Customer Reviews

Fujifilm FinePix 4700 2.4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After a long month of researching cameras, I finally decided to buy this one. If you are seriously considering this camera, look around for prices, as they vary greatly from one place to the other. First of all, while this isn't a true 4.3MP camera, I think it outperforms 3.3 and 3.1MP hands down. THe resolution, color warmths, color accuracy and sharpness is amazing for a camera of this size...or for any digital camera any size. I have had this camera for a month now and I have never been so proud of an electronics purchase...of course I love my Mac too! Here is a list of PROS and CONS:

Pros
- The retraction of the lens which gets covered by a metal door is excellent.
- The flash works surprisingly well. I used the camera in Times Square in New York (for those who don't know where Times Square is), and the faces came out with a good amount of light, while the backround lights of Times Square came out very nicely also. This camera takes VERY impressive night shots. I think it does better when it is set to AUTO than when it is set to NIGHT mode, although you can create some pretty funky shutter delay shots and play with lights and colors.
- The Movie mode is great! Sure, it is not broadcast quality, but what did you expect. I think it takes better movies than the Sony Mavicas.
- The USB connection is great. The smart media compartment works well too.
- YES! You can set a timer to take pics..up to five seconds I think.
- Looks like it came from the Matrix
- Want flash? Pop it up. Don't want flash, pop it down. It is the easy.No buttons to press, no setting to set.
- Many ISO to choose from, as well as Macro
- TOP .JPG resolution is great. Don't be fooled that it doesn't save in .tif formats, the pictures are great! And saves space!
- Comes with 16MB card, not 8MB like most of the other guys.

CONS
- The LCD display is difficult to see in bright sunlight, but at least you can use the viewfinder, unlike the Sony Mavica.
- The camera KILLS alkalines, even the ultra alkalines. Don't be stupid. Use the NiHM, 4 are included with the camera, but I suggest going to Radio Shack and buying a quick charge charger. It'll same you lots of money and time, as the included charger takes 12 hours, and only holds 2 batteries.
- I would've liked to see Fuji use the IBM Microdrive in this unit. With soo many memory hungry applications in this camera (movie capture with sound, high resolution images), even the 64MB card which I bought wasn't enough for a weekend with buddies in NYC.

Conclusion:
I showed the images of the trip to my boss, who is a hardcore Sony maniac. He was soo stunned by the quality and features, and price and size of the camera that he bought one for himself! You can't go wrong with this camera. I love it! And so do the editor's of Popular Photography magazine, who recently gave this model its highest review about it's color accuracy.

* Just about every type of control (short of manual exposure) that you could wish for. The controls are logical and easy to use. Common adjustments don't require powering up the LCD * The camera is light and small enough for a shirt pocket, yet feels very solidly made with its aluminum magnesium case. * The camera is very fast - no noticable delays after turn on or after a shot before you can snap the next picture. * No special expensive batteries needed - just 2 rechargable AA NiMH, NiCd, or in a pinch standard alkalines * Motion JPEG (Quicktime or with the right codec AVI) movies - you can shoot about 1 1/2 minutes of 230x240 video and sound with the included 16MB smart media card (6 mins with the 64MB). Perfect for sending to grandparents. * very fast and easy picture transfer and management with USB

I'm very pleased with the quality of pictures. There are a couple of more expensive 2.4 MegaPixel class cameras that have better lenses, but they have poorer colors than the Fuji. The Fuji gives nice bright warm colors that give very nice flesh tones - not cold blue like many other digital cameras.

I bought this after using a Sony Mavica for about six months. I loved the Mavica, but wanted better quality images. This camera has filled that bill very well.

Is it perfect? No, I believe Fuji could have done some things better. I get error messages from my PC when I use the USB port to transfer images to my computer, but the images do seem to come across without error. When I use the viewfinder, I see only about 75% of the image that's photographed. That is, the viewfinder trims off a pretty good sized border. Some have referred to this as a 4.7 meg camera. Perhaps so, but the quality is about the same as a 2.5 meg camera.

