Fuji Point and Shoot
Home > Digital Camera Reviews > Fuji Digital Cameras > Fuji Point and Shoot

Fujifilm FinePix F470 Digital Camera Review

by James Murray
Published on May 08, 2006

Navigation
 




Front (7.0)
The Fujifilm FinePix F470 has a matte silver front with a slight polished silver border which becomes slightly more pronounced along the left edge. The camera tapers from left to right, creating a transition plane that will marginally aid in handling. Vertically positioned on the left side, the slightly raised FinePix logo also helps add a minimal amount of grip.

At the top of the transition zone between the slightly thicker left side and the right two-thirds of the camera is the self-timer’s indicator lamp. The horizontal in-camera flash is to the right, approximately an inch off the center axis of the extending lens barrel.

The charcoal gray Fujifilm logo is positioned in the upper right corner. Beneath it is the extending 3x Fujinon optical zoom lens, with an automatic lens cover that snaps closed efficiently when the camera powers off. A raised polished silver ring, cut at a forty-five degree angle for heightened visual emphasis, surrounds the lens and separates it from the camera body. The in-camera mono microphone for audio recording is located beneath and to the left of this lens, and is visually identifiable due to three small holes cut into the body of the camera.

Back (7.0)
A 2.5-inch, 115,000 pixel LCD screen is the predominant feature on the back of the Fujifilm FinePix F470. The Fujifilm logo appears in white along the bottom edge of the screen, and a black frame surrounds the LCD. Since the 470 lacks an electronic or optical viewfinder, the LCD is its only viewing device.

To the right of the LCD, on the remaining third of the camera body, are most of the external controls needed to negotiate menus, manual controls, and other camera settings. Along the top edge is the zoom control, which allows for manipulation of wide-angle and telephoto perspectives. Beneath the zoom toggle is a circular scalloped indentation with its right edge built up and out from the camera body. This ridge, while subtle, did help alleviate some of the handling concerns encountered when shooting with a small, smooth-bodied camera. An indicator light, beneath and to the left of this circle, shows the current camera state.

The Playback button is located under the indicator light and to the left of the FinePix Photo Mode button. Below these two controls is a four-way control which enables menu navigation when either the Main or FinePix Photo Mode menus are open. When menu structures are not open, the four-way control allows immediate access to four camera settings via the cardinal directions. The up arrow increases the brightness of the LCD for low light viewing, the right arrow cycles through flash options, the down arrow doubles as the self-timer button, and the left arrow engages the Macro setting. When viewing images in playback mode, the up arrow also functions as the delete button. The Menu/OK button is located in the center of the four-way control. Near the bottom edge of the camera, beneath and to the left of the four-way control, is the display/back button.

Left Side (7.0)
A polished silver front edge wraps around from the front of the camera to complement the matte silver finish. The left side of the Fujifilm FinePix 470 is otherwise devoid of features.



Right Side (7.0)
A small port cover opens via a tab on the back edge of the Fujifilm FinePix 470’s right side. This cover is made of a flexible rubber that matches the matte silver finish found on most of the camera body; once opened, it swivels away neatly on one sturdy connector. The ports found under this cover provide connection to both DC IN and A/V out for either PC or television viewing.



Directly under the port cover is an eyelet for the optional wrist strap. This eyelet is set into the camera body, so users won’t need to worry about snagging it on pockets or bags during transport. The downside, however, is the added hassle of attempting to thread the strap through this small and confined space.

Top (7.0)
The top of the Fujifilm FinePix 470 has a raised polished silver shutter button on the right side of the camera, surrounded by a matte silver ring with a tab for switching between Auto, Scene, and Movie modes. To the left of the shutter button/mode switch is the power on/off button. Although no other features are located on the top of this point-and-shoot model, there is yet another logo emblazoned across the left side of the top face, identifying the camera once again as the “Digital Camera FinePix F470.”



Bottom
(4.0)
Half of the F470’s bottom is taken up by the battery cover, which is opened by pressing down and pushing outwards with the help of five raised dots located along the edge between the bottom and right edge. Once open, this cover reveals both the compartment for the Lithium Ion battery pack and the xD-memory card slot. To the left of the battery cover is a plastic tripod mount. Plastic mounts run the risk of becoming stripped and functionless through either time or improper usage. Finally, to the left of the tripod mount, the in-camera speaker provides marginal monitoring capabilities when reviewing audio footage in playback mode.



Reviews   |   About DCI   |   Staff   |   Advertising   |   Sitemap   |   Report an Error

© Copyright 2008 DigitalCameraInfo.com, all rights reserved. All trademarks and product names are property of their respective owners. DigitalCameraInfo.com makes no guarantees regarding any of the advice offered on this web site or by its staff or users. All user comments and postings are not the responsibility of DigitalCameraInfo.com.