At a glance, the
Fujifilm FinePix 6900 appears to be a twin of FinePix 4900,
but one with a different body colour. Indeed the cameras share much
in common when it comes to the layout of their controls and their functions.
But appearances can be deceiving. This new model is equipped with a
second generation 3.3 megapixel Super CCD, gains an extra white balance
pre-set, and has an improved focusing system.
This is a well built camera, with a metal clad lens barrel and a solid
well-finished and designed exterior that provides a good, well-balanced,
and solid feel.
The
FinePix 6900 has a pronounced grip topped by a 2-stage shutter release.
Two small buttons are placed immediately behind it and serve to activate
the Macro Mode (left), and the Flash Modes (right). The
Mode Dial is closer to the back and tilted at a slight angle to
make it easily reached. A Command Dial is located beneath it, also
easily accessed by the thumb, and is designed to change apertures, shutter
speeds, or program.
Four
more controls are lodged between the Mode Dial and the viewfinder housing.
The Self Timer is first (2 or 10 seconds), with the Continuous
Mode button on its right (up to 5 frames at 0.2 sec intervals). Behind
these, and also tilted toward the back of the camera, is the Power
switch, with around it a small lever that controls the Recording
and Playback functions.
The next group of controls is arranged around the LCD screen on the back
of the camera, facing the user. Their position and shape make them quickly
identifiable by feel, a valuable feature as it avoids having to look at
the back of the camera to use them.
Going
clockwise, first is the EVF/LCD button next to the viewfinder which
toggles the active display between the electronic viewfinder and the 2"
LCD screen.
Next is the Focus Check button which magnifies the central portion
of the image and helps determine the precision of the focus. Next to it
the AEL (autofocus lock) button is used to maintain a given exposure
setting while re-framing.
Below are the DISP button which has a variety of functions depending
on the camera mode, recording or playback (see Characteristics for
details); and the MENU/OK button which is to call up the menu
and confirm selections made there.
The 4-Direction Controller is a multipurpose control. Not only
serving to navigate the camera menus, it also serves as a secondary zoom
control, and as an image magnifier when the camera is in playback. Lowest
on the right side of the LCD screen, the BACK button is used to
back out of the menu, or to cancel a selection.
Finally, in the Recording mode, a button labelled SHIFT is used
in conjunction with the Flash mode button to provide a quick access
to the image quality options; or when pressed along with the Display
button, to adjust the brightness of the LCD screen. In Playback, the function
of the Shift button is limited to an LCD screen brightness adjustment.
The
remaining controls of the FinePix 6900 are organized on the left side
of the lens barrel. The largest is the main Zoom Control, very
well-placed so the right thumb rests on it when the camera is cradled
in use; with just above it, the Manual/Auto focus switch. With
the Manual focus engaged, the FinePix 6900 provides a wide focus ring
around the lens and, by pressing the button on the upper right, focusing
can be assisted by a range finder indicator. The
system shows arrows left or right, indicating which way the focus ring
needs to be turned to achieve focus; and focus is shown by a dot. The
display appears in the upper left hand of the viewfinder, or the LCD screen,
and is very effective.
The
same button that is used to turn on the range finder, can be used to establish
up to 2 separate, user-selected, white balance settings.
The exposure compensation button, identified by ,
works with the Command Dial to adjust the exposure. In addition, in Manual
Mode, it will change the apertures as a secondary function if held down
while the Command Dial is turned. Finally, when held down, the Info
button displays the shooting data and a histogram of an image shown on
the screen when the camera is in Playback; or presents the current camera
settings in the Recording mode.
Just
as the FinePix 4900, the FinePix 6900 uses an electronic viewfinder, fitted
with a soft rubber eyecup, but without a diopter adjustment. Although
electronic viewfinders have some advantages — the ability to overlay
critical information in the viewfinder, to display menus legibly when
the full-size LCD screen might become hard to decipher under bright light
— their trade-off is that they lack sharpness.
In some cases, details that can be critical to the composition such as
the facial expression of someone in the background of a scene, or some
other detail, cannot be seen with enough precision.
The electronic viewfinder aside, the overall ergonomic design of the FinePix
6900, as it is with the FinePix 4900, remains very good. The camera has
a host of controls and functions, all quite well placed and easy to get
accustomed to.
The
system shows arrows left or right, indicating which way the focus ring
needs to be turned to achieve focus; and focus is shown by a dot. The
display appears in the upper left hand of the viewfinder, or the LCD screen,
and is very effective.
,
works with the Command Dial to adjust the exposure. In addition, in Manual
Mode, it will change the apertures as a secondary function if held down
while the Command Dial is turned. Finally, when held down, the Info
button displays the shooting data and a histogram of an image shown on
the screen when the camera is in Playback; or presents the current camera
settings in the Recording mode. 
