Product Description

The Fujifilm FinePix 6800 is a high-end digital camera that continues in the tradition of the FinePix 4700. Sporting a new body designed by Porsche, the 6800 is an eye-catching number. The 3.3-megapixel SuperCCD captures images at resolution of 6 megapixels (2832 x 2128). The 6-megapixel image is interpolated up from the original 3.3-megapixel CCD image data. Fujifilm's proprietary SuperCCD design uses octagonal pixels, as opposed to the normal square, which provides more image data than conventional designs. In other words, an octagonal pixel is worth more than a square one. The lens is a quality Fujinon 3x optical zoom.

An assortment of shooting modes, including portrait, scene, auto, manual, and others, all help to make the 6800 a versatile photo tool. The FinePix is also capable of recording up to 160 seconds of 320 x 240 video at 10 frames per second. A continuous shooting mode lets you snap up to five fps with a maximum of five photos before you need to let the camera record the image data. Additionally, depending on your memory card size, you can record from 30 to 60 minutes of audio.

The FinePix 6800 comes with a USB docking cradle that remains connected to your computer--similar to a USB card reader. The cradle allows you to easily transfer your images and recharge your battery. The 6800 also comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, 16 MB SmartMedia card, USB cable, video cable, hand strap, and assorted software.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #77130 in Camera & Photo
• Size: Medium Size
• Brand: Fuji
• Model: FP6800ZOOM
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Platforms: Windows NT 4, Macintosh, PowerMac, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Server, Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and below, Windows, Windows NT 5, Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5
• Dimensions: 3.80" h x 3.10" w x 1.40" l, .57 pounds
• Memory: 16MB
• Display size: 2

Features

• 3.3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create prints up to 11 x 14
• 3x optical plus 4.4x digital zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 16 MB SmartMedia memory card holds 16 images at default resolution
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Uses rechargeable lithium-ion battery, included; can record up to 160 seconds of video

Customer Reviews

So Much To Consider (Good & Bad)
Since most of the time people who read review want to know the bottom line, I'll write that first ... THEN I will tell how I got the conclusion.

THE BOTTOM LINE: For the price, you will not find a better camera out there - period. (As of 2/2002)
The camera boasts great pictures including great color and superb quality. Plus it has many customizable features that come in handy and can make your pictures look very professional and impressive. There are also different functions for the camera, like movie mode, web-cam mode, and audio recording that are just not options for other cameras (granted you may just want a straight camera). All this in a small package that is quite pleasing to the eye.
On the negative side, this is NOT a professional camera. This is also not a standard 35mm camera. There are some inherent drawbacks as a result of each. If you are looking for professional control of a camera, this is not for you. Features such as shutter speed control (something I would really want ... especially on this camera - explained later) are not on this camera. Also, if you are new to the digital world, you really should read as much as you can about the difference between regular and digital photographs (quality, ease in getting the picture you want, delay time, et cetera). The 6800 is a digital camera, which has inherent pluses and minuses, but a great one nonetheless.

Now ... how I got there:

POSITIVES:
- 3.3 Megapixels (MP) which can be interpolated up to what Fuji calls 6 MP. These present very detailed shots with tremendous quality in color. A picture taken in 6 MP mode can be panned, zoomed, and cropped on camera down to a 3.3 MP picture. Thus you can cut a picture and still make unbelievable 5x7 prints out them (by definition of 3.3MP photos; I personally have not needed to print out pictures from a professional yet).

- Size. It's so small. I love that it's so small. Fits in a shirt pocket, although a little too deep to not look awkward. I keep it stowed in my inside jacket pocket. You can neither see a protrusion nor feel the weight.

- Options/Modes: Movie mode, pc-cam/web-cam, audio recording, multi-shot (max of 5) in addition to presets for night shots, portraits, black and white photos, and landscapes. All very useful and actually used quite often if you are willing to play with the menu.

- Control: For the average user, there are more than enough things to tinker with, ISO level (100/200/400), white balance, focus, macro control for close ups, among many others to make shots look how you like.

- USB Connection. Nice and fast ... unless you dont have USB.

- Smart Media. I have never used Compact Media, but I don't think I ever will. Smart Media offers a lot. If you plan on printing a lot, you can specify the number of prints you want of a picture right after taking the picture so that you dont have to go through all your pictures and specify over and over again how many you want of each. The camera with smart media can also be used as another drive. There are a few other features, but over all I live smart media and much as you can prefer one removable media over another.

