Fuji Finepix S602 Review

Overall Rating

Excellent Picture Quality most of the time. Video clips excellent. Can use three types of storage media.

Batteries run down quickly. Sometimes unexpected failure. Keep several spare sets.

I searched and searched for a replacement for my trusted Kodak DC500 - in the end I had to make a quick decision - lowest price does not always mean best. If the price seems generously low, check out what peripherals are included and compare against others. I might have paid too much. However, although I get some piccys not to the standard I expect - I can over-compensate by taking more. I have been using the 128 FlashCard I took out of my old camera and I am sure it slows down performance - I am now going to buy a 128 MB SmartMedia card - excallent value for money. I have to say that the reason I rushed into buying was the impending wedding of Kingsize Taylor (from Kingsize Taylor & the Dominoes - big Sixties star from Liverpool and massive in Germany) and he had asked me to be his exclusive photographer - I had to get a better camera - am I glad I did - I didn't even use my Kodak DC500 once - my old camera hasn't been used once since I got this beautiful, magnificent beast, and the funny thing is I am still using 2 megapixels resolution most of the time, reason I put most of my stuff on the internet. When I do use the higher resolutions I get breathtaking results. I wish I was a better photographer I could start using the vast number of other functions, but auto is fine for what I need at the moment. When I get my 128 MB SmartMedia card I know my batteries will last for a heck of a lot longer - and I can work faster, then I will be really happy with my fantastic new toy.
I forgot to say I have taken 16,000 pictures in the last 18 months and I really do know the difference between my 2 cameras. I also really buzz when I can video 30 seconds quality performance of each of the many bands that I photograph/video - this is living history man!!!
Also, the quality of the music is perfect - just like your sitting in the gig. Well I guess this review is a bit long and may never be seen - but I just had to tell somebody that I am so happy with a great product.

Wes Paul

Members' Comments onWes Paul.'s Review

• WmAx. on 8th Jul 2003

  I am glad too see you are happy with your new purchase. It would certainly suck if you were unhappy..lol. Anyways, concerning the image quality i note that you specify normally using the AUTO mode. If you move away from AUTO and use the Priority Modes(A and S on the selector) or Manual mode, you can then turn the camera's noise reduction/sharpening system effictively OFF. The s602, while a good camera, has some faults. One of the biggest faults is it's built in sharpening/nr system that will signficantly degread image quality. I beileve if you learn to post process your 602 images from the SOFT sharpen setting option images, you will have much higehr quality.
  
  See this summary on the subject:
  
  http://www.linaeum.com/productinfo/digitalcams/fuji_s602/sharpsystem/samples/index.html
  
  -Chris

• bluecarbine on 27th Jun 2004

  chris, I'd like to know more about the soft focussing issues you mention but the url you left is a dead end, has it changed?

• doug sinnott on 11th Jul 2004

  If you liked the camera so much,how come you gave it such a low score for both image quality,and features?
  These are both areas where this camera excels,most reviews give the s602 top scores in these departments,and you have not even recommended this camera!
  What a negative review,with a score that is wide of the mark!!
  
  Doug Sinnott,Warrington

• bluecarbine on 13th Jul 2004

  I'd like to add to Wes Paul & Doug's comments. I have a 602 and would only give it 4/10 for image quality. I keep sending CD's of images back to Fuji and they keep telling me they are of the standard they would expect, but to me they all looked very slightly out of focus. I'm very disappointed with the camera. I delete around 55% of all my photos because they are so poor.
  Bluecarbine.

• WmAx on 13th Jul 2004

  Bluecarbine -- Send me some unedited(out of camera) examples. I would be interested in seeing the 'soft' image problem you are experiencing.
  
  wmax@linaeum.com
  
  -Chris

• WmAx on 13th Jul 2004

  bluecarbine -- I'm sorry, but I deleted the S602 pages when the camera was discontinued. I may replace the data -- but in the meantime e-mail me(wmax@linaeum.com).
  
  -Chris

• euclid44 on 20th May 2008

  Well guys - I finally took my last pictures with old faithful! I have just had my s602 stolen (at Todmorden Town Hall) - I shall really miss it!
  
  Pictures I have taken can be seen on cavernshowcase.com
  
  caldercats.com, calderweb.net, todmordenunitarianchurch.org.uk
  kingsizetaylor.com
  wespaul.caldercats.com
  
  Thanks for looking
  
  Best wishes
  
  Wes Paul