Fujifilm FinePix 4900 4.3MP Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom

Other products by Fuji

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 4.5 x 3.2 inches ; 10.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004XSHN
• Item model number: 4900 Zoom
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,653 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 12, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Fuji's FinePix 4900 is one of a new style of consumer digital cameras appearing on the market. Borrowing features from both film SLRs and point-and-shoot digital cameras, these hybrids offer an extremely potent set of features in a compact package and will undoubtedly steer even more film photographers over to digital.

The 4900 features an impressive 6x optical zoom lens plus a 3.7x digital zoom. Shots are captured on a SuperCCD sensor that generates images at resolutions of up to 2,400 x 1,800 pixels, producing photo-quality prints at sizes of 8 by 10 and beyond. By default, the camera is as easy to operate as a point-and-shoot, but virtually every function is manually controllable. Shutter-priority and aperture-priority modes are available, and the ISO, focus, white balance, and exposure compensation can all be adjusted. A pop-up flash features slow-sync, fill flash, and red-eye reduction, and a hot shoe on top of the camera allows you to use a dedicated flash unit.

Fuji has replaced the traditional optical viewfinder with a camcorder-style electronic viewfinder (EVF)--a tiny LCD display inside the eyepiece. The benefits of this arrangement are obvious: the EVF provides a traditional SLR-style through-the-lens viewing experience, works well even in bright sunlight, lets you hold the camera in the more stable, traditional position, and helps to extend battery life. However, there are some situations in which the EVF is inferior to a traditional optical viewfinder: if you're shooting in near darkness, it's virtually impossible to see through the viewfinder, and even in brighter light, the images tend to look grainy and washed out compared to the images in the 2-inch LCD on the back of the camera.

The 2.4-megapixel SuperCCD sensor was developed by Fuji and is only found on Fuji cameras. Instead of using a traditional grid of square pixels, it features octagonal pixels arrayed diagonally. Fuji claims that this system offers improved sensitivity and image detail over a standard CCD. To prove this point, the camera interpolates its 2.4-megapixel images up to 4.3 megapixels at the highest-quality setting. Independent tests typically place these interpolated images on a par with pictures from a 3.3 megapixel camera.

The 4900 is comfortable to hold, and its controls are logically arranged. Though it's bigger and heavier than a point-and-shoot, it's still smaller and lighter than an SLR, and the design feels good in your hands. The battery compartment forms a comfortable pistol grip for your right hand, and your left hand will naturally want to cradle the barrel. Fuji thoughtfully included dual zoom controls--one under your right thumb on the back of the camera, and the other under your left thumb on the barrel of the lens. An easy-to-reach thumb dial on the top of the camera controls shutter speed or aperture, depending upon your shooting mode, and a ring on the front of the lens manually adjusts focus.

Files can be saved at numerous resolutions and levels of compression, from a massive uncompressed 2,400 x 1,800 TIFF file (one shot nearly fills the included 16 MB SmartMedia card) to basic 640 x 480 JPEG files appropriate for emailing. The camera also features a movie mode for creating low-resolution silent film clips.

If you're an amateur photographer who loves using single-lens-reflex cameras but don't want to spend several thousand dollars on a true digital SLR, Fuji's FinePix 4900 offers most of the functionality of a digital SLR at a fraction of the price. The lens is not removable, but its 35-210mm range (35mm equivalent) is flexible enough to use in nearly any situation.

Pros:

• Impressive 6x zoom lens
• Comfortable, well-arranged controls
• Easy to use for beginners and experienced photographers

Cons:

• Electronic viewfinder is hard to use in some conditions

Product Description
The FinePix 4900 Zoom features Fujifilm's new Super CCD and PxGA color image processing technology that captures and faithfully reproduces brilliant color. Its versatility includes: manual focus, aperture or shutter priority, multiple ISO's (125, 200, 400, 800), hot shoe mount and an electronic mini LCD through-the-lens (TTL) viewfinder plus a 2" LCD monitor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Could have been great, June 28, 2001

By	James Ryan (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I agree with almost all of the good things you have probably already read about this camera, so I won't repeat them. Still, there are a few areas where Fuji really failed. The most annoying is that you cannot buy an adapter for mounting filters to the lens. When you pay this much for a camera with a good lens, you should be able to protect it with an inexpensive clear filter. As it stands, you have to buy an expensive macro adapter you may not need in order to get the filter ring. This seems like a customer-unfriendly approach.

The autofocus is very slow in all but the most ideal conditions. You can't capture an expression on someone's face indoors (even in a brightly lit room) unless you go to manual focus. Also, battery life is too short, especially when the spares they sell are expensive and have a lower capacity than the original equipment.

I know this sounds very negative, but in fact the camera is very good in other ways. I have taken some very nice pictures with it. Just think carefully about what you want out of any digital camera before you buy.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Camera, November 19, 2000

By	Tugoa M. Towles (Los Angeles, California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've had this camera for over a month now and I love it. I tried many digital cameras but decided on this marvel. Its loaded with features, has a quailty build, feels good in the hand and best of all it takes beautiful pictures. It's also one of the fastest on the market at this time (no shutter lag) You just can't go wrong with this purchase. Enjoy!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great camera for those who want/need perfect pictures, March 1, 2002

By	Jeff Rhodes "AustinJeff" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bought this camera about three weeks ago, and have zero problems with it. Pictures in automatic mode are perfect, and scene specific modes work well too. The picture quality is fantastic - my wife is using Nikon Coolpix 995,... and my Fuji takes better pictures. It also has an auto-timer, TV out, macro mode, the 6x optical zoom works great, and can film 160 sec films. This camera is lacking these following features which I would add in a perfect world - sound for films, no web cam capability, and comes with only a 16mb card. Buy yourself a 128mb smartmedia card and an extra battery and your set. Takes professional quality photos.