5.1 Megapixel, 3x Optical Zoom, Compact, Video Capability Included, 2.5 in. LCD Panel, Built-in, xD Picture Card, Built-In Flash

Reviews

Fujifilm FinePix Z3 digital camera review

Design

There’s a real sturdy feel about the Z3 series.  To start with it comes in aluminum casing which makes it look as tough as a tank. But luckily the slender physic and crisp clean edges gives it a much more attractive look and feel. Available in silver, baby blue and girlie pink the Z3 measures 9cm x 5.5cm x cm and weighs a pocket friendly 150g.  The Finepix Z3 digital camera has a lovely sliding lens at the front which also switches on the camera and also comes with a flash on the front of the Z3.  At the top of the camera you’ll find a shutter release button and a sliding switch that changes from still photos to movie mode as well as a small microphone.  At the back of the digital camera is where you’ll find everything else.  There’s a 2.5 inch LCD with 230,000 pixels minus a viewfinder.  At the top you’ll find the zoom controller, just below this are three traffic-lightesque lights which flash green when the autofocus is locked in, orange when the flash is charging and red for battery charging.  Then below this you’ll find the five-way controller for all the functions such as mode, playback etc, and then finally just below that you’ll there’s the antishake button and display button.  Then tucked away at the bottom of the camera is the USB port, batter and XD card slot.

Setup/Installation

Nothing to it, simply switch the camera on, charge it up, once charged slide open the front and start taking pictures.

Features

There’s plenty to spoil you with on this 5.1MP CCD Finepix digital camera. Being a flat, compact camera the 3x zoom 38-108mm doesn’t protrude out so there’s less chance of knocking it.  The Fujifilm Z3 comes with Fuji’s Real Photo Processor II reduces noise and enhances colour reproduction.  There’s an Intelligent Flash giving high sensitivity and natural skin tones meaning no more washed out faces.  The picture stabilization which seems to be a standard is great because it means that there is no blurring of images even when your hand is shaking. With 14 pre programmed scenes you’ll have no problems in finding the right mode for you whether it’s in natural light or using the flash including portrait, landscape, sport, night, fireworks, sunset, snow, beach, museum, party, flower and text should cover most bases.  One thing that’s lovely about the Z3 series is the high sensitivity – it goes up to ISO1600 and down to 64.  There’s also a Dual-shooting mode where you can take two consecutive photos one with and one without the flash so you can decide which is the best and pick it and there’s also a continuous shooting mode for sporty photos.  You can record VGA movies at 30 fps straight on to the 10MB internal memory or on to your XD card.  Oh and it’s got PictBridge compatibility so you can link direct to your printer.

Performance

For the price this really is a lovely pink camera.  The Fujifilm Finepix Z3 has everything you could want from a compact camera.  The fact that it’s only 5MP doesn’t effect the quality of image and the pictures produced are of a high quality.  The camera has an impressive start time and only takes 0.5 seconds to leap into action which is handy for that moment someone drops their cake on the floor and you want to turn your camera on to capture it.  There was little in the way of noise unless you had the ISO whacked up to full velocity.  And the high ISO was something special if you like shooting photos in the evening.  Even though there is a flash it is handy to be able to play around with ISO levels to get the perfect evening image.  The brightness and skin tones were of a respectable standard thanks to the Fujifilm technology.  And the Finepix Z3 had a lovely anti-shake which even when jumping up and down seemed to lock into the subject, focus and take sharp pictures.  While the camera doesn’t come with a view finder it does have a very good screen that works well even in direct sunlight.

Overall Opinion

While the Fujifilm Finepix Z3 itself isn’t anything special to look at and it only comes with 5 megapixels it still manages to capture those special moments with clarity, crispness and accuracy.  It’s small, compact comes with some decent features and doesn’t cost much.  This is a good buy.

Pros	Cons
Solid casing Easy to use Anti-shake Intelligent flash Works well in low light	Only 5MP

Reviewed by on 1:46pm Mon 23rd Oct 2006

Factor	Rating
Ease of Use	3/5
Durability	3/5
Style	3/5
Service & Support	3/5
Value for Money	3/5
Recommend	1/5
Overall	3/5

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