Fujifilm JZ500 Review

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JZ500 Overview

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JZ500 Overview
Specifications

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Fujifilm FinePix JZ500
Resolution:	14.10 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.3 inch (6.2mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	10.00x zoom (28-280mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	LCD
Extended ISO:	100 - 3200
Shutter:	1/2000 - 4 sec
Max Aperture:	3.3
Dimensions:	3.8 x 2.2 x 1.1 in. (97 x 57 x 29 mm)
Weight:	5.8 oz (165 g) includes batteries
MSRP:	$250
Availability:	03/2010
Manufacturer:	Fujifilm
Full specs:	Fujifilm JZ500 specifications

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14.10 Megapixels	10.00x zoom	1/2.3 inch size sensor

The ultra-compact Fujifilm FinePix JZ500 is based around a 14.1 effective megapixel,1/2.3-inch CCD image sensor coupled to a Fujinon-branded 10x optical zoom lens. Maximum image resolution is 4,320 x 3,240 pixels in the camera's native 4:3 aspect ratio, and both 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratio modes are also available. The JZ500's lens offers actual focal lengths ranging from 5.0 to 50.0mm, equivalent to 28 to 280mm on a 35mm camera - a useful wide angle to an equally useful telephoto. The Fuji JZ500 has a two-step aperture, offering either F3.3 or F6.4 at wide angle, and either F5.6 or F11 (with an ND filter) at telephoto. Minimum focusing distance is ordinarily 1.5 feet at wide angle or 6.6 feet at telephoto, but drops to just 2.0 inches in Macro mode at wide angle, or 3.0 feet at telephoto. There's no true optical viewfinder on this model, with all interaction taking place on a 2.7-inch LCD display with 230,000 dot resolution, and this display provides 96% frame coverage.

The FinePix JZ500 offers ISO-equivalent sensitivity ranging from 100 to 1,600 ordinarily, but can raise the maximum to 3,200 equivalent at a reduced resolution of three megapixels or below. Exposures are determined using 256-zone metering, and shooting modes include Auto, Program, and fifteen scene modes that allow a modicum of control over the look of images - including two modes for shooting photos of your pet dog or cat. Usefully, the Fuji JZ500 includes true mechanical (CCD shift-type) image stabilization, helpful in combatting blur from camera shake. Shutter speeds range from 1/2,000 to four seconds. Burst shooting is possible at up to 0.9 frames per second, albeit with a burst depth of only three shots.

The JZ500's contrast detection autofocusing system offers a single focus point at the center of the frame, but does include tracking capability to follow your subject as it moves around the frame. The Fuji JZ500's built-in eight-mode flash has a range of 1.6 to 8.5 feet at wide angle, or 3.0 to 5.6 feet at telephoto. A two- or ten-second self timer is available to allow the photographer to get into the photo, or to reduce blur when shooting on a tripod.

As well as JPEG-format still images, the Fuji JZ500 can capture Motion JPEG-compressed AVI video with monaural audio. Movie resolutions include high-definition 720p (1,280 x 720 pixels) at 24 frames per second, as well as both VGA (640 x 480 pixels) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) with a rate of 30 frames per second. The Fuji FinePix JZ500 stores its data on Secure Digital cards, including the newer SDHC types, or in a useful 40MB of built-in memory. Connectivity options include USB 2.0 High Speed data and NTSC / PAL standard definition video output. Power comes from a proprietary NP-45A lithium ion rechargeable battery, rated at a battery life of 230 frames.

The Fuji FinePix JZ500 ships from March 2010, priced at around $250.