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| FujiFilm FinePix 1400 Zoom |
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Hardware Reviews December 2000 • Vol.3 Issue 12 |
FujiFilm FinePix 1400 Zoom | ||
 FujiFilm doesn't try to pass its excellent one-megapixel FinePix 1400 Zoom off as anything other than an entry-level digital camera, but maybe it should. The camera's outstanding image quality, overall manageability, and familiar point-and-shoot design make it one of the two best cameras we've seen under $350 to date. The best news concerning the camera is how easy it is to use. Other than a 1.6-inch LCD (liquid-crystal display) on the back, there's little to indicate the model is indeed a digital camera. Thanks to a familiar 35mm-like point-and-shoot design and automatic settings, we were taking shots about as quickly as it took to insert the four AA batteries into the camera. We can't imagine even novices needing to spend much more than a half hour with the manual before taking images. The camera does throw in a few manual touches, including adjustable exposure, manual white balance settings, and a slow synch mode on the flash for taking night shots. The camera houses a quality Fujinon 3X zoom lens with sliding lens cover, and the top and back include a mode dial, navigational buttons, and a dual zoom/menu button that helps navigate the text-driven menu. FujiFilm bundles a smallish 4MB SmartMedia card that stores just six to 69 shots at 1,280 x 960 pixels or 640 x 480 pixels, depending on the Fine, Normal, or Basic quality setting you use. Overall, the images have good enough detail and focus to produce smaller prints, but you'll probably want to limit your use of the camera's images to primarily Web and e-mail applications. The camera does have a few odd quirks, including the omission of video and serial ports. Not having a video port means you can't view images on a television, which is something most users can live without. We find the omission of a serial port more perplexing. If you own an older computer that lacks a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, you'll have to purchase an alternative for transferring images, such as a parallel port card reader. In addition, the battery compartment on the camera's bottom seems susceptible to spilling if you aren't careful. For just $250, the FinePix 1400 Zoom is an excellent option for those entering digital imaging or those who want a quality, inexpensive model that tucks away and travels well. by Blaine Flamig
$250 FujiFilm (800) 800-3854 http://www.fujifilm.com
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