Fuji FinePix 4900 ZoomFujifilm extends its consumer digicam, with a 6x optical zoom lens and extensive exposure controls.<<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:DesignReview First Posted: 10/7/2000 |
Design
The Fujifilm FinePix 4900 Zoom combines the brand's trademark compact size with a larger lens, achieving a mini-version of a traditional 35 mm camera. In fact, the camera appears to mainly be all lens, with the exception of the rather compact hand grip on the side. Measuring 4.3 x 3.1 x 3.7 inches (110 x 78.5 x 98.5 mm), and weighing 14.5 ounces (410 g), the 4900 Zoom is a bit of a breakaway from previous FinePix digicam designs. While the camera itself is larger than previous versions, it still maintains a slightly compact appearance, especially considering the size of many current digicam models. Fujifilm has used nearly every inch of space on the camera body, with dozens of controls covering the camera's surface. This bounty of controls appears somewhat complicated at first glance, but quickly becomes second-nature after a quick read through the manual.
The camera front features mainly the lens barrel and the slightly thin hand grip. As we mentioned before, the 6x optical zoom lens takes up a good portion of the camera's size. The lens is encased in a sturdy metal barrel, and features a ridged focus ring at the very end of the lens for manual focusing. When the camera is turned on, the lens telescopes outward into its operating position, and likewise returns to the lens barrel when the camera is shut off. A plastic lens cap protects the front of the lens, and attaches to the camera with a small strap. The slim hand grip features a soft, rubbery coating on the front that secures your fingers to the camera body, and is echoed on the back panel with a rubbery thumb grip.
On the hand grip side of the camera is the SmartMedia slot, with side access. The slot is covered by a hinged, plastic door that snaps into place securely. Another soft, rubbery grip area covers the outside of the compartment door, with a small lip that comfortably holds your thumb to the back panel. Also on this side of the camera is an eyelet for attaching the neck strap.
The opposite side of the camera, which is mainly taken up by the side of the lens barrel, features several controls, the connector compartment, and the other eyelet for attaching the neck strap. Control-wise, the manual / auto focus switch, zoom control, exposure compensation, white balance, flash release, and Info button adorn the side of the lens. Just beyond the control buttons is the connector compartment, covered by another hinged plastic door that opens downward. The USB, A/V out, and DC In connection jacks can all be found in this compartment.
The camera's top panel features the pop-up flash, external flash hot shoe, shutter button, mode dial, power switch, and a handful of other control buttons.
A few more control buttons can be found on the camera's back panel, including a rocker toggle button that aids in navigating through settings menus. The LCD display is present in the center of the circular pattern that equates as the back of the lens barrel, and the optical viewfinder rests just above, surrounded by a soft, rubber eyepiece.
Finally, the camera features a reasonably flat bottom, holding the metal tripod mount and the battery compartment. Unfortunately, the two are much too close together to allow quick battery changes while working with a tripod. This is just a minor complaint, but something we always pay attention to with the amount of studio work we do. The battery compartment, which makes up the hand grip, features a sliding door that slides outwards and then opens to reveal the battery.
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