Fujifilm Finepix F700

Fujifilm's Finepix F700 is a slim, smart digital camera with a 3x zoom, fast performance and one of the best movie modes offered by any still camera available. It's also the first model to feature Fujifilm's latest Fourth Generation SuperCCD SR imaging technology, which, the company claims, can capture a higher tonal range than conventional camera sensors.

Fujifilm's SuperCCD SR sensor employs two photodiodes for each pixel: the larger primary photodiode (the S-pixel) has normal sensitivity, while the smaller secondary photodiode (the R-pixel) is four-times less sensitive and therefore capable of recording detail in bright areas that would otherwise be lost. The sensor combines data from the pair to produce an image Fujifilm claims is superior to those produced by rival cameras.

Like earlier SuperCCD sensors, the new SR chip also uses octagonal-shaped pixels arranged in a honeycomb pattern. Fujifilm believes this arrangement captures greater detail than conventional sensors, thereby justifying an option to scale images within the camera. So, while the F700 may only have three million pixels on its sensor (albeit now with two photodiodes in each), it has the option to generate images with six million pixels.

The F700's metal-clad body feels great and is more pocketable than it looks; well-placed ridges on the front and back also make a surprisingly effective grip. The F700's slim lithium-ion battery recharges within the camera, and the supplied AC adaptor can either connect directly or via the cradle, which is also included in the package.

The F700 has a 3x optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent range of 35-105mm and a focal ratio of f2.8-4.9. The closest focusing distance in macro mode is an average 9cm, capturing 76mm across the frame. Power-up is very fast, with the lens out and ready for action in less than 1.5 seconds. The optics retract equally fast and are protected by an automatic sliding lens cover.

Images can be composed with an optical viewfinder or the larger than average 1.8in screen, which performs better than most in direct sunlight. Like other Fujifilm cameras, a 3 x 3 grid can be optionally overlayed on the screen to aid composition, and the user interface is clear and easy to use.

The main dial offers Auto, Program, Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, along with four scene presets (via a screen menu) and a wonderful movie mode that delivers 640 x 480 video at 30fps (frames per second) with mono sound. This frame rate is double that of competitors and the quality looks much better, although it's still well below that of a camcorder. You'll also only get 13 seconds in 16MB. Shutter speeds range from 1/2,000 to just three seconds, which is disappointing for long exposure fans. Sensitivity ranges from 160 to 1,600 ISO, although at 1,600 you're forced to use 1megapixel resolution.

The F700 offers four resolutions, but no option to vary the jpeg compression level. However, there is a 14bit Raw mode and supplied software to later process the files on your PC. The F700's native resolution is 3megapixels, delivering 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, while its 6megapixel mode generates files with 2,832 x 2,128 pixels. The camera uses XD memory and is supplied with a 16MB card onto which you'll squeeze around 19 photos using the 3megapixel mode or 10 photos using the 6megapixel mode.

In our tests, the F700's images captured a greater tonal range than cameras with conventional sensors. Taking identical compositions with the F700 and Sony DSC-V1 (reviewed on page 71) revealed additional shades in overcast skies on the former, and wider histograms in Photoshop. The difference was slight, though. In terms of resolution, the F700's 6megapixel mode captured more than 4megapixels worth of detail, which, while impressive for a 3megapixel sensor, was below that of genuine 5megapixel models.

The only big problem with the F700 is its price. At £499, it's only £50 less than Sony's V1, which boasts genuine 5megapixel resolution, double the memory and a longer 4x zoom. Ultimately, this is a lovely camera to use and sports a slightly improved tonal range, but £499 simply puts it against more capable competitors.

Contact: Fujifilm 020 7586 1477
www.fujifilm.co.uk/di

Specifications:

• 3megapixels max res, 2,832 x 2,128 recorded pixels, 4:3 aspect ratio
• Optical & digital zoom: 3x, digital zoom only at lower recording resolutions
• Focal length (35mm equiv): 35-105mm
• Flash modes: on, off, red-eye, slow-synchro
• 1.8in LCD
• 16MB x D
• 108 x 54 x 28cm (w x d x h)
• 190g with battery
• USB 1.1
• One-year warranty