Fuji FinePix S602Zoom Digital Camera

02 February 2004 () by Kendon Glass

Photo: Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

Specs

Power supply: 4 × AA-size nickel-metal hydride batteries; AC Power Adapter
Conditions for use: Temperature: 0°C to +40°C (+32°F to +104°F); 80% humidity or less Camera dimensions: (W/H/D) 121.0 mm × 81.5 mm × 97.0 mm / 4.8 in. × 3.2 in. × 3.8 in.
Camera weight: 500 g / 17.6 oz.
Weight for photography: Approx. 600 g / 21.2 oz.(including batteries and SmartMedia)
Storage media: SmartMedia (3.3V), Microdrive
File format: Still image: TIFF-RGB, JPEG, Movie: AVI format, Motion JPEG, Audio: WAV format
Sensitivity: Equivalent to ISO 160/200/400/800/1600
Lens: Super EBC Fujinon 6× optical zoom lens
Focus distance: f = 7.8 mm-46.8 mm (Equivalent to 35 mm-210 mm on a 35 mm camera)
Viewfinder: 0.44-inch 180.000 pixels electronic viewfinder
Exposure control: TTL 64-zones metering, Program AE (R•>• B • N • M)
White balance: Fully automatic
Number of effective pixels: 3.1million pixels
CCD sensor: 1/1.7 inch Super CCD in an interwoven pattern; Number of total pixels = 3.3 million Number of recorded pixels: 2832 × 2128 pixels (6.03 million pixels) / 2048 × 1536 pixels /
1280 × 960 pixels / 640 × 480 pixels

Performance

On an expedition of this length, gear maintenance is always going to be of a major concern. Those items that contain moving electrical parts are usually the first to go.

However, despite having the single most usage of any of our electronic equipment, after three long years the Fuji FinePix S602Zoom is still bouncing around up front in my handlebar bag and going strong. This is quite a feat considering we have cycled on some of the world's longest sections of corrugated highway. This was the same treatment handed out to the Sony PD150 DV Cam which required servicing for internal damage while in the Amazon. The mechanics of the zoom control had gone haywire after being jolted loose during some poor pothole navigation in the back streets of Venezuelan.

Field Conditions: Minus zero temperatures of Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia; Tropical humidity & torrential rain of the Amazon jungle; Dry dust of the Bolivian Altiplano; Sandy beaches of Brazil.

These are all hostile environments for digital equipment. 2000 photos later without service and the Fuji FinePix S602Zoom is still functioning the same as the first day I used it.

Format: For what we need I believe going digital is the only option. Lighter and more compact than the traditional 35mm while retaining many of its functionalities. A trained eye may be able to tell the difference in picture quality between the two formats but I doubt this is worth the difference in printing costs for all those snap shots in the 35mm format that don't end up making the mark. The digital format also makes easy the manipulation of images for e-mail or web.

+ This camera allows me to record 20 to 30 seconds of spontaneous video. This is great when meeting with weird and wonderful characters on the side of the road.

+ The Fuji FinePix S602Zoom provides excellent picture quality. Take a look at Fuji Pro Galleries for Brink Expedition photos

Brink Expedition Gallery

Go to the Fuji Pro Galleries website and browse the breath taking imagery from the Brink Expedition!

Thank you

The Fuji FinePix S602Zoom is a magnificent camera! This camera has proved to be extremely robust and water resistant while providing amazing picture quality using the latest digital technology.


Thanks to Steven McCullogh from Fuji the Brink Expedition has come alive! Click on the Fuji logo to reach the Fujifilm website where you can find more information about their range of products.

Photo: Using the Fuji manual aperture and speed settings - Ushuaia by night

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