The FinePix E550 Zoom was announced at the end of July 2004. The E550 is essentially the same camera as the FinePix F810 (see note below) in a less expensive plastic body, and without the widescreen LCD or 16:9 shooting mode, AA batteries instead of a Li-Ion pack and USB 1.1 rather than 2.0. The E550's sensor is the fourth generation of the now well-established Super CCD technology, offering 12.3MP output from 6.3 million effective pixels. Like the F810 the new camera offers a 4x optical zoom (32.5-130mm equiv.), fast operation and a fairly comprehensive array of manual controls in a compact, traditionally-styled body.
- Newly-developed 1/1.7- inch Super CCD HR sensor with 6.3 million effective pixels (delivering 12.3 million recorded pixels)
- Wide angle 4x optical zoom lens (32.5mm - 130mm equiv.)
- High resolution 2.0-inch LCD
- Full range of exposure controls (P/S/A/M)
- Wide range of ISO settings (80/100/200/400/800)
- VGA movie recording at 30 fps with sound
- RAW file format
- Fast start-up and operation
Important note
This review is an adaptation of the previously published Fujifilm FinePix F810 review. The E550 Zoom shares an identical lens/sensor (this is a single sealed unit) and image processor as the F810 Zoom, and is functionally identical save for external differences and the lack of a widescreen mode or USB 2. The differences are shown below. Our tests revealed that the E550 produced identical results to the F810 under all circumstances, so some sections of this review - including some (though not all) of the image quality tests - feature results from the F810, not the E550. Wherever this is the case the review notes will make it clear.
Fujifilm FinePix F810 vs E550 (differences)
 Fujifilm FinePix F810 |
 Fujifilm FinePix E550 |
|
|---|---|---|
| LCD Screen Size | • 2.1-inch (16:9 widescreen ) • 173,000 pixels |
• 2.0- inch (4:3) • 154,000 pixels |
| Widescreen shooting mode (16:9) |
Yes |
No |
| C-AF button | Yes | No |
| Camera Size (mm) | 109.5 x 54.0 x 29.0 | 105 x 63 x 34.4 |
| Power source | Lithium-Ion rechargeable | 2x AA |
| Weight (inc batt/card) | 220g |
260g |
| Battery Life* | 115 frames | 200 frames (2300 mAh batteries) |
| Body Material | Metal | Plastic |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 • A/V out • DC-IN |
• USB 1.1 • A/V out • DC-IN |
| Autofocus illuminator | Yes | No |
| PictureCradle dock | Included | Optional |
| Add-on lens compatibility? | No | Yes |
| Street Price | • US: $499 • UK: £340 |
• US: $350 • UK: £300 |
* According to the CIPA standard procedure for measuring digital camera battery consumption
FujiFilm FinePix E550 Zoom key specifications
| Street price | • US: $350 • UK: £300 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Plastic |
| Sensor | • 1/1.7" Super CCD HR • 6.3 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes | • 4048 x 3040 |
| Movie clips | Standard mode: |
| Lens | • Fujinon 32.5 - 130mm equiv. (4x optical zoom) |
| Focus | • TTL contrast-type Autofocus • 49 area multi AF (auto or manual select) • Center AF • Manual focus |
| Focus range | • Normal: 60 cm - infinity • Macro: 7.5 cm to 80 cm |
| Shutter speed | 3 - 1/2000 sec |
| Aperture | • F 2.8 - F 8 - ten steps at wideangle • F 5.6 - F8.4 - 4 steps at telephoto in 1/3 EV increments Manual/Auto selectable |
| Shooting mode | • Auto |
| Color Modes | • B&W • Chrome • Standard |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 (resolution set at 3MP) |
| White balance | • Auto |
| Image parameters | • 'F Color': B&W, Chrome (high saturation), Standard |
| Continuous | • 3fps up to 4 frames (top 4 or final 4) • 1.6 fps up to 40 frames (2MP resolution only) |
| Flash | • Built-in pop-up flash • Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, On/Off, Slow Synch, Red-eye reduction + Slow Synch • Range: (wide) 4.5 m, (tele) 2.2 m • Flash brightness adjustment (-0.6 to +0.6 EV in 0.3EV steps) |
| Storage | • xD-Picture Card • 16MB included * |
| Viewfinder | • Real Image Optical |
| LCD monitor | • 2.0" Polysilicon TFT • 154,000 pixels |
| Connectivity | • USB • A/V out • DC-IN |
| Power | • 2 x AA (NiMH recommended) • Batteries and charger included* • AC adaptor optional |
| In the box* | • 2x AA NiMH rechargeable battery |
| Other features | • RAW mode |
| Weight (inc batt) | 260 g (9.2 oz) |
| Dimensions | 105× 63× 34.4mm (4.1× 2.5 × 1.4 in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
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