The Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP is a digital
camera targeted to entry-level point-and-shoot photographers.
It has a 10 megapixel resolution on a 1/2.3-in.
CCD image sensor, and a
3x internal optical zoom lens (35-105mm equiv.). There is no mechanical image stabilization.
We find the overall image quality of the Fujifilm Z33WP to be good, with low noise and images retaining details at ISO 64.
3x Optical Zoom
Range
Wide-angle 6.3mm
[35mm, 35mm equivalent]
Telephoto 18.9mm
[105mm, 35mm equivalent]
In the pictures above, we show the coverage for 35mm (equiv.) and then 105mm (equiv). It takes about 2 sec. to zoom from wide-angle to telephoto (I counted 9 steps).
Besides Auto mode and easy-to-use Scene Modes, the Fujifilm Z33WP also has Manual (really, Program AE) and SR (Scene Recognition) mode that analyzes the scene and selects an appropriate scene mode.
The camera also provides exposure compensation (no Auto Bracketing). There is no Custom (Manual) White Balance and no Histogram is available.
The Fujifilm Z33WP lens allows you to focus as
close as 8cm (3.2 in.) at wide-angle in Macro mode. AF lock is fast and precise in good light; even without an AF Illuminator, AF still locks well in low-light on subjects with good contrast but subjects with low contrast might
struggle a bit to get a focus lock.
White Balance
Indoors
AWB
WB = Cool White Fluorescent
As the above pictures show, the auto white balance
is not quite accurate indoors under artificial
light [using two energy saving
fluorescent bulbs] but is much better than the other WB options. There is no Custom/Manual WB, so I select
Cool White Fluorescent. Outdoors,
under natural light, the AWB works well.
ISO
Comparisons
ISO 64
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 400
ISO 800
ISO 1600
We were not able to take our regular ISO test shots at low light level because the pictures at the low ISOs come out underexposed. So, the above pictures are taken in daylight.
You can set the ISO on the Fujifilm Z33WP from
64 to 1600. The 100%
crops above (area delimited by the white square)
demonstrate that the image at ISO 64 is quite clean
with low noise. Noise starts to be slightly visible at ISO 100 and is usable up to ISO 400, though with detail lost. ISO 800 and 1600 should be reserved for small prints and Web display since they produce high noise and loss of detail.
ISO
800 & 1600
ISO 800
ISO 1600
If you restrict ISO 800 and 1600 for Web display, as above, you may find that the results can be quite acceptable.
Chromatic
Aberrations
CA is present in high contrast shots. In the
high contrast shot above, the area delimited by
the red square at top right, and reproduced at
100% crop at bottom right, shows purple
fringing.
Long Exposure
6.3mm [35mm], M,
Multi-Pattern, 3 sec., F3.7, ISO 200
WB Auto, Self-Timer, Tripod
Used, 100% Crop
The Fujifilm Z33WP allows the use of a long shutter
speed of up to 3 sec. in all shooting modes, except AUTO. Generally, with CCD image sensors, noise
usually becomes more prominent at long shutter
speeds.
To test this noise reduction algorithm, we take
a low-light indoors shot using M [i.e. P]
mode. The camera exposed for 3 sec. at F3.7 ISO 200. The noise reduction works well, though at ISO200 we can slightly make out the presence of noise.
If you are looking for a waterproof point-and-shoot digital camera that is not afraid of dust and water -- and that is able to take decent shots in the bright outdoors -- then for its intended purpose of sunny
beach, boating, and bright outdoors, the Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP is an affordable and easy choice.
The pictures in the Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP
Photo Gallery page provide a good sample of
what the camera is capable of. I have provided
samples at 800x600 pixels (compressed to Quality
60/100 in Photoshop Elements) as well as the original
3648×2736 pixels version.
You can safely assume that most macro shots
and slow shutter speed shots required the use
of a tripod. Any image that is adjusted for levels
in Photoshop has "_adjusted" appended
to the file name.
I have defaulted the image size to 800x600 pixels.
For those who have their monitor resolution set
to 1024x728 pixels, everything should snugly fit
and you should not have to scroll to see the whole
image. If your monitor is set to 800x600 pixels
resolution, start the slide show and then scroll
to the right to position the image within your
screen width. Then, press F11 (if you are using
Internet Explorer) to switch to full screen mode,
and the image should fill your screen nicely.
Press F11 again at any time to switch your monitor
display back to normal mode.
To return to this page from the Photo Gallery,
click on the animated graphics of the camera.
Please open and download the original size version
only if you need to and only once
to your hard drive -- and save me some precious
bandwidth. Thanks!
