Fuji FinePix F601 Zoom

Fuji's sleek and stylish snapper looks good, but is it a triumph of style over substance?

The F601 Zoom is the latest addition to the Fuji range. Both compact and sleek, the F601 weighs 220g and its aluminium/magnesium alloy body ensures that it will get noticed among its rivals on the shelves.

What also makes the F601 stand out from other digital cameras is its upright stance. This vertical aspect feels odd, however, and the camera is clearly designed for people with small hands.

It's petite enough to slip into a pocket, although some may argue that it's too small. Butter-fingered photographers could well see it crash to the floor.

The F601 has a 3x optical zoom and 4.4x digital zoom. It boasts a high resolution of 2,832 x 2,128 (roughly 3.1 megapixels). Fuji uses its own Super CCD technology, which is uniquely designed to improve image sharpness and overall radiance.

On examination it does a fine job, producing crisp pictures with good colour depth. Snaps also can be previewed on the 1.5in screen.

Navigating the camera's options can be difficult. A rotary dial on the top is used to set the kind of image to be shot. The only problem is the menu button which is also used to operate the zoom. It is tricky fumbling between the functions; two separate controls would have worked much better.

Short video clips can often be taken with digital cameras and the Fuji is no different, capturing in JPEG format footage at 15fps. It can also capture simple sound thanks to an integrated microphone, and claims to have space for 233 seconds of footage on a 128MB SmartMedia card. There is room for much less, however, on the supplied 16MB card.

A voice memo option allows simple sound bites to be captured, but this is little more than a gimmick on a £600 camera.

The F601 comes with a lithium-ion battery which can be charged through the AC adapter or the supplied USB cradle. A basic software package is supplied to get you started.

The F601 offers an interesting approach to digital photography. In aiming for an innovative design, however, Fuji may have made an attractive camera awkward to use.

Price: £600 (inc. VAT)

Contact: Fuji 020 7465 5776
www.fujifilm.co.uk

Also consider: Nikon Digital Coolpix 775
A stylish number at a good price. £300 *****.