The Fuji FinePix Z3

Did you know that surprisingly few photos are taken in bright sunlight? Which means that most people are taking pictures indoors and in the evening. And it's the exceptional performance of the FinePix Z3 Zoom in these conditions that makes it such a star camera. Blurry results, grainy digital 'noise' and under-powered flash are all problems that owners of small digital cameras have traditionally had to put up with. These problems have now been put aside, thanks to Fujifilm's award-winning Real Photo Technology, which lies at the heart of the FinePix Z3 Zoom.

Unique wrapped-shell design

Solid engineering is one of the first things you notice about the FinePix Z3 Zoom. You'll be taking this camera out and about, and it's got to take the rough and tumble of your life in its stride. A curved aluminium backplate gives strength and solidity, whilst the sliding cover protects the lens front element from scratches, smears and fingerprints.

ISO 64-1600 Sensitivity - better results in low light

The FinePix Z3 Zoom comes equipped with Real Photo Technology – an award-winning imaging system that delivers its most visible benefits when the light goes down. Whilst most conventional digital cameras give messy, blurred results when you try to take photographs in darker conditions, the ISO 1600 sensitivity means that you will be able to get beautiful, atmospheric photography without needing to use the flash. The Z3 Zoom is for people that know that sensitivity is more important to great photographs than the number of pixels.

VGA 30 frames per second movie mode

It's surprising enough that the little FinePix Z3 Zoom achieves photographs of such quality. However, the camera also has the ability to shoot movie footage of extraordinary clarity. Rather than the low-resolution, jerky footage that you might associate with movie modes on a digital camera, the Z3 Zoom offers TV-resolution (640 x 480 pixel) movies at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. This will give even the most rapid clips of action a smoothness and detail that is a joy to watch.

Scratch resisitant 2.5" LCD screen

A camera that is designed to take everywhere needs to be able to cope with everything. Not only do 230,000 pixels give the generously-proportioned screen an impressive level of detail, but the exterior surface will remain clear and smooth due to the use of a scratch-proof surface. This means that the pictures will continue to look as good onscreen as they did when you used it for the first time.

3 X optical zoom

The FinePix Z3 Zoom manages to fit a three-times optical zoom into a body that is thinner than a deck of cards. Rather than building an optical unit that points out of the camera, a mirror system permits the lens to be stored lengthways within the camera, meaning that there is no exterior movement or protrusion when you zoom in and out. When cameras get put in bags, pockets and other people's hands, it is reassuring to know that there is no danger of a delicate optical unit being knocked and damaged in the process.

Natural light & flash mode

An ingenious feature on the latest range of Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology cameras is the Natural Light + Flash mode. In situations where you want to compare the effect of flash with the naturally-lit version, this function will take two photographs in quick succession, one with flash and one without. Very often, both will be excellent photographs, and leave you spoilt for choice with which you prefer. Sometimes, the natural lighting conveys the mood and atmosphere better, other times the flash gives a dull scene the necessary 'lift'. Have the best of both worlds!

Fast start up

The camera is powered-up and ready for action in a super-fast 0.6 seconds. A breathtaking minimal shutter lag of 0.01 seconds and a shortened shooting interval of 1.1 seconds between frames means the camera is ready when you are.