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The Imaging Resource
Quick Review
Fuji FinePix 2650 Digital Camera
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Camera
QuickLook |
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Review Date |
01/29/03 |
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User Level |
Novice to experienced amateur |
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Product Uses |
Family / Travel / Special Events |
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Digicam Design |
Point and Shoot |
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Picture Quality |
Good, 2.0-megapixel
CCD |
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Availability |
Now |
Introduction
Well-known among professional photographers and consumers
alike for great color, Fuji has also made great strides with their line of
FinePix digital cameras. Refusing to compromise quality for portability, Fuji
consistently produces compact, travel-worthy digicams that take great pictures
and have a no-hassle user interface. Though the FinePix 2650 isn't the most
compact model in the line, it still retains small dimensions and light weight,
and upholds Fuji's well-earned reputation for color quality. The 2.0-megapixel
CCD is perfect for snapshots and slightly larger prints, and the camera's
point-and-shoot simplicity will appeal to a wide audience of consumers. The
2650 updates the previous 2600 model with xD-Picture Card memory storage,
but in all other aspects, the two cameras are nearly identical.
Camera Overview
Expanding Fuji's ever-growing line of consumer-friendly, point-and-shoot digicams is the FinePix 2650. Though not the smallest member of the FinePix family, the 2650 is fairly compact at 4.0 x 2.6 x 2.0 inches (100 x 65 x 52 millimeters). Its slightly thick, all-plastic body won't fit into small shirt pockets, but the 2650 should be at home in larger coat pockets and most average-size purses. A 2.0-megapixel CCD offers good resolution, suitable for printing images as large as 5x7 inches, and its fully automatic exposure control keeps things simple. Loaded with batteries and memory card, the 2650 weighs about 8.5 ounces (240 grams), which is reasonably light. With the lens retracted, and the sliding cover closed, the 2650's front panel is mostly flat, so you can stash it in a pocket or purse quickly. Though the camera comes with a small wrist strap, I'd recommend picking up a small camera case for protection on long trips.
Equipped with a Fujinon 3x zoom, 6-18mm lens (the equivalent of a 38-114mm zoom on a 35mm camera), the 2650 offers an automatically-controlled aperture range from f/3.5 to f/8.7 (with maximum and minimum values dependent on the lens' zoom position). Focus ranges from 2.6 feet (80 centimeters) to infinity in normal mode, with a Macro setting ranging from 3.9 inches to 2.6 feet (10 to 80 centimeters). In addition to the 2650's 3x optical zoom, the camera also offers up to 2.5x digital zoom. (Maximum digital enlargement depends on the image resolution.) I always remind readers that digital zoom decreases the overall image quality, since it only enlarges the center pixels of the CCD image. The 2650 has both a real-image optical viewfinder and a 1.5-inch color LCD monitor for framing shots. A limited information display reports camera settings on the LCD monitor, and a framing guideline option displays an alignment grid. The grid divides the image area into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, making it easier to line up tricky subjects.
Exposure control is fully automatic, despite the 2650's offerings of Auto and Manual exposure modes. The Manual setting simply expands the Record menu to include Exposure Compensation and White Balance options. Shutter speeds range from 1/1,000 to 1/2 second, but the 2650's LCD display doesn't report it or the lens aperture. To determine the best exposure, the 2650 employs a TTL (through-the-lens) 64-zone metering system, which averages readings taken throughout the frame for the best overall exposure. Through the camera's Record menu, you can increase or decrease exposure from -2.1 to +1.5 in one-third-step increments. White balance options include an Auto setting, as well as Outdoors, Shade, Daylight Fluorescent, Warm White Fluorescent, Cool White Fluorescent, and Incandescent presets. Though it's not adjustable, the 2650's sensitivity is equivalent to ISO 100, which limits the camera's low-light shooting capabilities.
The 2650's built-in flash is effective from 0.6 to 9.8 feet (0.2 to 3.0 meters) depending on the zoom position, and operates in Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Forced, Suppressed, or Slow-Synchro modes. A Self-Timer mode provides a 10-second delay between a full press of the Shutter button and the time that the shutter actually opens, helpful in self-portraits or group photos. The 2650 also features a Movie mode, which captures movies without sound. Two resolutions are available (320 x 240 and 160 x 120 pixels). Maximum recording times vary, depending on the resolution and amount of available memory space, with a maximum of 20 seconds for 320 x 240-pixel movies, and a maximum of 80 seconds for the 160 x 120-pixel size.
