Fuji FinePix 6800 ZoomA new SuperCCD sensor gives Fuji's latest ultra compact true 3.3 megapixel resolution and great color.<<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:ViewfinderReview First Posted: 4/8/2001 |
ViewfinderThe 6800 Zoom features both a real-image optical viewfinder and a color LCD monitor for composing images. The optical viewfinder display features a black outline circle in the center of the view, indicating the autofocus and autoexposure target area. An offset set of black crop marks in the viewfinder display indicate the framing for macro shooting, and seem to do a good job, based on an informal test. The overall accuracy of the optical viewfinder in normal shooting mode is rather low however, as our tests showed a frame coverage of a bit less than 80 percent. The LCD viewfinder does much better, at 96 percent coverage. Though the optical viewfinder does not feature a diopter adjustment, it does have a reasonably high eyepoint. We were able to see the full view at a fair distance from the eyepiece, meaning even fairly thick eyeglasses should be accommodated.
A small LED on the left side of the optical viewfinder serves as a status indicator, reporting various camera states. For example, a solid green LED indicates that focus and exposure are set and the camera is ready to shoot, while a flashing green LED warns of slow shutter speed or that the autofocus and autoexposure systems are still processing the scene. The LED flashes green and orange when the camera is accessing the SmartMedia card and lights solid orange when an image is being recorded. Finally, a blinking orange LED indicates that the flash is charging or that PC communication is occurring, and a flashing red LED reports a problem with the SmartMedia card or lens. For all warnings, a detailed message will appear in the LCD monitor, if activated.
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The two-inch, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD monitor features 130,000 pixels. The Display button just over the top left corner of the monitor controls the information and image display, cycling through options of image with text, the framing guideline, and no display at all. Exposure information and various camera settings are reported in the information display, and the shutter speed and aperture settings display when the shutter button is halfway pressed. The framing guideline function divides the image area into thirds horizontally and vertically, to help you line up shots. The viewfinder display changes to indicate the camera's operating mode as well, with different displays for each setting of the mode dial.
When you actually press the shutter button, the camera mode information displayed across the top of the LCD vanishes, replaced at the bottom by the aperture and shutter speed. The central autofocus target also shrinks slightly. After the shutter is snapped, you have three options: No post-capture display, a "Postview" display that briefly flashes the just-captured image on the LCD screen, and a "Preview" display which shows the photo and gives you the option to either save or discard it. (The Postview option is shown in the screenshot above.)
In Playback mode, the Display button also controls the LCD monitor display, showing image information (such as filename, the number of captured images, date and time, etc.) and the Multi-Frame Playback option, which shows as many as nine thumbnail images on the screen at a time.
A Fast Forward function displays three thumbnail images at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to quickly scroll through the images saved on the memory card.
There's also a playback zoom which enlarges images as much as 18x (!), depending on the resolution setting. This magnification amounts to a 1:1 pixel ratio between the LCD screen and the captured image. At any zoom level, pressing the Disp button switches the four soft keys to panning controls, allowing you to move the magnified view around the image. We really like seeing this much playback magnification, as it makes checking critical focus very easy. (Other manufacturers take note!) In another unusual (but potentially very useful) option, enlarged images can be cropped and saved as smaller files, at either the 1 megapixel or VGA file sizes.
LCD brightness is adjustable through the camera's Setup menu. Also through the Setup menu are a few preview options for the LCD monitor. With Postview, the captured image displays on the LCD screen for about two seconds before being recorded. The Preview option also displays the captured image, but with an option to delete it. During the image preview, you can also "zoom in" to check on minor details before deciding whether or not to keep the image.
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