Is the Porche styling on the 4800Z an aquired taste?

[Rhys Evans]

I agree that the Fuji 4800Z/6800Z cameras look pretty cool but is it practical?

I've held the camera in a shop (I'm thinking of buying it - that or the Canon s300/Ixus) and it seems very odd. The zoom buttons seem to be in an odd place and I don't feel incredibly comfortable with the grip.

Is this something that you get used to through use or is it pretty much the same as your first impressions?

I like the features of this camera (along with the picture quality) but I'm not sure I like the design...--Rhys

 

[slipstream]

HI

Here is an excerpt of the review of the 6800z on the imaging resource site which talks aboout the grip. Maybe this can help.

"The large LCD monitor on the rear panel restricts your fingers to the extreme righthand edge of the camera. A recessed grip is provided on the lower righthand side of the camera, which led some reviewers to think that the intended grip for the camera was something like what's shown above on the left. You certainly can hold the camera with your thumb in this recess, and doing so does position your finger to operate the (nicely) knurled mode dial control. The problem with this grip is that it makes it almost impossible to actuate the shutter button. Likewise, there's no easy way to actuate the soft keys around the LCD readout. Finally, it leaves you with a fairly precarious grip on the camera, forcing your second and third fingers toward the bottom of the camera on its front.

In actual fact, we discovered that the status LCD display is actually intended to serve as a resting place for your thumb during normal shooting, as shown above right. The evidence for this is that the LCD readout's cover-glass has a nice concave contour to it, making a secure resting/gripping place for your thumb. Those times when you need to read the display and actuate the buttons, your thumb is easily moved aside. (We usually found ourselves holding the camera two-handed whenever we needed to actuate the arrow buttons.) The grip position with your thumb over the LCD readout was actually quite natural and comfortable, particularly surprising given our large hand size. With your hand further up the back of the camera, the color LCD screen is also more visible, nestling into the curve of the shank of your thumb. Finally, this hand position also moves your other fingers up the front of the camera case, providing a much more secure feel grip."

They also have a picture on their site on how to hold it. here is a direct link
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/F6800/F68A3.HTM

I'm using it this way and without too much of a problem but ofcourse a bigger camera would give me a bette grip.

I hope this helps you.

I agree that the Fuji 4800Z/6800Z cameras look pretty cool but is
it practical?

I've held the camera in a shop (I'm thinking of buying it - that or
the Canon s300/Ixus) and it seems very odd. The zoom buttons seem
to be in an odd place and I don't feel incredibly comfortable with
the grip.

Is this something that you get used to through use or is it pretty
much the same as your first impressions?

I like the features of this camera (along with the picture quality)
but I'm not sure I like the design...
--
Rhys