Simple Technology Choices - Digital Cameras - Fujifilm FinePix F650 Review

The Fujifilm FinePix F650

Ease of Use:Overall Rating:

Reviewed by Jamie Lendino 9/6/06

The F650 is a great deal on a camera; we’ve seen this model for sale below $250 at the time of this writing, which is a good price for a 6-megapixel camera with a 5x optical zoom. The F650 strikes a good balance between size, weight, and thickness. It’s not particularly svelte like the Canon SD550 Digital Elph, but the extra room makes for a clean user interface with crisply labeled buttons and an uncluttered look. Its lack of an optical viewfinder can be a major issue for some users, though many people have gotten used to just framing photos with the LCD by this point.

And what an LCD it is. The 3-inch screen on the F650 is larger than some portable video players like the new iPod. We’d consider watching TV on this thing. In addition, the F650 also has what appears to be the fastest processor of the cameras we tested so far. We could take multiple pictures at a rapid clip (fast recycle and shutter lag times), and the animation through the huge LCD viewfinder was butter smooth.

The menu system, like on the Canon models reviewed, is split up into two separate groups. To us this is frustrating, because you constantly have to think about which menu the function you want is in before you press one of the buttons and begin searching. If it turns out you were wrong, you have to exit that menu, and start over again with the other menu.

Photo quality was generally very good, and a cut above lower priced cameras as you’d expect. Some of our outdoor detail shots were a little soft, and one of them showed pixilation in faraway brick buildings. Indoor photos turned out particularly well, and the flash shot wasn’t overbearing, even when reflected in our bookcase’s shiny back panel. Please note that this example photo has been compressed for the web site and does not show the full quality.

Recorded videos were well lit and had surprisingly good sound; the F650 has a sensitive mic built into its housing. However, the F650’s videos suffer from the same graininess that plagued the A500, though the F650 records at a much smoother rate of 30 fps. Overall, the F650 is a solid choice. We were modestly dismayed by the menu system, particularly since Fujifilm’s own A500 is easier to use, though its photo performance and large LCD make up for it.

Pros: very fast boot and recycle time, huge LCD screen, good value
Cons: No optical viewfinder , disappointing recorded video, unnecessary dual menu system

Details:

Price: $349
Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches
Weight: 6.0 ounces (without battery)
Sensor resolution: 6.0 megapixels
Movie Recording: 640x480 at 30 fps
Optical Zoom: 5x
Screen Size: 3.0 inches
Internal Memory: 32MB
Card slot: xD

Ease of Use Rating: 3 stars
Overall Rating: 3.5 stars