1.8Fujifilm introduced the Fujifilm FinePix V10 at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show in January 2006. The V10 is marketed as an ingenious fusion between a digital camera and a video gaming device. Indeed, Fujifilm’s marketing slogan was, “Changing the Game.” The 5.1 megapixel digital camera has a 1/2.5-inch CCD that is similar to the one found in the highly acclaimed FinePix F10, along with a 3.4x optical zoom lens and 3-inch, 230K pixel LCD screen. Like many recent Fujifilm releases, the FinePix V10 is designed for available light shooting with a wide ISO range that extends from 64-1600. The Fujifilm FinePix V10 is “changing the game” in March for a retail price of $349.
Front (7.5) The Fujifilm FinePix V10 shows off its square profile from the front, where its surfaces are flat except for a folded corner at the top left. That corner has the self-timer lamp on it. The FinePix logo graces the left side of the camera, while the Fujifilm logo sits in the top right corner of the front. Rounding out the logos is the Super CCD label in the bottom right corner. Between the Fujifilm and Super CCD logos on the right side is the 3.4x zoom lens, which is labeled as such. Its stats are located around the rim – “1:2.8-5.5” – and beneath the actual glass window – “Fujinon lens, f=6.3-21.6mm.” To the bottom left of the extending lens barrel are two holes that serve as the microphone. Above the left side of the lens is the built-in flash, which is thick and rectangular. The Fujifilm V10 has a gunmetal face plate on the front that is highlighted by the chrome outer frame and lens rim.
Back (8.25) Perhaps borrowing the design from modern flat-screen televisions, the back of the V10 is all screen with hardly any room for control buttons. The buttons look nice and organized because they are all lined up horizontally and, for the most part, have the same shape and size. The button at the left edge enters the playback mode, while the one directly to its right brightens the LCD as a viewfinder and deletes pictures in the playback mode. The three central buttons make up this camera’s multi-selector. There is a rectangular central button that scrolls up and down and also activates the self-timer. This toggle button is surrounded by two buttons to scroll right and left. Next to the button on the left is a flower icon to represent the macro mode (entered when the button is pressed in a recording mode). There is a flash icon next to the right button, which switches flash modes. There are two buttons on the right side; these are oval-shaped like the two buttons on the left side. The Disp/Back button is on the right edge and the Menu/OK button is directly to its left. The buttons are the same silver color as the rest of the back’s frame; they are hardly noticeable near the enormous 3-inch LCD screen.
Left Side (7.5) The left side of the Fujifilm FinePix V10 shows its trim and flat profile. At the bottom is a small, pinky fingernail-sized rubber cover that hides the DC in jack.
Right Side (7.5) The right side is much more exciting than the left. A chrome band folds around the top and just below the center of this side. At the top of the chrome band is the mode switch that moves from the movie mode position at the top to still image shooting at the bottom. Below this feature is the wrist strap eyelet. Below the chrome band is another small rubber cover for the USB / A/V jack.
Top (7.5) The top of the FinePix V10 has a chrome band that starts on the left side and continues across the top until it folds over onto the right side. The FinePix V10 logo appears on the left side of the band. To its right, almost in the center of the camera, is Fuji’s ‘F’ Photo mode button. To its right is the oval-shaped power button, and the shutter release button sits on the right edge of the top. The polished shutter release is surrounded by a zoom switch.
Bottom (7.0) The battery compartment door sits on the left side of the bottom. This door must be pushed in while sliding to the left to open it. The battery and xD-Picture card are stored in this slim space. To the right of this is the quarter-inch tripod mount, which is directly below the lens. Just right of the mount is the built-in speaker.