Fuji FinePix 2800 ZoomTwo megapixels, a 6x zoom lens, great pictures, and a bargain price: Another great "value leader" from Fuji!<<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, SoftwareReview First Posted: 02/06/2002 |
Video Out
The 2800 Zoom does not offer a Video Out jack.
Power
For power, the 2800 Zoom utilizes four AA batteries, and comes with a set of
alkaline batteries. I highly recommend picking up a couple of sets of NiMH rechargeable
batteries and a battery charger, and keeping a set freshly charged. (Get high-power
NiMH cells, like the Maha PowerEx1700 mAh ones.) An AC adapter is available
as a separate accessory, useful during image playback and downloading, and essential
if you plan to use the camera as a "web cam." Fuji estimates that
a fully charged set of NiMH batteries should provide about 270 frames with the
LCD monitor on, and about 350 frames with LCD monitor switched off. This seems
reasonable, based on my own measurements.
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(@5v) |
(1600 mAh AAs) |
| Capture Mode, w/LCD |
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| Capture Mode, no LCD |
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| Half-pressed shutter w/LCD |
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| Half-pressed w/o LCD |
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| Flash Recharge (transient) |
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| Image Playback |
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Although I still recommend a good charger and two sets of batteries to pack along with you, battery life on the FinePix 2800 Zoom is really pretty good. In its worst-case power drain mode (capture mode, rear-panel LCD in use, a set of 1600 mAh NiMH cells should last almost 3 hours. Using the rear-panel LCD, you should be able to get upwards of four hours of use. Continuous image playback time is a bit over 3 hours as well.
About
Batteries
I've gotten so many emails about power issues for digicams, that I'm now inserting this standard notice in the reviews of all AA-powered cameras on our site: Don't even *think* about using alkaline AA batteries in a digicam! Despite their being packed in the box with many cameras, they simply don't have the juice to handle typical digicam demands. (Even the "high power" ones the battery manufacturers say are designed for devices like digital cameras.) Spend the $35-40 or so it takes to get a set (or two) of high-capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries and a good charger! The few dollars up front will save you literally hundreds of dollars in the long run, not to mention the hassle of wimpy batteries running out in the middle of the action. We suggest you buy two sets of batteries, so one can always be in the charger, ready to go, and so have two sets available for longer excursions. Good brands of batteries include Maha (my favorite), Rayovac, GP, and Kodak. Also, buy the highest capacity AAs the manufacturer makes, the few extra dollars for the extra capacity is usually well worth it. Getting a good charger is critical though, almost more so than buying good batteries. I recommend the Maha C-204F (see the photo at right), the charger we use the most in our own studio. - Read my review of it for all the details. Or, just click here to buy one, you won't regret it.
Included Software
Both a USB cable and software CD accompany the 2800 Zoom, allowing for quick connection to a PC or Macintosh. The CD is loaded with FinePix Viewer, Exif Launcher, and VideoImpression, as well as USB drivers and Apple QuickTime. FinePix Viewer displays thumbnail lists of images stored on the computer and allows you to organize them into groups. You can also print images and perform minor corrections. Exif Launcher is the utility that launches FinePix Viewer whenever the camera is connected to the computer. Included with FinePix Viewer (on Windows machines only) is PictureHello, which allows you to use the 2800 Zoom as a videoconferencing tool. The PC Cam USB mode on the camera lets the camera be controlled through the computer, like a webcam. For processing movies, VideoImpression provides minor editing utilities, allowing you to delete frames or add music to your captured movies.
In the Box
Packaged with the 2800 Zoom are the following items:
- 16MB SmartMedia card
- Neck strap
- Lens cap with strap
- Four AA alkaline
- USB cable
- Software CD
- Instruction guide and registration card
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