A prosumer digicam with Fuji's new 6.3-megapixel Super CCD HR and a 6X zoom lens.Fuji built the S7000 around its new 6.3-megapixel Super CCD HR sensor and a 6X zoom lens. This relatively compact SLR-style model uses an electronic viewfinder instead of an optical one to provide a full-frame, through-the-lens image preview and equips avid photographers with an advanced feature set.
Upside: Photo enthusiasts will have plenty of creative control with manual and priority exposure modes, RAW file output, and shutter speeds from 15 seconds to 1/10,000 second, while snapshooters can use a range of automatic selections. Thirty-frame-per-second VGA movie recording and a 12.3-megapixel interpolated still mode add to the S7000's appeal.
Downside: You'll have to invest in some rechargeable batteries and a charger since the camera comes with four AA alkaline cells only. Fuji provides a skimpy 16MB xD-Picture Card, so you'll also need to spring for larger-capacity media. Fortunately, you can use either an xD-Picture Card or CompactFlash/Microdrive media.
Outlook: Avid photographers who want to make large prints and are looking for a relatively compact, ergonomically pleasing model should keep an eye on this baby. The S7000 will be available locally in October 2003, although local pricing was not available at the time of going to press. It's expected to retail in the US for US$799.95 (~AU$1,233) .
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