Fuji FinePix S1 ProA 3.5 megapixel "SuperCCD" gives superb color and amazing low-light capability in an under-$4,000 SLR digicam!<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 8/1/2000 |
Operation and User Interface
We found the user interface on the S1 exceptionally uncomplicated and straightforward, once we got used to the Function buttons and their changing uses. As we mentioned earlier, the camera's design is based on the Nikon N60, which will give existing Nikon users immediate familiarity with the control layout and the general feel of the camera. The use of the mode dial to change the exposure mode and the combination of the command wheel and control buttons make the camera very efficient and quick to operate. Plus, with the majority of the exposure options adjustable through the smaller rear panel LCD display and the associated "soft" buttons, you aren't reliant on a cumbersome LCD menu to change settings. On reflection after living with the camera for several days, we decided that the rear-panel data readout and soft buttons really made a huge difference in how easy the camera was to operate. (Other manufacturers take note, IOHO this is a great feature that is going to do a lot to make people comfortable using the S1.) Following is our standard listing of controls and their functions.
Shutter Button: Positioned on the top right side of the camera, this button is encircled by the power dial. Halfway pressing the shutter button sets focus and exposure, and a full press fires the shutter.
Power Dial: Surrounding the shutter button, this dial turns the camera on and off.
+/- Button: Located just behind the shutter button, this button adjusts the exposure compensation from -3.0 to +3.0 EV in 1/3 EV increments, in the Programmed, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual exposure modes. (In manual mode, it biases the in-viewfinder exposure display by the corresponding amount.)
Aperture Button: Directly to the right of the +/- button, pressing this button and turning the command wheel sets the lens aperture in Aperture Priority and Manual exposure modes.
Flash Button: This button sits to the right of the small LCD status display panel on top of the camera and controls the flash mode, cycling through Auto, On, Off, Anti Redeye, Anti Redeye with Slow Synchronization and Slow Synchronization.
Pop-Up Flash Release Button: Protruding slightly from the side of the pop-up flash compartment, this button releases the pop-up flash into its operating position.
Lens Release Button: Situated to the right of the lens mount (when looking at the front of the camera), this button unlocks the lens so that it can be turned and released from the mount.
Focus Mode Switch: Also located to the right of the lens mount, this switch alternates between auto and manual focus modes.
Self-Timer Button: Residing on the left side of the camera's top panel, this button activates the self-timer mode, which features a two or 10 second countdown after the shutter button has been fully pressed.
Exposure Mode Dial: Taking up most of the left side of the camera's top panel, this dial sets the camera's exposure mode, with the following choices:
- Manual: Allows the user to set both the shutter speed and aperture values, as well as control other exposure variables such as ISO and exposure compensation. Switches the camera's metering method to center-weighted.
- Aperture Priority: The user selects the desired lens aperture setting while the camera selects the most appropriate corresponding shutter speed. As with Manual exposure mode, all of the other exposure settings are available.
- Shutter Speed Priority: THE exact opposite of Aperture Priority mode, this mode lets the user choose the shutter speed while the camera decides which aperture setting to use. All other exposure controls are available.
- Programmed Auto: In this mode, the camera selects both the shutter speed and aperture settings. However, the user may select from a variety of combination shutter speed and aperture settings that will produce similar exposures. Exposure compensation adjustment is also available.
- Full Auto: The camera controls all exposure settings with the exception of the flash.
- Portrait: Uses a large aperture setting to decrease the depth of field and place more of the emphasis on the subject while slightly blurring the background.
- Landscape: Increases the camera's depth of field by selecting a small aperture setting, so that both the foreground and background are in sharp focus.
- Macro: As with Portrait mode, the camera decreases the depth of field by setting a large lens aperture, so that the macro subject is the primary focus.
- Sports: Utilizes fast shutter speeds and continuous autofocus to freeze fast moving subjects, also allows continuous shooting at up to five frames at approximately 1.5 frames per second (depending on image size and information).
- Night Scene: Slows the shutter speed down to allow more ambient light into the image, works well with the Slow Synchronization flash modes.
AE Lock Button: Positioned in the top right corner of the back panel, this button allows the user to lock the exposure on a certain area of the subject by centering the part of the subject in question, holding down the AE Lock button, then reframing the subject to the original composition. This button also changes the camera's metering system to center-weighted.
Command Wheel: Located directly to the right of the AE Lock button, this wheel sets the shutter speed when in Shutter Priority mode and Manual mode. In Aperture Priority and Manual exposure modes, turning the wheel while pressing the Aperture button sets the lens aperture.
Dioptric Adjustment Lever: Nestled on the right side of the optical viewfinder eyepiece, this sliding lever adjusts the optical viewfinder to accommodate eyeglass wearers.
Function Button: Situated on the left side of the back panel, this button cycles between the two function menus and the Preview menu in Record mode. In Playback mode, this button alternates between the Edit and Information menus.
Variable Function Buttons: Arranged horizontally between the small LCD display and the larger LCD monitor on the back panel, these buttons correspond to the function menus displayed above them and allow the user to adjust various camera settings. As noted earlier, these are one of the biggest ease-of-use features of the S1, making it trivially easy to get to a number of camera modes and functions without having to navigate a complex LCD menu system.
Play Button: Located just off the top left corner of the large LCD monitor, this button enters Playback mode and displays the most recently captured image on the LCD. A second press calls up an index thumbnail display and a third press returns the camera to Record mode.
Cancel Button: Directly to the right of the smaller rear LCD display, this button cancels menu selections and backs out of menu screens.
Rocker Toggle Button: This button sits in the center right side of the rear panel and features one arrow in each cardinal direction. In both Record and Playback setup menus, this button navigates through menu options. In Playback mode, the left and right arrow buttons scroll through captured images while the up and down arrows zoom in and out of images (up to 19x, depending on the original image size).
Menu / EXE Button: Just above the memory card slot, this button accesses the setup menu in both Record and Playback modes, and executes selected menu options.
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