Shutterbugs disatisfied with the 3x,
4x or 5x zooms typically found in point-and-shoot digital cameras many
times turn to ultrazoom shooters like the Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD. The
bytecam has a 15x Fujinon F/3.5-5-4 optical zoom with a wide 35 millimeter
equvilancy range of 27.6-414mm. When in full telephoto mode the built-in
lens extends 2.75 inches from the body of the camera.
The S2000HD is a chunky camera. It measures 4.4 x 3.1 x 3.0 inches. And
while not a lightweight, it isn't too onerous to tote around at 17.3 ounces,
with batteries.
Beside the lens at the front
of the unit are an infrared receiver for an optional remote control and
a small lamp for assisting the camera with focusing in low light conditions.
The lamp doubles as a self-timer light, although its location in a canyon
formed by the handgrip and protruding zoom is less than optimal.
The unit's microphone also has a queer location. It's buried under an
overhang at the front of the camera. When holding the snapper with two
hands, it's very easy to cover the mic with a left hand.
At about one o'clock from the mic is a button for manually activating
the S2000HD's pop-up flash.
A speaker for the unit is situated on the
left side of the camera, as well as a mini USB port and HD port. Video
can also be pumped out the USB port. USB and USB/Video cables are included
with the camera. The HD cable must be purchased separately.
On the right side of the DSC is a compartment for memory
cards. The camera supports SD and SDHC cards. A one gigabyte SD card is
included with the unit. The shooter also has 55 megabytes of internal
memory.
About half the top of the camera is occupied
by the housing for the electronic viewfinder. The viewfinder doesn't have
an eyecup. We found that in bright lighting conditions, light could leak
into the viewfinder's eyepiece and wash out the screen. Because of its
visual quality, the viewfinder, when it isn't being washed out, is okay
for framing a shot, but not very useful for ascertaining other characteristics
of a pic, like color and sharpness.
To the right of the viewfinder housing is a Mode dial. It
gives a clickster quick access to these functions.
· Creative modes (Program, Shutter Priority, Manual and Custom)
· Full Auto mode
· Movie mode
· Two “natural modes”--one takes two pictures—one
with flash, one without--with a single shutter press; the other is for
capturing snaps indoors without a flash)
· Anti-Blur mode which uses high shutter speeds to offset photo
fuzzing factors like shaky hands and moving objects
· Zoom bracketing--which automatically shoots three consecutive
photos at different zoom settings
· Choice of pre-set scene settings.
To the left of the Mode dial is a button for swift access
to the S2000HD’s sequential shooting modes. Above that button is
a control for activating intelligent face detection and red-eye removal.
At 12 o’clock from the mug button are the power switch and zoom
control lever.
At the back of the S2000HD
is its 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot LCD. The display is bright and sharp indoors,
but using it outdoors is a drag, especially in bright sunlight which,
at times, can make the monitor unusable.
Above the LCD and to the right of the viewfinder is a button
for toggling between viewing a shot on the display and the electronic
viewfinder.
To the right of the LCD is
the Selector dial. It’s used for navigating through menus on the
screen. The Menu/OK button at the center of the dial allows you enter
the camera’s menu system and to choose items from those menus. By
pressing the north, south, east and west points on the Selector dial you
can move up, down, left and right on the LCD. Those points can also be
used to directly access some frequently used features—Macro mode,
Flash mode, delete photo and zoom framing. Zoom framing permits you to
compose a zoom shot without using the zoom control.
At 11 o’clock from the Selector dial is the Playback
button for displaying photos and movies on the LCD.
At one o’clock, there’s the
F button. Depending on the camera’s mode, the control provides quick
access to menus for slideshows, light sensitivity and picture quality.
At seven o’clock, there’s the DISP/BACK button.
It pages through a variety of screen layouts. When menus are displayed
on the screen, it can be used to back out of them.
And at five o’clock, there’s a button for controlling
exposure compensation.
The battery compartment for the camera is
located at its bottom, as is its tripod socket.
Ergonomics
