Originally released last year as the S602 Zoom, Fuji has revamped the basic model with 'pro' features and thrown in some extras.

There's now a PC socket for connection to a studio flash, and a cable release thread has appeared on the shutter release for shake-free tripod shots.

The primary extra is a bundled 340MB IBM Microdrive, which will let you store around 150 pictures at full resolution and minimum jpeg compression.

The Pro now uses AA batteries, and comes with four high-capacity 1,800mAh nickel-metal hydride AAs and a slow charger.

The camera still uses the same third-generation SuperCCD, delivering 6megapixel pictures from a 3megapixel sensor.

The honeycomb structure of Fujifilm's SuperCCD means that it requires twice as many pixels for interpolation in order to make sense of the data that has been captured.

However, it's still not capturing as much real detail as the conventional 5megapixel CCDs now sported by the prosumer competition, notably Nikon and Sony.

One great feature of the S602 is its ability to capture full-frame VGA (640 x 480 pixels) video, the only limitation on length being the amount of free storage.

In the case of an empty 340MB Microdrive, that's about five minutes at VGA or 10 at QVGA (quarter VGA) resolution.

Bear in mind that the files are labelled as avis but are in fact compressed with an mjpeg (motion jpeg) - not mpeg - video codec. This needs a fast PC for smooth playback at full VGA resolution.

Conventional film photographers will feel at home using the rotary mode switch at the top of the body, which allows you to choose from fully automatic, aperture or shutter-priority and program modes.

An additional digital rotary thumbwheel allows you to adjust aperture or shutter speed quickly. The bright 1.8in LCD screen is augmented by an excellent electronic viewfinder with high resolution and dioptre.

In keeping with its high-end pretensions, most of the common functions amateur photographers will need - macro mode, auto/manual focus selection, flash mode and exposure compensation - are served by dedicated buttons on the body of the unit.

Having said that, metering modes, as well as other less-used settings such as ISO sensitivity must be selected by pressing the Shift button on the left of the body while simultaneously pressing another button and rotating the thumbwheel, which isn't quick or intuitive.

When taking photos, however, the Fuji feels very fast, with only around a second's delay between taking a shot and the camera being ready for the next one.

If you're looking for a digicam to take close-ups, the S602 offers a two-stage macro mode, macro and 'supermacro', and the latter will focus down to an impressive 1cm and measures up well to Nikon's legendary macro facilities, albeit with a touch of barrel distortion.

A second interesting feature is the ability to increase the ISO sensitivity up to 800 or 1,600. This comes at a cost, however, since it's achieved by coupling neighbouring pixels on the CCD and thus maximum image resolution in these modes is reduced to 1,280 x 960; a meagre 1.2megapixels.

The only real disappointment with this camera is image quality. It's great as far as it goes, but the amount of detail it can capture, despite the boasts of 6megapixel output, is not in the same league as any of the decent 4 or especially 5megapixel prosumer models.

With its 800 and 1,600 ISO sensitivity modes and short inter-shot delay, the S602 will appeal to sports photographers concerned more with capturing the moment than with out-and-out quality.

For most others, the lure of the increased detail and sharpness of the true 5megapixel competition makes it difficult to recommend, even with the extras thrown in.

It's a well thought-out camera serious amateurs will find enjoyable to use, but the competition's image capturing technology - and even Fuji's own, now that the fourth-generation SuperCCD has been announced - tends to outweigh those considerations.

Contact: Fujifilm 020 7586 1477
www.fujifilm.co.uk

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