Fujifilm FinePix Z1-Easy Camera Review

The FinePix Z1 is a mere 0.7 inches thick with a length and height of 3.5 and 2.2 inches, respectively.  The camera weighs a light 5.3 ounces, but still manages to convey a sense of durable construction based in quality manufacturing practices.  The Z1 has a sliding lens cover that provides far more protection than most delicate caps. This Fujifilm FinePix will easily fit into a handbag or pocket for a night out on the town, and the design is aesthetically pleasing and sure to impress.

The Z1 comes with a surprisingly small assortment of 5 preset shooting modes: portrait, landscape, sport, night, and natural light. The Z1 performed atrociously when tested for color reproduction accuracy and consistently produced off-color results throughout the entire spectrum.  Noise levels in auto ISO mode were as bad as the color accuracy ratings and images in low light were equally unimpressive. To its credit, the Z1 has an ISO range that extends to 800 that turned in far better results with lower levels of noise. The Z1 has preset white balance options, a rather standard +/-2 exposure compensation scale with 1/3 EV increments, a 64-area metering setting, an ISO range from 64-800, auto shutter and aperture ranges that are truncated, and three auto focus options. 

The movie mode on the Fujifilm FinePix Z1 provides a quick frame rate of 30 fps with resolution settings of 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 pixels.  Zoom cannot be altered once the recording has begun but focus is fairly responsive during shooting.  Audio may be simultaneously recorded via the in-camera monaural microphone which is positioned in an unfortunate location on the top face of the camera body; narrative voiceovers will be perfectly captured, but don’t expect audio from subjects positioned in front of the camera to be wholly discernable.

Because the Z1 has no burst modes, the shot to shot time was sluggish at 1.2 seconds, though the camera was quick in other respects. The startup to first shot time was a speedy 1.17 seconds, and the shutter to shot time of 0.07 seconds puts this camera in a class of its own when it comes to point-and-shoot models.  This is definitely a model that will grab the shot when you want it. A time of 0.07 seconds nearly eliminates all delay, a level of performance only expected on digital SLRs. 

With a higher price than many of the comparable digital cameras and poor color accuracy with little manual control input, the Fujifilm FinePix Z1 is a camera that is reliant upon a market that is more invested in the exterior aesthetic of their camera. This FinePix not only scores big in style, but also durability with its monocoque design. If these are your priorities, along with an ISO 800 setting and smooth video, the unique Z1 could do the trick.

Fujifilm FinePix Z1- THE BOTTOM LINE.... Rating: 266.95

Likes

- Monocoque construction is durable and fashionable - Camera performed well in our noise and resolution tests - Completely internal lens is more durable than telescoping style and makes for quick startup speed - Minimal shutter lag - Provides ISO 800 setting at full resolution - “Natural Light” preset will be valuable to target audience

Dislikes

- White balance presets are limited, doesn’t adapt well to strong tungsten light sources, and does not provide a custom setting - Disappointing color performance - Weak flash range - Slow max aperture (f/3.5) - Buttons are small and crowded - Lack of burst mode results in slow shot to shot speeds - Black finish shows fingerprints and smudges

Fujifilm FinePix Z1 Compared to...

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5 Rating:303.86	Nikon Coolpix S2 Rating:275.20	Casio Exilim EX-S500 Rating:	Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1 Rating:	Kodak EasyShare C360 Rating:311.03
Better	Better	Better	Better	Better
- 2.5 inch LCD with 230 K pixel count - Far better color score - Lower initial retail price - 84% usage of 5.1 MP CCD - Auto ISO noise levels - Far faster shot to shot time -32 MB of internal memory included - Four body color options - Burst mode - Lighter camera body (feels fragile during handling) - More custom image preset options - 5 step manual focus option	- Lower Noise levels with Auto ISO - 15 preset scene mode options - Better overall color reproduction - Face won't be scratched by camera dock - Much faster shot to shot times - 256 section metering mode - Full manual White balance with live view - Max aperture of f/3.0 - Burst Mode - Picture effects options -Splash proof design	-Manual Focus setting options  -Comes in three different body colors -Camera body is thinner -Max Aperture setting  -Manual White balance and preset controls -Lower list price	- 2.5 inch 118 K pixel LCD screen - 8 MP CCD with Anti-Shake - 300 segment and spot metering options	- Much better Auto ISO noise levels - Color reproduction accuracy - ImageLink Printer series compatible - Lower Price - Manual ISO noise levels - Faster shot to shot times - More room for engagement of external control structure - Uber simple menu structure - Burst Mode - 16 custom image preset options - Three metering mode options - Max Aperture setting - Slightly larger shutter speed range - Picture effects - 32 MB of internal memory
Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal	Equal
-3x optical zoom lens - Slightly thinner body (0.1 inch variance) - No viewfinder -Positioning of flash will lead to unflattering portraits - Small external controls - Three metering mode options - +/-2 EV with 1/3 EV steps - Only auto and preset WB settings - Max Aperture of f/3.5 - Poorly placed lens	- No viewfinder - 5 MP CCD - 3x optical zoom lens - direct printing available via a dock - Initial retail price - Small control size - Poor flash quality - No manual focus option - EV Compensation scale	-EV Comp scale settings and range -Multiple AF control options -3x optical zoom -Direct Print capability -640 x 480 res at 30 fps for movie mode -Audio recording possibilities - Flash is set off-center to lens -5 MP CCD	-Mono audio recording opportunity -3x optical zoom lens -Poor recessed lens placement -EV Compensation scale range and settings - Three color setting options - Auto and preset White Balance settings -Direct Printing available -Maximum Aperture setting -No viewfinder	- Poor flash position means fingers will cover and shadows will be harsh - 5 MP CCD - 3x optical zoom lens -No manual focus option - EV Compensation scale settings - Direct Printing - WB presets and auto, no Manual
Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse	Worse
- Higher amounts of noise in manual ISO modes - Struggles more in low light levels - Slower start up to first shot - Less durable design and construction - Slower shutter to shot time - 640 x 480 at 16.6 fps (30 fps is possible with add-on memory cards) - Smaller ISO range	- More problems with resolution and sharpness - Lens cover and overall design less durable - Far worse low light performance returns - More noise with manual ISO settings - 4.21 seconds for start up to first shot - Slower shutter to shot times - 2.5 inch, 110 K pixel LCD screen - 640 x 480 video at a stuttering 15 fps - Smaller ISO range - Smaller shutter speed range -12 MB of internal memory	- LCD screen measures 2.2 inches with a measly 84 K pixel count - Less protection for extending Lens when recessed - Smaller ISO scale range - Smaller shutter speed range lacks slower shutter range -Less lens protection - 8.3 MB of internal memory -No durable monocoque design	-Far smaller ISO scale of 50-200 - Smaller shutter speed range - 640x480 resolution video at a frame rate of 20 fps - Slightly wider camera body - Only available in one polished metallic finish -Absurd distance between flash and lens	-2.0 inch LCD screen - 24 fps video at 640 x 480 resolution - Far less stylish, and thick bodied - Slightly lower res/sharpness accuracy - Terrible Low light performance - Slower start up to first shot times - ISO scale of only 80-400 - Slightly pointless viewfinder (only good if batteries are low) -Slower shutter to shot times -Heavier camera body