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Fujifilm FinePix 2300 Fuji updates their "value priced" entry-level camera with 2 megapixels and USB connectivity. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet FinePix 2300 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 2300 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Viewfinder :(Previous) | (Next): Exposure & Flash>> Page 5:Optics Review First Posted: 07/2/2001

Optics
The FinePix 2300's fixed focal length lens measures 5.8mm, the equivalent of a 36mm (wide-angle) lens on a 35mm camera. Aperture is automatically controlled at all times, with two available settings: f/4.8 and f/11. A switch on the left side of the camera controls the focus mode, setting the focal range to Normal or Macro. Fujifilm reports that the focus ranges are from 2.6 feet (80 cm) to infinity in normal mode, and from 3.1 to 5.9 inches (8 to 15 cm) in Macro mode. (Readers will note that these measurements leave a huge gap between 5.9 inches and 2.6 feet. Our tests indicated that Macro mode actually worked up to 12 inches and Normal focus began to take over at about 24 inches, so there was a one-foot gap between those areas where focus was soft. The FinePix 2300 isn't alone in having a macro-focus "gap" of this sort (the Kodak DC215 comes to mind also), but we much prefer to see continuous focusing ranges. Our concern is that a split focusing range such as this may be confusing to consumers.)

Though the FinePix 2300 does not feature true optical zoom, it does offer a "digital zoom" as high as 2.5x. Digital zoom is only available with the 1,280 x 960- and 640 x 480-pixel resolution sizes (as much as 2.5x at 640 x 480 pixels, and as high as 1.3x at 1,280 x 960 pixels). The up and down arrows of the four-way Arrow Rocker Pad control the digital zoom. Keep in mind that because digital zoom is simply enlarging the center portion of the CCD image, overall image quality is compromised, usually in the form of lower resolution or excess image noise. The FinePix 2300's digital zoom does a fairly good job of holding detail, though we did notice a substantial increase in image noise in our test shots.

In our testing, the FinePix 2300's lens seemed to be of pretty good quality. The lower righthand corners of our images were a bit soft, but all forms of lens distortion were quite low.