Fujifilm FinePix F401 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by Fuji

Product Details

Product Manual [327kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.3 x 2.8 x 3.7 inches ; 7.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006D2LN
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,707 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 1, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Sporting a 2.1-megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom, Fuji's FinePix F401 is encased in a sleek brushed-metal shell that makes it smaller than most other cameras. Shooting is quick and easy on automatic settings, taking about 3 seconds between shots.

The camera can create 4-megapixel images by interpolating, or "guessing" details, via Fuji's Super CCD. The results are OK, but of course cannot match true 4-megapixel sensors. While the images certainly come out well-contrasted and colorful on all of the resolution settings, slight artifacting is noticeable. Images in low light suffer from noticeable blocks of compression. This may be a problem if you are interested in producing 8-by-10-inch prints; however, it should be fine for standard-size prints or Web viewing.

The 1.5-inch LCD is comfortable enough to use, but it hides the sides of the real image a little bit, which can throw you off while composing shots. The optical viewfinder is small, and often frustrating to use when it is too bright to use the LCD.

The buttons on the back are thoughtfully placed and can be reached easily by the fingers. The menu is easy to navigate through, guiding you with a color code for each submenu. The USB and DC power ports are placed on the side of the camera, but one minor quibble is that the typical protective cover for these is missing. Protection for delicate and crucial circuitry like the USB port is definitely needed when you are taking the camera out and about.

As a point and shoot, the F401 is a great camera and a stylish, light design is always a plus. However, its less than impressive imaging and relatively high price should be considered for those seeking performance and value. --Bao Tran

Pros:

• Very easy point-and-shoot operation
• Well-designed and easily navigable menus
• Can use certain manual controls (ISO speed, gain, white balance)

Cons:

• Noticeable image artifacting
• Lack of port protection

Amazon.com Product Description

The compact FinePix F401 uses Fuji's third-generation 2.1-megapixel Super CCD sensor, which can produce a maximum image file size of 4 megapixels through interpolation. It also features a 3x optical zoom, 3x digital zoom, movie mode, and voice annotation function.

Optics and Resolution
With its 2.1-megapixel Super CCD (with interpolated results up to 4 megapixels) the FinePix F401 delivers resolution up to 2,304 x 1,728 pixels for colorful prints up to 11-by-14 inches. Combined with Fuji's proprietary image-processing method--Pixel Data Coupling--and new noise-reduction technology, the new Super CCD enables the FinePix F401 to deliver a wider range of ISO sensitivities with a minimal increase in CCD "noise."

The FinePix F401 also features a 3x optical aspherical zoom lens (with up to a 3x digital zoom option) that allows for more detailed close-ups.

Fuji's Super CCD
Instead of conventional CCDs with square photodiodes and pixel arrangements, Fuji's Super CCD has octagonal-shaped photodiodes and pixels situated on 45-degree angles. This "honeycomb" pattern increases sensitivity, allowing pixels to be efficiently packed at maximum density. The area of the photodiode in a half-inch Super CCD with 2 million pixels is about 1.6 times as large as the area offered in the conventional CCD with the same number of pixels. The Super CCD improves overall signal-to-noise ratio and offers a much wider dynamic range.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the FinePix F601 produces color digital videos in multiple creative formats, including QVGA (320 x 240, 10 frames per second) and QQVGA (320 x 160, 30 frames per second with sound).

The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on SmartMedia memory cards. The included 16 MB card holds approximately 10 images at the highest 4-megapixel setting or 40 at the normal 2-megapixel setting.

To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera--your computer should automatically recognize the camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive.

Power
The camera is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is charged by the included AC adapter.

Size
At 3.3 by 2.7 by 1 inches 6.5 ounces, the FinePix F401 is quite light and comfortable in the palm of your hand--perfect for shooting pictures wherever you roam.

More Features

• Shutter speeds range from 3 to 1/1,000 seconds with adjustable ISO sensitivity of 100/200/400, including a high-sensitivity 1-megapixel (1,280 x 960) mode at ISO 800/1600.
• Continuous shooting modes: 4 frames per second for 5 pictures for either the first 5 frames or final 5 frames
• Voice-memo function records up to 30 seconds of audio with each picture

Contents and Recommended Accessories
This package contains the FinePix F401 digital camera, 16MB SmartMedia card, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, AC adapter-battery charger, wrist strap, USB cable, printed manual, and CD-ROM featuring FinePixViewer software and drivers.

We recommend a higher-capacity SmartMedia card.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great little camera, January 5, 2003

By 

john (Kamloops, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fujifilm FinePix F401 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

after doing some research i desided to buy the kodak dx4900
( bad choice , poor quality and limited features for the money )
i returned the camera after only a few days . i was about to give up on digital cameras, but the salesman talked me into trying the fuji f-401
wow great camera , good pictures and a movie function.
the quality appears to be good, the software downloaded without a hitch.
it came with a dock - kodak wanted another 130$ bucks for theirs.
give it a try im sure you will be happy

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My feeling about F401, January 22, 2003

By 

Haris Scottis (Nicosia, Cyprus) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fujifilm FinePix F401 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I recently purchased the fujifilm F401 camera and I say that my money isn't wasted.

F401 is a compact nice looking piece of work that, for what it is, delivers very good quality pictures. I have printed 24x30 size pictures taken with this camera (setting 4Normal) and they look fine.

I have tested the camera in both outdoors and indoors conditions and it has performed very well. In outdoors conditions I have got excellent results while for indoors although the photos came out nice, I have the impression that the flash is not 100% adequate.

Disadvantages of the camera is that it does not have a focusing illuminator, which makes it impossible to focus in very low light conditions and that it lacks of extensive manual controls which is not usually expected for a camera of this class. When focus fails if the subject is 2-4 meters away the photo comes out ok.

The usb connection and software (finepix viewer) is also well behaved. When the camera is connected with the PC a virtual disk is created on the computer containing the camera photos, like accessing a CD, which makes it easy to use any software you like to see and copy the pictures from camera to PC.

Generally I would rate this camera as 90%.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Picture Quality and Size, December 30, 2002

By 

"jryder25" (New Caney, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fujifilm FinePix F401 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

When my wife brought the camera home I was skeptical. I grew up with 35mm SLR's by Canon and have relied on a Sony MCD-300 for the last year. I love Fuji Film and decided to give the camera a chance. For it's size and unique design it became an immediate hit. We needed a camera that could capture impromptu photo's without a lot of bulk. This camera provides similar results when compared to the Sony MCD-300. The Sony is still to big to fit in a pocket or purse. This camera is a must for the family that wants good quality, with minimal size and many extra photo opportunities that would go unrecorded.