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Fuji FinePix S602 Zoom Fuji's latest electronic SLR offers improved image quality, fast response, high ISOs, and 30 fps movies at full VGA resolution! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet FinePix S602 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on FinePix S602 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 4/18/2002

Image Storage and Interface
The FinePix S602 Zoom is relatively unique in that it features a dual-media slot that accepts SmartMedia memory cards as well as CompactFlash Type I and II memory cards (includes the IBM Microdrive). The camera comes with a 16MB SmartMedia card, which won't hold very many high resolution images. Given the S602 Zoom's large maximum file size, I highly recommend buying several large memory cards, or possibly an IBM Microdrive.

As detailed in my timing tests above, you'll want to pay attention to the speed of the card you're buying: In order to take maximum advantage of the 602's remarkable video capabilities, you'll need either a very fast CompactFlash card (I'd guess "16x" or better), a 128 MB SmartMedia card, or an IBM Microdrive. - Of the three options, the Microdrive will be the best choice if you plan on much motion capture, as it's the only one with both the data throughput and capacity to keep up with the S602's 30fps VGA video. (As noted, movie files take up a *lot* of space: A 128 MB card will give you about 112 seconds of VGA video, or 222 seconds of QVGA.)

It bears saying again: NOTE: If you want to be able to record continuous high-resolution movies, be sure to get either a large SmartMedia card, a very high-speed CF card, or an IBM Microdrive.

The LCD display reports the number of available images at the current resolution/quality setting, so you always have an idea of the remaining image capacity. The table below shows the number of images of each size that can be stored on an average 64MB memory card, and the approximate level of JPEG compression used for each. (Note that this is NOT the size card shipped with the unit, but rather a typical and fairly useful size many owners may end up using. - Divide the image capacities shown by four, and you'll see why I say you really have to plan on buying an extra card or cards with the camera: The included 16 MB card really isn't very useful with files this large.)

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality 64MB Memory Card		Hi	Fine	Normal	Basic
Full Resolution 2,382 x 2,128	Images (Avg size)	3 18 MB	26 2.4 MB	56 1.2 MB	137 460 KB
	Approx. Compression	1:1	7.5:1	15:1	39:1
High Resolution 2,048 x 1,536	Images (Avg size)	N/A	50 1.3 MB	107 590 KB	N/A
	Approx. Compression	N/A	7:1	16:1	N/A
Standard Resolution 1,280 x 960	Images (Avg size)	N/A	101 620 KB	198 320 KB	N/A
	Approx. Compression	N/A	6:1	11.5:1	N/A
Low Resolution 640 x 480	Images (Avg size)	N/A	N/A	497 130 KB	N/A
	Approx. Compression	N/A	N/A	28:1	N/A

As you would expect, the memory card should never be removed while the camera is in operation to avoid damaging the media. A flashing orange and green LED lamp next to the memory card compartment lights when the camera is accessing the card.

The S602 Zoom doesn't offer any write-protection for individual images, so you'll want to be careful when deleting files. You can write-protect entire SmartMedia cards, however, via a small write protection sticker that comes with the card, but it's frankly a rather "iffy" sort of thing. If the surface of the sticker gets dirty, it could fail to protect the card against being overwritten. CompactFlash cards cannot be locked or protected at all however. The Erase menu option under the Playback menu lets you erase individual or all images while in Playback mode, as well as format memory cards.

A USB cable and software CD accompany the camera, for connection to a computer. Like many USB-equipped cameras these days, the S602 is a "storage class" USB device, meaning that it will show up on the desktop of Mac OS 8.6 and higher machines, as well as those of Windows Me, XP, and 2000 computers, without having to load driver software. This is a really handy feature, since it makes it a lot easier to connect the camera to computers other than your own, without having to worry about special driver software, etc. Connected to my 500 MHz G4 Mac, the S602 transferred image files at a rate of 435 KBytes/second. This is fairly fast, but a bit slower than the fastest USB cameras I've tested, which clock in at 600 KB/sec or higher.

Thanks to its SuperCCD technology, the S602 Zoom can also function as a "webcam," streaming video imagery over the USB connection to a host running the appropriate software. Personally, I'm not sure that I'd buy a high-end digital still camera to use as a webcam, but I guess having the capability there if you want it is a nice feature.

Lost Images? - Download this image-recovery program so you'll have it when you need it...
Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...