Product Description

Boasting a new 3rd generation Super CCD sensor (3.1 million effective pixels) and advanced LSI algorithm delivering a richly detailed, noise-free 6.0 million recorded pixels with superb color, the FinePix F601 Zoom is no ordinary compact digital camera. A wealth of new features including true photographic control, amazing movie capabilities and an all-new full color graphical user interface make the FinePix F601 Zoom the perfect camera for anyone wanting style without compromising features or full photographic control that can be slipped into a pocket. The included PictureCradle USB dock automatically recharges the long life lithium ion battery and transfers images to the PC.The FinePix F601 Zoom makes taking pictures easier than ever thanks to the newly designed user interface. With friendly, full color graphics and a simple menu system the powerful new features of the camera are easy for even the less experienced photographer to master. The supplied PictureCradle provides a simple desktop docking system offering automatic transfer of images to your computer (via a USB connection) as well as charging the long life Lithium-ion battery. Despite the wealth of features, high resolution and high performance optical zoom the FinePix F601 Zoom is a remarkably compact camera. The sleek stylish casing measures only 2.8 x 3.7 x 1.3 inches and - at just 220g - the FinePix F601 Zoom can be easily slipped into your pocket ready for shooting in any situation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64015 in Camera & Photo
• Size: Pocket Size
• Brand: Fuji
• Model: FP-F601
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Platforms: Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows Me, PowerMac, Windows NT 5, Windows, Mac OS 9 and below, Mac OS X, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Macintosh, Windows NT
• Dimensions: 3.70" h x 2.80" w x 1.30" l, .49 pounds
• Memory: 16MB
• Display size: 1.5

Features

• 3-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints at 8 x 10 inches and beyond; software interpolation increases resolution to 6 megapixels
• 3x optical plus 4.4x digital (13.2x total) zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 16 MB Smartmedia card holds 12 images at default resolution
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Uses rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included)

Amazon.com Review
Fuji's F601 is the follow-up to the popular F6800 and has a wealth of options for avid digital camera users. Based around a vertical orientation instead of the usual horizontal one it will at first be unfamiliar territory for those used to a 35mm camera, but once you've put aside your differences the images that the F601 produce are very good.

Fuji cameras, like Kodak's EasyShare range sits in a docking unit, making wires dangling around the desk a thing of the past. This is a nice addition for the new comer keen to make the transfer of files to the PC as easy as possible.

Working on the 3rd Generation Super CCD that FujiFilm is renowned for, the 3.1 million pixels can be boosted up to a whooping 6 mega pixel result. Running from the 3x optical zoom lens that has an aperture of f2.8 - f8 the camera can achieve a 36 - 108mm equivalent focal length on a 35mm camera. On top of this, the F601 also offers a macro mode and 4.4x digital zoom to boot.

Manual settings offer control of everything. The most impressive being the ability to set the ISO setting to 1600 making this an ideal camera for speed or night work. Combine that with the option to capture 40 frames a second and you've got a great camera for sporting events. Other options to keep you entertained include five pre-programmed shooting modes, five flash modes and six white balance settings.

Image quality overall is very good. The camera copes well in both night and daylight settings. The macro mode gets you close but not that close, which can be a bit of a set back if you are looking for this function, but then with a macro mode of 20cm this camera never professes that it is one of its strong points. Colors are well covered and detail strong without too much noise - even when we shot with the 1600 ISO setting. --Jason Denwood, Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com Product Description
Replacing the FinePix 6800, the FinePix F601 uses Fuji's third-generation 3.1-megapixel Super CCD sensor, which can produce a maximum image file size of 6 megapixels through interpolation. It also features a 3x optical zoom, 4.4x digital zoom, movie mode, and voice annotation function.

Optics and Resolution
With its 3.1-megapixel Super CCD (interpolated up to 6 megapixels), the FinePix F601 delivers resolutions up to 2,832 x 2,128 pixels for colorful prints to 11-by-14 inches and beyond. Combined with Fuji's proprietary image-processing method--Pixel Data Coupling--and new noise-reduction technology, the new Super CCD enables the FinePix F601 to deliver a wider range of ISO sensitivities with a minimal increase in CCD "noise."

The FinePix F601 also features a Super EBC Fujinon 3x optical aspherical zoom lens (with up to a 4.4x digital zoom option) that allows for more detailed close-ups.

Fuji's Super CCD
Instead of conventional CCDs with square photodiodes and pixel arrangements, Fuji's Super CCD has octagonal-shaped photodiodes and pixels situated on 45-degree angles. This "honeycomb" pattern increases sensitivity, allowing pixels to be efficiently packed at maximum density. The area of the photodiode in a half-inch Super CCD with 2 million pixels is about 1.6 times as large as the area offered in the conventional CCD with the same number of pixels. The Super CCD improves overall signal-to-noise ratio and offers a much wider dynamic range.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the FinePix F601 produces color digital videos in multiple creative formats, including QVGA (320 x 240, 66 seconds) and VGA (640 x 480, 27 seconds)--both at 15 frames per second and with sound.

The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on SmartMedia memory cards. The included 16 MB card holds approximately 6 images at the highest 6-megapixel setting (fine setting--2,832 x 2,128 pixels) or 26 images at the typical 3-megapixel setting (normal setting--2,048 x 1,536 pixels).

To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera--your computer should automatically recognize the camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive.

Power
The camera is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is charged by the included AC adapter.

Size
At 2.8 by 3.7 by 1.3 inches and 7.8 ounces, the FinePix F601 is a powerful camera that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.

More Features

• Shutter speeds range from 3 to 1/2,000 seconds with adjustable ISO sensitivity of 160/200/400, including a high-sensitivity 1-megapixel (1,280 x 960) mode at ISO 800/1600.
• Continuous shooting modes at 1 megapixel (maximum 1.8 frames/sec up to 40 images at 1,280 x 960)
• Voice-memo function records up to 30 seconds of audio with each picture

Contents and Recommended Accessories
This package contains the FinePix F601 digital camera, 16MB SmartMedia card, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, AC adapter-battery charger, wrist strap, USB cable, printed manual, and CD-ROM featuring FinePixViewer software and drivers.

We recommend a higher-capacity SmartMedia card. Also, the F601 cradle enables you to effortlessly charge the battery and transfer photos while the camera comfortably rests on your desktop.

Customer Reviews

Great wonder in a small package
I have been researching digital photography technology for quiet some time now and was waiting for very high resolution cameras to become more mainstream before I made the transition from a Canon EOS Elan IIe SLR. I realized over time that very high resolution cameras take up too much memory, and time to write and frankly unless you go for prints that are over 10 x 14 you do not need it. If you go for prints over 10 x 14 you also need a wide format printer(most printers don't have that sort of capability) or sending them out which costs. So you must truly assess what size you will be printing most. What sold me on this camera: a. very good to excellent resolution and color saturation particularly outdoors even for larger prints b. size (it is incredible I carry it with me everywhere while that was not the case with my other camera) c. takes full VGA movie clips (with great sound) lack of zooming is not a problem you hardly need it (go for a full video camera if you need extensive control of video) d. voice notes (I have not used it but is is nice to know it is there) e. ease of use and most importantly fuji has imporved the algorithm for light processing and it seems if you compare photos taken by the FUJI 6800 versus the Finepix F601 the photos have light much better balanced while the FUJI 6800 photos look conistently a bit dark. Features that dissapoint: like every other camera the 16MB card only holds 5 full resolution pics so you must buy a larger card (I bought a 128mb one for [money]), the cradle which acts as a recharger, syncing (to upload the photos to the computer) and to play the video on TV is extra unlike previous models. Of course this is a point and shoot camera so don't expect to find any external flash syncing capability but you will find that you don't need it most of the time unless you are shooting professionally. Finally I used to hate point and shoot cameras but one must understand that the technology in the digital cameras goes far beyond the capability and control of 35mm film point and shoot cameras. This camera keeps me content with numerous adjustments from shutter speed, to aperture to EV so although it comes in a small package it does not compromise on picture taking fine tuning.

An excellent camera for the amateur or pro
As a media teacher in a prep school, I've handled many digital and 35mm cameras in my day, but after only a week with this one, the others have gone into storage. This camera takes excellent, print-quality 8x10 pictures with a minuimum of fuss in automatic setting, toggles easily and intuitively between picture taking and archived picture viewing, and interfaces cleanly with my PC laptop without the extra-cost Fuji 601 cradle. 4x zoom is clear, and defaults of either 1 or 3 megapixel fine-quality pictures easily rival true analog photography for clarity and color.

I don't recommend using the 6-megapixel "dithered" settings, as the color and pixel dithering is visible at standard photo sizes. I HIGHLY recommend getting a 128M storage card, though; you can only store 5 3 megapixel fine-quality images on the 16meg card that comes with the camera.

Settings are easily changed and accessed, and include grids and focus variations for assistance with framing the best shot. More advanced manual features are conparatively thorough. Accompanying software is easy to install and integrates well with the PC operating system without interfering with default user settings (as so often can be the case!). Images are stored in easy-to-use jpeg format.

A vertical camera where most traditional models are longer-than-wide, its physical design takes a few seconds to get used to, but once one overcomes the tendency to block lens and/or flash sensor, holding the camera becomes is a light, comfortable, and ergonomically sound experience. The battery lasts a long time (about 150 pix) but takes up little space or weight.

The camera does take limited video, but this isn't designed to be a video camera or even much of a hybrid -- it saves in .avi, which is useful, but can't store more than a few minutes even on the 128meg card. As an added bonus, though, audio functions abound. The traditional voice-recorded .wav funtion seems both useful and something I will actually USE; even better, the 601 has a very cool setting which allows you to append a 30 second voice "tag" to every picture you take, making the old-school photographers logbook a thing of the past, and allowing you to archive data about one shot while framing the next.

A gift from family on the eve of our first child's arrival, the F601 leads the pack, leaving me confident that we won't miss a shot in crowded and possible darkened birthing-room conditions. What better recommendation could one want?

Big features in a small package
I started with a Fujifilm MX-700 four years ago as my first digital camera, and I waited until now to upgrade to the F601, which is essentially the 4th generation version of the MX-700. It has the same stylish (even better looking and a bit smaller) aluminum housing, and the features are now an order of magnitude better. The F601 image processing is fast--only about 2-3 seconds between pictures (even at hi-res), and the image quality is excellent. I figured out the camera controls in about 5 minutes without reading the manual at all--they are very intuitive. The full-VGA 15 frame-per-second video capture mode is also great for mini-movies, and you are only limited by the size of your smart card on the movie length. Many other cameras only do quarter-VGA (QVGA) videos with a 30-second limit. Plus, like the other reviewer said, the F601 fits inconspicuously into a front pants pocket, so you can take it anywhere. Caveats: I don't like that the file numbering resets to zero each time you clear the smart card. That makes it difficult to download all of your pictures to the same file folder. Even my MX-700 had an option not to reset the file numbering, so I'm not sure what the Fujifilm engineers were thinking. Also, you have to learn how to hold the camera, because it is easy to block the microphone or the flash or the exposure meter with a finger. Finally, you'll want to fork over the money for an extra battery and a 128 MB smartcard. But those are small quibbles. This is a great camera for beginners and experts alike. I love mine.