Fujifilm FinePix F30

Auto Mode
The automatic mode is perhaps the easiest function on the digital camera. It limits the menu to few options, so users can activate the high-speed shooting mode and not much else. The ‘F’ menu is still available, so image size and color mode can be selected. However, the ISO options are limited to a high auto ISO and a low auto ISO. The auto mode can be found as the red camera icon directly on the mode dial, so users won’t have to dig through menus to find it.

Movie Mode
The new Fujifilm FinePix F30 has the same movie mode as the year-old F10. It can record school plays, first steps, and other video at either 640 x 480 or 320 x 240, both at 30 frames per second. The 3x zoom lens cannot be used while recording, which is unfortunate.

There aren’t many options available to the user in this mode. The recording menu has only the Setup option that leads to the other menu. The ‘F’ menu is limited only to the size option. The F30 can record monaural audio with the movies and can play it back within the camera as well. There is no image stabilization with the F30, but it isn’t as pertinent because the 3x zoom won’t exacerbate much shake. When recording video, the Fuji F30 shows how many seconds of recording time are left on the memory card so users can plan accordingly.

Drive / Burst Mode
Fujifilm packed a speedy image processor in the F30 that nearly eliminates shutter lag and cuts start-up time to just under a second and a half. This same speed is found in the burst mode as well. The options and speed are the same as the F10: Top-3, Final-3, and Long Period Continuous.

The first two options shoot at a 2.2 fps speed, but only take three shots. It then takes five or six seconds to record the shots and move onto the next burst. The Long Period Continuous option shoots for much longer, but goes much slower. It takes about a second and a half between shots depending on the image size. A high-speed shooting option can be activated; the option disables the auto focus system so that the camera can snap faster. Still, this isn’t good for every situation – especially if the subject is moving toward or away from the camera.

And of course, included on just about every digital camera is a self-timer. The F30 rounds out its options with 2 and 10-second timers. The AF illuminator on the front kicks in and blinks to indicate when the picture will be taken.

Playback Mode
The playback mode is accessed by its own button, as is the arrangement on many digital cameras. Pictures can be viewed in their own frames or as index views with 9 pictures on one frame. Switching views is done by the Disp/Back button in the bottom left corner of the multi-selector. Users can rotate and trim images within the playback menu and can create print orders from the ‘F’ menu. This isn’t difficult, but could be intimidating for first-time users who prefer the on-camera buttons to enable printing.

In the setup menu, users can choose how long an image is displayed right after it is taken. The choices include 1.5 and 3 seconds, as well as a zoom function that lets users check the focus. Slide shows can be played from the ‘F’ button complete with fades and an optional clock display. The F30’s playback mode also has a date-sorting display that keeps large numbers of pictures organized into a calendar.

The playback button puts users in the playback mode, but does not get them out like on most digital cameras. This message appears: "Push the shutter button to go back to shooting mode. Push the power button to turn off the camera." Perhaps this is a weird bug that will be eliminated on the production model, because it’s unclear why the button wouldn’t be used and why the message would mention shutting the camera down. Hmmm.

Custom Image Presets
The mode dial keeps it simple by keeping the scene modes in two positions. The Picture Stabilization mode gets its own position. This is the highly marketed mode that uses the high ISO ratings and the fast shutter speeds as well as the i-Flash system to reduce blur caused by camera or subject movement.

The Picture Stabilization mode is a little deceiving. It sounds like image stabilization, but it is not. The F30 does not have a gyro sensor that compensates for movement. Picture Stabilization is just a scene mode that combines features that are optimal in low light.

The rest of the scene modes are gathered in the other position on the dial that has a Natural Light icon next to ‘SP’. The following options are available when the menu button is pushed: Natural Light, Natural Light & With Flash, Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Underwater, Museum, Party, Flower Close-up and Text. The first two scene modes are the most emphasized on this digital camera. The Natural Light mode uses fast shutter speeds and high ISOs like the Picture Stabilization mode, but disables the i-Flash system. The next mode, Natural Light & With Flash, takes two pictures consecutively and saves both. The first picture is from the Natural Light mode and the second from the Picture Stabilization mode. This way, users don’t have to switch modes and settings if they are unsure about using the flash. The mode is almost like a burst mode that switches settings in the middle; the images are taken in rapid succession. Users can choose later whether to delete one or save both.