Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Jan 08, 2007 - By Emily Raymond
Just months after the first face detection-enabled compact digital camera from Fujifilm, the FinePix F40fd was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show. This new model keeps the face detection of the F31fd and includes the same ISO range of up to 2000 as the F20. Fujifilm also made improvements on the resolution. Previous F-series cameras have 6.3-megapixel sensors while the F40fd has a new 8.3-megapixel Super CCD. The FinePix F40fd has big shoes to fill as its predecessors have produced good, clean pictures in natural lighting. The F40fd is scheduled for release in March for $299, nearly a hundred dollars less than the F31fd. Here is our first look at the camera from the show floor at CES (note: this is a pre-production model, so specs are subject to change).
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Model Design / Appearance
The Fujifilm FinePix F40fd’s design remains fairly consistent with previous F-series models. It has more physical differences than the rest of the lineup though. This digital camera is perhaps the trendiest in the series yet. It comes in three colors: silver, blue, and gunmetal. There are chrome highlights throughout that is common on other cameras. The F40fd differs from its predecessors because its mode dial is larger, the zoom control is placed on the top instead of the back, and the finger grip is almost nonexistent. Other models have at least some form of protruding grip, but this model has only a little curve in the body. All of the changes may not be great for handling, but the FinePix F40fd is one of the most attractive digital cameras Fujifilm makes.

Size / Portability
The Fujifilm FinePix F40fd can slip into a pocket, purse, or just about anywhere. It measures in at 3.8 x 2.3 x 0.9 inches and 6.2 oz without the card or batteries. This seems a bit heavy for the camera’s size, but it won’t hurt a wrist and seems sturdy. The camera’s body is constructed of plastic, and metal elements and plates, and seems fairly durable. There is an eyelet on the right side of the camera where users can attach the included wrist strap to tote the camera around easily.

Handling Ability
The F40fd may be easier to look at, but it isn’t any easier to hold. Fujifilm made a few changes to its design that benefited the camera’s looks, but its handling suffered. Older F-series cameras have a zoom lever on the back of the camera for the thumb to push. The new F40fd has a lever around the shutter release button with a tiny knob for the index finger to struggle with. The finger grip has also disappeared on the new model, and it consists only of a shallow curve. Sweaty palms won’t be able to hang on to this camera so that wrist strap will come in handy.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
One of the biggest changes in this camera, as compared with previous F-series models, is the user interface. The mode dial on the F40fd is larger and easier to turn than the F20’s. When it is rotated, a text explanation appears on the LCD screen explaining the icons on the mode dial. The icons are fairly intuitive, but it’s still a nice touch for beginners. The user interface is similar to Sony's recent T-series digital cameras. The buttons on the Fujifilm FinePix F40fd are nicely spaced so users won’t accidentally push two at the same time and are all labeled with text or intuitive icons.

Menu
The menu system on this digital camera isn’t very different from other Fujifilm FinePix models. The menu system is split with the frequently used settings located in the menu that appear when the “F” button is pushed.   

Power Management
Power Save, Quick AF, Clear Display
ISO
Auto 1600, Auto 800, Auto 400, 1600, 800, 400, 200, 100, Auto
Quality
8MF, 8MN, 3:2, 4M, 2M, 03M
FinePix Color
Standard, Chrome, Black-and-White

The other menus are accessed by pushing the Menu button in the center of the multi-selector. The recording, setup, and playback menus are all expressed in text, with only a very few icons that are easy to understand, though. The following is the recording menu.
 
Exposure Compensation
Scale with +/- 2 tag marks with 1/3 increments in between
Photometry (metering)
Multi, Spot, Average
White Balance
Auto, Custom, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent
Continuous
Long Period, Final 2, Top 2, Off
AF Mode
Center, Multi, Continuous
Set-up
(portal to setup menu)
 
There are live views in the exposure compensation, metering, and white balance portions of the menu. Live views make it easy for beginners and veteran users to choose the correct settings. The setup menu has a gray background and is broken up into four different sub-menus accessible from the top of the screen.
 
Camera Setup
 
Image Display
3 sec, 1.5 sec, Zoom (continuous)
Frame No.
Continuous, Renew
AF Illuminator
On, Off
Illumination
On, Off
Digital Zoom
On, Off
Setup 1
 
Date/Time
YMD setup, time, date set
Beep Volume
1-3, Off
Shutter Volume
1-3, Off
Shutter Sound
Sound 1, Sound 2
Playback Volume
0-10
LCD Brightness
+/- 5
Setup 2
 
Format
OK, Cancel
Language
Japanese, English
Auto Power Off
5 min, 2 min, Off
Time Difference
Home, Local
Background Color
Blue, Purple, Pink, Orange, Green, Black
Video System
NTSC, PAL
Setup 3
 
Reset
OK, Cancel

The camera examined in this review is a pre-production model. As a result, these menus could change before the F40fd hits store shelves in March. One menu item bound to change is the language preference section. The model on display had only English and Japanese languages but more languages are expected for the final model.

One annoyance that probably won’t change, which is found on other Fujifilm cameras, is the difficulty of navigating through the menus. Going forward with the multi-selector is easy but going back in the menu system is difficult. Sometimes users can push the left side of the multi-selector to go to the previous menu, but other times, there is no way out. In the setup menu, users can’t change more than one setting per jaunt into the menu. They have to enter and re-enter the menu to change more than one setting.

Ease of Use
The glitch in the menu system (discussed above) can be a pain, but the Fujifilm FinePix F40fd is otherwise a fairly simple camera to use. The mode dial is large and easy to rotate. When it is rotated, a text explanation appears to clarify the selected shooting mode. The live views in the shooting menu also make life easy for beginners. The handling of the camera body isn’t as comfortable as previous F-series models, but it shouldn’t be a hindrance.

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