- 3x Optical Zoom. Very nice since the Digital zoom varies on the quality of print you are taking (no digital zoom for 6 MP pictures).

- TV out. Very fun. Nice to be able to immediately show your family pictures on their TV from the day you took the pictures.

- Two ways to connect/charge. You can charge/connect to a computer through the USB base. But if you are on the road, there is a USB port and power port right on the side of the camera. The cables from the base can be removed and brought with you for portability.

- Price. For the money, you can't get a better camera.

NEGATIVES:
- The infamous BLUR. This camera has a tendency to blur motion shots in AUTO mode. There are ways to get around it and you can always retake the picture. But for those once in a lifetime moments, it gets annoying (and is the main reason why I gave the camera a 4 as opposed to a perfect 5). It seems using the flash tells the auto shutter speed to use a faster setting (like 1/64 sec as compared to 1/4) because of the increase in light. This could be fixed by a feature which is missing in the camera ...

- No Manual Shutter Control. Yes I know most people wouldn't use it. But I'm no professional and I want the shutter control to stop that blur which is such a thorn in my side.

- Flash must be opened. If you are trying to take a quick shot, you have to remember to open the flash - it gets annoying, trust me. Flash also deteriorates the battery life and takes time to charge. During this time the LCD screen turns off for a short time ... still a peeve.

- No way to set the LCD screen as permenantly on. It must be turned on for each shot - which drains the battery.

- Zoom buttons not placed in the most convenient position. You have to train your fingers where to push if you are trying to zoom while using the viewfinder.

- Battery life is average to a little short. It seems you must charge this camera after every outing. Although this will be different for each person. I tend to constantly change settings and use flash for the best shot. This obviously drains the battery more so.

This is my humble opinion. I tend to be very anal with inspecting and analyzing things, especially electronics. So any negatives I have listed here are the ONLY ones I (and I think anyone else) could find. I researched this camera for over a month before I bought it (would have been longer but I needed it for a trip). If it had manual shutter control, it would be pretty much perfect.

Hopefully this helps you with your future purchase. Again I have to say, for it's price, you can't get a better (pocket-sized) camera.

So many Great features and Image quality is Awesome!
I just got this camera a few days Back... I have had (too many) digital cameras in past year. I am selling my nikon 990 due to the bulky size. Wow... this camera is so compact and sleek you will be thrilled with the design. I was worried about the image it would produce but.... Boy was I wrong! (think the nikon is far over rated and this beats it in every way!) The image is clear even on basic mode and it has so many options. You can set film speed, black and white mode, it has a continuos shooting mode, that takes multiple images and lets you decide what ones you want to save... It also has a self timer mode that works with multiple image.. ( I have already tried this for a family picture that worked great cause it took several images and of course the first one someones eyes were closed so... not having to reset up the shot and run back into frame was great...) It can be set up to use with studio lights... With night mode... I just really am pleased! I have also had a Kodak digital camera and a epson and neither of these even come close... The epson Produced a very nice image and had great software but... It was made quite cheap and design was poor! This camera also comes with the easy to use docking port that recharges battery (all my other cameras took AA and just loved to eat up batterys) and very easy software... Nikons software was so basic that with out photoshop you would be in trouble! This comes complete with everything you need to be on your way to awesome photos... I print on my (Now I do love my Epson printer...) Epson 1270 and am thrilled with the results.! The price may be a little more then you wanted to spend but you will be pleased with the results... You are paying for more then just a hot looking camera you will get a camera with so many features and with top quality results...

A Superb Digital Camera Package
I got bored carrying loads of photographic gear around on my holidays and was taking fewer and fewer photographs. This has all changed with the FinePix 6800.

The 6800 is a superb piece of equipment, very pretty and so easy to use. The A4 images I printed on Ilford's new Printasia glossy photofilm on my Epson 890 are extremely impressive.

My only minor criticism is that the camera is only supplied with a 16Mb smartmedia card but this was quickly remedied with the purchase of a 128Mb card.

Being able to see what you've taken almost immediately and to be able to delete and retake if necessary has brought back the joy to holiday photography. Getting large numbers of prints is also very easy - my local processor can simply download from my card and produce the prints for me. Anything special I can edit and print myself.

The "hotsynch" cradle and FinePix Viewer makes downloading images a doddle and also replenishes the camera's battery at the same time.

I cannot recommend this camera too highly - a real 5 star winner!