• Resolution to match the average four megapixel consumer digital camera
• Excellent, vivid colour reproduction (slight orange cast to pure red)
• 6 megapixel mode good for large prints straight out of the camera
• Very quick operation, good buffering excellent shot-to-shot times
• Good dynamic range, tonal accuracy
• New manual controls are welcome (aperture priority etc.)
• Images seldom need any post-processing
• Superb video recording capability (unlimited length, good frame rate)
• Virtually no chromatic aberrations
• Compact size, light weight, metal case, clean design
• Cradle for charging and connectivity (standard in UK, optional elsewhere)
• Excellent build and finish quality
• Automatic lens cover
• Supplied Lithium-Ion battery lasts and lasts, good power management
• Battery charges in-camera (easier, means that charger doubles as adapter)
• USB connectivity

• Orange cast to reds
• Poor frame coverage for LCD live view (just 89%)
• No video out from camera, requires cradle
• Strong barrel distortion at full wide angle
• Limited night exposure ability
• SuperCCD image quality doesn't live up to its billing (artifacts, moire etc.)
• ISO 800, 1600 only at 1280 x 960 and only 94% frame coverage
• LCD monitor would gain a lot from an anti-reflective coating
• Normal sharpening level is too hard
• No control over colour saturation / tone camera algorithms
• Flash doesn't have the power or the cover wide angle shots
• No histogram display in record review or playback modes
• Auto White balance doesn't work well in artificial light
• Relatively expensive for its limited feature set

Overall conclusion

Here's my rating of the Fujifilm FinePix F601 Zoom: (3 megapixel compact)

The F601 Zoom is a very capable high resolution compact digital camera. It provides a good range of manual features as well as an ease of use which means anyone can point-and-shoot with it. It's clean looks, good build quality and compact metallic case will ensure it sells well in certain parts of the world.

On the negative side I would like to have seen control of the in-camera colour and tone algorithms, the 89% LCD frame view is also disappointing and can lead to a spoiled shot, it's also a shame that the higher sensitivities of ISO 800 and 1600 are limited to 1280 x 960 and only cover 94% of the shooting frame. There's also the nagging worries about SuperCCD image quality, with artifacts hard to avoid and large files sizes which quickly fill a 128 MB SmartMedia card.

Fujifilm have however proven that they listen to the feedback of owners and reviewers. Several bug-bears such as limited movie recording and manual controls have been addressed and applied to the new generation camera. Overall I liked the F601 Zoom, it's very quick, well designed and on balance has good image quality.

Recommended

So which one should I buy? A question I get asked several times a day, and I wouldn't like to say. In a new addition to my reviews (after the amount of feedback I normally get) I've added a link to a specific forum in which you can discuss the review or ask me specific questions which I've not answered in these pages.

Order the Fujifilm FinePix F601 Zoom online from our
approved affiliate retailer State Street Direct
and help support this site and future reviews!

Want to make sure you don't miss out on any future reviews?
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter!

Enter the 'Fuji Talk' Discussion Forum