Fuji FinePix 6800 ZoomA new SuperCCD sensor gives Fuji's latest ultra compact true 3.3 megapixel resolution and great color.<<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:DesignReview First Posted: 4/8/2001 |
Design
Smooth and chic with its distinctive F. A. Porsche design, the Fuji FinePix 6800 Zoom's aluminum-magnesium alloy body is both attractive and sturdy. Compact and very light weight, the 6800 Zoom's small dimensions of 3.1 x 3.8 x 1.4 inches (80 x 97.5 x 36.3 millimeters) should fit into most larger shirt pockets with no trouble. Weighing only 10.6 ounces (300 grams) with SmartMedia and battery pack, the 6800 Zoom is very portable, qualifying for the "ultra compact" class of digital cameras. The 6800 Zoom's sleek design fits into your hand pretty well, although we found the grip and controls a little cramped, requiring that we hold the camera more in our fingers than our hand proper. This led us to feel that our grip was a bit more precarious than we'd have liked, but the included wrist strap provides a little extra security.
The 6800 Zoom's 3.3-megapixel Super CCD can be interpolated to produce a six-megapixel image (2,832 x 2,128 pixel resolution size). Without interpolation, the highest resolution size is 2,048 x 1,536 pixels. The Super CCD features an interwoven pixel pattern (shaped like a honeycomb) and a primary color filter for accurate, high-definition color. Unique to the 6800 Zoom is its cradle, which works similarly to the cradle of a cell phone or palm PC device. A USB cable runs from the cradle to the computer, allowing you to simply drop the camera into the cradle and transfer image files, working somewhat like a card reader. The cradle also allows the camera to work like a "webcam" (with the included software and for Windows only), as it positions the camera at a stationary angle during Internet videoconferencing. The cradle also connects to the AC adapter, and acts as a battery charger.
The front of the 6800 Zoom is sleek and smooth, with very few protrusions and lightly sculpted design elements. The 3x lens shares the camera front with the optical viewfinder window, self-timer lamp, flash control sensor, and microphone. Similar to several other FinePix designs, the 6800 Zoom's lens is protected by a sliding metal cover that retracts instantly when the camera is powered on. The lens then telescopes outward about 1.5 inches or so into its operating position. Likewise, the lens retracts and the cover slides closed when the camera is powered off. A very slight hand grip is sculpted onto the right side of the camera (as viewed from the back), providing a tiny, beveled edge for your fingers to cling to.
On the right side of the camera is little other than the wrist strap attachment eyelet. Also visible are a series of small bumps arranged vertically in the lower left corner. We're not sure what the bumps are for, as they really don't appear to serve any purpose other than decoration.
The opposite side of the 6800 Zoom holds the SmartMedia slot and the A/V Out, USB, and DC In connector jacks. A small, plastic door covers the SmartMedia slot, released by sliding down the lever just to the right of it.
On top of the camera are the pop-up flash compartment and the shiny, silver Shutter button. You can also see the rough texture of the Mode dial, which curves upwards behind the Shutter button.
Nearly all of the camera's external controls are on the rear panel, along with the optical viewfinder and (surprisingly large) LCD monitor. A status LED on the left side of the viewfinder eyepiece reports camera status, indicating when exposure and focus are set, when the flash is still charging, etc. Opposite the viewfinder is the Mode dial, which selects from among 6 different operating modes. The remaining controls include the Power button, Mode switch, Back and Menu buttons, Arrow keys, and the Display and Flash Open buttons. The camera's speaker is tucked away in the thumb rest near the lower right corner. A feature we greatly appreciated on the 6800 Zoom is the circular, monochrome LCD status display located in the center of the arrow keys. This status display associates up to four different actions with the "soft keys" surrounding it, providing rapid access to the most commonly-used functions in each exposure mode. The status display window glows an orange/red when the camera is in Record mode and glows green in Playback mode.
The large LCD monitor on the rear panel restricts your fingers to the extreme righthand edge of the camera. 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 feel grip.
Completing the 6800 Zoom's smoothly contoured design is a very flat bottom panel. A metal threaded tripod mount is located slightly off center and too close to the nearby battery compartment to allow quick battery changes while mounted to a tripod. (Probably not an issue on this camera, which isn't really aimed at studio use anyway.) The battery compartment itself is protected by a sliding plastic cover, that slides to the right and then opens outwards to expose the battery. Also on the bottom panel is the cradle connection socket, with a plastic flap that slides out of the way to expose the jack.
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