The camera is small. For someone with big hands, such as me, this took some adjusting to. Once I adapted, the controls became easy to use.

Photos are stored in jpeg format, so there's some loss of quality in the image, but I take all my shots in fine mode, and haven't noticed any problems. I've not seen any of the jaggies that I'd occasionally see in the Mavica images.

All images are taken and stored in color. I wish the camera had a B&W mode, just to save on disk space when I'm working on that kind of image.

Even so, it does quite a good job, in my opinion.

This is a basic camera. You won't be able to connect lenses or filters to it. About the only thing that you'll wish to buy afterward is some additional memory and perhaps a carrying case. I suspect that, for most buyers, this camera will take care of all of their needs. Others may use it for a while, and then decide to go on to bigger and better things. I sold my Mavica FD-83 when I bought this camera. I'll probably keep this one when I move on to a bigger and better product.

It's hard to imagine that such a tiny little camera can take brilliant 2400 by 1800 full color digital images, yet it does so extremely well!

I bought my Fujifilm FinePix 4700 mostly for my impending baby. As a simple, point-and-shoot digital camera, it fits the bill perfectly. A fully automatic mode with a preview screen lets you compose great-looking shots quickly. Despite the camera's size, its zoom lens pops out to a 108mm (3x) view. (And you can digital zoom at lower resolutions.) There's even a popup flash on top.

If you want a more controlled shot than the fully automatic mode or the preprogrammed portrait, night scene, or scenery modes, you can go to a fully manual mode, enabling you to adjust ISO "film" sensitivity, metering, exposure value, white balance, macro mode, and even manual focus.

Depending on how much memory you've put in (it uses Compact Flash cards), you can even take a minute long or so JPEG movie, complete with sound. A tiny built-in speaker lets you watch and hear the movie you just took on the camera itself.

By plugging a computer's USB cable into the camera, you can transfer pictures and movies out of it at high speed. The camera includes Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home edition for editing. Or you can view your masterworks on a TV screen using the A/V output port and cable that comes in the box.

What really impresses me is how Fujifilm fit all these features into such a small package. The camera's light and fits into the palm of my hand just right. Holding the camera takes a little getting used to, and you do have to be careful not to cover the autofocus transducer-thingamajig. But it's not uncomfortable at all.

When turning the camera off, the lens retreats into the body of the unit and a metal cover slides into place, protecting it quite effectively.

The only major drawback is the battery usage. It's quite easy to burn through its two AA-sized rechargeable NiMH batteries before you've even filled up a 32MB flash card. Leaving the LCD display screen off and using the viewfinder instead definitely helps prolong battery life. The box luckily includes four such batteries (plus a charger), so you can carry a spare set with you, or recharge two batteries while using the other two.

Overall, I'm blown away at how far miniaturization technology has progressed. The features and performance of the camera are great---but to have all that in such a tiny box is absolutely amazing.

I understood from the get-go that this wasn't a 4 megapixel camera. I don't plan on printing poster sized photographs and my needs are strictly under the category of "ambitious amateur," therefore this wasn't an issue. The price is very competitive with other mid-range cameras when you consider all of the features and the rich quality of its images. I appreciated having the option of capturing short videos with sound. Moreoever, for someone who hates to read instruction manuals, I found that the manual was easy to reference and that the onboard menu was very, very intuitive.

I would order a 64 MB SmartMedia card and an high speed NIMH battery charger if you intend to maximize your use of the camera, especially if you like making short video clips and/or using the LCD screen.

The pictures printed beautifully on my Epson 880 and I am very happy with my purchase. I have yet to try to connect it to my television for viewing or perhaps transfering to video format a short clip, but its a nice option to have if you're into that sort of thing.

