Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

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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Picture Quality / Size Options
The F40fd is the first Fujifilm F-series camera to have more than 6.3 megapixels. It has 8.3 megapixels, in fact, on a relatively large 1/1.6-inch Super CCD HR sensor. More thorough resolution testing will be done later when a full in-office review is made and we expect good things since previous F-series cameras have tested well. However, we'll reserve judgement until we evalaute a production model since this is a brand new untested sensor. The following image sizes are selectable from the “F” menu: 3296 x 2472, 3054 x 2336 (3:2), 2304 x 1728, 1600 x 1200, and 640 x 480.

Picture Effects Mode
Also available in the “F” menu is the lackluster set of color modes available on other Fujifilm digital cameras. It includes Black & White, Chrome, and Standard options. Competitors include more effects ranging from red, green, and blue filters to swapping colors in recording and playback modes. On the FinePix F40fd, though, these colors can only be used in the recording mode.

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