Fuji FinePix F601 ZoomA new SuperCCD sensor gives Fuji's latest ultra compact true 3.1 megapixel resolution and great color.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 6/21/2002 |
Operation and User Interface
The F601 Zoom's user interface is fairly straightforward, with limited external control buttons as the LCD menu controls all but the most basic camera functions. A Mode dial on top of the camera accesses the different capture modes, while a Mode switch on the back panel chooses between Record and Playback settings. The LCD menu system admittedly took me a while to figure out, as Fuji redesigned the menu system from previous models. However, once I got the hang of the new menu setup, changing settings was a snap. The F601 Zoom's LCD menu positions each option in a circular layout, easily navigated by the eight-point, Multi-Directional Arrow pad. Once an option is selected for changing, a vertical listing of settings appears on the screen. The LCD menu system isn't too exhausting however, featuring at most about two pages worth of settings. It'll probably take most users the better part of an hour to get the controls straight, but after that, camera operation should be quite smooth.
Control Enumeration
Shutter Button: Sloping downward to the right on the camera's top panel, this shiny, silver button sets focus and exposure when halfway pressed. A full press fires the shutter.
Exposure Mode Dial: Surrounding the Shutter button, this ridged dial controls the camera's exposure mode, placing it in either Manual, Scene, Auto, Movie, or Audio modes.
Open Flash Button: The topmost of a bank of controls on the back panel, this button releases the pop-up flash from its compartment.
Back Button: Just below the Open Flash button, this button backs out of menu selections and preview screens, serving as the "Cancel" key.
Mode Switch: Directly below the Back button, this sliding switch puts the camera into either Record or Playback mode.
Multifunction Control: Situated to the right of the Mode switch and Back button, this rocker toggle features eight arrows (four point up, down, left, and right, with the remaining four pointing to directions in between). When the LCD menu system is displayed in either Record or Playback modes, the arrows navigate through menu settings and options. The center of the pad, marked "Enter," pulls up the settings menu in each mode, as well as confirms menu selections.
In Record mode, the up and down arrows control the optical and digital zoom. In either of the Manual exposure modes, the right and left arrows highlight the available exposure settings. Once a setting is highlighted, the up and down arrows then change the setting. In Manual Focus mode, the up and down arrows adjust the focus. While recording in Audio mode, pressing the up arrow places an index marker in the audio file, so that you can quickly skip to a marked section during playback.
In Playback mode, the right and left arrows scroll through captured images and movies on the SmartMedia card. The up and down arrows control the amount of playback zoom. Once an image is enlarged, all eight arrows move the view around the frame. During movie playback, the down arrow starts and pauses the playback, while the up arrow stops playback entirely. Left and right arrows control the Forward and Rewind movie functions, allowing you to skip sections. If the movie is paused, pressing the right and left arrows moves frame by frame through the movie file.
Power Button: Tucked above the top right corner of the LCD monitor, this button turns the camera on and off.
Display Button: Located just above the upper left corner of the LCD monitor, this button controls the LCD image and information display in both Record and Playback modes.
Battery Release Button: Hidden below the battery slot in the battery compartment, this button pops the battery up from the slot so it can be easily removed.
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