Fujifilm FinePix F40fd

Connectivity
Software (6.75)
The F40fd comes with a CD-ROM that includes FinePix Viewer software for basic photo editing and organization. When users install the software, it automatically loads all the computer’s image files, so they can be browsed. Pictures and movie clips can be viewed in screens of 4, 12, or 35 thumbnails.

Both the Windows and Mac versions of FinePix Viewer come with ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix. I looked at Windows version 5.3h of the software.

Pictures can be rotated and deleted from the top of the browsing window. A host of options are available on the left side of the browsing window: start slide show, send via e-mail, rotate image, clip/insert text in image, adjust image quality, correct red-eye, resize image, edit date/comment, change save format, change setting of ‘cancel print auto adjustment,’ and save image to the camera. When a movie file is highlighted, the following choices also appear: manipulate movie and create sequential photographs from motion video.

There are options to manipulate the files and folders and view information about those folders. There is also a separate print menu and a button to "order prints now." This allows users to scroll through pictures and easily mark a set for printing. Users can choose how many of each print to create much like the on-camera DPOF ordering system. There is a simple step-by-step process that syncs with the Internet and automatically uploads images for printing. Pictures ordered through this website cost $0.19 per 4 x 6-inch print.

Images can be edited with the Adjust Image Quality option on the left side of the FinePix Viewer’s browsing window. This option leads to another window that shows the enlarged picture with before and after views to adjust brightness, saturation, sharpness, color, hue, etc. There is also an automatic adjustment that fixes photos and tips and directions for beginners along the left side of the editing window.

The ImageMixer program leads users through a step-by-step process that ends with a burned CD or DVD. This is helpful for backing up images and videos. The included software package isn’t anything special, but it does provide a good set of basic browsing, editing, and archiving features.

Jacks, ports, plugs (7.25)
There is a rubber cover on the left side of the camera that hides the USB/AV and DC jacks. The USB connection is hi-speed 2.0 and connects the camera to computers, printers, and other USB-enabled devices. The AV cable connects to televisions and projectors and can be set to output in NTSC or PAL format. The AV and USB cables can connect in the same jack, and the DC-in power adaptor fits into the other jack below the cover.

Users can chuck a few wires if they have an IrSimple enabled computer or device. The F40fd has IrSimple technology that can wirelessly communicate with F40fd and F31fd digital cameras, enabled computers, printers, mobile phones, and other devices. The technology is easy to access in the 'F' menu of the playback mode, where the camera can search for devices in range and transfer pictures to and from the camera. IrSimple is more popular in Europe and Japan, though Fujifilm expects it will take off in North America within the next year. Fujifilm hopes to appeal to the younger crowd that is more technologically savvy. The IrSimple feature is cool, but it has its limitations. For instance, the IrSimple devices have to be within about three feet of each other. It’s almost just as easy to whip out the USB cable.

Direct Print Options (6.0)
Print orders can be created from the 'F' menu in the playback mode. Scrolling through large amounts of photos and making selections isn’t as easy as on some other digital cameras, but it isn’t a painful process either. When the face detection button is pushed, the camera recognizes the number of faces in the picture and then orders enough prints so everyone can take one home. If users want to manually order, they can order from 1-99 prints of each file. The date can be added to pictures as well. Users can also print directly with the USB cable to PictBridge compatible printers or can transfer pictures wirelessly to IrSimple enabled printers.

Battery (6.25)
The F40fd runs on the same skinny lithium-ion battery as the F20. This is a smaller and less efficient battery than the one in the F31fd that gets more than 500 shots per charge. The Fujifilm FinePix F40fd gets about 300 shots per charge on its NP-70 battery, which is still quite impressive. The camera comes with a wall-mount charger, and a power adaptor is an optional accessory.

Memory (4.0)
The Fujifilm FinePix F40fd has 25 MB of internal memory and a card slot that can accept both xD-Picture and Secure Digital cards. Most other Fujifilm compact digital cameras only accept xD-Picture cards, although the more recent models include the dual card compatibility. The slot is located next to the battery in the compartment in the bottom of the camera.Both cards fit into the same slot. The SD card format is much more popular than xD and generally employs faster write and transfer speeds, so it’s a move toward the mainstream for Fujifilm, which previously only accepted xD-Picture media in its digital cameras. The Fujifilm FinePix F40fd can accept xD and SD cards up to 2 GB.

Other features (7.0)
Perchlorate Warning – This isn’t something that comes on every digital camera, but the F40fd’s box had a sticker attached that said, "Perchlorate Material – special handling may apply, See http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate." According to that website, perchlorate is a hazardous material that is used in items like solid state rockets and batteries. It is likely that the material is used for the internal memory or battery on the FinePix F40fd. This label is probably only attached because of governmental regulations, not because it is likely to actually be a hazard. It is doubtful that the perchlorate material in the F40fd will ever find its way to groundwater to contaminate it.

Optional Waterproof Case – Fujifilm created a waterproof housing specifically for the F40fd. It isn’t large, but it is a bit heavy – which is good when you’re swimming below the surface of the water. The case will sell for $179. That is fairly affordable when compared to housings made by Canon and Olympus.

Illumination – This is an ambiguously titled option in the setup menu. It doesn’t refer to the screen brightness or the AF illuminator. It refers to the LED strip down the front of the camera. If users turn illumination on, the top of the strip blinks red when the camera is turned on and when pictures are taken. This feature seems insignificant.

Infrared Communication – The F40fd is equipped with IrSimple wireless technology and can communicate with compatible IrSimple products like mobile phones and computers. Unfortunately, IrSimple isn’t very big in the U.S. yet. For those consumers who do have compatible devices, the $299 F40fd is one of the cheapest wireless enabled digital cameras on the market. It connects through the "F" button in the playback mode and can transfer or receive image files.