The S7000 Zoom was announced by Fujifilm at the end of July this year and marks the fifth generation of Fujifilm's top-end prosumer digital camera. The camera looks almost identical to the S602 Pro Zoom which was announced in November 2002 (it was a subtle update of the S602 Zoom). The only physical differences between the two is the addition of the new FinePix 'Photo mode' button on the rear of the camera, the removal of the Pro's PC Sync terminal, a gold SuperCCD logo and a change of the silk screen on the side of the lens barrel, the S602 Pro Zoom said '6x Optical Zoom', the S7000 says '19x, 6x Optical, 3.2x Digital' (a slide back to marketing tactics of the late 90's).

Timeline

* The S602 Pro Zoom was a subtle 'packaging update' to the S602 Zoom, the S602 Pro Zoom had an all black body and added a PC Sync socket, threaded cable release socket, all-black finish, 4 NiMH AA batteries and fast charger and a bundled 340 MB IBM Microdrive.

Fujifilm FinePix S7000 vs. S602 (Pro) Zoom (spec. differences)

 
FinePix S7000 Zoom

FinePix S602 (Pro) Zoom
Sensor SuperCCD IV HR SuperCCD III
Effective pixels 6.3 million 3.3 million
Image sizes

4048 x 3040 (12 MP)
2848 x 2136 (6 MP)
2016 x 1512 (3 MP)
1600 x 1200 (2 MP)
1280 x 960 (1 MP)

2832 x 2128 (6 MP)
2048 x 1536 (3 MP)
1280 x 960 (1 MP)
640 x 480 (VGA)
Image formats JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
CCD-RAW
JPEG
TIFF
Sensitivity (auto) ISO 160 - 800 Unknown
Sensitivity (manual) ISO 200, 400
ISO 800 (1 MP / 2 MP / 3 MP only)
ISO 160, 200, 400
ISO 800, 1600 (1 MP only)
Zoom control Buttons on rear
Focus/Zoom ring on lens barrel
Buttons on rear
Digital zoom 3 MP: 2x
2 MP: 2.5x
1 MP: 3.2x
3 MP: 1.4x
2 MP: 2.2x
1 MP: 4.4x
Auto focus drive Continuous AF
Single AF
Single AF
Bulb shutter speed Yes No
Apertures F2.8 - F8.0 (10 steps) F2.8 - F11 (13 steps)
Electronic viewfinder 0.44" 235,000 pixel LCD 0.44" 180,000 pixel LCD
LCD Monitor 1.8" 118,000 pixel TFT LCD 1.8" 110,000 pixel TFT LCD
Histogram Play mode
Record mode (live histogram)
Play mode
Continuous 3.3 fps, first 5 frames
2 fps, last 5 frames
1 fps, 40 frames *
* 1 MP / 2 MP / 3 MP only
5 fps, first 5 frames
5 fps, last 5 frames
1.8 fps, 40 frames *
* 1 MP only
Color modes Standard
Chrome
B & W
None
Flash range Wide: 0.3 - 8.5 m (11.8 in - 27.9 ft)
Tele: 0.9 - 7.9 m (3.0 ft - 32.2 ft)
Wide: 0.2 - 4.7 m (7.8 in - 15.4 ft)
Tele: 0.2 - 3.0 m (7.8 in - 9.8 ft)
USB interface USB 2.0 USB 1.1
External flash Flash hot-shoe Flash hot-shoe
PC Sync flash terminal *P
Remote control Screw-in wired shutter release Screw-in wired shutter release *P
Video out NTSC / PAL selectable Varied by region
Storage Slot 1: xD-Picture Card
Slot 2: Compact Flash Type I/II
Slot 1: SmartMedia
Slot 2: Compact Flash Type I/II
Supplied Fujifilm
software
FinePix Viewer
Image Mixer VCD2 for FinePix
RAW File Converter LE
FinePix Viewer
DP Editor

*P S602 Pro Zoom only

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X, Y, and Z and ideally A, B, and C.

This article is Copyright 1998 - 2016 and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.