera is writing a file to the SmartMedia card. Opposite the viewfinder is the Mode dial, which offers six operating modes: Audio, Movie, Scene Position, Auto, Manual, and Continuous Shooting. The Power button is surrounded by the Mode switch, which is in Photography (record) mode when in the up position, and in Playback mode when in the down position. A Display button directly below the Mode switch turns the monitor on and off, and alternates between to information displays: One with a framing grid and one without. The Menu and Back buttons, which are used to activate, verify, and back out of menus, sit on opposite ends of a curved, beveled ridge that runs along the left side of the Arrow keys. Above the Back button, the Flash Open control releases the pop-up flash.

On the right side of the back panel, four Arrow keys surround a circular, monochrome status display (a feature we're glad to see return to the upright Fujifilm models). This display shows up to four different actions associated with the "soft key" arrow buttons surrounding it, providing rapid access to the most commonly used functions in each exposure mode. The status display window greets you with a friendly "Hello!" when the camera is turned on and "See You! when it's turned off. Though it's a monochrome display, this window briefly glows orange-red when in Photography mode and green when in Playback mode. As noted above, with the 6800 Zoom model, we discovered that the status display is actually intended to serve as a resting place for your thumb during normal shooting. The LCD readout's glass cover has a concave contour, making a secure resting place. When you need to read the display or operate the surrounding arrow buttons, you can easily move your thumb. (We usually found ourselves holding the camera two-handed though, whenever we needed to actuate the arrow buttons.)

The camera's speaker holes are set into the top of the thumb groove that runs along the right edge of the LCD monitor. Also visible are a series of small bumps around the lower right corner of the back panel. These seem to be a simple design element, as they aren't large enough or well placed for gripping.

The bottom panel is quite flat, with a metal threaded tripod mount located slightly off center and to the right. On the far right side of the panel is the battery compartment door, which slides right to open and springs outward. The tripod mount and battery compartment door are much too close to allow quick battery changes while the 4800 Zoom is mounted on a tripod, but this is probably not an issue with this camera, since it isn't really aimed at studio use anyway. Also on the bottom panel is the cradle connection socket, with a plastic flap that slides out of the way to expose the jack.