If you are looking for a quality digital camera that can replace replace a 35MM at less the $1000.00, you found it. The picture quality is just fantastic, it is very easy to use, is loaded with features and the USB and smartmedia storage disks make it painless for photo storage and transfer. I was looking for a 2+ mega pixel camera (this unit is 4.7!) that was small in size (about 1 1/4in think and could fit in my pocket), had USB and smartmedia disk storage, a 2" LCD screen, a optical view finder, an optical zoom lens for less then $1000.00. This is one impressive camera. I have been experimenting with it for about a week now and have tested all its many modes. The ONLY weakness where a high end 35mm can out shine this unit is in very high-speed action. I was not able to adjust the shutter speed to freeze the blades of a spinning fan, I could do this w/ my 35mm. BUT IN EVERY OTHER CATEGORY I think this unit is easier to use and produces as good if not better then most 35mm. I am not kidding. A few notes: Batteries last a lot longer then other dig cameras I have seen due to power saving features, The optical zoom is nice (3:1) It has a night mode that takes great night shots. It has a nice macro mode (for close up photgraphy) A portrait mode that has great skintones. A landscape mode that config's the unit to take great outdoor very sharp images of scenery. Built in flash autotimer and alot more! Short movie capability w/sound! It is a small AVI format movie (only 320X200) but it is great for a short clip to email to a friend. It very easy to use. It has easy to use software for your PC.

2 LCD panels, a 2" one for photo viewing and a circular one for camera operation.

Modes of operation. There are 3, fine normal and basic. Use normal for just about everything, except a special shot that you know you plan to blow up then go to fine. The normal mode is nearly as clear and sharp as the fine except when enlarged. In a 4X6 test series I took no one could tell the difference between the 3 pictures. The Default is set at 2400X1800 "file size" (2400x1800, 1280X960, and 640X480 are the choices (IMO use 2400x1800) and quality set to normal. This is the best choice IMO (normal w 2400X1800 file size) for most if not all shots. In this mode you can store 77 photos on a 64MB disk! (19 on the 16 MB) (In basic mode from 180-996 images on a 64mb disk) Transfering the photos to your computer is a snap. When you plug in the USB cable to you camera the software fires up and you see the pics. Click and drag to where you want them. I also bought the Snadisk smartmeadia reader so I don't have to use the camera to transfer them. (Looks like a mouse with a 2 in slit in it) These smart media storage cards are the way to go..the y are about the size of a large postage stamp and about that thick too and hold 64 MB. I can't say how pleased I am with this product. I think this is the first real step in consumer digital cameras that will rival any 35mm out there. To date I have been printing them on my HpR80 office jet (an ink jet) w/ suprisingly good results. My next purchace will be a dedicated dye sub photo printer. But the inkjet does a great job. Viewing the photos on the computer screen or on a big screen TV is a blast.

Go digital, it is the way to go... it really is quite good now and reasonably priced.

Good luck to you. Jim

The FujiFilm FinePix 4700 zoom is my second FujiFilm digital camera. I took a close look at the new small and cute Canon Elph. But the Elph gives up some important features for the same price. Make no mistake, this is a fine camera and I am awed by the flexible features packed into such a small size. Here are some features that I have have found invaluable:

PROS

o The Photograph Mode Dial feature is one step up from a fully auto point and shoot camera. I am very impressed by the Portrait, Landscape and especially the Night Scene modes. They are optimized settings and take exceptional pictures under those conditions. I found it easy to twist the dial, shoot, then compare results taken in different modes. Dramatic. For me this is the single most useful feature of this camera, its implementation is easy and effective.

o Generally, for film speeds of ISO 100 you have to keep the camera very still for sharp pictures. So a faster film speed as this FinePix camera has is a big advantage. This camera has a base film speed of ISO 200 and settable up to ISO 800. (Canon is ISO 100)

o Get as large a LCD display as possible. This one has a 2 inch screen (vs. 1.5 for Canon). If you use the LCD for framing a shot or to review a shot taken, a nice large screen is worth the extra size in a the camera.

o Stay away from unique batteries. More than once I have wanted to take that "must have picture" only to have forgotten my spare batteries in the car, or to find that they were dead. AA size batteries can be found anywhere, even if you have to take a flashlight appart to get that important shot. These NiH batteries are 1/10 the cost of Canon's Li batteries.

