Fuji FinePix 4900 ZoomFujifilm extends its consumer digicam, with a 6x optical zoom lens and extensive exposure controls.<<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:ViewfinderReview First Posted: 10/7/2000 |
ViewfinderThe 4900 Zoom offers an LCD monitor and an electronic optical viewfinder for image composition. This basically means that the image display in the optical viewfinder is simply a smaller version of the LCD screen, complete with the same information readouts and menu screens. A soft, rubbery eyepiece surrounds the optical viewfinder, and also serves to block out excess light for a clearer view of the 0.55 inch display.
A larger, two inch LCD monitor on the back panel features a low temperature, polysilicon, TFT design with 130,000 pixels. A button to the right of the optical viewfinder eyepiece (labeled "EVF / LCD") toggles back and forth between the optical viewfinder display and the LCD monitor display, so that either one is in use at all times. The Display button at the top right corner of the LCD monitor controls the information display and framing guidelines that appear over the image. Pressed once, the button pulls up the text information display, which reports the mode setting, number of captured images, exposure settings, and a central autofocus target mark. Pressing the Display button a second time activates a framing guideline, which divides the image into thirds horizontally and vertically, to help line up shots. The third press of the Display button cancels both displays. We were glad to see that the camera reports the aperture and shutter speed settings, even in Program mode, since we always like to know what the exposure variables are. Another helpful feature on the 4900 Zoom is the Info button, which is on the side of the lens. Pressing this button displays a quick reference screen that reports all of the exposure settings, such as white balance, exposure compensation, etc., for as long as the button is held down. This is extremely helpful, especially when you can't remember which settings you've already set.
In Playback mode, the LCD monitor offers a playback zoom, for inspecting captured images up close. Once enlarged, the arrow keys on the rocker toggle button scroll around within the image. Many cameras these days offer a playback zoom option, but the FinePix 4900's goes way beyond most we've seen: It appears to zoom all the way in to a 1:1 ratio between image pixels and LCD display pixels. Particularly in the highest-resolution capture mode, this is an incredible magnification factor, letting you discern the finest details and subtle nuances of focus. Very handy! At the other end of scale, a Multi-Frame Playback option displays up to nine thumbnail images on the screen at a time, great for selecting images for single-frame erasing, protecting, or resizing.
Follow Imaging Resource: