The S602 Zoom marks the fourth generation of Fujifilm's prosumer digital camera range. The range started back in May 1999 with the MX-2900Z (2 megapixel, 3x zoom), updated in August 2000 (about six months after the introduction of SuperCCD) with the FinePix 4900Z (2.4 megapixel SuperCCD, 6x zoom) and lastly in March 2001 with the FinePix 6900Z (3.1 megapixel SuperCCD, 6x zoom).
The S602 Zoom was announced on 30th January 2002 just before PMA, although the form factor is similar and the lens appears to be the same there are a lot of overall design changes introduced since the 6900Z.
Fujifilm FinePix S602 Zoom vs. FinePix 6900 Zoom (differences)
FinePix S602 Zoom | FinePix 6900 Zoom | |
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Sensor | SuperCCD III | SuperCCD II |
ISO sensitivity | ISO 160 ISO 200 ISO 400 ISO 800 (at 1280 x 960 only) ISO 1600 (at 1280 x 960 only) |
ISO 100 ISO 200 ISO 400 |
AF Modes | AF AF Area (49 selectable AF points) |
AF |
Macro | Macro AF Super-Macro AF (1 cm at wide) |
Macro AF |
Movie clips | 640 x 480, 30 fps,
unlimited 320 x 240, 30 fps, unlimited |
320 x 240, 10 fps (max 160 secs) |
Continuous | 5 fps up to 5 images 5 fps, 25 frames (stores last 5) 1.8 fps, 40 frames (1280 x 960) |
5 fps up to 5 images |
Shutter speed | Auto: 3 sec - 1/1000
sec A priority: 3 sec - 1/1000 sec S priority: 3 sec - 1/1000 sec Manual: 15 sec - 1/10000 sec |
Auto: 1/4 sec - 1/2000
sec Manual: 3 sec - 1/1000 sec |
Storage | Slot 1: SmartMedia
(up to 128 MB) Slot 2: Compact Flash Type I/II |
SmartMedia (up to 128 MB) |
LCD Monitor | 1.8" 110,000 pixel | 2.0" 130,000 pixel |
Viewfinder | 0.44" 180,000 pixel | 0.55" 110,000 pixel |
Power switch | Combined with Play / Record now surrounding shutter release | Rear of camera push-on, push-off type |
Command wheel | Independent | Surrounding exposure mode dial |
Power source | 4 x AA batteries (NiMH included) | 1 x NP-80 Lithium-Ion battery |
Dimensions | 121 x 81.5 x 97 mm (4.8 x 3.2 x 3.8 in) |
110 x 78.5 x 93.5 mm (4.3 x 3.1 x 3.7 in) |
SuperCCD III
The use of SuperCCD doesn't have the same controversial impact it had when first introduced, but there are still a good number of sceptics of exactly how this honeycomb CCD layout produces better pictures. Fujifilm didn't help themselves back when they first announced SuperCCD by labelling their first camera '4.3 megapixel' when they were in fact 2.4 megapixel images being 'processed' (interpolated to you and me) up to a 4.3 megapixel image.
This 'processing' still occurs now, and the S602Z has a 3.1 megapixel SuperCCD which produces a 6.0 megapixel image. SuperCCD works by combining pixels from the 45 degree pixel layout into a normal square pattern, this has the side-effect of producing more image pixels than were actually captured.
With
the latest generation of SuperCCD (now third) Fujifilm has added two new
sensitivities of ISO 800 and ISO 1600, these work by 'coupling' (combining)
neighbouring pixel values to effectively increase sensitivity. The disadvantage
of these two new higher sensitivities is that you can only shoot at 1280
x 960.
Other new features introduced with SuperCCD III are the ability to record high frame rate (30 fps) VGA video as well as an improved automatic white balance feature.
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