I have owned the FinePix 4700 for one month now. The FinePix is much more efficient in battery use compared to the older FujiFilm DX-10. FinPix uses 2 batteries vs. the 4 in the DX-10, and lasts just as long. This makes it possible for the camera to be lighter by 2 batteries.

o The 3X zoom is very nice. Canon has only 2x (although in Japan I have now seen an Elph with 3x zoom).

oSmartMedia seems to be more available and prices are coming down. If you haven't already discovered, SmartMedia with a PCMCIA adapter is the perfect replacement for floppy discs, especially if you own a notebook computer.

CONS oThe viewfinder is small, especially if you wear glasses. Using the veiwfinder does save on battery power, so hopefully FujiFilm will address this in the next model. Then I will give it 5 stars.

o After one month of heavy use, the Auto Focus does not work and the camera is broken. I have been unable to get through the busy phone lines at Fuji Film in Edison NJ. At the moment I have given up trying to get through. Fortuantely, I live in Japan where service is still first class and the local Fuji dealer accepted my camera for warranty repair. It will take a month ;-( Take notice Fuji Photo Film America! Answer your phone lines and voice messages!

Bought this camera while on vacation in New Orleans. Added the 64MB SmartMedia Card, and am very happy with it. Colors are extremely rich and vibrant. Uploading is a snap using the USB cable. I don't recommend using AA Alkaline Batteries, as you'll go through them pretty fast. Get an extra set of the 1600mAh Nickel Metal Hydrides and you'll be set.

In short...you HAVE to buy this camera. I spent a week researching and visiting my local electronic stores comparing, testing and looking up reviews. I recommend going to www.cnet.com and read the 50+ user reviews there.

No other camera has these benefits at this price: Excellent battery life, USB ports, fast shutter speed, sleek and compact, excellent color and quality, 80 seconds of movie making time (w/sound), LCD screen, ZOOM and many other bells and whistles.

I did not buy this camera at the local stores ($800+) or at Amazon ($750). I bought from a dealer online for $645 total (s/h $20 product was $625). If you don't mind paying the extra, Amazon is a very reputable dealer. Hope this helps and POWER to the consumer!

I had a few problems (some more important than others) after purchasing this camera, which lead me to eventually return it.

CONS

* I had trouble getting the auto-focus to work properly. Since nobody else has mentioned this, it could have been a problem with my specific unit, or even user error. Still, only one in five pictuers I took came out clear.

* The overall controls seem awkward. The zoom control (up and down arrows) is difficult to use while looking through the viewfinder. To grip the camera properly, I found my fingers occasionally in the way of the lens.

* The USB software did not function as well as some others. The contents of the camera's SmartMedia card are represented as a removable disk (with a letter) under Windows. However, it denies any modification access. You can view your pictures, but you can only delete them from the camera itself.

* Interpolated images. I was disappointed to learn, even before I bought the camera, that the high advertised resolution is NOT the real resolution of the pictures. The resolution is still fairly high, but don't use the advertised numbers as your guide to making the purchase.

PROS

The reasons I chose this camera originally withstand the points against it.

* The LCD screen can easily be switched on and off with a single button to save battery life.

* AA NiMH batteries. No super-expensive unique battery that can only be bought from the manufactuer. Regular alkeline AA batteries will work (though they die VERY quickly), and NiMH AAs are cheap.

* Very compact. This camera fits easily into a jacket pocket. Once the lens retracts, and the cover flips shut (which is fun if nothing else), the body has no obstructions and the lens is out of harm's way.

* Overall ease of use. While the bells and whistles may be lacking (no Black & White mode, etc), they aren't necessary anyway -- those things can always be done with software later. This lack of superfluous options makes the menus easy to navigate, and adjustments easy to make.

* No games with the flash. Turning off the flash on some cameras means hitting a button to cycle through ten different settings before "Off" finally appears. Here, it's much more obvious. If the flash is open, it's on. If it's closed, it's not.