The 2650 stores images on xD-Picture Cards, and comes with a 16MB starter card. Though the 16MB card will hold 25 full-sized images, I advise picking up a larger capacity card right away, for uninterrupted shooting (the 128MB card holds as many as 204 full-size files). The 2650 uses two AA-type batteries for power, either alkaline or NiMH, and an optional AC adapter is available. A set of single-use AA alkaline batteries comes with the camera, but I strongly recommend purchasing a couple of sets of high-capacity NiMH batteries and a good charger, and keeping a spare set of batteries charged at all times.
Basic Features
- 2.0-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as high as 1,600 x 1,200 pixels.
- Real-image optical viewfinder.
- 1.5-inch color LCD monitor.
- Fujinon 3x, 6-18mm lens, (equivalent to a 38-114mm lens on a 35mm camera).
- 2.5x digital zoom.
- Automatic exposure control.
- Adjustable white balance with seven settings.
- Sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100.
- Aperture range from f/3.5 to f/8.7.
- Shutter speeds from 1/1,000 to 1/2 second.
- Built-in flash with five modes.
- xD-Picture Card storage (16MB card included).
- Power supplied by two AA-type batteries or optional AC adapter.
- Interface software and USB drivers included for Windows and Macintosh computers.
Special Features
- Movie mode (without sound).
- 10-second Self-Timer for delayed shutter release.
- DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility.
- USB cable for connection to a computer (driver software included).
Recommendation
Light weight and portable, the FinePix 2650 is a good option for photography novices or anyone new to digital imaging. With fully automatic exposure control, users can literally point the camera at the subject and press the Shutter button, and still get great snapshots. Exposure Compensation and White Balance adjustment options are available as well, for those times when you want to exercise a little control over color cast and exposure. A straightforward user interface keeps camera operation simple, and the 2.0-megapixel CCD captures good-quality images suitable for printing up to 5x7 inches or smaller resolutions for distributing via email. Overall, a good choice for an entry-level camera, priced very competitively for one equipped with a zoom lens.
Design
Measuring 4.0 x 2.6 x 2.0 inches (100 x 65 x 52 millimeters), the 2650 isn't
quite small enough for shirt pockets, but should fit into larger coat pockets
and purses with no problem. With batteries and memory card installed, the 2650's
shooting weight is only 8.5 ounces (240 grams), thanks to the all-plastic camera
body. The included wrist strap secures the camera in-hand, but a soft camera
case would be ideal for protecting the camera during long excursions. The 2650
is an uncomplicated camera, with mainly automatic exposure control and a few
menu options. External controls are also limited, and the LCD menu system is
short and to the point.
An oval, sliding lens cover keeps the front panel flat when closed, and reveals
the lens when opened. The telescoping lens extends about a quarter-inch from
the camera body when powered on. Just above the lens are the flash, flash sensor,
and optical viewfinder window, and a small self-timer lamp is just over the
top left side of the lens. An indentation in the lens cover provides a finger
grip, and balances nicely with the raised thumb grip on the rear panel.
The right side of the camera (as viewed from the rear) holds only the eyelet for the wrist strap.
The opposite side of the camera features the USB and DC In connector terminals, both uncovered.
On the 2650's top panel is a sliding Power switch and the combined Shutter button and Mode dial.
The few remaining camera controls are on the rear panel, sharing space with the optical viewfinder and LCD monitor. A small round Display button sits above the narrow, paired Menu/OK and Back buttons along the right side of the LCD monitor, while a set of arrow keys are in the top right corner. The center arrows are actually part of a two-way rocker button, controlling optical and digital zoom.
The 2650's bottom panel is flat, with the plastic, threaded tripod mount just off center. The xD-Picture Card and battery compartment is adjacent, with a hinged door that slides out before opening. Though I typically prefer to have access to the battery and memory card compartments while a camera is mounted to a tripod, I doubt this issue will come into play much on the 2650, given it's very portable nature.
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