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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Auto Mode
The auto mode is located directly on the mode dial, thus making it easy for beginners to locate and use. The menu is shortened considerably and only a few options are available such as: flash, self-timer, macro, face detection, color modes, and image size.

Movie Mode
Fujifilm hasn’t really made any improvements to its movie mode in the past few years. The resolution is still the same at 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 pixels, the frame rate is still 30 fps, and the audio output is still monaural. There aren’t many options to choose from since only the resolution can be changed in the menu. Despite this, the FinePix F40fd seemed to perform well in the convention center. Video looked properly white balanced, focused (except shooting close-up), and exposed.

Optical zoom isn’t available and that is a little disappointing. However, having it would be detrimental to movies because of the lack of image stabilization. Videos can be played back but cannot be rewound, fast-forwarded, or edited. When compared to other Fujifilm F-series models, the movie mode is the same, but when compared with some compact competitors, the Fujifilm FinePix F40fd falls behind.

Drive / Burst Mode
The burst mode is activated through the shooting menu, but it is very disappointing. Top 2, Final 2, and Long Period continuous shooting modes are available, but all of them are quite slow. Fujifilm claims a 1.3 fps rate. We didn’t get to test this effectively in the convention center. It seemed quite slow though, so that figure sounds accurate. Perhaps because of the resolution hike up to 8.3 megapixels, the camera is slower and can now only capture two pictures at a time rather than three like other F-series models. The Long Period mode can capture pictures longer (up to the memory card’s capacity) but at an even slower 0.6 fps rate.

The bottom of the multi-selector activates the self-timer and can be set to delay for 2 or 10 seconds.

Playback Mode
There is a playback mode accessible from the designated button, but there is only one way to exit the playback mode and that is by pushing the shutter release button. In the playback mode, the following options emerge from the menu.  

Erase
Frame, All Frames
Image Rotate
Right, Left, Cancel
Protect
Frame, Set All, Reset All
Copy
Internal Memory to Card, Card to Internal Memory
Voice Memo
Start, Cancel
Trimming
OK, Cancel

This menu is fairly short when compared with competitors that have long lists of cool effects, video editing, and such. Still, there is voice memo recording up to 30 seconds available. Some of the playback mode’s features are hidden though – outside of the main menu structure. The following menu is from the “F” button.

IR Communication
Transmit, Receive, Cancel
Slide Show
Normal FD, Normal, Fade-In FD, Fade-In Normal, Multiple, Clock
Print Order
With Date, Without Date, Reset All

Another hidden feature emerges when the face detection button is pushed: the boxes that appeared around the faces in the live view now appear around the faces again. When the button is pushed again and again, the LCD screen shows a close-up view of each face in the frame so users can check to see if the faces are exposed and focused as they should be. Pushing the Disp./Back button will sort images by date and display 9 images at a time.

The Fujifilm F40fd is equipped with IrSimple wireless communication technology much like the recently released F31fd. When this is activated through the “F” menu in the playback mode, a red lamp lights up on the left side of the camera and IrSimple devices within range are located. The technology is easy to use and makes this camera ideal for users who already have IrSimple devices. The IrSimple format isn’t as prevalent at competitors like Bluetooth though, so Bluetooth fans may be a little disappointed.

Custom Image Presets
The Fujifilm FinePix F40fd has two scene positions on its mode dial (“SP1” and “SP2”) that is similar to Panasonic compact digital cameras. The following are located in the scene position menus: Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Underwater, Museum, Party, Flower, and Text. These modes limit access to the shooting menu.

A few of the more interesting scene modes are found directly on the mode dial and include the Picture Stabilization mode which uses an ISO 2000 setting and a quick shutter speed to reduce blur. Even more interesting than that is the dual shot mode, Natural Light & With Flash. It snaps two pictures with and without the flash and then displays them next to each other on the LCD screen before saving them both. This is nice when users can’t decide if they want natural lighting or want to use the flash.

Design / Layout Page 5 of 11 Control Options
Fujifilm FinePix F40fd First Impressions Review Navigation
 

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